Museum of Nature "Bird World of Meshchera National Park". Bird Encounters in Meshchera Birds of the Meshchera

WINDOW TO NATURE

This story is about random life episodes that remain in memory because of their unusualness. After all, a forest hike every time gives food not only to the stomach, although picking mushrooms, nuts and berries is still a pleasure! Observe the flora from mosses and grasses to ancient oaks and ship pines. Observe the fauna from mosquitoes and horseflies to wild boars and elks. Etc. I'll tell you a little about the Meshchera birds. In some stories and mushroom stories, I have already described some interesting meetings with the feathered lads - the cuckoo and the black grouse, magpies and woodpeckers (see note), I will try not to repeat myself.

We have been going to the Balashikha forest for lines since the 60s of the last century. somehow in early spring 40 years ago, on a sunny warm Saturday, I set off in the morning towards Hare Hill. In the young pine plantations on the side of the Poultry Farm, I noticed a couple of ducks raking a dry needle bed with their beaks in search of, apparently, insect larvae. Is there not enough food for you on Pekhorka and in the pond? This is not your area! On the way back, having collected a few young lines for a roast (after a double broth!), Where the ducks “grazed”, I find a small duck torn to pieces, having lost weight on a long-distance flight. In those days, Pekhorka was clean and froze in winter, there were no wintering ducks at all - as expected, migratory waterfowl flew away in the fall and returned in the spring. Who could attack a duck in the forest? Most likely, a flock of crows - they could not stand a food competitor on their territory. Still warm, covered in blood, but no longer alive, I took the duck with me and brought it to the private sector of a familiar lady for her dog. However, Maria Kuzminichna's dog did not eat raw duck, and Masha had no time to pluck and boil the bird. Then the duck was buried in the garden by Masha's son Anatoly...

Another spring, I went to the same places for spring mushrooms on a bicycle. A crow fledgling ran along the forest path - a chick that had not yet learned to fly properly. Deciding to get to know him better, examine him and stroke him, he put the bicycle to the pine tree, caught up with the crow and took him in his hands. Yes, he did not particularly resist, he let himself admire. But his parents, and they always continue to feed and protect the fledglings, attacked me and were ready to peck out my eyes. Of course, I released their offspring in peace, got on a bicycle, but the crows continued to accompany me for some time with their fighting flapping of wings and alarming croaking. In fact, in nature, it’s not worth it for a person to touch either the nests of birds or their chicks - for small birds it is dangerous because the parents will stop flying to the children, and large birds can stand up for their offspring!

Apiary, autumn. The harvest is almost harvested, the bees are fed in the winter, we put the beds in order. Quiet, sunny, occasional cirrus clouds. And suddenly there was a sound from the heavens... a murmur. At a great height, a wedge of cranes flew from the northeast to the southwest, in which more than 30 birds could be counted. Common cranes do not live in flocks, but in pairs, somehow I even met such a family in a swamp beyond Dubrovka in the Pokrovsky forest. Those who fly away for the winter with their cooing gather relatives from all the swamps, the wedge grows, and it takes a long time to fly. Cranes noticed in the sky and local crows. Where are they up to such echelons of height! But when they saw and heard their migratory counterparts, all the crows greeted their beautiful flight with a loud croak...

Pokrovsky forest. Eight am. Ahead is the collection of Polish whites. Next to the concrete road in the pine row, I stumble upon a dead little owl. Sorry bird! Also, after all, some of the other birds are itching, it’s even hard to guess - to whom, a kite or a crow? Well, they would eat it. Having cut off the wings of an owl for the apiary with a mushroom knife, they are needed there instead of sweeping brushes when planting a swarm, I left it to ants and hedgehogs - forest orderlies ...

