These ponds are surrounded by thick, near natural coniferous forest. Birding is easiest in autumn, when the ponds are drained and sand-banks are revealed,  from which birds may be more easily watched, whereas in spring and summer. when the ponds are full, the thick tree cover along the edges restricts observation. A visit during autumn, when the ponds are drained, taken at a steady pace, should take around 4-5 hours.

Species
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Goshawk breed in the forest, while Osprey may be seen on migration.

A characteristic bird of the coniferous forest here is the Crested Tit. The ponds support a small Grey Heron colony, as well as some Black-headed Gulls, Common and Black Terns, breeding ducks included Tufted and Pochard. Among the waders feeding on the drained ponds in autumn may be found Grey Plover, Dunlin, Ruff and Ringed Plover.

Access
Public transport — 1 hour by local train headed for Golutvin from the Kazanskii station to the 'Sovkhoz' stop, follwed by half an hour on foot as far as the Ramenskoe sanatorium, behind which the ponds begin.

By car — Egorevskoe shosse as far as Donino village, turn off right towards Ramenskoe, at Dergaevo village turn left towards Starkovo and you reach 'Rybkhoz Gzhelka'.

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подготовили Николай Кудрявцев и Сергей Елисеев
фотографии Ильи Уколова, Николая Кудрявцева