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

AEWA Technical Series No. 36
2. Available Key Knowledge
Annex 2 contains a table showing the latest quantitative and qualitative data (and
corresponding sources) available for each of the ‘Principal Range States’ (see section 1.4 for
definition) as well as a country-by-country text summarizing the current state of knowledge in
both ‘Principal Range States’ and ‘Other EU/AEWA countries’. The Annex reflects the rapid
(and ongoing) increase in the quantity and quality of ‘Key Knowledge’ about the species
during the last ten years as a direct result of concerted field research and, especially, satellite
tracking programmes. The following is a brief summary for the Principal Range States only;
additonal references/sources are cited in Annex 2.
Azerbaijan
Formerly wintered in large numbers on the shores of the Caspian Sea (c.25,000 as recently as
the late 1970s/early 1980s), but major decline since, with 1,500 to 7,000 estimated in 1996.
The species’ status over the next ten years was unclear, owing to a lack of systematic count
data. However, it seemed likely that the country remained an important wintering site for the
Western main population, given that in March 2001 large staging flocks were found in the
Kyzyl Agach area (565 birds) and in the Ag-Gel Zapovednik (1,800 - 2,000 birds) (Heinicke
& Ryslavy 2002). Such a conclusion has been reinforced by new information for the period
2006 to 2008.
A satellite-tagged bird staged in Azerbaijan for several days in November 2004 before
wintering in Iraq, while a pair satellite-tagged in the Polar Ural region of Russia in August
2006 reached Azerbaijan in late October (via the Yamal Peninsula and Ob Valley, Russia;
Kostanay region of north-west Kazakhstan, delta of the Ural River on the northern shore of
the Caspian Sea). The male wintered in Azerbaijan, but the female’s transmitter ceased
working in mid-December. In addition, two birds satellite-tagged on the Putorana Plateau
(Russia), also in summer 2006, staged in the border area between Iran and Azerbaijan in
November, before moving to Iraq (http://www.piskulka.net/Satellite%20tracking.htm).
In January 2008 the most important goose wintering sites in the country, including those used
by the satellite-tagged Lesser White-fronted Geese from the Polar Ural breeding grounds,
were surveyed in the field. No Lesser White-fronted Geese were found at Hinar in the Mil
Steppe, or at Lake Hadjinour in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus. At Kyzyl Agach Nature
Reserve approximately 4,500 geese were counted, despite extremely harsh winter conditions.
Lesser White-fronts accounted for 50% of all geese observed. The percentage of juveniles
(14%) indicates that the breeding season had been average (T. Aarvak).
Bulgaria (EU)
Occurs regularly in small numbers at goose staging and wintering sites on the Black Sea
coast, notably Lakes Shabla and Durankulak, where up to 100 birds have been estimated to
occur in some years (Petkov, Oien, Aarvak, 1999). The species also occurs in the Danube
floodplain, notably Lake Srebarna and there are sporadic observations in other parts of the
country. The fact that the species is recorded during casual birdwatching at goose wintering
sites suggests its regular presence and it is thought that up to 100-150 birds may stage and
over-winter when large numbers of geese reach Bulgaria. It is thought that the Lesser Whitefronts
wintering on the Black Sea coast, scattered among flocks of Greater White-fronted
Geese, belong to the Western main population (S. Dereliev, N. Petkov, pers. comm.).
In 1998 satellite tracking has shown that birds from the Fennoscandian population migrate
across Bulgaria to reach their Greek/Turkish wintering grounds (N. Petkov, pers. comm.).
Small numbers of Lessers have also been recorded among Greater White-fronted Geese in
Pyasachnik Reservoir (an IBA) located in the Maritza floodplain (Evros in Greek). This site
International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Lesser White-fronted Goose 21