From the Pokrovsky forest with a full basket of mushroom trophies, on a sunny August day, I looked into a clearing with a non-thorny wild rose, there is such a variety near Klyazma. After making sure that later it is worth coming here for ripe berries, he wandered through the meadows towards the bridge. The herbage is tall, you can mow it, or you can start the herd. And, true, he came out on someone's small herd of unhobbed horses, peacefully grazing under the sun. The large guard dog did not notice me, he was sleeping peacefully in the grass. And suddenly, almost from under my feet, a huge bird takes off. The camera was not ready, I did not have time to shoot. The wingspan is under two meters. The plumage is gray-brown, with white spots. It was a meadow or marsh harrier. Its food is mice, small birds and even frogs. A week later, I again came to this wonderful corner of Meshchera. And, wow, by the road I find a large gray-brownish bird's feather with white specks. Throwing his head up, he saw a soaring moon in the sky. So he sent me a hello letter in the form of his feather. Wow! I always collected various bird feathers in a kitchen vase, but moths spoiled them. The last white feathers of the Kriushinsky goose, black rook and brown with white stripes and speckles from the cuckoo and harrier, I took to the local history museum. There, behind the glass, there is a natural stained-glass window, where there are also my exhibits: from the Klyazma meadow - a wasp ball nest on a rosehip branch, from the collective apiary - a nest of a robin-robin eaten by a cat with five of its testicles and with a blue cuckoo egg planted, and now here are birds feathers...

In the forest, the main enemies of birds are, of course, foxes. But there are also ferrets and weasels, lynxes and other creatures that “love” birds in their own way. On hikes, you can see bird feathers lying in heaps. It goes to woodpeckers and jays, the same owls, finches and goldfinches, orioles and wagtails. First of all, weakened birds that do not have time to fly away from the enemy die. It's probably an element of natural selection. The enemy is cunning and dangerous, he also wants to eat and live in this world. But Mother Nature confidently maintains the balance of the living - everything should be enough for everyone. Let's not interfere with her in this - and then we will also have enough of everything!

Note - Links to some stories about the feathered lads:
- "Raven":
- "Rooks fly home":
- "Woodpecker-Controller":
- "Cuckoo":
- Silent Magpies:
- "Flying flights":
- "Bird Flicker":
- "Bird feathers":
- "Bird eggs":
- "Sweet-voiced maestro":
- "Bullfinches".

From the chapter "Meshchera Symphony" of the new book "The Open Book of Meshchera"

The evening was already coming to an end when Eliza Rovbotom, Teri's wife, came up to me and began to say something. I could hardly make out that this was the first romance I had sung. Calling Teri for help, I was surprised to learn that both the meaning of the poems and the melody of the romance were familiar to Eliza since childhood, when she lived in Trinidad! And in general, as she put it, this is their folk song (!) How, how could this happen? There is only one conclusion: by the will of fate, Elizabeth Dieterichs could have ended up on the island of Trinidad after 1924. Where did the poor Russian wanderers, deprived of their homeland, live!? The melody of the romance could not fail to please the locals, the verses could be translated into Spanish, especially since the stars in the Caribbean Sea are reflected no worse than in the Black Sea near Odessa. So over time, the Russian romance could turn into a folk "Trinidadian" song, which was sung by some local fisherman to his beloved: his native Caribbean, and in distant, distant Russia ...

The history of this romance is very instructive. It is like a message from the twentieth century to future generations, as a kind of warning ... In the age of the triumph of mass communication, the global computer network, cellular communications and space navigation, we began to value all these technical conveniences above all else, even above spiritual values, and ceased to be surprised at all that surrounds us, they have ceased to see and hear the world of nature around us, to strive for its knowledge. It is not for nothing that it is said: - He who is deaf and blind, he does not see or hear anything! ..

Outside the window is a fresh late September morning soaked in cold dew. For a long time I was going to go and watch the cranes in the fields near the Orlovsky swamp, to count how many young cranes fledged this year. Already from the porch of my village house I hear the crane roll call rushing from all sides. Half an hour later, I'm already there. In the distance, on a hillock, you can see the outskirts of the village of Chaslitsy, and nearby, a little to the right - the village of Zanutreno, around the field? local SPK planted this year with corn for silage. The crop has already been harvested, but a significant number of semi-ripe cobs with grains remained on the ground. Along the reclamation canal, overgrown with young birch trees, I make my way closer to the edge of the field and adjust my binoculars.

About fifty cranes have already gathered on the field. Everyone is mostly busy feeding, but there are also sentries, carefully looking around. Birds walk importantly among the stubble, carefully choosing delicious corn kernels from the soil. Young cranes, thanks to their brownish-brown plumage, stand out well among the general mass, similar to long-nosed teddy bear cubs climbing on stilts. In size, they are noticeably smaller than adult birds, and they move not so gracefully and expressively.

