TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

ABOUT THE GROUP

The Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group (formerly Threatened Waterfowl Research Group) was established in October 1990 and is coordinated from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Slimbridge, UK, as part of the IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Waterbird Network. The TWSG and its bulletin aim to identify Anatidae taxa that are threatened with extinction, to gather and exchange information on these taxa, and to promote their conservation. Membership is worldwide and includes 923 organisations, groups and individuals who are active or interested in threatened waterfowl research and conservation. Addresses of TWSG members, further information about the TWSG, this bulletin, and/or membership can be obtained from Baz Hughes at the address below.

TWSG NEWS Chair Regional Chair for North America Dr. Baz Hughes Dr. Tom Rothe Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game The bulletin Slimbridge 333 Raspberry Road of the Glos. GL2 7BT, UK Anchorage Tel: +44 1453 891 172 Alaska 99518-1599, USA Fax: +44 1453 890 827 Tel: +1 907 267 2206 THREATENED WATERFOWL SPECIALIST GROUP [email protected] Fax: +1 907 267 2433 [email protected]

Regional Chair for Africa, Regional Assistant Chair for Eurasia, Middle-East Oceania Dr. Andy Green Dr. Murray Williams Estación Biológica de Doñana School of Biological Sciences Avenida María Luisa s/n Victoria University of Wellington Pabellón del Perú P.O Box 600 41013 Sevilla, Spain Wellington, New Zealand Tel: +34 5 4232340 Tel: +64 4 463 7432 Fax: +34 5 4621125 Fax: +64 4 463 5331 [email protected] [email protected]

TWSG-Forum: list-server of the Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group The TWSG-Forum list-server, maintained by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust from Slimbridge, UK, provides a vehicle for the on-line exchange of information about globally threatened or near threatened Anseriformes (ducks, geese, swans and screamers). To subscribe, e-mail [email protected] with "subscribe twsg-forum" (without quotes) in the body of your e-mail message. To unsubscribe, simply replace the word “subscribe” with “unsubscribe”.

To circulate a message to the Forum, send it to: [email protected] . When submitting

information please note that we may include such items in future issues of TWSG News. No. 15 December 2006 TWSG web site: http://www.wwt.org.uk/threatsp/twsg/ Opinions expressed in articles in this bulletin are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the TWSG, WWT, Wetlands International or IUCN-SSC.

This issue of TWSG News was edited by Baz Hughes, Glyn Young, Colette Hall and Peter Cranswick. Design and layout by Colette Hall. Illustrations are by Joe Blossom, Mark Hulme, Paul Johnsgard, Libby Millington and Peter Scott. TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

EDITORIAL THREATENED WATERFOWL SPECIES AND SUB-SPECIES

Over the last ten years, there has been great progress in conserving threatened waterfowl worldwide: there are now Recovery Plans for most threatened waterfowl in North America, In the following list of globally threatened and near threatened Anseriformes species and sub- Europe, and Australasia, and there have been notable successes, such as on Hawaii where species, species categorisations follow the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Nene numbers have increased from 885 in 1998 to over 1,200 birds in 2003. However, action 2006) whilst sub-species were categorised during the compilation of the IUCN-SSC is still focused in the affluent western world where conservation funding is relatively easy to Anseriformes Action Plan (TWSG in prep.). The TWSG would welcome comment on this list of come by, whilst threatened species in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America, where help is threatened Anseriformes, especially notification of new data which may lead to re- most needed, continue to dwindle. Species breeding in Russia and wintering in China have categorisation of any taxa. been particularly badly affected, probably by habitat loss and degradation, disturbance and over-hunting on the staging and wintering grounds. Even previously common species, such as Falcated Duck, are now red-listed. So what can the TWSG do to help save the world’s threatened waterfowl? SPECIES

Involve local people. The involvement of local communities, and their appreciation of the economic, functional and aesthetic value of wetlands and their dependent species, is crucial to COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME any long-term wetland conservation project. Despite this, community involvement initiatives are often only paid lip-service in species conservation. We therefore need to build community involvement initiatives into our threatened species programmes. EXTINCT SINCE A.D. 1600 Target resources. The threatened waterfowl and wetlands most in need of our help are found New Zealand Swan Cygnus sumnerensis in Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. We will therefore target our resources in Mauritian Shelduck Alopochen mauritania these areas and convince others in the developed world to do the same. Réunion Shelduck Mascarenachen kervazoi Chatham Island Shelduck Pachyanas chathamica Help build expertise. Most of our members working on threatened species programmes have Mauritian Duck Anas theodori small teams of highly committed staff. We need to help them develop their skills, expertise and Amsterdam Island Duck Anas marecula capacity through capacity-building initiatives to pass on expertise in waterbird conservation Labrador Duck Camptorhynchus labradorius (particularly in research, monitoring, catching and ringing, and disease surveillance). Auckland Islands Merganser Mergus australis

Find threatened species champions. Many of the most successful species conservation CRITICALLY ENDANGERED programmes are organised, and to a large extent funded, by non-government organisations Crested Shelduck Tadorna cristata who have the commitment, motivation and resources to produce and implement species action Campbell Island Teal Anas nesiotis plans. The TWSG is working with the secretariat of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Laysan Duck Anas laysanensis to establish working groups to implement action plans which we have produced for the Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea Ferruginous Duck and White-headed Duck. Our next challenge is to ensure champions are in Madagascar Pochard Aythya innotata place for all threatened waterfowl. Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus

Focus on action on the ground. Obviously writing action plans is just the first step in the ENDANGERED conservation process – the key to success is ensuring follow-up action on the ground. A White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala dedicated project officer for each species is a must – and can be especially successful if they Swan Goose Anser cygnoides become so committed that they embark on a personal crusade to save a species. White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata Blue Duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos Ensure long-term funding and support. Unless large-scale funding can be secured, it is often Hawaiian Duck Anas wyvilliana best to focus on implementing a small number of the most important conservation projects for Meller's Duck Anas melleri a species, but ensuring they continue in the long term. Only too often, a three-year grant Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri comes to and end and a conservation programme folds. The TWSG needs to commit itself to Brown Teal Anas chlorotis ensuring long-term fund-raising and support for threatened waterfowl. Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus

Baz Hughes

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SPECIES SUB-SPECIES

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

VULNERABLE ENDANGERED West Indian Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arborea Madagascar White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus insularis Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus New Zealand Grey Duck Anas superciliosa superciliosa Hawaiian Goose Branta sandvicensis Tropical Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera tropica Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis Andaman Teal Anas gibberifrons albogularis Salvadori's Teal Salvadorina waigiuensis Galapagos Pintail Anas bahamensis galapagensis Eaton's Pintail Anas eatoni Crozet Islands Pintail Anas eatoni drygalskii Philippine Duck Anas luzonica Colombian Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis andina Auckland Island Teal Anas aucklandica Baikal Teal Anas formosa VULNERABLE Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris Recherche Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri Middendorf's Bean Goose Anser fabalis middendorffi Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri Thick-billed Bean Goose Anser fabalis serrirostris Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons gambeli LOW RISK (NEAR THREATENED) Dusky Canada Goose Branta canadensis occidentalis Northern Screamer Chauna chavaria Peruvian Torrent Duck Merganetta armata leucogenis Emperor Goose Anser canagica Colombian Torrent Duck Merganetta armata colombiana Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus Australian Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata Merida Teal Anas andium altipetens Chubut Steamer-duck Tachyeres leucocephalus Kerguelen Pintail Anas eatoni eatoni Falcated Duck Anas falcata Spectacled Duck Anas specularis LOW RISK (NEAR THREATENED) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca American Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotus sylvatica Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis Florida Duck Anas fulvigula fulvigula Australian Black Duck Anas superciliosa rogersi SUB-SPECIES Lesser Grey Duck Anas superciliosa pelewensis Andean Teal Anas andium andium EXTINCT SINCE A.D. 1600 South Georgia Pintail Anas georgica georgica Coue's Gadwall Anas strepera couesi South American Pochard Netta erythropthalma erythropthalma Mariana Mallard Anas platyrhynchos oustaleti Rennell Island Grey Teal Anas gibberifrons remissa Chatham Island Teal Anas chlorotis ssp. nov. REFERENCES Niceforo's Pintail Anas georgica niceforoi IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded from www.iucnredlist.org . CRITICALLY ENDANGERED TWSG. in prep. Global Action Plan for the Conservation of Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Borrero's Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera borreroi Swans and Screamers). IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

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IUCN RED LIST CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA CRITERION B. SMALL RANGE fragmented, declining or fluctuating

Main Criteria Sub-criteria Qualifiers CRITERION A. REDUCTION IN POPULATION SIZE 1. Extent of occurrence a. Severely None B1a 2 Main Criteria Sub-criteria Qualifiers estimated <100km ( CR ) with fragmented at least two of a,b or c Reduction ≥90% in 10 years or 3 1. Reduction in the past a. Direct observation A1a or generations ( CR ) (observed, estimated, inferred b. Index of abundance A1b Extent of occurrence estimated or suspected), where the <5,000km 2 ( EN ) with at least At 1 location ( CR ) Reduction ≥70% in 10 years or 3 causes are clearly reversible c. Decline in area of A1c two of a, b or c generations ( EN ) AND understood AND occupancy, extent of At ≤5 locations ( EN ) ceased , based on a-e occurrence, and/or Extent of occurrence estimated Reduction ≥50% in 10 years or 3 opposite quality of habitat <20,000km 2 ( VU ) with at least At ≤10 locations ( VU ) generations ( VU ) d. Actual or potential A1d two of a, b or c b. Continuing decline i. Extent of occurrence B1bi levels of exploitation (observed, inferred or e. Effects of introduced A1e projected) in any ii . Area of occupancy B1bii taxa, hybridization, of i-v opposite iii . Area, extent and/or quality of pathogens, pollutants, habitat B1biii competitors or parasites iv . Number of locations or Reduction ≥80% in 10 years or 3 2. Reduction in the past a. As a above A2a subpopulations B1biv generations ( CR ) (observed, estimated, inferred or suspected), where the b. As b above A2b v. Number of mature individuals B1bv Reduction ≥50% in 10 years or 3 reduction or its causes may c. Extreme i. Extent of occurrence c. As c above A2c B1ci generations ( EN ) not be reversible OR fluctuations in any understood OR have ceased , d. As d above A2d of i-iv opposite ii . Area of occupancy B1cii Reduction ≥30% in 10 years or 3 based on a-e opposite iii . Number of locations or generations ( VU ) e. As e above A2e subpopulations B1ciii Reduction ≥80% in 10 years or 3 3. Reduction in the future b. As b above A3b iv . Number of mature individuals B1civ generations ( CR ) to 100 years max (projected or suspected), 2. Area of occupancy estimated a. As a above None B2a based on b-e opposite c. As c above A3c <10km 2 ( CR ) with at least two of Reduction ≥50% in 10 years or 3 a, b or c b. As b above in any i. Extent of occurrence B2bi of i-v opposite generations ( EN ) to 100 years max d. As d above A3d ii . Area of occupancy B2bii Area of occupancy estimated Reduction ≥30% in 10 years or 3 2 iii . Area, extent and/or quality of e. As e above A3e <500km ( EN ) with at least two generations ( VU ) to 100 years max of a, b or c habitat B2biii iv . Number of locations or Reduction ≥80% in 10 years or 3 4. Reduction includes the past a. As a above A4a Area of occupancy estimated subpopulations B2biv generations ( CR ) to 100 years max and the future (observed, <2000km 2 ( VU ) with at least two estimated, inferred, projected b. As b above A4b of a, b or c v. Number of mature individuals B2bv Reduction ≥50% in 10 years or 3 or suspected) where the c. As c above A4c c. As c above in any i. Extent of occurrence B2ci generations ( EN ) to 100 years max reduction or its causes may of i to iv opposite not be reversible OR d. As d above A4d ii . Area of occupancy B2cii Reduction ≥30% in 10 years or 3 understood OR have ceased , iii . Number of locations or generations ( VU ) to 100 years max based on a-e opposite e. As e above A4e subpopulations B2ciii iv . Number of mature individuals B2civ

