To mark Environmental Day, April 18, DTEK Renewables has presented the second edition of the “ Bird Islands” Atlas — an environmental project report summarizing the results of bird nesting monitoring on artificial platforms in the Tyligul Estuary in 2025. According to the research findings, 858 pairs of birds nested on the artificial islands last year — the highest figure recorded since the project’s inception.
“The ‘Bird Islands’ project demonstrates that systematic environmental solutions can deliver measurable results. We are seeing a significant increase in bird populations and high nesting efficiency. For comparison, in 2021 this figure stood at 195 pairs, while in 2025 it reached 858. Over five years, the number of nesting bird pairs on the Islands has grown more than fourfold. For us, it is important not only to develop renewable energy, but also to contribute to biodiversity conservation,” said Oleg Solovey, Deputy General Director of DTEK Renewables.
Ihor Herzhyk the Head of the Research Department of the Tyligulskyi Regional Landscape Park and the author of the Atlas emphasized in his annual report the importance of the Tyligul Estuary, noting that as a wetland it plays a crucial role in the natural functioning of shallow-water ecosystems in the northern Black Sea region. The area serves as a nesting ground for rare bird species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and the European Red List. A total of 286 bird species have been recorded here, representing approximately 70% of Ukraine’s avifauna.
According to monitoring results, nesting efficiency on the platforms reaches up to 90%. Both common and rare species were recorded nesting in 2025, including species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, such as the pied avocet and the Kentish plover.
“The number of birds, their biodiversity, as well as the presence of rare species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, indicate that the ‘Islands for Birds’ project has fulfilled its role properly and holds strong potential for the future,” added Ihor Herzhyk.
In 2026, ahead of the “silence season,” DTEK Renewables also financed the maintenance and repair of the islands, ensuring they remain in proper condition and provide stable nesting conditions for birds in the coming seasons.
“The project to create artificial islands in the Tyligul Estuary became possible thanks to the support of DTEK Renewables. Since its launch, all key works — construction, maintenance, and restoration of the platforms — have been financed by the company. I would also like to express special thanks to DTEK Renewables for providing this support on a systematic basis. In 2026, repairs and upgrades of the islands were also carried out, allowing them to be maintained in proper condition. This is critically important for the Tyligul Estuary, as natural nesting sites are gradually decreasing due to overgrowth, flooding, and disturbance factors. For its part, the Tyligulskyi Regional Landscape Park conducts continuous monitoring and support, and already today we are seeing positive dynamics — the number of birds choosing these islands for nesting is increasing, and they are successfully raising their offspring,” said Oleksandr Diachenko, Director of the Tyligulskyi Regional Landscape Park.
The “Islands for Birds” project has been implemented since 2021 in partnership with the Tyligulskyi Regional Landscape Park. As part of the initiative, DTEK Renewables financed the construction of eight artificial platforms within the park, with a total area of 1,500 m². These platforms mimic natural nesting sites and provide birds with safe conditions for reproduction. Such natural habitats are gradually declining due to overgrowth, flooding, and predator pressure. Artificial platforms help mitigate these risks: they are located above water level, inaccessible to predators, and create optimal conditions for breeding and raising offspring
To read the Atlas of the Bird Islands eco-project, please follow the link.
