| Home | Site Map |

Central Flyway

Central Flyway>Migration stopovers>Uzbekistan

Siberian Cranes traditionally migrated 5,000 km southeast from Western Siberian over the Russian FederationKazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to their wintering grounds in northwest India.

Siberian Cranes are in danger in all nations along their migratory route. Hunting is considered to be the primary factor responsible for the demise of this population.

Ancient practices of live crane trapping in Pakistan annually claim several thousand Eurasian and Demoiselle Cranes that share the migration corridor with the Siberian Crane. Fortunately, Siberian Cranes are likely not attracted to the live decoys of Eurasian and Demoiselle Cranes. However, in recent years, although outlawed, the shooting of cranes is believed to be spreading in northwest Pakistan.

The conservation of wetlands used by Siberian Cranes is vital to the survival of the cranes. These wetlands are widely separated along a corridor between the breeding and wintering sites. Lake Tengiz and the Naurzum wetlands of Kazakhstan, and Dashte Nawar and Lake Ab-i-Estada of Afghanistan are among the key sites where Siberian Cranes have been reported to consistently rest during their migration.

Uzbekistan

On Sightings of the Siberian Crane at Turkestany Territory in the Beginning of the XX Century (Central Flyway) (From the manuscript by N.A. Zarudny "Birds of Turkestan" 1906-1918. Tashkent) by Yegenia Lanovenko

Geography and Phenology (Seasonal Biology) of Siberian Crane sightings in Uzbekistan (Central Flyway) by Yegenia Lanovenko

2003 AUTUMN

On 5-10 October 2003, at the border of Bukhara and Kashkadarya Regions, about 10 km south of Deukhon Lake, a Siberian Crane was spotted in a flock of 15 Eurasian Cranes. The observation took place at 10 o’clock in the morning. The birds flew as if they had just taken off to the air. The flight of the flock did not look like a transit one. The flock flew at the height of 150 m, and the birds were very well seen. (Observations were made by A.Kasakov, the head of the Amudarya State Basin Inspection).

2002 SPRING

A hunting ranger recorded one Siberian Crane in the big flock of Eurasian Cranes between Aidarcul Lake and Nuratinsky Mountains, Uzbekistan on 3 April 2002. Ornithologists know this site as a regular stopover area for Demoiselle and Eurasian Cranes. It is necessary to check this information and define the coordinates of the recorded site.

This record is likely the result of a leaflet shared with hunting rangers, fishermen, and ornithologists during the past two springs. In 2002 leaflets were printed in both Russian and Uzbek languages. There were publications in a local newspaper and two radio transmissions about Siberian Cranes. Now we are preparing a poster, in which the spring and autumn flyways and stopover sites of Demoiselle and Eurasian Cranes will be identified.

For more information:

Yevgenia Lanovenko

Uzbekistan Crane Working Group