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NEWS ROUNDUP CRITERION C. SMALL POPULATION declining or fluctuating Main Criteria Sub-criteria Qualifiers For further information see: Population <250 mature 1. Continuing decline ≥25% None C1 MADAGASCAR POCHARD The Peregrine Fund website individuals ( CR ) and either 1 in 3 years or 1 generation or 2 (CR ) to 100 years max RE-DISCOVERED http://www.peregrinefund.org/press full.asp?id=110&category=Madagascar

%20 Project Population <2,500 mature Continuing decline ≥20% in Biologists for The Peregrine Fund recently individuals ( EN ) and either 1 5 years or 2 generations discovered 13 Madagascar Pochard or 2 (EN ) to 100 years max Aythya innotata while conducting avian

surveys in a remote part of northern Population <10,000 mature Continuing decline ≥10% in CAMPBELL TEAL RETURN HOME Madagascar. Whilst searching for the individuals ( VU ) and either 1 10 years or 3 generations or 2 (VU ) to 100 years max Madagascar Harrier Circus macrosceles , National Director for the Peregrine Fund’s The New Zealand Department of 2. Continuing decline ai . all sub-pops ≤50 ( CR ) C2ai Madagascar Project Lily-Arison Rene de Conservation (DOC) in April confirmed (observed, projected or all sub-pops ≤250 ( EN ) that Campbell Island Teal Anas nesiotis inferred) and a and/or b all sub-pops ≤1,000 ( VU ) Roland and field biologist Thé Seing Sam released onto Campbell Island have bred opposite observed nine adult birds with four young aii . ≥90% mature individuals C2aii thought to be nearly two weeks old. successfully. Following the world’s in 1 sub-pop ( CR ) largest programme of rat eradication on ≥95% mature individuals The Madagascar Pochard, currently listed 22,000 ha Campbell Island in 2001, 50 in 1 sub-pop ( EN ) as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red captive-bred Teal were returned to the all mature individuals in 1 List, was last seen in 1991 at Lake island in 2004 and another 55 in 2005. sub-pop (VU ) Alaotra on the Central Plateau of During a three week visit to Campbell b. Extreme fluctuations in C2b Madagascar. The single male was Island in 2006 a DOC team found five number of mature captured and kept in Antananarivo different ages of ducklings including individuals Zoological and Botanical Gardens until its unringed adults that were considered to CRITERION D1. VERY SMALL POPULATION death one year later. The last record of be 2005 ducklings.

Population <50 mature None None D1 multiple birds (approximately 20) on Lake individuals ( CR ) Alaotra is from June 1960. For further information see: The New Zealand Department of Population <250 mature Secretive and often solitary in nature, the Conservation website individuals ( EN ) Pochard is found only in Madagascar, www.doc.govt.nz/whats- preferring shallow and marshy habitat – new/presult.asp?prID=2145 Population <1,000 mature little is known, however, about its individuals ( VU ) behaviour and life cycle. The decline of CRITERION D2. VERY SMALL RANGE the species is likely to have started in the NEW ZEALAND ZOOS WIN 1940s and 1950s in connection with the Area of occupancy typically None None D2 PRESTIGIOUS AWARD <20km 2 or typically <6 loss of lake and marshland habitat, due locations ( VU only - capable to introduced plant and fish species, of becoming CR or EX in v. conversion to rice paddies, and burning. In April 2006, Auckland Zoo and Mount short time) Bruce in New Zealand jointly won the Habitat protection and species restoration CRITERION E. QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS Australasian Regional Association of are just two of the proposals included in Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) Probability of extinction in E conservation measures currently in-situ Conservation Award ‘for wild >20% in 20 years or 5 underway for the species. The Peregrine gens ( EN ) to 100 years max exceptional effort towards habitat Fund, Madagascar’s Ministry of preservation, species restoration, and Environment, Water and Forests, and Probability of extinction in support of biodiversity in the wild’. The wild is 10% in 100 years ( VU ) other conservation organisations are award was given for the zoos’ role in the collaborating to ensure a coordinated and restoration programme for the Campbell effective approach is achieved. Island Teal. Auckland Zoo particularly

7 8 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 assisted in evaluating and minimising predators. By 1911 there were an km north-west of Honolulu, was selected fitted with a radio transmitter and leg disease threats to the Teal and provided estimated 6-12 ducks left and only seven as the place to create a new ‘insurance’ bands and released onto newly created primary health care during the were counted in 1912, although 20 were population. Midway was chosen because freshwater ponds. transportation of birds to their new sub- recorded in 1923. it lies within the prehistoric range of the antarctic home. species, has predator-free status, and Before settling the ducks into their new There is a popular story that in 1930, the because it is home to a team of biologists surroundings, the tiny, steep-sided and For further information see: Laysan Duck became the most who would be able to manage habitat heavily vegetated release pools were Auckland Zoo website endangered species in the world when it and study and monitor the survival of any checked to ensure they were ready to http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/aucklandz was reported that its population re-introduced ducks. accommodate birds and that ample food oo/news_item.php?id=1144025517 comprised one pair. When the drake was available. One of the most satisfying Pukaha Mount Bruce website disappeared in a storm, all that remained USGS and USFWS staff spent almost yet simple contributions made was to http://www.mtbruce.org.nz/Latest_news was a gravid female. This widowed bird two years restoring wetland habitat on install floating loafing sites on release _PMB.htm laid a clutch of eggs, which were eaten Midway, prior to 20 ducks being ponds. These ‘loafing logs’ enabled by a Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius successfully translocated from Laysan researchers to read the birds’ leg-ring tahitiensis (this shorebird is known to use Island to Midway’s Sand Island in codes when they came ashore to preen. rocks as tools to crack eggshells). The October 2004. Upon arrival, the ducks As a result it was straightforward to SAVING THE LAYSAN DUCK lone duck re-laid and hatched her second were held in aviaries for 2–14 days to monitor each bird’s health status post- clutch. There may be no truth in this become accustomed to local food release. The ‘loafing log’ idea was The plight of the Laysan Duck story but it’s a good one! The population resources before being released in small borrowed from the New Berkeley Decoy Fossil evidence shows that the Laysan subsequently increased to 33 by 1950 groups. All were radio-tracked so that at Slimbridge, UK, where, for Duck Anas laysanensis was once widely and since then has fluctuated between their movements, behaviour, and survival generations, duck-catchers have distributed across the Hawaiian Islands 100 and 600 birds. could be closely monitored after release. attracted birds into decoy pipes by before the arrival of human beings around Supplemental food was offered several positioning floating boards at the 1,500 years ago. Hunters and introduced Conservation action for the Laysan Duck times per week for the first two months. entrance to the netted pipes. predators extirpated the species from Three other bird species endemic to everywhere except Laysan Island, a tiny Laysan became extinct in the early part As a further measure to rescue this For the first time in hundreds of years th coral atoll 1,500 km north-west of of the 20 Century and, although the critically endangered species from birds are now found on three islands, and Honolulu. Laysan has an area of just 3.7 rabbits died out around 1924, most from extinction, a second release of birds in are flying between Midway’s two islands. km 2 and although there is a large lake, starvation, and Laysan Island became the on-going re-introduction project was Thanks to the success of this this is hyper-saline. The only fresh water fully protected, conservationists believed planned for Sand Island and nearby conservation action, the Laysan Duck, trickles from a few springs and it is that the long-term survival of the Laysan Eastern Island. The release on the second once possibly the rarest bird on Earth, because of these that the ducks have Duck remained precarious. With the only island meant that extra avicultural has now gained a more secure future. been able to cling to survival, often in population restricted to one island, there support was required, prompting Michelle critically small numbers. In years of was always a chance that a single Reynolds to approach WWT for help. For further information on Laysan Duck drought the ducks have survived by disaster such as a drought, hurricane, WWT’s Aviculture Manager, Nigel read: drinking the dew off grass stems and by tsunami, disease outbreak or predator Jarrett, thus assisted with the release of Marshall, A.P. 2005. Laysan Duck Anas eating the invertebrate life that lives in introduction could wipe out the entire 22 birds on Midway Atoll in October laysanensis. In: Ducks, Geese and the guano of the island’s seabird species. Thus the creation of at least one 2005. Swans (Ed. Kear, J.). Oxford colonies. other wild population became a high University Press, Oxford. pp. 528- priority in the US Government’s Recovery The 22 ducks, aged between three and 531. In the late 19 th Century the island’s large Plan for the species. This prompted four months, were captured and crated at Moulton, D.W. & Marshall, A.P. 1996. seabird colony attracted guano miners Michelle Reynolds, John Klavitter and night by a team of duck biologists and Laysan Duck (Anas laysanensis). In: who killed and ate the Laysan Ducks, as their US Geological Survey (USGS) and then moved by boat 600 km (360 miles) The Birds of North America, 242. did feather hunters who raided the island US Fish and Wildlife Service (UFWS) from Laysan Island to Midway Atoll The Academy of Natural Sciences (for albatrosses) in 1909-1910. The colleagues to compile and put into action NWR. The journey took two days, and and AOU. miners also introduced rabbits to the a re-introduction plan for the Laysan the birds, which were each given a island to improve the ‘supply’ of fresh Duck. The plan described how to thorough health check, were fed, Nigel Jarrett meat. The rabbits grazed the island’s establish a second wild population on an watered and monitored day and night by Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, vegetation to the point of no return with island less prone to catastrophic events. a skilled veterinarian support crew. On Gloucestershire GL2 7BT, UK the effect of reducing the ducks’ food After much debate, Midway Atoll Midway the birds were housed in [email protected] supply and exposing their nest sites to National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), 2,000 specially built aviaries before each was

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STOP PRESS eggs than those on Laysan, suggesting population, which is on the verge of The US Geological Survey (USGS) has that Laysan has limited food or habitat WHITE-HEADED DUCK ACTION extinction. The resident North African reported that 2006 was a very compared with Midway, which has a PLAN PUBLISHED population (400-600 birds) is stable and successful breeding season for Laysan smaller population and abundant habitat the Spanish population ( ca . 2,500 birds)

Duck at Midway Atoll National Wildlife and food, perhaps helping to increase increasing. The White-headed Duck The AEWA Single Species Action Plan for Refuge; 56 juveniles fledged. Since birds reproductive effort. occurs regularly in 26 countries, and in the White-headed Duck Oxyura were first moved to Midway in 2005 the another 22 as a vagrant. Nine countries leucocephala was published by the population has more than doubled - Laysan Ducks on Midway appear to be hold significant breeding numbers AEWA secretariat in June 2006 and can increasing to 104 birds - and researchers faring well. Of 20 ducks translocated to (Algeria, Islamic Republic of Iran, be downloaded from are now optimistic that the translocation Midway in October 2004, 18 survive; of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russian http://www.unep-aewa.org/ project will contribute to the long-term 22 ducks translocated to Midway in Federation, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and publications/technical_series.htm . survival of this endangered species. October 2005, 20 survive; and of 12 Uzbekistan), but most are concentrated

ducklings fledged at Midway in 2005, 10 in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russian The plan was compiled Baz Hughes In 2006, 38 nests were monitored and survive. Federation, and Spain. Birds occur (WWT, UK), James Robinson (RSPB, UK), researchers have observed interesting commonly on migration in 10 countries, Andy Green (Biological Station Doñana, differences in reproductive effort US Geological Survey website (accessed and in winter (December to February) in Spain) and David Li & Taej Mundkur between the populations on Laysan and 30 October 2006) 13. The most important wintering (Wetlands International-Asia) with the Midway; the birds on Midway are http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/ countries differ from year-to-year, help of 110 White-headed Duck experts breeding at an earlier age and laying more presumably depending on weather from around the world. The plan was conditions. In recent years, 10 countries adopted under Resolution 3.12 at the Figure 1. Map of study sites: Laysan Island Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and have held over 1,000 birds (Azerbaijan, Third Session of the Meeting of the Midway Atoll, NWR. Bulgaria, Greece, Islamic Republic of Iran, Parties to AEWA in Dakar, Senegal, Israel, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, October 2005. Spain, Turkey, and Uzbekistan – see

Table 2). Seven countries hold significant The Executive Summary of the plan is as numbers of birds throughout the year follows: (Algeria, Islamic Republic of Iran, Russian

