Record numbers of Endangered White-headed Ducks counted in Kazakhstan
More than 20,000 Endangered White-headed Duck have been recorded in the Akmola region of Kazakhstan, a remarkable total that exceeds all previous historical records and is greater than the most recent global population estimate of 16,000.
Simultaneous counts took place in September on lakes system of Tengiz-Korgalzhyn. The Korgalzhyn State reserve, which hold most of the important habitats for White-headed Duck, is afforded the highest protection in national law. The site has been regularly monitored since 1999 and prior to this year the highest count of birds on migration was around 6000 individuals.
Peak migration is usually observed in the first week of September and this year 90% of bird were present on just two lakes. Lake Essey held 8,000 individuals whilst on Lake Salmankol 9,500 were counted. The remaining birds were counted at eight other locations, all of which are designated as Important Bird Areas.
It is likely that the count of 16,000 is less than the actual total as in some cases only adult males were counted (females and first-year birds can be harder to identify).
The surveys were undertaken in the framework of the ACBK project “Monitoring of key sites for White-headed Duck in Kazakhstan” implemented since 2013 with the support of the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, the Conservation Leadership Program (CLP), and the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia (OSME).
Explore further the work of OSME on their website
24 November 2016