The young are constantly near their parents, so that according to the location of the cranes, you can easily calculate the number of couples who have bred chicks this summer. The cranes are still flying. From time to time, from behind the cemetery forest covered with autumn gilding, the call of another flying group is heard. In response, all the cranes on the field throw their heads up, and the pipe extravaganza begins. The sound of the crane's cry envelops you from all sides, does not hit your ears, but seems to sound inside you, forcing the whole body, the bones of the skull to resonate, turning it into a kind of musical instrument as well.

You experience a similar feeling when you stand on the bell tower of the temple next to the largest ringing bell and are not afraid to go deaf, because at that time you sound yourself! resonance at the smallest cellular level.

Of all the birds of the Meshchera, marsh bitterns and, of course, eagle owls can make sounds similar in magical vibrational power. Anyone who has heard nearby the “humming” of a bittern on a swampy lake or the “hooting” of an eagle owl in a dense forest will agree with me that this is one of those impressions that remain with a person for life ...

… During the two hours of my observing the cranes, more than eighty birds gathered on the field. Having satisfied their hunger, the birds gradually dispersed throughout the field, cleaning their feathers, exposing their sides to the warm rays of the rising sun. Everyone in the neighborhood is slowly waking up after a cold autumn night's slumber. To the left, from the direction of Chaslitsy, cock cries and barking of dogs are heard. Twenty minutes later, as if obeying a certain schedule, the whole flock of cranes again starts to move. Couples with cranes formed a wide circle, in its center were only adult birds, importantly pacing to the beat of an inaudible melody. From time to time, a bird, located in the very center of the circle, grabs a dried corn leaf with its beak and throws it high up. For everyone, this serves as a signal and an invitation to the dance - the game.
Cranes, spreading their wings, begin to chirp melodicly, jump high, grabbing a leaf in the air, and tossing it up again so that it does not fall. When a dry corn leaf does touch the ground, the dance marathon subsides, only to start again in a minute with renewed vigor. Gradually, the general dance fun covers the whole flock. Now everyone is already: both adults and young ones flap their wings, jump high up and shout loudly, as if sending a greeting to the rising sun. Then, several males took to the wing and began to rise in circles. Behind them, as if continuing to circle in a dance, more and more birds took off in a general whirlwind. A few minutes later, the flock gained a ceiling of a good hundred meters and, having stopped circling, divided into four wedges, taking the direction to the southwest - to the Great Meshchersky Lakes ...

... Rubbing my stiff knees, I go out onto the road framing the field and go towards the village of Zanutrino to check if there are still cranes in the fields outside the village. On the way, I scare away a flock of buntings feeding on weed seeds on the edge of the canal. These are very interesting birds, undeservedly forgotten in our time.

The common oatmeal is a constant companion of a resident of the Meshchera hinterland, feeds and nests on the ground among the grass in small copses, on damp, overgrown meadows overgrown with rare shrubs, closer to rural fields and pastures. Now the birds are dressed in an inconspicuous winter brown-brown plumage, masking them from the keen eyes of a hawk.
By the end of winter, the males will be transformed: the head, neck, chest and abdomen will be covered with bright yellow feathers with small rare brown streaks that will shimmer in the spring sun and delight the eye in the midst of spring thaw...
In autumn and during winter migrations, buntings feed on seeds of herbaceous plants and cultivated cereals, but in summer, during the nesting period, they feed chicks and feed exclusively on insects themselves ...

A little more, and flocks of these birds will begin their eternal movement along the edge of the snow cover to the south to the forest-steppe and steppe regions of Russia, not flying far from the snow-covered border, often lingering in warm winters and in the forest zone, as if afraid to miss the moment of the arrival of Spring.

With its first breath, usually in early or mid-March, when streams run along the roads, the first thawed patches appear, and heavenly blue will increasingly appear through the breaks in the clouds, they will again appear in our area to be one of the first to announce this important spring news with his "silver" voice: xin-sin-sin-sin-sin-ssii.

The first song of oatmeal I heard at the very beginning of spring pleases and warms my heart no less than the song of a lark or a nightingale trill ... The song is short, a little sad, but really silver-voiced and pure, like the murmur of a spring stream. This song of a simple bird glorified Russia all over the world. And that's why:

In many countries of the world, and especially in Western Europe for many centuries it has been practiced to catch small songbirds during spring and autumn migrations with nets, snares and other means for food. Starlings, bullfinches, larks, blackbirds, buntings and even nightingales fell on the spit. Pate made from boiled nightingale tongues was considered a special "squeak" of fashion!