Federation, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and The White-headed Duck is listed as Uzbekistan). Endangered on the IUCN Red List of

Threatened Animals. It is also listed on White-headed Duck population declines Annex I of the European Union Directive have been attributed mainly to habitat on the Conservation of Wild Birds loss and over-hunting. The main threats (79/409/EEC) (Birds Directive), on to the Central Asian population are Appendix II of the Convention on the habitat loss due to unsustainable use of Conservation of European Wildlife and water resources and the recent drought Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), on in Central Asia. These impacts are likely Appendix I of the Convention on the to be exacerbated by the effects of Conservation of Migratory Species of global climate change. The greatest long- Wild Animals (Bonn Convention), and term threat to the White-headed Duck, Appendix II of the Convention on however, is introgressive hybridisation International Trade in Endangered Species with the non-native North American (CITES Convention). Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis . Ruddy

Ducks have now been recorded in 21 The White-headed Duck is a highly Western Palearctic countries with aquatic diving duck of the stifftail tribe breeding records in at least 11, and Oxyurini. Globally, there are four regular breeding attempts in six (France, populations; two of which are declining, Ireland, Morocco, Netherlands, Spain, one stable and one increasing. The and the UK). However, outside the UK decreasing populations include the main only France holds a significant numbers Central Asian population of 5,000- of breeding pairs (ca. 20). The number of 10,000 birds and the Pakistan wintering

11 12 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 countries taking action against Ruddy to maintain the current population and Photographs of the ducks at the Manych Ducks has increased significantly in range of the species throughout its WHITE-HEADED DUCKS IN Wetland can be seen at: recent years. By 2004, at least 14 range, and in the medium to long-term to MANYCH WETLAND, RUSSIA, http://uchkeken.onfinite.com/album/8465 countries in the Western Palearctic had promote increase in population size and APRIL 2006 12/ taken some action to control Ruddy range. The plan has been developed Ducks (Belgium, Denmark, France, using internationally agreed standards for Report received through Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, identifying actions and has been prepared In April 2006, a remarkable build-up of [email protected] Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, to facilitate the monitoring and evaluation White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Switzerland, and the United Kingdom). of subsequent implementation, linking was reported at Manych Wetland, Jeff and Olga Gordon This compares with only six countries in threats, actions and measurable Stavropol Region, Russia. The first birds [email protected] 1999. At least 471 Ruddy Ducks and activities. were reported on 6 March when 10 birds hybrids have now been controlled in six occupied a small area of open water in countries excluding the UK (Denmark – This plan will need implementation in 41 the ice. By 17–20 March the ice had 1, France - 246, Iceland - 3, Morocco - countries, including 26 White-headed melted and 130 birds, in two small 2, Portugal - 3, and Spain - 217) and a Duck Range States and 21 countries with groups, were present. On 1-3 April there further three countries have indicated Ruddy Duck records. The 26 activities were 3,850 birds, though this count that attempts will be made to shoot birds identified in this Action Plan focus on should be viewed as a minimum. if they occur (Hungary, Italy, Slovenia). measures to prevent further habitat loss Counting of distant birds was quite Concerted eradication programmes are in and degradation; to reduce direct difficult, as the water was rather choppy operation in four countries (France, mortality of adults and improve due to a westerly wind throughout. Last Portugal, Spain, and the UK) and one is reproductive success; and to remove the year, the ducks departed on or about 10 planned in Morocco. A total of 5,069 threat of hybridisation with the April. Ruddy Ducks have been shot in the UK introduced North American Ruddy Duck. since 1999. The Ruddy Duck has now These measures include protecting the The ducks were quite evenly spread over been listed on Annex B of the EC CITES White-headed Duck and its habitats, 7 km² although they tended to remain

Regulations (338/97) on the grounds that appropriate management of key sites, separate from other waterbirds at the they pose an ecological threat to eradicating the Ruddy Duck from Europe site; also present were numerous Red- indigenous species. This now gives and North Africa, and increasing public crested Pochard Netta rufina , Common POPULATION STRUCTURE AND Pochard Aythya ferina , Tufted Duck member states the opportunity to place awareness of the need to conserve the LOSS OF GENETIC DIVERSITY restrictions on or ban the keeping of White-headed Duck. Each country within Athya fuligula, Common Goldeneye Ruddy Ducks in captive collections. Other the range of the White-headed Duck Bucephala clangula and Smew Mergellus IN THE ENDANGERED WHITE- threats include inadequate wetland should be committed to implement this albellus plus a large number of Great HEADED DUCK management (leading to the dry out of plan and to develop National Action Plans Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus and wetland habitats), competition with and establish White-headed Duck Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena. This news item is a summary of the introduced carp, drowning in fishing nets, Working Groups to help facilitate this. All paper Muñoz-Fuentes, V., Green, A.J., lead-poisoning, pollution and human countries with records of Ruddy Ducks Local observers have witnessed White- Negro, J.J. & Sorenson, M.D. 2005. disturbance. should endorse and implement the headed Ducks gathering at the site in Conservation Genetics 6: 999-1015. International Ruddy Duck Eradication March/April for many years but were

This International Single Species Action Strategy of the Bern Convention, and unaware of the potential importance of The White-headed Duck Oxyura Plan provides a framework for the produce official statements of intent the event. There is, therefore, little leucocephala is a globally threatened conservation for the White-headed Duck regarding Ruddy Duck control. information available on numbers visiting species native to the Palaearctic with a and is based on the format for the AEWA the site in previous years. Hopefully, range extending from Spain in the west International Single Species Action Plan however, this information will now be to the western edge of China in the east. prepared by BirdLife International. collected each year, and it will then be Its populations have become fragmented Successful implementation of this plan possible to look at trends in usage of the and undergone major declines in recent will require effective international co- site in the future. decades. To study genetic differences ordination of organisation and action. The between populations across the range long-term Goal of this Action Plan will be UPDATE and change in genetic diversity over time, to remove the White-headed Duck from In October 2006, two flocks of c360 and we sequenced a portion of the the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. c1,400 birds were counted during an ad mitochondrial DNA control region from In the short-term, the aim of the plan is hoc trip to the wetland.

13 14 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

67 museum specimens (years 1861- intron markers, 10 microsatellite loci, and the European Ruddy Duck population is 1976) as well as 39 contemporary mtDNA control region sequences. These descended solely from the captive BROWN TEAL RELEASED AT samples from Spain and seven from data allowed parental individuals, F1 population in the UK, which traces to PORT CHARLES, NEW ZEALAND Greece (years 1992-2003). In the hybrids, and the progeny of backcrossing seven individuals imported from the USA historical sample, we found a lack of to be reliably distinguished. We show in 1948, or, alternatively, has been Taken from Brown Teal Conservation significant genetic structure between that hybrids between the two species are augmented by natural dispersal of birds Trust press release 26/5/05: populations in different areas. We found fertile and produce viable offspring in from North America. Limited genetic evidence that the species experienced a backcrosses with both parental species. diversity in the European population is The Brown Teal Anas chlorotis is the rapid expansion in the past, perhaps from To date, however, we found no extensive consistent with a founder population as world’s fourth rarest duck species and it glacial refugia centred around the introgression of Ruddy Duck genes into small as seven birds. In addition, shifts in is endemic to New Zealand where it has Mediterranean following the last ice age. the Spanish White-headed Duck allele frequencies at several loci, been present for over 10,000 years. Prior In Spain, the population went through a population, probably due to the early presumably due to genetic drift in the to the arrival of Europeans, it was dramatic bottleneck in the 1970s and implementation of an effective Ruddy founding population, result in significant widespread throughout every type of early 1980s, when only a few dozen Duck and hybrid control programme. We differentiation between the European and wetland. Numbers in the early 1800s are individuals remained in the wild. Although also show that genetic diversity in the North American populations. Despite the believed to have been in the millions. But population size has since recovered to a expanding European Ruddy Duck recent separation of these populations, when Europeans arrived, accompanied by few thousand individuals, we found a population, which was founded by just almost all individuals could be cats, rats, hedgehogs, ferrets, stoats and highly significant loss of mitochondrial seven individuals, exceeds that of the unambiguously assigned based on their weasels, Brown Teal commenced their haplotype diversity between the historical native Spanish White-Headed Duck composite genotypes, to one of two headlong race towards extinction. By and contemporary samples. Given population, which recently recovered distinct populations, one comprising all of 1999 the total population was no more ongoing declines in other areas, losses in from a severe bottleneck. Unless the European Ruddy Ducks we sampled than 1,000, with 750 on Great Barrier genetic diversity that may reduce the effective control of Ruddy Ducks is (including those from Iceland and captive Island and 250 in Northland. The adaptive potential of White-headed Ducks continued, genetic introgression will birds in the UK) and the other comprising predicted date for extinction was 2015, in the future are a continuing concern compromise the unique behavioural and all North American samples. Our results introduced predators being largely throughout the geographic range of this ecological adaptations of White-headed confirm that the European Ruddy Duck responsible for this disastrous situation. species. Ducks and consequently their survival as population is likely to derive solely from

a genetically and evolutionary distinct the captive population in the UK and we Since a major audit of the recovery species. find no evidence of recent arrivals from programme was carried out in 2000, North America or of admixture between together with a healthy injection of HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN Ruddy Ducks from Europe and North government funding, comprehensive WHITE-HEADED DUCKS AND America. predator control programmes have been THE RUDDY DUCK IN EUROPE: INTRODUCED RUDDY DUCKS IN implemented on Great Barrier Island, in NATURAL COLONIZATION OR SPAIN Northland, and at Port Charles,

HUMAN INTRODUCTION? historically a favoured site with several

hundred teal once resident there. This is a summary of the paper Muñoz-

Fuentes, V., Vilà, C., Green, A.J., Negro, This is a summary of the paper Muñoz- On 19 May 2005, 62 captive-reared J.J. & Sorenson, M.D. in press. Fuentes, V., Green, A.J., Sorenson, Brown Teal were released at Port Molecular Ecology. M.D., Negro, J.J. & Vilà, C. 2006. Charles, at the top of the Coromandel Molecular Ecology 15: 1441-1453. Peninsula. This was the third of five The Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis was planned annual releases and was the introduced to Great Britain in the mid- Native to North America, Ruddy Ducks highest number released for fifteen years. 20th century and has recently spread to Oxyura jamaicensis now occur in 21 Eleven of these birds came from the other Western European countries. In countries in the western Palaearctic Brown Teal Conservation Trust (BTCT). Spain, Ruddy Ducks hybridize with the (including Iceland) and their expanding The survival of captive reared birds at globally endangered White-headed Duck, population threatens the native White- Port Charles has been exceptionally high Oxyura leucocephala . We assessed the Headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and several broods of teal have been effects of hybridization on the Spanish through hybridization and possibly reared by released birds. White-headed Ducks, which constitute competition for food and nest sites. We

25% of the global population of this used mitochondrial DNA sequences and The Brown Teal recovery programme species, using a panel of eight nuclear nuclear microsatellites to test whether now involves predator control at critically

