The diet of the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus L.) in the breeding season the vicinity of lake Manych-Gudilo

The diet of the Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus L.) in the breeding season, nesting in the rook colo-nies (Corvus frugilegus L.), located in the forest belts of the dry steppes in the vicinity of lake Manych-Gudilo (Rostov region, Russia) was studied. On analyzing the diet of the falcon, 46 names of food objects were identified. In the food spectrum there were found insects, mainly Coleoptera (35.1%) and Orthoptera (31.8%), mammals - Rodentia (24.5%), reptiles - Squamata (5.6%) and birds - Passeriformes (0.4%). The following food objects formed its basis: Microtus sp., including Microtus socialis s.l. (20.1%), Saga pedo (7.3%), Locusta migratoria (6.9%), Lacerta sp. (5.1%), Decticus verrucivorus (4.9%), Callipta-mus italicus (2.6%) and Mus musculus (2.5%). These mass, affordable and relatively large potential vic-tims provide a plentiful fodder base for of the Common kestrel.