In Russia, small songbirds were also caught, but not for food, but to tame and listen to their songs! Russia of the 18-19th century was famous for the high culture of keeping songbirds at home.

In rich houses and shacks, in taverns and inns, and even in royal palace- everywhere at that time one could hear the singing of nightingales, goldfinches, song thrushes, larks, buntings, siskins and tits. A great lover and connoisseur of bird singing was the Russian Emperor Alexander III.

The singing of birds was elevated to the rank of art, highly valued. Therefore, brought by German merchants to Russia in the 18th century, the small songbird canary immediately found its admirers. Unpretentious in content, easily breeding in captivity, the bird immediately gained popularity among rich and poor people.

In the wild, canaries lived in the Canary Islands of the Atlantic Ocean off the northwestern coast of Africa, as well as in the Azores and Madeira. In the 16th century, they were brought to Europe and domesticated. Those first canaries in the 18th century still had a loud, abrupt chant of wild birds, so Russian bird song lovers, being highly qualified specialists, set about breeding singing canaries with melodic singing, without sharp sounds and with many knees, smoothly replacing each other. At the same time, the natural ability of canaries to adopt the singing of other songbirds was used. And so the common oatmeal became a “singing teacher” for young, newly fledged canaries. Such a tune was highly valued throughout Europe and Asia and was called "oatmeal". It should be noted that in Germany, canaries were taught to sing with the help of a special pipe. Such a melody was called "pipe" or "Tyrolean", but in Russia it was little known. Canaries sing, like their wild ancestors, with open beaks and strongly vibrating necks.

Breeding and teaching canaries to sing was a very profitable occupation. Residents of some villages and provincial towns in Central Russia did not fail to take advantage of this. Kenar breeding, along with woodcarving, toy making, and lacquer miniatures, became one of the folk crafts in the second half of the 19th century. So the overseas canary bird turned into a truly Russian one ...

Breeders of canaries from the village of Pavlovo near Nizhny Novgorod, as well as canary breeders of the Kaluga and Bryansk provinces, where the overwhelming majority of the adult population were engaged in this trade, were especially famous all over the world. In the Vladimir province, the breeding centers for canaries were Gorokhovets and Vyazniki and the villages around them. According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of canaries were brought in cages on barges along the Klyazma and Oka to the Nizhny Novgorod piers, reloaded onto carts and taken to a special "Bird Row". Indeed, where one could hear the heavenly bird choir! Famous innkeepers of Moscow and St. Petersburg: Gurin, Egorov, Testov, Lopashov and others personally came to Nizhny to listen and select the best kenars for their establishments.

Each breeder sought not only to breed these best-selling birds, but also to improve their song, bring out your own, different from others, tune. The most harmonious knees of forest and field birds were inserted into the song of the canary, sharp unpleasant sounds were removed, the tone of the sound changed.

The tradition of keeping songbirds in public places required canine breeders to create such a bird so that its voice could be heard amid the noise and rumble. Under these conditions, only a high voice was suitable. Great importance was also attached to the external beauty of the bird itself. Kenar of the Russian oatmeal tune were distinguished by yellow, green or yellow-piebald plumage with dark spots on the back. Their song was based on the song of Russian forest songbirds and field birds and was distinguished by the original selection of knees or their construction, tempo, tonality, including even such original sounds as the ringing of a bell. Each "style" of singing had its own name after the name of the breeder or the village where he lived.

Naturally, each "breeder" dreamed that the singing of his birds would be recognized as the best, tried to bring his best achievements to the court of lovers. Therefore, in Moscow, in Nizhny Novgorod and other large cities, as a rule, in taverns, peculiar competitions of singing kenars were held. Such competitions brought together dozens of connoisseurs of canary singing, they determined the most euphonious singers by common vote. Competitions became auctions, where the best kenars were sold at huge prices for those times. Here the glory of breeders of kenars was created, which thundered not only throughout Russia, but also beyond its borders. A large number of canaries of Russian oatmeal tune were taken to Transcaucasia, Central Asia, Turkey and Iran. Here's a little bird oatmeal for you! ..