15 16 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 important sites, habitat protection, of a shift in monitoring toward following monitored 2005 release birds still alive. creation and enhancement, and a major ducklings through to their first breeding. Of the nine juveniles given transmitters in USE OF WING TAGS AND captive breeding programme. This year’s November, two have died, two are OTHER METHODS TO MARK release was witnessed by 120 local Predator Control missing, and the other five have MARBLED TEAL IN SPAIN people, including two bus loads of school Recent predator trapping at Port Charles dispersed. children, all of whom are ardent site has caught two cats, one possum, supporters of the recovery programme. three rats and 14 hedgehogs. Breeding Season This news item is a summary of the The exercise was sponsored by Banrock The occasional brood is still seen and paper Green, A.J., Fuentes, C., Vázquez, Wines of Adelaide, a company that Vehicle Deaths there are considered to be more birds M., Viedma, C. & Ramón, N. 2004. supports wetland and waterfowl projects A hazing fence has been erected to stop (un-tagged) in the area. Ardeola 51: 191-202. throughout the world. Representatives Brown Teal crossing the road from the from BTCT were present at the Port release site into one of their favoured Aims Charles release and were able to present feeding paddocks, forcing them to either To design methods to mark Marbled Teal detailed information to the school fly over, or use the culvert under, the Marmaronetta angustirostris , to test children present, and to locals, about the road. There have been no vehicle deaths these methods in captive conditions and unique values of Brown Teal, their natural on that stretch of road since the fence to apply them in field research in Spain. history, their vulnerability to predation was erected. Negotiations continue with and about why we should attempt to the District Council to replace the two Location save the species. The BTCT believes that culverts under Carey Road. Local Marked birds were released at El Hondo, the recovery programme is now rapidly residents and visitors are being strongly Valencian community (eastern Spain) and turning from one of imminent disaster to advocated to slow down and be careful Doñana (south-west Spain). Captive trials were conducted at nearby recovery one of imminent success. while driving. However, as mentioned Vehicle Deaths centres. above, there continue to be vehicle- Still no vehicle deaths on the road by the ROUNDUP 14 NOVEMBER 2005 related deaths although numbers are hazing fence, but one was hit around reduced around Port Charles. Methods New Year’s Eve at Parakete. The tally of Colour and Darvic rings, nasal markers Since the 19 May release there have vehicle deaths for wild teal between and wing tags were tested in captivity. been 12 deaths of monitored birds (nine Waikawau Bay and Colville is now up to of the 2005 released birds and two of Various designs of wing (patagial) tags ten and further signage to help with this varying in shape, size, nature of the code the 2004 released birds). Of the 2005 problem is planned. birds, there were three vehicle deaths, and attachment methods were also tested. Nasal markers were rejected after five predation deaths and one unknown ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS death (bird found buried in creek); there most fell off within a month in captivity. The author, The Brown Teal Conservation The other methods were used to mark are now 31 (78%) of the monitored Trust and TWSG editors are indebted to 2005 release birds still alive. In late birds that were released into El Hondo everyone who has assisted in the Port (following their rescue when they October we removed transmitters from Charles release, particularly Jason two released birds due to transmitter became trapped in an irrigation channel) Roxburgh, Lettecia Williams and Rebekah or Doñana. attachment problems but apart from that Caldwell, and http://www.brownteal.com there have been no further transmitter or for help in compiling these notes. The harness failures, so the whereabouts of Results BTCT congratulates the Department of PVC colour rings stuck with superglue all the monitored birds are know. ROUNDUP 14 FEBRUARY 2006 Conservation, its staff and the people of often dropped off within months, Port Charles for their dedicated Breeding Season probably owing to the high temperatures. Since the November Roundup the contribution towards saving the unique There are a lot of almost fledged Brown Especially designed Darvic rings with two predator trapping programme has caught Brown Teal. Teal around, and several of the broods digit alphanumeric codes were used, but three cats, and four more Brown Teal monitored will fledge 100% of the these were rarely legible in the field. have died: one juvenile killed by a cat, Updates on Port Charles release from ducklings hatched. During three nights Initially a wider wing tag was used to one juvenile run over not far from the cat Brown Teal Roundup James Fraser and dog Percy netted 34 mark 52 birds released in 1996, after kill, one avian predation (a 2004 bird) www.brownteal.com birds: 20 were fledglings large enough to and one dead in a drain (a 2005 bird). testing with pinioned birds in captivity. It was then discovered that these tags take leg bands, but only nine were large This brings the total dead since the 19 Neil Hayes enough to take transmitters. This is part May release to 16 (three of the 2004 caused feather wear on the opposing Brown Teal Conservation Trust wing in full-winged birds, owing to the birds; 11 of the 2005 birds; and two [email protected] juveniles). There are now 30 of the 40 17 18 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 spinning of the tags during wing flapping. species, those swimming being most A narrower tag that greatly reduced this INTERSPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS associated with flamingos and Northern problem was developed and it was used IN HABITAT USE BETWEEN Pintail A. acuta . This is because to mark 288 birds released in 1997- MARBLED TEAL AND OTHER swimming Teal tended to be in the most 1999. Observations of marked birds WATERBIRDS WINTERING AT open areas frequented by these species. showed that most birds released at El Hondo remained there, although some SIDI BOU GHABA, MOROCCO Conclusions were observed at Albufera de Valencia The interspecific associations of Marbled and Marjal del Moro. One bird was also This news item is a summary of the Teal covary with the behaviour and recovered from Algeria. No birds released paper Green, A.J. & El Hamzaoui, M. microhabitat use of individual birds. at El Hondo were recorded in Doñana, 2006. Ardeola 53: 99-106. Studying the spatial association between although one bird tagged in Doñana was a threatened species and other birds can observed at El Hondo. Tagged females in Aims provide misleading information on the their first and second years were on the survival of released animals. We To study the spatial associations of non- habitat requirements of the former if observed with broods, providing the first investigated the survival of globally breeding Marbled Teal Marmaronetta results are inconsistent over space and breeding observations for Marbled Teal of threatened Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris with other wintering time. This illustrates the complexities of known age in the wild. angustirostris taken into captivity as waterbirds. To assess the information studying the habitat selection of ducklings when they became trapped in such interspecific associations can waterbirds. Conclusions an irrigation channel, then released again provide about habitat requirements of Wing tags provided much more data than after fledging. We used wing tags and globally threatened species. rings, but there were major problems of mark–recapture models to estimate the LEAD ISOTOPES AND LEAD tag loss, poor visibility and feather wear. survival of released teal. Ducklings Location They are most appropriate for intensive rescued in 1996 (n=53) were released Sidi Bou Ghaba (34º10’N, 06º39’W), a SHOT INGESTION IN THE studies in the first few months after soon after fledging in September and closed-basin lagoon on the Atlantic coast GLOBALLY THREATENED marking, and are not suitable for general their survival was modelled for seven of northwest Morocco. MARBLED TEAL AND WHITE- use in this threatened species. El Hondo months until April 1997. Their apparent HEADED DUCK is likely to be the source for the recent monthly survival rate (lower than true Methods expansion of Marbled Teal into Albufera survival owing to loss of wing tags) was Flock-scan sampling during eight days in de Valencia, Marjal del Moro and other 0.85±0.12 (±s.e). Ducklings rescued in February 1995, five in March 1995 and This news item is a summary of the valencian breeding sites. There is little 1997 (n=44) were released together in two in October 1997. paper Svanberg, F., Mateo, R., Hillström, connectivity between El Hondo and February 1998 over five months after L., Green, A.J., Taggart, M.A., Raab, A. Doñana, the two main breeding areas in fledging, and their survival was modelled Results & Meharg, A.A. 2006. Science of the Spain. for six months from February until In February and March, Marbled Teal Total Environment 370: 416-424. August. Their apparent monthly survival showed a positive spatial association rate was 0.54±0.06. Ducklings rescued with Gadwall Anas strepera , Green Lead isotope ratios ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and in 1998 (n=159) were released in 208 207 SURVIVAL OF MARBLED TEAL Winged Teal A. crecca and Crested Coot Pb/ PB) and concentrations in the August–September soon after fledging Fulica cristata and a negative association livers and bones of Marbled Teal RELEASED BACK INTO THE and their survival was modelled for 10 with Mallard A. platyrhynchos and gulls. Marmaronetta angustirostris and White- WILD months from August until June. Their There was a very different pattern in headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala found apparent monthly survival rate was 0.83 October, when Marbled Teal had a dead or moribund were determined in

±0.07. Monthly survival was positive association with Mallard and a order to establish the main lead source in This news item is a summary of the significantly higher for the 1996 and negative one with Crested Coot. In these waterfowl species. Lead paper Green, A.J., Fuentes, C., Figuerola, 1998 cohort, suggesting that retaining March, individual Marbled Teal positioned concentrations in bone (dry weight) and J., Viedma, C. & Ramón, N. 2005. birds in captivity after fledging had a at different distances to the shoreline liver (wet weight) were found to be very Biological Conservation 121: 595-601. negative impact on post-release survival. were significantly associated with high in many of the White-headed Ducks

When birds were released in February, a different waterbird species along a (bone: geometric mean=88.9ppm, Reintroduction or re-enforcement lower proportion survived until the continuum from Crested Coot (closest to maximum=419ppm; liver: geometric programmes are major tools in species breeding season three months later than shoreline) to Greater Flamingo mean=16.8ppm, maximum=57.0ppm). conservation, but there is a need for when they were released five months Phoenicopterus ruber (farthest). Similarly, Some of the Marbled Teal had high lead more studies that assess the influence of earlier in September. individuals in different behaviours were levels in the bones but liver lead levels different husbandry and release methods associated with different waterbird were all low (bone: geometric

19 20 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 mean=6.13ppm, maximum=112ppm; The breeding range of the Falcated Duck the end of the 1970s, on Lake Udyl (52° Nicky Petkov of the Bulgarian Society for liver: geometric mean=0.581ppm, covers a vast territory, from the Enisey 98’N, 139°49’E) 80% of broods were in the Protection of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria. maximum=4.77ppm). Ingested lead shot River through Cis- and Transbaikalia, amalgamations, comprising 86% of chicks. The plan was adopted under Resolution were found in 71% of the White-headed Southern Yakutia, Priamurie, Primorie, Until the beginning of the 1980s, in the 3.12 at the Third Session of the Meeting Duck and 20% of the Marbled Teal. The Manchuria to Sakhalin and Kamchatka. optimum habitats Falcated Teal comprised of the Parties to AEWA in Dakar, 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio in livers and bones of Most birds breed in the Priamurie (Amur about 60-85% of the total waterfowl Senegal, October 2005. White-headed Ducks and Marbled Teals River basin). Open lakes and streams on population. In the last decades, the showed no significant differences flood-plains with grassy shores and rich population has declined dramatically, and The Executive Summary of the plan is as compared to the ratios obtained from in aquatic plants are the most favorable its share of the whole duck population follows: lead shot. The 206 Pb/ 207 Pb ratio in bones biotopes for the Falcated Duck. The now seldom exceeds 30%. On Lake Udyl, of Marbled Teal ducklings with the species is characterized by late arrival at the total number of Falcated Duck has The Ferruginous Duck is a little studied, highest lead concentrations tended to the breeding grounds and a long fallen from 530 to 120 broods and only partial migrant, widely distributed in resemble the ratios of lead shot, which breeding period. It is stenotopic, ie tolerant 60% of broods were in amalgamations. Europe, Asia and Africa. During the first supports our hypothesis that the lead of only a narrow range of environmental quarter of the 20th century, it was was derived from the hens. We also factors, and specializes in grass feeding, There are several reasons for the decline. described as one of the most plentiful found that the lead ratios of lead shot which suggests that the species originated Falcated Duck inhabit easily accessible Anatidae species over a great part of its and lead ratios described for soils in the in conditions similar to the present optimum. habitats and suffer from disturbance and range. Since then, it has undergone a area overlapped, but also that the It probably evolved in the lake country poaching more than other species. The large, long-term decline globally. The isotopic ratio 206 Pb/ 207 Pb in lead shot occupying the ancient Amur basin in the ducklings are shot first of all because of species is regularly recorded in 77 used in Spain has a narrow range Pliocene. late breeding: many of them are still countries and in at least 26 others as a compared with those used in North flightless at the beginning of the autumn vagrant. America. The principal source of lead in hunt. Loss of habitats (including on the many of these birds was, however, most wintering grounds) and pollution have had The most important known countries for likely lead shot, as supported by the an affect too. The present Falcated Duck breeding birds are Romania (5,500-6,500 similar isotopic ratios, high lead world population numbers only 35,000 pairs), Azerbaijan (1,000-3,000 pairs), concentrations in tissues and evidence of birds. The species should be defined as Croatia (2,000-3,000 pairs) and ingested shot. Globally Threatened and put on the Red Kazakhstan (2,000-3,000 pairs). In Data List. winter, significant numbers of birds have been counted in Bangladesh (70,000 Nikolay D. Poyarkov birds), Turkmenistan (21,000 birds), Mali FALCATED DUCK IN RUSSIA [email protected] (up to 14,300 birds), Kazakhstan

