International Single Species Action Plan for the ... - AEWA

AEWA Technical Series No. 36
Known staging areas for birds from the Western main population include: parts of the Ob
river valley (the “Double Ob area”, Russia); the lakes and agricultural land of Kustanay
Oblast, north-west Kazakhstan, where Lake Kulykol is of particular importance (Tolvanen &
Pynnönen 1998; Tolvanen et al. 2001, Yerokhov et al. 2000); the Sultan-Aksuat lakes system
in the western part of neighbouring Northern-Kazakhstan Oblast, (Yerokhov et al. 2005); and
the Shalkar lakes on the border of the Orenburg area (Russia) and Aqtobe province
(Kazakstan) (http://www.piskulka.net/Satellite%20tracking.htm). The main wintering areas
are unknown but thought to be around the northern Black Sea coast, the southern Caspian
Sea, inland wetlands of Azerbaijan, and the inland wetlands of Iran and Iraq, especially the
Mesopotamian Marshes. During the winter of 2004/2005, satellite tracking of one individual
ringed and satellite-tagged in the Polar Urals region, northern Russia, in August 2004, has
confirmed that at least some birds continue to winter in Iraq (Morozov & Aarvak 2004, Øien
& Aarvak 2005; http://www.piskulka.net/Satellite%20tracking.htm). More recently still,
satellite tracking of individuals ringed on the Putorana Plateau of Russia in July and August
2006 migrated south-west across the West Siberian depression, to staging areas in
Kazakhstan. Subsequently two birds were tracked to the westen shore of the Caspian Sea to
the border area between Iran and Azerbaijan, one bird later reaching Iraq
(http://www.piskulka.net/Satellite%20tracking.htm). An expedition located at least eight
Lesser White-fronts in eastern Syria (close to the border with Iraq) in February 2007, while
over 50 were reported at a second site later in the month
(http://www.piskulka.net/Recent%20observations.htm). Limited winter count data are
available for sites in Uzbekistan that formerly held significant numbers of wintering Lesser
White-fronts.
Small numbers of vagrant Lesser White-fronted Geese occur regularly in Germany scattered
among flocks of Greater White-fronts. There are indications that at least some of these birds
may belong to the Western main population (Mooij & Heinicke in prep.), while satellite
tracking in the 1990s showed that a bird from the Fennoscandian population have occurred in
East Germany.
Supplemented/Reintroduced population
As described above, a human-modified flyway has now been established between the release
area for captive-bred birds in Swedish Lapland and The Netherlands, crossing north-west
Germany. There are sporadic records from other countries, often of individual birds mixing
with flocks of other goose species, mostly Barnacle Geese. All released individuals have been
colour-ringed, but as there have been no releases since 1999 and because the offspring of
released birds are not ringed, the proportion of colour ringed birds in the population has
gradually declined. Nevertheless, colour-ringing has enabled a relatively comprehensive
picture of their movements to be established.
Summary by Principal Range State
Lesser White-fronted Geese occur regularly in at least 20 States within the European Union
and/or AEWA Agreement Area (Table 1). These are referred to as ‘Principal Range States’ in
the remainder of the Action Plan and have the major responsibility for its implementation. A
country is listed as a Principal Range State where one or more Important Bird Area (IBA) for
Lesser White-fronted Goose has been identified within its territory. IBAs have themselves
been identified on the basis of internationally accepted criteria published by BirdLife
International. In the case of countries where IBAs have not been formally identified, it is
suggested that a Principal Range State EITHER holds one or more sites where at least 15
staging/wintering individuals are recorded regularly (e.g. Uzbekistan) OR where a
combination of historical counts and recent satellite data provide strong evidence of the
country’s importance (e.g. Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Lithuania). Lesser White-fronted Geese
occur as vagrants or irregular visitors in many other countries. For further details, see Chapter
2 and Annex 2.
International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Lesser White-fronted Goose 17