The fields beyond the village of Zanutreno are dull and empty, only the whole earth is dotted with crane tracks. In the distance, abandoned peat maps of the former Orlovsky swamp, completely overgrown with reeds and cattails, turn yellow with bright spots. The northwest wind, which had grown stronger and dispersed the gray clouds hanging on the horizon, suddenly subsided and, as if by a wave magic wand, the whole space around was lit up, quite like spring, with bright sunlight. Against the background of the azure sky, a strip of forest framing the field flared up with all the colors of autumn ... And, for a moment, there was silence, which is called ringing! It was as if Meshchera was saying goodbye to the last wedge of a crane flying somewhere, in the heavenly heights ...

In the village of Urshelsky there is a museum "The World of Birds", where there are representatives of all species living in the territory of the park "Meshchera". The museum opened in 2004. There are more than 130 stuffed birds, as well as a unique collection of bird eggs.
In faunistic terms, the Meshchera lowland does not significantly stand out from other natural areas. Central Russia. The composition of the fauna of birds and mammals, as well as other groups of animals, is dominated by species of European origin. Taiga forms occupy a subordinate position. The outstanding significance of Meshchera in general and the park in particular for the conservation of wildlife is determined not by its faunistic originality, but by the fact that the entire range of habitats of the subzone of European coniferous-deciduous forests is very fully represented here.
Forests in combination with swamps form a vast forest-bog complex, which supports the centers of conservation of a number of species. large mammals, as well as birds in need of extensive individual sites.
This territory has long been famous for the abundance of forest animals and birds, as evidenced by the donation letters of the Ryazan princes to local monasteries. Animal hunting, bird hunting and fishing, along with beekeeping, were among the traditional forms of nature management in Meshchera.
The fauna and animal population bear the features of a strong anthropogenic influence. The most numerous are white hare, squirrel, fox; elk, wild boar, beaver, raccoon dog, American mink, weasel, ermine, wolf, pine marten, badger are common; occasionally there are hare, forest polecat, otter. Marked traces of entry brown bear, and habitats of the endemic of the Eastern European fauna - the Russian muskrat. Among the birds are quite common: gray crane, capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, marsh harrier, red falcon, corncrake. Rare - white stork, gray heron, bittern, wigeon, gray partridge, great godwit, curlew, woodpeckers - green, gray, three-toed, white-backed, gray shrike, etc. Reptiles are represented by spindle, quick and viviparous lizards, common snake and the common viper. Amphibians are represented by common and crested newts, two types of toads, frogs: lake, pond, moor, grass, as well as spadefoot and red-bellied toad. Among the fish are common - ordinary loach, common roach, perch, pike, crucian carp, rotan-brown (invader). Rare - blue, white-eyed.
About 520 species of Lepidoptera and 149 species of weevils have been recorded in the park.

Birds included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation:
Golden Eagle / Aquila chrysaetos
Curlew / Numenius arquata
Greater Spotted Eagle / Aquila clanga
Serpent-eater / Circaetus gallicus
Oystercatcher / Haematopus ostralegus
Lesser Tern / Sterna albifrons
Common Gray Shrike / Lanius excubitor excubitor
White-tailed Eagle / Haliaeetus albicilla
Lesser White-fronted Lesser / Anser erythropus
Peregrine Falcon / Falco peregrinus
Osprey / Pandion haliaetus
Central Russian Ptarmigan / Lagopus lagopus rossicus
Owl / Bubo bubo
Black Stork / Ciconia nigra

Contacts:

601501 Vladimir region

G. Gus-Khrustalny, st. International, 111, PO box 40.

national park"Meshchera" was formed by the Decree of the Government of Russia No. 234 of 04/09/92 on the territory of the Vladimir Region in order to preserve the natural complex of the Meshchera lowland. Subordinates to the Vladimir forest management.
The Meshchera National Park is located in the southeastern part of the Vladimir Region on the territory of the Gus-Khrustalny District. In the west, the park borders on the Moscow region. The National Park "Meshchersky" of the Ryazan region adjoins the southern border of the park. Together, both parks serve to preserve the natural complex of the Meshcherskaya lowland. total area national park"Meshchera" 118.9 thousand hectares, including: 72.7 thousand hectares (61% of the total area) are provided to the national park, and 46.2 thousand hectares (38.9%) of lands of other owners, owners and users included in the boundaries of the park without withdrawal from economic activity. Significant historical developed territories are located in the central and southern parts of the park. On these lands there are 46 settlements(urban-type settlements and villages), in which about 14 thousand people live. The forest lands of the park occupy 86.3 thousand hectares (72.6% of the total area of ​​the park), including 81.6 thousand hectares (68.6%) covered with forests. There are three railway lines (Moscow-Kazan-Ekaterinburg, Vladimir-Tumskaya and local) and several highways passing through the territory of the park.