(10,500 birds), Uzbekistan (>7,000

birds), Sudan (>5,000 birds), Egypt The Falcated Duck Anas falcata is not The Priamurie is characterized by (7,500 birds), and Azerbaijan (1,000- currently included in the IUCN list of alternating years of floods and low water. FERRUGINOUS DUCK ACTION 9,000 birds). globally threatened Anseriformes. In the flood season many waterfowl PLAN PUBLISHED However, recent studies in Russia have nests are destroyed, while in seasons of Simply adding the national population suggested that this species should be low water breeding habitats decrease in estimates for the 35 countries with data included in future. The following abstract is number. The Falcated Duck is well adapted The AEWA Single Species Action Plan for on numbers of breeding pairs resulted in from the International Conference on Birds to such conditions. During the nesting the Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca was an estimated global breeding population and Environment 2004, Haridwar, India. period it is strictly territorial. The population also published by the AEWA secretariat of 14,000-23,000 pairs. Assuming structure allows occupation of both flood- in June 2006 and can be downloaded winter numbers = breeding pairs x 3, Falcated Duck: biology and presumable plains and uplands; this reduces nest loss by from this would equate to a wintering reasons for dramatic population decline predators and insures the population http://www.unep-aewa.org/ population of 42,000-69,000. Such Data were collected from 1976 to 2003 in against complete loss of broods due to publications/technical_series.htm . calculations are fraught with difficulty, the Amur River region from the Arkhara flood. After hatching, Falcated Duck and taking into account recent winter River (49°00’N, 130°00’E) up to the become the most social of the dabbling The plan was compiled by James counts of 70,000 birds in Pakistan, mouth of the Amur, and on Sakhalin and ducks: brood amalgamations are Robinson and Baz Hughes of WWT (UK) 21,000 in Turkmenistan, 14,000 in Mali, along the Okhotsk seacoast up to common. Depending on the density, with the help of 57 Ferruginous Duck and 8,530 in Chad, it does seem that the Ul'banskiy bay (53°33’N, 137°15’E). amalgamations may be simple with experts from around the world. The plan global population is somewhat higher recognizable separate broods in them or is based on information collected at an than the previous estimate of 50,000 complex with up to 80-100 ducklings. At action-planning workshop organised by

21 22 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 birds. A minimum of at least 100,000 change/drought, and over-hunting. FEATURES birds seems likely, but the true value may Others include lead poisoning, drowning be even higher. in fishing nets, pollution, introduction of non-native species (particularly Grass less well known appearance of the The Ferruginous Duck is thought to breed Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and Wels WHAT ACTUALLY IS THE Chinese Spotbill Anas (poecilorhyncha) in 45 countries worldwide. Of the 43 Catfish Silurus glanis), and human STATUS OF THE PINK-HEADED zonorhyncha (here possibly the even countries with trend data, no estimate of disturbance. DUCK? more poorly known harringtoni form) population trend was available for 16 meant that observers could not say that (37%) countries. Most (13 or 48%) of This International Single Species Action they were all 100% confident of the the remaining 27 countries had Plan provides a framework for the Recently there have been some distant duck’s identification. decreasing numbers of breeding conservation for the Ferruginous Duck tantalising reports that the enigmatic and Ferruginous Ducks over the last seven and is based on the format for the AEWA extraordinary Pink-headed Duck So, full of hope, a further survey went year period and only two (Greece and International Single Species Action Plan Rhodonessa caryophyllacea , a holy grail back to northern Kachin, to ox-bow lakes Italy) had increasing numbers. Six of the prepared by BirdLife International. among wildfowl enthusiasts, may have of the Nat Kaung River north of 27 countries (22%) experienced declines Successful implementation of this plan been rediscovered after an apparent Kamaingin, in October-November 2005. of at least 50%, and seven (26%) will require effective international co- absence of 60-70 years (Kear 2005). This time there were to be no repeat declines of 20-49%. In eight countries ordination of organisation and action. The However, there has been no change to sightings, however fleeting. In 2006, (30%) breeding numbers were stable and broad aim of this Action Plan will be to the bird’s official status. So, is the Pink- hopefully, teams intend to return to in four (15%) numbers fluctuated with remove the Ferruginous Duck from the headed Duck back from the wilderness? Myanmar and surveys are proposed changes of at least 20%, but with no IUCN Red List of Threatened animals. In We need to look at recent surveys for further south including the Mandalay area clear trend since 1995. Trends in the short-term, the aim of the plan is to this bird in Myanmar to get a better and Arakan. wintering numbers are unclear. Of 69 maintain the current population and range understanding of current thoughts. countries thought to hold wintering of the species throughout its range, and The observers of the 2004 bird remain Ferruginous Ducks, no estimate of in the medium to long-term to promote In March and November 2003, surveys confident of rediscovery but doubts still population trend was available for 52 increase in population size and range. were carried out in Kachin State by remain about ‘that’ bird. Further surveys, (70%) countries. Of the 17 countries for The plan has been developed using BirdLife International and their local we passionately hope, will get that which data were available, 10 countries internationally agreed standards for partner in Myanmar, the Biodiversity and totally convincing sighting and TWSG (56%) had fluctuating numbers. Of the identifying actions and has been prepared National Conservation Association wishes all concerned the best of luck. For seven remaining countries, two specifically to facilitate the monitoring (BANCA), organised by Wildbird further information and reports of the experienced declines of at least 50%, and evaluation of subsequent Adventure Travels and Tours. The second surveys, including further details of three declines of 20-49% and two an implementation, linking threats, actions survey concentrated effort along the collaborators and supporters (including increase of 20-49%. and measurable activities. Chindwin River from Tanai, particularly in the Darwin Initiative) visit the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. http://www.birdlifeindochina.org/ and The Ferruginous Duck is listed as Near This plan will need implementation in 77 Here, two independent and credible read Jonathon Eames’, BirdLife Indochina Threatened on the IUCN Red List of countries. The 30 activities identified in reports of Pink-headed Duck were Programme Manager, notes in Babbler Threatened Animals. The species nearly this Action Plan focus on measures to received from fishermen in the area’s ox- issues 8 (2003), 12 (2004) and 16 qualifies for listing under criteria A1c and prevent further habitat loss and bow lakes but survey members did not (2005). A report of the sighting by Karin A2c. It is also listed on Annex I of the degradation; to reduce direct mortality of find any ducks themselves. Eberhardt can also be found in Babbler European Union Directive on the adults and improve reproductive 15 (2005). The reports include details of Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC) success; and to increase knowledge on In November-December 2004 the same other endangered waterbirds, including (Birds Directive), on Appendix III of the the Ferruginous Duck. These measures team went back to northern Kachin White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata , Convention on the Conservation of include protecting the Ferruginous Duck State, this time joined by members of the seen during each of the surveys. European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and its habitats, appropriate management Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. (Bern Convention), on Appendix I of the of key sites, and increasing public This survey concentrated on Indawgi REFERENCES Convention on the Conservation of awareness of the need to conserve the Lake, the Tanai area and the upper Kear, J. 2005. Ducks, Geese and Swans Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Ferruginous Duck. Each country within Chindwin River. It was here that a flying Volume 2 Species accounts ( Cairina to Convention), and in Table 1, Column A of the range of the Ferruginous Duck should duck was tentatively identified as a Pink- Mergus ) (Kear, J ed) Oxford. pp. 629- the African-Eurasian Waterbird be committed to implement this plan and headed. However, while Indian Spotbill 630. Agreement action plan. The principal to develop National Action Plans and Anas poecilorhyncha was ruled out, the known threats to the Ferruginous Duck establish Ferruginous Duck Working are habitat loss and degradation, climate Groups to help facilitate this.

23 24 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

The species is found mainly in Brazil, Figure 1. River stretches used by four pairs of Brazilian Merganser in the SCNP, 2001-2005. REPRODUCTIVE RATE AND although small remnant populations Territories are denoted by numbers, SCNP limits by dashed lines, and main road by thin, solid DEVELOPMENT OF DUCKLINGS survive in Argentina and possibly lines (modified from IBAMA 1981).

OF BRAZILIAN MERGANSER AT Paraguay. Most recent records are from SERRA DA CANASTRA Brazil (Brazilian Merganser Recovery Team 2006). The Serra da Canastra in NATIONAL PARK, MINAS Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is the most GERAIS, BRAZIL, 2001-2005 important site in the world for the Brazilian Merganser. Since the

Sávio Freire Bruno 1, Rafael Bessa Alves rediscovery of the species by Bartmann de Carvalho and Wolf Bartmann† in 1981 (Bartmann 1988), this mountain range and its environs has been the main 1 Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua site of research into its biology and ecology (Bartmann 1988; Silveira & Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Santa Rosa, Niterói, Bartmann 2001; Lamas 2002; Bruno & RJ, Brazil CEP 24.230.340. Bartmann 2003; Bruno 2004; Lamas & [email protected] Santos 2004; Lamas 2006). Lamas (2002, 2006) estimated the population of SUMMARY Brazilian Merganser in Serra da Canastra National Park (SCNP) and its environs at The Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus is one of the rarest and about 80 individuals. All river habitats used by the mergansers Village to the first bridge that crosses the most threatened species in the world are characterized by clear, oxygenated São Francisco River, known locally as with the population estimated at 250 Our study began in 1992, when water that flows over rocks, stones and ‘pontilhão’ (20°19’S, 46°28’W), all of individuals. Although knowledge about Bartmann & Bruno found two pairs of numerous exposed cliffs alternating with which is outside the park; Pair 4 inhabits the biology of this species has improved Brazilian Mergansers on São Francisco wider channels or pools with reduced a 11-km stretch between the ‘pontilhão’ in the last ten years, information on River (one with two ducklings in the currents which may be quite deep. The and the Limeira farm (20°19’S, 46° breeding biology is still limited. We highlands, another without ducklings just meandering mountain streams are in 22’W), all of which is again outside the studied four pairs of Brazilian Merganser above the Casca D'Anta waterfall), both some areas bordered by high banks with park (Figure 1). on the São Francisco River in Serra da within the SCNP. Following Wolf overhanging vegetation of gallery forest. Canastra National Park and its environs Bartmann’s death in 2003, the study has Nine visits were made to the SCNP from 2001 to 2005. This paper presents been continued by S.F. Bruno (Bruno & Throughout this paper, we make the between 2001 and 2005, totalling 105 new data on breeding success, Bartmann 2003, Bruno 2004). This study assumption that the same birds are days of fieldwork. Surveys were development of ducklings, and parental aims to collect long-term data on the present within each territory. Although conducted on foot and birds located by care, including the length of time young breeding success, development of we have no evidence to prove or scanning long river stretches from nearby remain within their parents’ territories. A ducklings, and parental care of Brazilian disprove this assumption, we make it as hills or from hides close to the water. total of 15 broods comprising 70 Mergansers on the São Francisco River. Brazilian Mergansers are thought to pair Birds were observed either by eye ducklings (mean 4.6, range 2-8) were This paper updates information previously for life and remain faithful to the same orusing 10x25 binoculars and tele-lens reared by the four pairs over the five year presented by Bruno & Bartmann (2003), territory (Brazilian Merganser Recovery photography. period, emphasizing the importance of covering the period 2001 to 2005. Team 2006). the Serra da Canastra National Park for RESULTS STUDY AREA AND METHODS the Brazilian Merganser and the need to Four pairs of Brazilian Merganser inhabit Assuming that Brazilian Mergansers Situated in west central Minas Gerais protect the São Francisco River. the São Francisco River, from its source breed once a year, four pairs in five years State, southwest Brazil, the Serra da to Vargem Bonita city, 44 km down- could produce a maximum of 20 broods. INTRODUCTION Canastra National Park (20°15’S, stream. Pair 1 occupies a 14-km territory Our four study pairs produced 15 broods The Brazilian Merganser is one of the 46°40’W; Figure 1) is a 73,000 ha area on the upriver stretch of the São (75%) totalling 70 ducklings (mean 4.6, rarest and most threatened waterfowl in of highland plateau, 900-1,400 m (2,953 Francisco River within the SCNP; Pair 2 range 2-8) over the five-year period the world, categorized by IUCN as to 4,594 ft) in elevation, characterized by lives on a 10-km stretch from the base of (Table 1). The total number of young Critically Endangered (IUCN 2006), with rolling, rocky grasslands with steep the Casca D'Anta waterfall almost to São produced per year ranged from 8 to 25 an estimated population of 250 escarpments, deep valleys and numerous José do Barreiro Village, most of which is and the mean brood size 2.6 to 6.25 individuals (BirdLife International 2000). water courses. outside the park; Pair 3’s territory (Figure 2). stretches 9 km from São José do Barreiro

25 26 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Table 1. Number of ducklings raised by four pairs of Brazilian Merganser in SCNP, 2001-2005. male Brazilian Merganser, and showed no DISCUSSION aggression towards it. The birds swam Development of ducklings Pair 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total calmly down the river for about five Partridge (1956) described the upper 1 2 2 7 7 5 23 minutes and then moved away (Figure 8; parts of downy Brazilian Mergansers as 2 3 0 - 3 7 13 see page 33). black with three white patches: on the 3 8 3 0 0 7 18 wing, back, and sides of rump. The under 4 0 3 2 5 6 16 parts are pure white. A white stripe Total 13 8 9 15 25 70 extends from the lore to below the eye and there is a white spot in front of the Figure 2. Total and mean number of Brazilian Merganser ducklings, 2001-1005. eye. The iris is grey; the bill black; legs and feet drab grey with black webs. Ducklings from Pair 1 in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, from Pair 2 in 2005 and Pair 4 in 2003, were probably about one week old when observed (Figure 3).

