ИСТИНА

The research was conducted in the north of Moscow Region (Russia) at the 48 km2 study plot. The aim was to determine demographic and phenological parameters of Common Kestrels and analyze their variability under meteorological factors. Monitoring of the local population was started in 1994. After hanging nest boxes for Kestrels in 2000 their average density increased from 2.8±0.8 pairs per 48 km2 (1994-1999) to 8.7±2.1 pairs per 48 km2 (2000-2014). Number of pairs peaked in 2003 (21) and 2010 (26). On average the first observed arrival was on 2 April±3 days (n = 14). Estimated laying date of the first egg was 2 May±4 days. Earlier laying date and the interval between the arrival date and egg-laying were positively correlated with the transition of average daily temperatures over 0С°. Departure dates varied from 8 August to 25 November (on average 18 September±9 days). Date of the last meet correlated with the autumn abundance of small mammals. The annual average clutch size varied from 4.5±0.3 to 6.0±0.2 eggs, the number of hatchlings – from 3.1±0.7 to 4.7±0.5. The overall breeding success in 2009-2014 (n = 50) was 74.0±0.3%. The survival rate for feeding stage was 100%.