Доклад по теме Wildlife

Wildlife (Fauna)

The fauna of the British Isles is in general similar to that of north-western Europe, though there are fewer species. Some of the larger mammals (млекапитающее), including the wolf, the bear, the boar (боо-кабан) and the reindeer (северный олень), have become extinct (вымерший) but red deer (благородный олень) survive (выжить) in the Scottish Highlands and in Exmoor Forest, and roe (рөү) deer (косуля) in the wooded areas of Scotland and southern England.

The carnivores (хищники) (badgers (барсук), otters (выдра), foxes, stoats (горностай) and weas(з)els (ласка)) thrive (процветать) in most rural (сельский) areas. Otters are found along many rivers and streams.

Some animals, e.g. fallow-deer (лань), rabbit and rat were introduced (ввести) by man. Rabbits are widespread and their numbers are increasing.

Foxes, badgers and otters are fairly (довольно, фактически) common (общий, обычный) in Wales, Otters arc fairly common in the largest rivers and badgers can be seen in woodlands (лесистая местность). There are numerous foxes and occasional herds (стадо) of wild goats and mountain ponies in Snowdonia, a national park in NW Wales. The remoter (отдаленный) parts of Wales shelter (укрываются) some mammals and birds, which are either extinct or rare elsewhere in Britain. Thus the polecat (лесной хорек) is fairly common in central Wales.

For its size, Scotland has a fauna, which is rich and varied. The largest wild mammal is the Atlantic gray seal (тюлень). The wild red deer remains in Scotland and in Exmoor but it is only in Scotland that it is truly wild. Foxes and badgers are common in Scotland, as well as otters. Sometimes one is lucky to spot the wild cat, the most savage (дикарь) of British animals, which often likes to make its home in a hollow (полый) tree.

The bird fauna is numerous. Some 200 species of birds are found in the UK, of which more than one-half arе migratory most common game birds are the wild pigeon (голубь), pheasant (фазан), and grouse (шотландская куропатка). Most numerous are the sparrow (воробей), blackbird (дрозд), chaffinch (зяблик), and starling (скворец). There is one species peculiar to Britain - the red grouse. Gulls and other sea birds usually nest near the coast. The number of ducks, geese and other water fowl (птица) has diminished (уменьшаться) owing to the drainage of marshlands (болото). As to sea birds, great flocks of them haunt the cliffs of the Channel Islands. Colonies of gannets (олуша), cormorants (большой баклан), stormy petrels (буревестник), herring gulls (чайка) and some other sea birds can be seen there. One of the largest gannet colonies in Europe is found in Pembrokeshire (SW Wales).

In terms of bird fauna, Scotland's chief glories (слава) are the numerous sea birds. Scotland is also proud of its golden eagle which is a magnificent bird living in the hills.

Partridges (куропатка), pheasants and other large and rare birds are protected by law.

Robin Redbreast (малиновка) is the national bird of the UK. The robin is a very friendly bird and he lives in woods and gardens. He is sometimes called "the gardener's best friend", because he is usually in the garden, when the gardener is working. Robins are brown and have red breasts. This is why they are called Robin Red Breasts.

Robins make their nests in spring. Sometimes, they make their nests in an old hat or shoe or in the woods; sometimes they make them in an old bucket or box in the garden.

Amphibians (земноводные) are represented by three species of newt (тритон) and five species of frogs and toads (жаба). Reptiles (пресмыкающиеся) consist of three species of snake, of which only the adder (гадюка) is venomous (ядовитый), and three species of lizard (ящерица). There are no snakes in Northern Ireland.

Sea and fresh water fish are numerous. River and lake fish include salmon (лосось), trout (форель), perch (окунь), roach (плотва), grayling (, and pike (щука). Many of the British rivers, once renowned (прославленные) for their salmon, trout, roach, perch, pike and grayling, have become polluted (загрязнять), which has led to the decline (падение) in inland fisheries. Fresh water fishing is now largely for recreation and sport.

Many Scottish and N. Irish rivers are run by salmon and sea trout. Many lochs hold char (, and in many rivers there are pike. But the muddy (грязный) water fish common to English rivers are for the most pant (absent from Scotland. As to sea fish, the most important fish landed are cod (треска), haddock (пикша), mackerel (скумбрия), whiting (хек), and plaice (камбала), as well as shellfish (моллюски, ракообразные) (lobsters, crabs, and oysters(устрица))