When the young reach two weeks old, the plumage is basically the same, but the size has increased (Figure 4). At three weeks old, the back and head are still black but not as intense as before. The lores are darker than other black parts of the body and the white eye-ring is more evident. The breast and neck are white and the upper mandible is darker than the At 1115h on 4 April 2004, five birds in lower mandible. At four weeks old, the adult plumage were sighted in the head, hind neck and back have turned territory of Pair 1 (Figure 10) near the top brown (Figure 5). of the Casca D'Anta waterfall. At 1530h

the same individuals were relocated 2 km Silveira & Bartmann (2001) described upstream of the first site. In September In 2001, Pair 3 was first located on 6 In 2003, the SCNP was visited twice. On young almost the same size as adults as 2004, Pair 2 was found with three having a dark upper mandible, reddish August 2001 at 1130h accompanied by 1 August at 1505h, Pair 1 was found ducklings. These had a similar plumage to eight ducklings almost the same size as with seven ducklings at the same stage lower mandible, a white eye-ring, no that described for Pair 3 in 2001, but crest, whitish cheeks and neck, and a their parents, with white eye-rings, dark of development as those pairs mentioned were smaller. upper mandibles, whitish cheeks and above. On 4 August, there was no sign dark head, giving a capped appearance. The breast was grayish, the back grey, necks, no crests and dark heads. Pair 2 of Pair 2 in their territory; some feathers On 5 February 2005, Pair 1 were still was sighted on 8 August, with three not present five days previously and as in the adult, the wing-bars were accompanied by the young observed in present, and the feet were red. We young. On 9 August, Pair 1 was found at thought to be from Brazilian Mergansers September 2004 (Figure 7). The full- 1415h with two ducklings with black were found at the edge of the Luciano suggest that young acquire these grown young had adult plumage, but characteristics when about two months upper parts, three white patches (on the stream. On 4 August, only the male of with a smaller crest and with orange on wing, back, and sides of rump) and white Pair 3 was found, but both birds were old (Figure 6). According to our the base of the beak. On 5 August 2005, observations, the increase in the length underparts. located at 1200h on 5 August and Pair 1 was found with five ducklings 1345h on 6 August. Also on 6 August, of the crest and the blackening of the which had just left the nest and on 18 face are the last characteristics to In 2002, only the male of Pair 2 was Pair 4 was found with two ducklings, July Pair 2 was found with seven newly seen – on 29 July at 1155h and 2 again the same size as previously develop in sub-adults. Young in February, hatched offspring. Pair 4 was seen by probably about six months old, still had a August at 1015h. On 1 August, Pair 4 reported. On 1 October 2003, Pair 1 was IBAMA staff with six young on 21 July was seen with three ducklings and Pair 1 found with the same seven ducklings short crest and an orange colour at the and Pair 3 was located on 5 August with base of the bill (Figure 7). Sub-adults with two young, both broods a similar seen in August. Pair 3 was observed seven young the same size and plumage age and plumage as the young of Pair 1 from 7 to 11 October; on the morning of about nine months old (Figure 10) were as those of Pair 3 in 2001. indistinguishable from adults. in 2001. 9 October they were accompanied by a

27 28 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Parental Care and General Behaviour different stages of development of the the last ten years. From 1996 to 2000 in Between 2001 and 2005, Pair 1 raised Silveira & Bartmann (2001) suggested ducklings and, combined with other the same region, Silveira & Bartmann the most ducklings (23), 27% more than that juvenile Brazilian Mergansers results (Partridge 1956; Bartmann 1988; (2001) found that five of six pairs the second highest Pair (Pair 3 – 18 probably remain with their parents until Silveira & Bartmann 2001) has been used studied produced 10 broods totalling 27 ducklings) and 50% more than birds December/January, after the moulting to estimate subjectively the age of the ducklings (mean 2.7). Our four pairs from breeding in the same territory between period, when the parents are thought to young when observed. This estimative 2001 to 2005 produced 15 broods with 1996 and 2000 (Silveira & Bartmann drive the young from their home range. was important to confirm and identify a total of 70 ducklings (mean 4.6). The 2001). This high breeding success by Our observations confirm that ducklings more specifically when the incubation reason for this increase is unknown. Pair 1 may be due to the fact that this may remain with their parents until at starts. Since 1996, there has been no territory is completely within the SCNP least February, as observed in 2005 mechanised diamond exploration along and thus relatively free from human (Figure 7). According to Bartmann Partridge (1956) and Bartmann (1988) the river (which leads to increased disturbance. This highlights the (1995), the Brazilian Merganser has a stated that nesting takes place from June siltation and a reduced habitat quality for importance of protected areas for the long-lasting family bond and the young to October, with July being the most mergansers), but this is more likely to conservation of this rare species. are allowed to stay in their parents’ common month for incubation and explain an increase in numbers rather territory until nearly the forthcoming August for hatching. Bruno & Bartmann than an increase in breeding success. Although most of the São Francisco River breeding season. Bartmann (1988) (2003) observed hatching mainly in July, is not polluted, certain stretches are observed three individuals swimming suggesting incubation takes place mainly Age is known to influence the breeding being affected by increased levels of together on the São Francisco River in in June. This present work confirms this success of Brazilian Mergansers (Silveira siltation caused by erosion of dirt tracks March 1983. In April 2004, we saw a finding. Based on the estimated ages of & Bartmann 2001). Our observations, and subsequent run-off during rain group of five birds (Figure 10) thought to the eight broods for which it was especially of Pair 1, suggest that mature storms (Figure 8). This is most notable in be part of the brood of seven ducklings possible to estimate the probable hatch pairs can reproduce in at least 5 the stretch of river inhabited by Pairs 2, watched in October 2003. Although the date (and thus back-calculate an consecutive years (Table 1). 3 and 4. Siltation of rivers caused by fate of young and their dispersion routes incubation start date), two incubations erosion from various sources, such as remain a mystery (Silveira & Bartmann probably started in the second week of deforestation, construction of roads and 2001), it appears that after leaving their June (Pair 3 in 2001 and 2005), one in buildings next to rivers, run-off from parents, sub-adults remain together in the third week of June (Pair 2 in 2005), agricultural land, and cattle ranches is a their parents’ territory at least until April. three in the fourth week of June (Pair 1 major threat to the Brazilian Merganser Our results suggest that other occasional in 2002 and 2003; Pair 4 in 2003), and (Brazilian Merganser Recovery Team visits can occur after the young have left two in the first week of July (Pair 1 in 2006). their parents such as the situation in 2001 and 2005). This suggests that October 2003 (Figure 8), when three nesting takes place mainly between the This study showed that four pairs of adults were sighted together for a short second week of June and the second Brazilian Mergansers produced 70 time with no aggression. week of July. This confirms that most ducklings in five years, a major broods hatch in July, but specifically contribution to the estimated world According to Partridge (1956), incubation from the second week of July to the population of 250 birds. This emphasises is performed only by the female. While second week of August. the importance of the SCNP for this females are on the nest, males spend species and the need to protect the São most of their time loafing nearby, as The reproductive rate of Brazilian Francisco River and its environs. observed for Pair 3 in August 2003 when Mergansers is thought to be lower than the male was seen both alone and in the others mergansers (Silveira & Bartmann presence of his mate. 2001). For example, the Scaly-sided Merganser lays 7-14 eggs and has a Breeding season, breeding success and brood size at fledging of 6-7 (Hughes conservation threats 2005), compared to a mean of 4.6 in our

The Brazilian Merganser’s incubation study. The brood of eight ducklings period remains unknown. Other recorded in 2001 is the highest ever mergansers have an incubation period of observed in this species (Bruno & 26 to 37 days (Hoyo et al . 1992) with Bartmann 2003). mean of 28.6 to 32.3. Ducklings can be aged by their plumage and size. During Breeding success at Serra da Canastra 2001 to 2005 it was possible to observe National Park may have increased over

29 30 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (Ed.). Bird families of the world: Figures 3–7: Fig. 3. Young about one week old (Photograph by Sávio Bruno); Fig. 4. young We thank the staff of IBAMA (Instituto ducks, geese and swans. Oxford about two weeks old (Wolf Bartmann); Fig. 5. young about four weeks old (Sávio Bruno); Fig. Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos University Press, Oxford. 6. young about eight weeks old (Wolf Bartmann); Fig 7. A pair with seven sub-adults observed Recursos Renováveis) at SCNP for field Instituto Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento on 8 February (Sávio Bruno). Adults have entirely black faces and orange at the base of the support and Mr Tertuliano Francisco Neto Florestal (IBDF, now IBAMA) and bill. (Ziro) and his family for their help and Fundação Brasileira para friendship. Special thanks to Baz Hughes Conservação da Natureza (1981). for the careful review, comments and Plano de manejo: Parque Nacional da suggestions. This paper is dedicated to Serra da Canastra. Brasília: Editora the memory of Wolf Bartmann. Gráfica Brasiliana. IUCN. 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of REFERENCES Threatened Species. Available Bartmann, W. 1988. New observations online: www.iucnredlist.org. Access on the Brazilian Merganser. Wildfowl on 16 June 2006. 39: 7-14. Lamas, I.R. 2002. Uso de Hábitat e BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened História Natural do Pato-Mergulhão Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions (Mergus octosetaceus) no Parque and BirdLife International, Barcelona Nacional da Serra da Canastra e and Cambridge, UK. Região. Relatório Final: Instituto Brazilian Merganser Recovery Team. Terra Brasilis de Desenvolvimento 2006. Action Plan for the Sócio-Ambiental. Conservation of the Brazilian Lamas, I.R. 2006. Census of Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octosetaceus). Merganser Mergus octosetaceus in IBAMA Threatened Species Series, the region of Serra da Canastra 3. 86 pp. IBAMA, Brasília, Brazil. National Park, Brazil, with discussion Bruno, S.F. 2004. Biologia e of its threats and conservation. Bird Conservação do Pato-mergulhão Conservation International 16: 145– (Mergus octosetaceus Vieillot, 1817) 154. no Parque Nacional da Serra da Lamas, I.R. & Santos, J.P. 2004. A Canastra e Entorno, Minas Gerais, Brazilian Merganser Mergus Brasil. Lavras, 2004. 43 p. octosetaceus nest in a rock crevice, Monografia (Pós-Graduação em with reproductive notes. Cotinga 22: Biologia) – Instituto de Biologia, 38-41. Universidade Federal de Lavras, MG. Partridge, W.H. 1956. Notes on the Bruno, S.F. & Bartmann, W. 2003. Brazilian Merganser in Argentina. Brazilian Mergansers in Serra da Auk 73: 473-488. Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais Silveira, L.F. & Bartmann, W.D. 2001. State, Brazil. TWSG News 14: 53- Natural History and Conservation of 54. Brazilian Merganser Mergus Hoyo, J. del, Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. octosetaceus at Serra da Canastra 1992. Handbook of the birds of the National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. World. Lynx,Barcelona. Bird Conservation International 11: Hughes, B. 2005. Scaly-sided Merganser 287-300. Mergus squamatus. In: Kear, J.

