Central Flyway
Central Flyway>Survey>Russia
The Central Population of Siberian Cranes recently nested on the riparian lowlands of the Kunovat River in western Siberia. In the summer of 2002 a pair was observed for the last time on the breeding grounds in Russia. However, there have been unconfirmed reports of several (four to seven) cranes in other areas within the breeding range.
Russia
On 6 June, a 2-hour aerial survey was conducted over open bogs using a helicopter MI-8 with a purpose to locate the wild Siberian Crane pair. The search covered the area from Ovysyushlor Lake to Ruvagortskih Lake in the west and from Kunovat River to Aikalanglor Lake in the east. The helicopter flew several circles over each of the 10 previously known territories of Eurasian Cranes and a nesting place of Siberian Crane pair. For the first time in many years of field work in Kunovat River Basin Siberian Cranes were not found in this territory. The nest of the Eurasian Crane pair was found in previously unknown to us place near Atymlor Lake. As there was no Siberian Crane nest, two eggs of Siberian Crane from OCBC were placed into a newly found Eurasian Crane nest. Eurasian Crane eggs were taken and delivered by V. Borisov to the Russian Falcon Centre in Moscow for incubation and use in the project in the future.
In one territory, which was previously occupied by a pair of Eurasian Cranes, cranes were not found. It is necessary to note that searches of Eurasian Cranes from the helicopter are extremely difficult; in some years, when we found no nests from a helicopter, our ground searches discovered crane nests in exactly the same places.
During 6 days, from 7-12 June, ground surveys of Siberian Crane and Eurasian Crane breeding sites were carried out. Unfortunately the cloudy and windy weather prevented us from conducting long-distance flights. So far the surveys have not revealed any signs of wild Siberian Crane presence. As to the Eurasian Crane, ground surveys have shown that the former nesting territories of three breeding pairs have been taken by single cranes. For the first time in many years of our annual field work in this area we never heard calls of Eurasian Cranes from the camp. Usually from this place we could hear calls of five pairs of Eurasian Cranes.
For more information:
Yuri Markin and Yuri Zatsepin
Oka Biosphere State Nature Reserve
Alexander Ermakov
Sterkh Foundation, Yamalo-Nenetsky Automomic Region
In late June, breeding grounds in the Kunovat River basin were surveyed by helicopter. Only one (nesting) pair of Siberian Crane was sighted.
A follow-up survey in August showed that the Siberian Crane pair did not have a chick. Two costume-reared juveniles were released with this pair. There were no aggression between the wild adults and young birds.
In August researches went 1500 km south by boat up the Ob and Irtysh Rivers from the Kunovat River basin to Hanty-Mansisk on the south border of Tyumen Region, where the staging area of Eurasian Cranes is located. Next year plan is to lead a group of isolation-reared Siberian Cranes behind an ultra-light aircraft (or hang glider) along this part of the Siberian Crane Western Flyway. We hope Siberian Cranes might then join Eurasian Cranes at their staging area and migrate south. Therefore the part of flyway was observed, landing sites for ultra-light aircraft scouted out, and discussions with local administration and local people about help and collaboration were conducted.
For more information:
Alexander Sorokin
All Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection
Yuri Markin
Oka Biosphere State Nature Reserve
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