Expansion the nesting ranges of birds: mixed colonies of herons (Ardeidae) in near Tambov city

The article describes the mixed colony of herons located 1,5 km from the residential areas Tambov city. The results of observations of phenology and breeding ecology of Gray ( Ardea cinerea ), Great White ( Egretta alba ) and Purple ( A. purpurea ) Herons, as well as of Black-crowned Night-heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ). First noted the northernmost nesting large colony of Purple Herons and reliably established nesting southern species of herons and Black-crowned Night-heron in the Tambov region.