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Figures 8-10: Fig. 8. Male accompanying Pair 3 with no sign of aggression. Fig. 9. Siltation wet season (March). It is entirely from the Luciano stream entering the São Francisco River in the Serra da Canastra National NESTING SURVEY OF THE dependent on rainfall for its existence Park. Fig. 10. Five Brazilian Mergansers, thought to be sub-adults, on the São Francisco River WHITE-BACKED DUCK AT LAKE and is generally dry by the end of the dry in April 2004. Photographs by Sávio Bruno. ANTSAMAKA IN WESTERN season (October). At least 46 species of MADAGASCAR waterbirds have been recorded at Antsamaka, twenty of which are either endemic species or subspecies. Lance Woolaver & Rina Nichols Antsamaka is an important moulting site for a number of wildfowl species, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, BP including the Endangered Madagascar 8511, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar & Teal. Anas bernieri Vegetation is Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada, 120 dominated by water lilies Nymphea stellata King St, Guelph, Ontario N1E 4P8, and N. lotus , with some patches of Canada emergent Juncus sp., Cyperus rotundus , [email protected] Logorosipho madagascariensis and Phragmites sp.

INTRODUCTION Figure 1. Map of southern Madagascar The White-backed Duck Thalassornis with study area in rectangle which is leuconotus is distributed throughout sub- enlarged in Figure 1b. The Saharan Africa and Madagascar. The Manambolomaty Complex Ramsar site is endemic Malagasy subspecies T. l. within the polygon in Figure 1b. insularis is smaller and more strongly marked than the nominate race with blacker barring, a paler belly and a darker crown (Morris & Hawkins 1998). T. l. insularis is widespread but rare throughout Madagascar, is declining due to habitat loss and hunting, and is currently listed as Endangered (TWSG 2003). Very little has been documented regarding the White-backed Duck in Madagascar and this note presents the results of a nest survey at Lake Antsamaka in western Madagascar in May 2001.

STUDY SITE AND METHODS Lake Antsamaka (19°02’S, 44°22’E), also called Antsamaky, is a shallow Colour versions of these photographs can be found on the TWSG website temporary lake varying from 131-174 ha http://www.wwt.org.uk/threatsp/twsg/ in size. It is one of four lakes comprising the Manambolomaty complex designated as a Ramsar site in 1999 (Figure 1) (see also Projet ZICOMA 1999, 2001). Lake Antsamaka is 7 m above sea level with a maximum depth of 3 m at the end of the

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The lake is an important resource for the partially predated. Twelve nests were Table 1. White-backed Duck nests recorded at Lake Antsamaka, 9-11 May 2001. nearby village of Masoari vo (3 km north empty and four nests had hatched of Antsamaka) providing forage and membranes. One nest had been Area Number of nests (clutch size and fate) Comments water for cattle. The surrounding forest swamped and contained four dead eggs. South 7 (empty) A hen exhibited of Tsimembo is an important source of All nests were in Juncus sp. (Figure 2). 2 (5 & 5 eggs) displacement behaviour wood for pirogues (a type of boat), No ducklings were seen. near an active nest. firewood, building and medicine. The Around 2 (empty) Two of the nests (1 & 6 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Figure 2. White-backed Duck nest in island 5 (1, 4, 4, 6 & 8 eggs) eggs) were under (DWCT) has been working co-operatively Juncus on Lake Antsamaka, 10 May Porphyrio nests. with nearby communities since 1997 and 2001. Northwest 1 (empty) employs a team of local researchers to 2 (2 & 5 eggs) study the Madagascar Teal. 1 (2 predated eggs & 4 hatched membranes)

2 Lake Antsamaka was surveyed on three Northeast (empty) A dead egg was found 9 (3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7 & 8 eggs) consecutive mornings (0830-1130h) floating near one of the 1 (3 dead eggs & 1 membrane) during 9-11 May 2001. All vegetation on empty nests. 1 (2 live eggs in nest & 2 dead eggs in water) the lake was searched thoroughly for 1 (1 predated egg, 1 dead egg & 1 membrane) nests. Surveys of the open water and 1 (4 live eggs in nest & 1 dead egg in water) sparse vegetation were conducted by 1 pirogue. The larger reed beds were (4 dead eggs swamped in nest) 1 searched on foot by a team of three. (2 dead eggs & 4 membranes) Although the focal species was White- backed Duck, nests of all species were Of interest was the observation that two THREATS DISCUSSION recorded. Information was recorded on of the active White-backed Duck nests location of nest, type of vegetation, White-backed Duck nests were Lake Antsamaka is an important nesting were located directly below empty Purple stage of nest, clutch size and nest fate (if concentrated at the northern end of the site for White-backed Duck in western Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio nests. In known). It was also noted if any adults lake. Nearly all of the nests along the Madagascar. Efforts to minimise over-use both cases the nests were attached to were nearby. southern shore were empty, in an area of the lake should be continued. This the same reed stems with the Swamphen where human activity was the greatest. would be particularly important during nest 1.5 m above the duck nest, creating RESULTS All of the empty nests on the lake were the months of April, May and June when a two-tiered effect with the duck nest at In addition to the nesting White-backed within 5 m of the shoreline and in <1.0 the White-backed Duck breeding season water level and the Swamphen nest at Duck, seven other species of wildfowl m of water. Nests in the north were in overlaps with the moulting period for the top of the reed bed. were moulting at Lake Antsamaka during reed beds in 0.9-1.2 m of water and 15- Madagascar Teal. A nest survey should the survey: Comb Duck Sarkidiornis 20 m from the shoreline. There was be made of nearby Lake Andranalova as Nests of four other species were melanotos (331 birds counted during a considerable human and domestic dog this site is regarded by local villagers to recorded during the survey, all in Juncus . survey on 30 April), Fulvous Whistling- activity along the shore of the lake. Two be an important nesting site for White- Of 19 Purple Swamphen nests, 18 were Duck Dendrocygna bicolor (186), White- separate groups of three dogs were backed Ducks. empty and of the nest building stage faced Whistling-Duck D. viduata (148), roaming the south shore on 9 May and a while one nest contained two eggs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus man with four dogs was observed Twenty-four Moorhen Gallinula chloropus We are grateful to Joanna Durbin and (61), Red-billed Pintail Anas walking along the north shore on 11 nests were recorded. Twenty-two were Richard Lewis for the opportunity to erythrorhyncha (71), Hottentot Teal A. May. The presence of the Madagascar empty, one contained a dead adult and work in such a fascinating corner of the hottentota (46), and Madagascar Teal Teal research team at Masoarivo has the other held two dead nestlings. One world, and to Glyn Young for providing (5). Thirteen White-backed Duck were made a significant effort toward the pair was observed with two young. Four comments that improved the article. counted during that survey. protection of Antsamaka from over-use, nests of the Madagascar Swamp Warbler Special thanks to Felix Razafindrajao and but some ducks are still being trapped. Acrocephalus newtoni contained zero, the mireha team of Kassidi, Fernandel The results of the nest survey are Eight snares were removed from the one, one and three eggs. Seventeen (Fefe), and Richard Mozavelo (Babany) summarised in Table 1. A total of 37 western edge of the lake on 27 April and Madagascar Red Fody Foudia for their help. We would like to thank the White-backed Duck nests were found, 20 one D. viduata was released unharmed madagascariensis nests were recorded at people of Masaorivo for such a pleasant of which contained viable eggs. Mean from one of the snares. Illegal night varying stages from nest building to stay in their village. clutch size of the 20 active nests was fishing by a few individuals still occurs on nestlings. 4.85±1.81. Two nests had been the lake.

35 36 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

REFERENCES Important Bird Areas in Africa and years has led to it being considered Morris, P. & Hawkins, F. 1998. Birds of Associated Islands: Priority Sites for MADAGASCAR WHITE-BACKED Endangered. With no country-wide Madagascar: A Photographic Guide. Conservation. Cambridge: BirdLife DUCK: WHAT IS ITS TRUE surveys for this species and only rare Pica Press, The Banks, Mountfield, International & Newbury: Pisces STATUS? sightings for more than 20 years, a East Sussex, UK. Publications. pp. 489-537. declining population of 2,500-5,000 was Projet ZICOMA. 1999. Les Zones TWSG. 2003. Threatened waterfowl estimated (Delany and Scott 2002). It is d’Importance pour la Conservation species and subspecies. Threatened H. Glyn Young¹, Roger Safford², Frank most likely, however, that even this low 4 des Oiseaux à Madagascar. Waterfowl Specialist Group News Hawkins³, Rivo Rabarisoa and Felix population estimate is too optimistic. 5 Antananarivo: Projet ZICOMA. 14: 2-4 Razafindrajao Projet ZICOMA. 2001. Madagascar. In White-backed Duck was formerly Fishpool, L.D.C. & Evans, M.I. (eds) ¹ Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les described as common in many parts of Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP Madagascar in places such as Lake [email protected] Alaotra in the east, lakes Kinkony and ² BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Ihotry in the west, and in wetlands near Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA Vohemar in the north (Rand 1936). Jean ³ Conservation International, 1919 M St Delacour visited Madagascar with Rand NW, Washington DC, USA and recalled that he “observed and 4 BirdLife International Madagascar collected many specimens in all parts of Programme, BP 1074, Antananarivo 101, the island during 1929 and 1930”; he Madagascar also described the duck as “not rare in 5 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, BP suitable localities” (Delacour 1959). Cecil 8511, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar Webb, who too first visited Lake Alaotra with Delacour, wrote that White-backed Ducks were found on the west side of White-backed Ducks Thalassornis Lake Alaotra “where aquatic vegetation is leuconotus are widespread in Madagascar several miles deep” (Webb 1936). Lake and, unlike the island’s other endemic Alaotra has, since these visits, suffered wildfowl past and present, are not from serious habitat modification restricted to any of the Island’s quite including high levels of siltation, anoxia distinctive biological regions. The and pressures from introduced plants and Madagascar White-backed Duck is fishes (Young & Kear 2006). Two smaller than its African relative and endemic waterbirds previously found noticeably darker; it too, however, almost exclusively in this large lake prefers quiet, water-lily covered pools system, Madagascar Pochard Aythya

and lakes where it can feed and hide innotata and Alaotra Grebe Tachybaptus

during the hottest parts of the day. The rufolavatus are now lost from this area

plumage patterns of this quiet, secretive (Hawkins et al . 2000; Young & Kear

duck are well suited to disappearing 2006). No White-backed Ducks were

amongst the curled, browning edges of found during extensive wildfowl surveys lily-pads. This duck typically feeds by at Alaotra in 1989 (Young & Smith diving down to the submerged bases of 1989) and 1993-1994 (Pidgeon 1996). the aquatic plants on which it feeds. It is None was seen in dry and wet season not a strong flier and confident in its surveys near Vohemar in 1998-1999 unobtrusiveness it will, unmolested, (Safford 2000). tolerate a high degree of human presence. White-backed Ducks are threatened by modification of their preferred habitat and Historically the White-backed Duck has the introduction of herbivorous and been recorded at many wetlands in carnivorous fish especially the Asian Madagascar; however, a perceived Snakehead (fibata) Channa striata which decline in overall numbers over recent may predate ducklings. This duck is also

