Dynamics of the number and spatial distribution of nesting birds during the reconstruction of the Russian settlement of Barentsburg (Spitsbergen archipelago)

Human activity and settlement development in the high Arctic impact the functioning of natural ecosystems, including bird ecology. The study examines the nesting dynamics of six bird species in the Russian settlement of Barentsburg (Spitsbergen archipelago) in the 21st century. The settlement reconstruction, carried out since 2010, has affected the distribution of glaucous gulls, black-legged kittiwakes and snow buntings. In Barentsburg, the glaucous gull breeds successfully on the roofs of buildings with varying numbers of storeys. A subcolony of this species relocated to an industrial habitat (the retaining wall of a coal yard) in 2025. This was due to the dismantling of a utility box where 2–4 pairs of glaucous gulls had been recorded nesting annually for many years. Several black-legged kittiwake subcolonies on some buildings in the center of the settlement disappeared after reconstruction. One large colony (280 pairs) formed on a thermal power plant building on the outskirts of the settlement. This is due to the demolition and reconstruction of some buildings, as well as measures that prevented nesting on windowsills. The snow bunting population has decreased by a third in the settlement: from 40–50 pairs in 2004 to 25–35 pairs in 2025. This is due to the cladding of brick buildings with panels and siding, the closing of ventilation niches, the liquidation of subsidiary farms, the demolition of utility boxes, and competition with common guillemots for nesting niches on buildings. The Arctic tern colony near the helipad area has changed its location, moving entirely to the rooftops of buildings, increasing its population from 20 pairs in 2001 to 60 pairs in 2025. Nesting on tall buildings and structures allows them to avoid predation by Arctic foxes. A rapid expansion of common guillemots into industrial and residential habitats has occurred in the last decade: from 3–4 pairs in 2016 to 13–14 pairs in 2025. The common guillemot has completely displaced the snow bunting on one of the buildings and formed a nesting colony of 8 pairs. This likely occurred due to an influx of individuals from the cliff colony closest to the settlement, where the numbers of this species had declined. This event is not related to the settlement's reconstruction. Nesting of the ringed plover has been recorded directly on the helipad. Thus, in the 21st century, changes have occurred in the numbers and nesting patterns of most of the species studied due to both the peculiarities of the reconstruction of buildings and structures and other factors.