Пам'яті відомого орнітолога, педагога і натураліста – Талпоша Василя Степановича (до 80-річчя від дня народження)

Abstract

April 2018 marks the 80th birthday anniversary of V.S. Talposh, a well-known Ukrainian scientist, pedagogue, naturalist, and one of the outstanding ornithologists of Western Ukraine. At the beginning of his career, V.S. Talposh held a position of a research fellow and acting head of the Zoological Museum of Uzhhorod University, then worked as a senior lecturer of the Zoology Department of Kremenets Pedagogical Institute, and as an associate professor of the Zoology Department of Ternopil State Pedagogical Institute. His scientific legacy comprises a variety of works that are very important for scientists today and those starting to work in the field of ornithology and striving for preservation of the nature of the native land. V.S. Talposh was the first to explore birds in the urbanized environment of Transcarpathian region, namely the birds in several populated areas of Transcarpathian Lowland (cities of Mukachevo, Uzhhorod, Vynohradovo and several villages). His works on the issues of ecology of lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) in the West of Ukraine are of considerable interest. Vasyl Talposh was the one to discover this species in the valley of the Seret River, on the pond near the village of Reniv in Zboriv district of Ternopil region. Besides, the scientist did an extensive study of birds inhabiting densely populated territories of Transcarpathian Lowland, and carried out a thorough research of seasonal fluctuations of birds in the region. Another subject of his study was the fauna of Ternopil and its suburbs. All in all, Vasyl Talposh authored over 150 scientific publications on the biology of birds and other vertebrates, two species reference books, and a great number of scientific manuals. He is also famous for his collection of aids “Birds of cities and villages of Ukraine” (2006). Vasyl Talposh was fruitful in doing his public activities within the framework of ornithologist society. In February 2, 1984 he became the head of the organizing committee of the First working meeting of ornithologists of the Western regions of Ukraine that took place at the Zoology Department of Ternopil State Pedagogical University. The meeting facilitated the development of the amateur ornithology movement in the West of Ukraine. At the same time, he initiated the foundation of the regional bank of birds’ nests of the West of Ukraine that grew into the data bank concerning the birds’ nests and egg laying in Ukraine. In November 1987 Vasyl Talposh was awarded the medal “Veteran of Labour”. Throughout all his life, Vasyl Talposh conducted scientific research and the results of his work serve the foundation for prospective scientists.