In the village of Urshelsky there is a museum "The World of Birds", where there are representatives of all species living in the park. The museum opened in 2004. There are more than 130 stuffed birds, as well as a unique collection of bird eggs.
Faunistically, the Meshchera lowland does not differ significantly from other natural regions of Central Russia. The composition of the fauna of birds and mammals, as well as other groups of animals, is dominated by species of European origin. Taiga forms occupy a subordinate position. The outstanding significance of Meshchera in general and the park in particular for the conservation of wildlife is determined not by its faunistic originality, but by the fact that the entire range of habitats of the subzone of European coniferous-deciduous forests is very fully represented here.
Forests in combination with swamps form a vast forest-bog complex, which supports the centers of conservation of a number of species of large mammals, as well as birds that need large individual plots.
This territory has long been famous for the abundance of forest animals and birds, as evidenced by the donation letters of the Ryazan princes to local monasteries. Animal hunting, bird hunting and fishing, along with beekeeping, were among the traditional forms of nature management in Meshchera.
The fauna and animal population bear the features of a strong anthropogenic influence. The most numerous are white hare, squirrel, fox; elk, wild boar, beaver, raccoon dog, American mink, weasel, ermine, wolf, pine marten, badger are common; occasionally there are hare, forest polecat, otter. Marked traces of the entry of the brown bear, and the habitat of the endemic of the Eastern European fauna - the Russian muskrat. Among the birds are quite common: gray crane, capercaillie, black grouse, hazel grouse, marsh harrier, red falcon, corncrake. Rare are the white stork, gray heron, bittern, wigeon, gray partridge, great godwit, curlew, woodpeckers - green, gray, three-toed, white-backed, gray shrike, etc. Reptiles are represented by spindle, quick and viviparous lizards, common snake and common viper. Amphibians are represented by common and crested newts, two types of toads, frogs: lake, pond, moor, grass, as well as spadefoot and red-bellied toad. Among the fish are common - ordinary loach, common roach, perch, pike, crucian carp, rotan-brown (invader). Rare - blue, white-eyed.
About 520 species of Lepidoptera and 149 species of weevils have been recorded in the park.

Birds included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation:
Golden Eagle / Aquila chrysaetos
Curlew / Numenius arquata
Greater Spotted Eagle / Aquila clanga
Serpent-eater / Circaetus gallicus
Oystercatcher / Haematopus ostralegus
Lesser Tern / Sterna albifrons
Common Gray Shrike / Lanius excubitor excubitor
White-tailed Eagle / Haliaeetus albicilla
Lesser White-fronted Lesser / Anser erythropus
Peregrine Falcon / Falco peregrinus
Osprey / Pandion haliaetus
Central Russian Ptarmigan / Lagopus lagopus rossicus
Owl / Bubo bubo
Black Stork / Ciconia nigra

Used info from websites.

In our article we want to talk about the Meshchera land. It was these regions that he described in his famous story "Meshcherskaya Side". Why is she so remarkable?

Where is Meshchersky Krai located?

The Meshchersky lands are located not far from Moscow, between Ryazan and Vladimir. They form a kind of triangle with a total area of ​​about 25 thousand square kilometers.

Here the whole land is completely covered with forests. This is one of those few islands of green massifs that have survived and survived to our times, which used to be part of a single great belt of coniferous trees. Once it stretched from the Urals to Polissya.

Many millennia ago, the Meshchersky region was covered by a glacier. When he descended, he left behind a lowland, now called the Meshcherskaya Depression. It is in its depths that the Meshchera forests are located - wild and reserved places. Conifers predominate here. There are a huge number of peat bogs and lakes.

Rivers and lakes of the region

In these parts, the lakes and rivers Pra and Buzha formed a large water system that stretches from north to south for more than 270 kilometers. Spring floods turn all reservoirs into one huge lake. During the spring flood, more than 60% of the land of the inner Meshchera is covered with water.

The shores of lakes and rivers are covered with birch and fern, juniper and heather, centuries-old fir trees and oaks. Meshchera forests are primarily spruce, peat, cranberries, mushrooms and swamps.

