Black-necked Crane - WWF-India

at Chushul marshes. The details of
each site are given below.
Tsigul Tso
This is one of the most productive
lakes of Ladakh. Several species,
including the Bar-headed Goose
and Brown-headed Gull breed here.
This small lake is surrounded by
large marshy areas on three sides.
Some small water springs enter the
lake from the western side and the
overfl ow from the lake in the eastern
end forms a small channel that runs
all along the village and fi nally drains
into the Pangong Tso.
In 2002, a pair of Black-necked
Crane nested on an island, southwest
of Tsigul Tso. Two eggs were
laid and birds were seen incubating
the eggs in the second week of
May. These eggs were probably
eaten by ravens or dogs though
the exact reason behind the loss of
eggs could not be established. The
pair was later observed feeding in
the nearby areas till they migrated in
the fi rst week of November.
In 2003, a pair of Black-necked
Crane was sighted again in the
Tourist camps near Tsomoriri
same area in April. This year, the
nesting started late, in May, when
compared to the previous year. Two
eggs were laid in the fi rst week of
June. Both the eggs hatched. These
chicks and the parents were closely
monitored for exact migration date,
which was 28 October 2003.
In 2004 the pair nested in May. Two
eggs were laid but no chick was
produced. Both the adults were
sighted feeding in the same wetland
area and they migrated in the fi rst
week of November.
Tso Nyak
Tso Nyak is another known nesting
site of the Black-necked Crane. It
lies to the north-east of Chushul
village. This is a small water-body
interlocked on three sides by small,
elevated mounds. The main sources
of water are few small springs on
the southern side. The outlet from
this waterbody joins the stream
coming from Tsigul Tso, which fi nally
drains into the Pangong Tso.
In 2002, a pair of Black-necked
Crane nested on the south-eastern
side of the lake and laid two eggs in
May. Both the eggs hatched in the
last week of June. The two chicks
remained with the parents and the
family successfully migrated in the
fi rst week of November.
In 2003, the pair was again sighted
feeding in the same area. Nesting
started in the last week of April
and two eggs were laid in May.
Both eggs were eaten by dogs in
May. Later on, the pair were seen
feeding in the same wetland till the
second week of November after
which they migrated.
In 2004, one nest with two eggs
was recorded in the same area
where nesting was recorded earlier.
Only one egg hatched. This chick
successfully migrated with the
parents in the last week of October.
Jamarding
Jamarding is another nesting site of
the Black-necked Crane near the
Chushul War Memorial. The area
has a large number of small mounds
in the marshes. This wetland is on
the western side of the Trishul peak.
In 2002, a pair of Black-necked
Crane nested here at the centre of
Ladakh Region India | 2000-2004 43