Oka Reserve in Ryazan Region - description and photo

Meshcherskaya lowland, or Meshchera, is a unique, unique beauty of Russian nature, perfectly preserved in its original form. The great Russian writer Konstantin Georgievich Paustovsky wrote very warmly and with great love about these places. He noted the simplicity and modesty of the Meshcherian nature, endowed with an amazing and attractive force, to which I want to touch again and again.

History of the foundation of the reserve

In the south-eastern part of Meshchera was organized Oka State Reserve. The date of his birth is 1935. The purpose of creating an environmental and scientific research area was to try to preserve and increase the population of the rarest animal - the desman. This amazing animal is the same age as extinct mammoths. And already for this he is worthy of the title of living monument of nature.

In 1989, the Oka Reserve in the Ryazan Region was expanded geographically to create a biosphere polygon. This is the only natural complex in Russia that meets the strict requirements of the world MAB program for biosphere reserves.

Nature characteristic of the region

In the formation of the flora and fauna of Meshchera, the climatic conditions of the region played an important role. Quite cold winters, warm summers, abundant annual precipitation created a favorable environment for the growth of rich vegetation and the settlement of various animals and birds.

Meshcherskaya lowland was formed due to the melting of glaciers, and it is a barren sandy plain, covered with multiple forests of coniferous, deciduous and mixed types. Approximately one-fourth of the territory occupied by the Oka Reserve is in the power of water bodies - numerous lakes and lowland swamps. Floodplain meadows are rich in a variety of herbs.

Bison nursery

In 1959, the Oka Reserve granted its territory for the cultivation of Caucasian-Belovezhskaya bison. The nursery covers an area of about two hundred hectares. During the first thirty years, two dozen of these rare animals were brought into it. During all the years of existence, about four hundred bison appeared and prospered safely.

Using a special method of adapting animals born in zoos, the young bisons are gradually introduced into the natural environment. The need for this arose due to the fact that mammals born in artificial conditions are not adapted to life in the wild, which is why the probability of their imminent death is high.

Since 1967, the Oka Reserve has been included in the world program for the resettlement of bison. Photo of these animals, born in the nursery and subsequently taken out of it, are widely represented in the museum. Information is also provided on the places of new cloven-hoofed settlements. More than 200 animals have received a permanent residence permit in Checheno-Ingushetia, the Caucasus, Orel, Bryansk, Tver regions. Successful was the settlement of young bison in Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Romania.

Cattery of rare species of cranes

To restore the dying population of the Siberian white crane (Siberian Crane) in 1979, it was decided to create a bird nursery, the place for which was hospitably provided by the Oka Reserve. The map of the area, located in the museum of nature, contains information about the location of nesting sites for Siberian Cranes and other rare cranes.

For the primary education of the parental population, two dozen rare crane breeds of seven species were brought to the nursery. In addition, the cranberry eggs were harvested in the wild, collected in the wild. For the years of successful work, a hundred and fifty birds were grown. Special merit of the Reserve staff can be considered their ability to teach young individuals to independent flights. For this purpose, hang gliders are used, from the side of which sounds in the record cranes cries, calling for a young growth.

Animal world

The fauna inhabiting the reserved zone is typical for the center of the European part of Russia. The Oka Reserve is open for the protection of populations of rare and endangered animals and birds. There are about six dozens of mammal species in the vast territory, two hundred and fifty - birds, and forty species of fish.

The world of predatory animals is represented by wolves, foxes, raccoon dogs, martens, ferrets, ermines, otters, caresses. In recent years, traces of the presence of lynx and brown bear have been noted.

Wild boars settled in the reserve in the fifties of the last century. The number of individuals is kept at a constant level due to the abundance of food.

A large population of moose has long been resident in the reserve. Strengthening of protective measures allowed to significantly increase the number of ungulates.

Among water mammals, beavers, muskrats, mink, otters are most common. Insectivorous representatives of the fauna are moles, common and small shrews, hedgehogs. Also known is a large number of rodents - water rats, field and forest mice, garden dormouse, hare-hare, hare-hare, flying squirrel.

Ornithofauna

For the territory of the Oka Reserve, covered with various forests, a typical settlement of settled species of birds: wood grouses, black grouses, partridges. Predatory representatives are rich in bird fauna. These are different types of hawks, kite, buzzard, osoed. There are also more rare species of predatory birds - the white-tailed eagle, the osprey, the serpent, the balacan falcon. It is also worth noting the numerous populations of different species of owls, owls, owls.

In view of the fact that there are very few open spaces on the territory of the reserve, small populations of the steppe eagle, golden eagle, burial ground, gyrfalcon, and peregrine are observed.

Separate attention deserves a black stork, which became a kind of emblem of the Oka reserve. The bird enters its nests in hard-to-reach and deaf places, fearing predators and avoiding people.

The study of the life of birds is carried out by taking into account the different groups of birds in their habitat. Ornithologist scientists register during special studies.

Rare species

Russian muskrat is a relic insectivorous animal that inhabits only within the former USSR. Endemic is included in the Red List of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) species, as well as in the Red Data Book of Russia.

In these same lists, there is also a giant vespers - one of the largest species of bats. The big eagle eagle, or the eagle-klikun, requires a special attitude towards oneself - a rare bird of prey.

Thanks to the special conditions of the Oka State Natural Biosphere Reserve, the natural habitat for unique and rare animals is preserved, allowing not only to stop the extinction process, but also to actively restore the population size.

Museum of Nature in Brykin Bor

The Oka Reserve has a museum on its territory that contains colorful and vivid expositions. They represent almost all animals of the protected zone in their natural surroundings.

Experienced guides will tell you about the history of the creation of the reserve and the successes of his work for almost eighty years. Accompanied by the reserve's employees, you can make a trip to the habitats of bison and Siberian Cranes. The most interesting moment is the feeding of animals and birds.

To prevent crane chicks from getting used to people, the nursery employees wear special suits that mimic an adult bird. For the convenience of feeding, a device resembling a crane beak is put on hand.

Bisons, in spite of their frightening appearance, behave relatively peacefully to people. Visitors to the zoo are allowed to feed animals with apples, carrots, young pine branches. Also, all comers are allowed to take a photo on the background of animals.

Location of the nature protection zone

The Oka State Biosphere Reserve is located between the rivers Oka and Pra, occupying a total area of 55,760 hectares. In the central part there is a strictly guarded territory - the core. Around it is the Biosphere polygon. The south-eastern part of the reserve is a security zone.

Helpful information

Oka reserve. Address: Spassky District, Ryazan Region.

The nearest town is Brykin Bor village.

The schedule of the museum of nature: from 10 to 17 hours every day (except Monday).

Oka reserve: how to get there by car

• From Ryazan to go along the road P123 towards Solotchi;
• After the bridge across the Oka turn and traffic to Spassk-Ryazan;
• Movement in the direction of the village of Izhevsk (the birthplace of K. Tsiolkovsky);
• Settlement Brykin Bor - the ultimate goal of the route.

The length of the entire route is 130 kilometers.