Meshchera forests have become a real home for white hares, squirrels and foxes. There are a large number of them here.

protected areas

Of course, Meshchera has been influenced by man, but there are still places that have not suffered much from human activity, or even completely retained their original appearance. Such sites are presented for study, and therefore require close protection. If we preserve the forests of Meshchera, then we will have a piece of pristine and wildlife, which is home to many rare birds and animals.

Currently, there are already more than 20 sanctuaries in this area. There is even one natural monument. You will be surprised, but these are three-hundred-year-old pines. They are of great value and interest, and also require a special security regime.

The protected areas of the region make up an area of ​​more than 40 hectares, and this is a significant figure for the region. It must be remembered that most of the territories are lakes, swamps and rivers. This means that most of the reserves are connected with water. This is what played a decisive role in their names: “Holy Lake”, “Polya River Valley”, “Blue Backwater”, “White Lake”.

All reserves are scattered throughout the territory and have a different area. All of them can be, purely conditionally, divided into 3 types (according to the purpose of creation): zoological, botanical, complex. There are reserves that were created specifically for the protection of a certain type of animals and plants, such as Lake Beloe, for example. And there are those in which they comprehensively approach the protection of all flora and fauna.

In the reserve "Ozero Beloe" they are engaged in the study and conservation of such a plant as the lake half-grass. It is notable for the fact that it is able to create entire meadows in shallow water, and real forests at depth. And in the "Polya River Valley" beavers are guarded and bred. Due to this, their population has increased and now this animal has become a common (not disappearing) inhabitant of the forest rivers of the region.

Skiing in Meshchersky Park

However, the Meshchera forest is interesting not only in summer. Skiing - this is what this region can be more interesting in winter. The fact is that five routes have been developed in Meshchersky Park. Two of them are tourist destinations and three are sports destinations. The entire park area is dotted with ski routes.

The longest sports track is the ring, the length of which is more than 5 kilometers. Two more sports directions are a little shorter: 1.3 kilometers and 4 kilometers.

As for tourist routes, two routes are provided, their length is 2.6 and 1.8 kilometers.

All of them are designed both for the supporters of the classical style and for amateurs. They are maintained in very good condition, because competitions are held here. Do not worry if you still do not know how to ski, you will be taught the basics of this art here. For those who are just starting to ride, they conduct special group classes with professionals.

I would like to note that all these entertainments are offered to visitors by the Meshchersky park, which is located in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region. It should not be confused with the National Park "Meshchersky", which is located on the territory of the Ryazan region, and its activities are aimed solely at preserving the natural, historical and cultural wealth of the country. The Meshchersky National Park was created in 1992. Imagine that its total area is 105,000 hectares. There are 28 lakes alone on the territory.

Entertainment in Meshchersky Park

In general, the Meshchersky park (in the Moscow region) can offer you cycling around the territory, children's entertainment (slides, tunnels, labyrinths, rock climbing and much more), tracks for sports jogging, a professional football field that meets FIFA requirements, a children's "Panda- park", roller track. And keep in mind that no matter what type of recreation you choose, you will be surrounded by the Meshchersky forest all day long. The location of the park itself is convenient because it is quite close to Moscow. And at the same time, you find yourself in a land of completely wild nature. Trust that you will be satisfied with the time you spend here. Moreover, there is something to do here for any person - both a lover of outdoor activities and a supporter of a more calm and measured rhythm. But for children here is just a real fairy tale, a lot of entertainment and nature around.

You can get to the park by your own car from Moscow along the highway to Kasimov (the distance is approximately 185 kilometers).

Instead of an afterword

If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and its crazy rhythm, visit the Meshchersky forests. Here you will find impenetrable wild jungle, mushrooms, berries, animals and birds that you will not see in other places.

You can visit the Meshchersky park. It is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Where else can you have such a wonderful time with the whole family, if not here? Here you will find a lot of activities, ranging from skiing to cycling and canoeing. I must say that here everyone will find something new and interesting for themselves. In the bosom of nature, a wide range of entertainment is presented. Although the very environment of forests and lakes already makes the rest unforgettable. You will be amazed by the local beauty, and you will become a fan of recreation in Meshchera at any time of the year. Tourists who have chosen these places give the most good feedback. So, you should also get out there for the weekend.