37 38 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 highly vulnerable to accidental capture in occasionally on other small wetlands in REFERENCES Sahaka, Madagascar. Royall mono-filament gill-nets set in the and around Antananarivo. Delany, S. & Scott, D. 2002. Waterbird Holloway Institute for Environmental submerged vegetation by fishermen. Population Estimates. Third Edition. Research, University of London, Their large eggs are a prized find. The species is undoubtedly highly Wetlands International, Wageningen. London. dispersive and can occur briefly on Delacour, J. 1959. The Waterfowl of the Vermeulen, J. 1995. Madagascar - 26th White-backed Ducks have in recent years almost any wetland: a pair was found on World, Vol 3. Country Life, London. November to 15th December 1995. only been recorded regularly on the a tiny forested pool (Étang Andrano- Hawkins, F., Andriamasimanana, R., The www.travellingbirder.com/tripreports island’s west coast e.g. at Lake vorinampela) in the Andranomena Special Seing, S. & Rabeony, Z. 2000. The Webb, C.S. 1936. Collecting waterfowl Antsamaky (85 in February 2001, 13 on Reserve in Menabe western Madagascar sad story of Alaotra Grebe in Madagascar. Avicultural Magazine 30 April 2001, 76 in July 2003, 63 in on 2 October 2004. This pool had no Tachybaptus rufolavatus . Bulletin 5: 36-39. March 2004, 79 on 23 October 2004, water-lilies or other emergent vegetation African Bird Club 7: 115-117. Wings. 2006. Bird list from the 12 on 23 March 2005) and Lake and had been surveyed only a few days Hofland, R. 2006. How to clean up in September/October 2005 tour. Andranolava (118 on January 1998, 59 earlier when no White-backeds were Madagascar. http://wingsbirds.com in February 2001, 22 on 22 October present. Two birds have been captured www.travellingbirder.com/tripreports Woolaver, L. & Nicholls, R. 2006.. 2004, 41 on 31 March 2005) in Melaky, by fishermen/trappers at Alaotra (in Hornbuckle, J. 1995. Madagascar and Nesting survey of the White-backed western Madagascar. Fifty were reported 1993-1994 and 1999-2000) suggesting the Comoros October/November Duck at Lake Antsamaka in western from Lake Ihotry in September-October that they at least continue to visit this 1995. Madagascar. TWSG News 15: 34- 1992 (F. Symons in litt . 1992) and 57 on wetland. Lakes such as Antsamaky and www.geocities.com/www_africa1/re 37 other smaller lakes (but not Ihotry itself) Andranolava are highly seasonal and port-madagascar-nov-1995.html. Young, H.G. & Kear, J. 2006. The rise in the area in August-September 2005. typically become unsuitable (often very Pidgeon, M. 1996. An ecological survey and fall of wildfowl of the western Sixteen ducks were recorded in four saline) as water-levels drop – the ducks of Lac Alaotra and selected wetlands Indian Ocean and Australasia. lakes in the Lake Kinkony area (but again, nest there when water levels are high of central and eastern Madagascar in Bulletin British Ornithologists’ Club not on the large Lake Kinkony itself) in and lilies are plentiful (Woolaver & analysing the demise of the 126A: 25-39. July-August 2005, three in the same area Nicholls 2006) but all must leave as Madagascar Pochard Aythya Young, H.G. & Smith, J.G. 1989. The in March-April 2006 and 55 in July- water levels drop and lilies die off (the innotata. Unpublished Report. search for the Madagascar Pochard August. Fourteen were seen at Lake name Antsamaky refers to the flamingos Rand, A.L. 1936. The distribution and Aythya innotata: survey of Lac Bemamba in July 2006 and there have that visit in the dry season). habits of Madagascar birds. Bulletin Alaotra, Madagascar October- been sporadic reports from other western of the American Museum of Natural November 1989. Dodo, Journal of wetlands such as lakes near It is apparent that even while the exact History 72: 143-499. Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust Andranomena south of Kirindy in the locations of White-backed ducks are Safford, R.J. 2000. Étude enviro- 26: 17-34 early 1990s and one near there on 14 known in the wet season but unknown nnementale et écologique du lac October 2004 (Hofland 2006), four near during the dry season, there are not large Cap St André in 1998, a single bird at numbers of this secretive and almost Lake Amboromalandry on 1 November nomadic duck surviving in Madagascar. 1995 (Hornbuckle 1996), two there later We suggest that a population estimate of in the month (Vermeulen 1995) and five fewer than 1,000 is undoubtedly more in pools near Mahajunga in November appropriate and that the continuing 2004. Away from the west there have decline of this bird is a major cause for also been occasional sightings including concern. The willingness of this bird to on the Central Plateau e.g. two at Lake live in proximity to man if its chosen Alarobia in Antananarivo in 1996, one habitat is preserved does give reason for west of Alaotra in 1998 and two at optimism; however, we need to know Domaine D'Anjozorobe, a tiny wetland much more about its movements in north of Antananarivo, in March 2000. A Madagascar before a fully encompassing single bird was seen near Maroansetra in conservation strategy can be developed. September-October 2005 (Wings 2006). Three birds were seen at Lake Ranobe near Tulear on 15 October 2000 with six there on 22 October 2001 (A. Riley in litt . 2002). Olivier Langrand (pers. comm. 1993) has seen White-backeds very

39 40 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

depend on modern ecological conditions, conducted with the support of Wetlands student of local zoologist Dr. Maxet WHITE-HEADED DUCK AND ITS and also on probable technical International and other sponsors, found Ametov in Karakalpakstan). PROTECTION IN UZBEKISTAN hydromeliorative actions and decisions. White-headed Ducks concentrated on Dengizkul Lake. Other wetlands on the THREATS TO WHITE-HEADED DUCK IN

WHITE-HEADED DUCK IN UZBEKISTAN right bank of the Amu Darya are also UZBEKISTAN Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina In 1983, the White-headed Duck Oxyura used. The White-headed Duck has only The main threat to the White-headed

leucocephala was included in the first recently begun wintering in Uzbekistan in Duck, and other waterbirds, is probably The Regional Environmental Centre for edition of the Red Data Book of the any numbers, following the creation of the unstable character of secondary- Central Asia, 40, Orbita-1, 050043, Uzbek Republic as single birds new water reservoirs. The White-headed water reservoirs due to an absence of Almaty, Republic ofKazakhstan occasionally occurred throughout Duck now occurs regularly in Uzbekistan management plans. These waterbodies [email protected] Uzbekistan (Red Data Book of Uzbek SSR but is more numerous in winter. are not yet considered as having an

1983). Birds had been observed in the economic value for local development

Amu Darya delta and in other parts of SURVEY 2005-06 and there are threats from human INTRODUCTION central Uzbekistan (Kashkarov 1987) and The project “Survey and Protect the pressure: poaching, disturbance and With intensive irrigation programmes and the species was considered close to Globally Threatened White-headed Duck modification as a result of human development of natural areas in extinction, following declines as a result in Uzbekistan” was conducted from activity. Uzbekistan during the last century, there of the transformation of traditional January 2005 to January 2006 by has been a significant transformation of natural habitats. members of the Uzbekistan Zoological In practically all irrigation-waste lakes water and water-related ecosystems. Society (ornithological branch) with surveyed, a fishing economy had This has resulted in the loss of both Unexpectedly, however, in the autumn of financial support of the National developed but in many of them it had biodiversity and whole natural 1999, on the Sudochie wetland, more Committee of the IUCN Netherlands collapsed in recent years due to a number ecosystems, especially in the plains than 3,000 migratory White-headed (since spring 2005) and RSPB (2005 of reasons including congestion by where the majority of riverine gallery Ducks were counted during the winter waterbird count in Bukhara aquatic vegetation, shallowing of the forests and river delta complexes, “Rehabilitation of Sudochie wetland” region). The main goal of this project was lakes, an absence of supporting measures historically rich in biodiversity, have been ecological monitoring project conducted to conduct surveys and develop a such as fish re-stocking and an increase lost. However, these have been replaced within the framework of the GEF/World national Action Plan for the protection of in salinity (for example in Lake Dengizkul with new wetland habitats, as reservoirs Bank project on stabilization of the the White-headed Duck in Uzbekistan. A salinity has already reached critical have been developed in irrigated desert environmental situation in the Amu Darya total of 18 reservoirs were surveyed in levels). In the 1970-80s, during the regions. These reservoirs are now delta (Kreuzberg-Mukhina & Lanovenko five regions of Central and Southern appearance of irrigation-waste lakes, the important ecological elements of the 2000). In the 2000/01 winter more than Uzbekistan. In January 2006, Dengizkul main problem was water quality landscape having an important socio- 1,000 White-headed Ducks were counted held 1,178 White-headed Ducks. following pollution with chlorine, ecological status. The largest in on Dengizkul Lake by a team from the phosphorus and organic pesticides. In Uzbekistan are at Aidar-Arnasai, State Biocontrol Body who were Our surveys have shown that numbers of recent years, however, as a result of a Dengizkul, Sudochie and Jiltarbas. conducting winter surveys of wetlands in waterbirds using secondary-water reduction of pesticide use in agriculture

Uzbekistan (Lanovenko et al . 2000). At reservoirs and transformed wetlands in and increases in the lakes natural abilities By 1985, irrigation-waste lakes had the Sudochie wetland, the White-headed the Amu Darya river delta fluctuate to clear up this problem, water quality become the dominant type of reservoir in Duck has now been observed on most of significantly. White-headed Ducks were has gradually improved. The greatest the flat country of the Aral Sea basin and our 10 field expeditions conducted during observed throughout the year but problems now are in the larger and the total area of such lakes in Uzbekistan spring, summer and autumn. The first significant numbers accumulated on the deeper irrigation-waste lakes through is estimated to cover 8,000 km². The ever breeding record in Uzbekistan was southern lakes of Bukhara region only gradual salinization and hydrosulphuric water in these irrigation-waste lakes is confirmed at this site in summer 2000 during the winter. In other seasons the pollution of benthic layers during the mainly brackish, salinity ranging from 4- (Kreuzberg-Mukhina & Lanovenko 2001). White-headed Duck was found in small summer. 15 g/dm³, and in the largest lakes, Aydar However, the period 2000/01 was numbers on small fresh or brackish and Sarykamysh, from 8-14 g/dm³. While characterized by extremely low wetlands overgrown with reeds. CONCLUSIONS the waste lakes have become ecological precipitation and the subsequent drought The status of wetland ecosystems in the oases, zones rich in biodiversity, they severely reduced the number and extent Birds were seen during spring and majority of Uzbekistan is far from have also entered the social and of wetlands in the lower Amu Darya summer on Zekry, Tudakul, Hadicha, optimum, and the majority of water areas economic sphere as they are used by delta, resulting in significant fluctuations Sudochie and Aksay Lakes. Following the have been lost. Secondary water- people for relaxation, fishing, hunting, in the numbers of White-headed Duck first confirmed breeding in Uzbekistan in reservoirs with anthropogenic cattle-grazing and haymaking etc. (and other waterfowl) (Kreuzberg- summer 2000, the first nest was not eutrophication and dominated by Preservation or loss of the wetlands’ Mukhina 2003). Winter surveys, found until June 2005 (located by a halophyte species have appeared and social and environmental importance may replaced natural wetlands. The new

41 42 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 hydrographic network created by region and Karakalpakstan for their active Lowering predation impact in a few economic activities – water reservoirs, participation in the field and for help with BLUE DUCKS DEMAND, AND valleys in the worst years is not enough, channels, collection and irrigation-waste collecting and analyzing data. Dr. Eugenia GET, GREATER ATTENTION however. Setting video cameras at Blue lakes, and associated water ecosystems Lanovenko, coordinator of Wetland Duck nests to monitor their outcomes

– is not yet fully assessed. But it is clear International winter waterbird censuses in has shown that Stoats are a major Murray Williams that these sites play a very important role Uzbekistan, helped conduct expeditions problem, even when at very low in supporting wetland biodiversity. in 2003 and 2004. Analysis of the densities, and that a so-called mammalian Department of Conservation, Wellington, Considering a new role for secondary current status of lakes in the Aral Sea herbivore, the Australian Common New Zealand irrigation-waste lakes as the basis for the basin was made with information Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula [email protected] development of a fish farming economy, provided by Dr. Nikolai Gorelkin, also has a real taste for eggs. Rats Rattus for recreation and for biodiversity specialist in limnology. sp. too visit nests, but have not yet been protection, a study is needed to estimate seen to actually break and eat an egg, It is looking a little blue for Blue Ducks their potential use for wetland REFERENCES while a native rail, the Weka Gallirallus Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos in New management (hunting, fishing, musk rat Kashkarov, D.Yu. 1987. Order australis is a further occasional egg Zealand. Despite concerted conservation production, preparation of rough forages Anseriformes. Birds of Uzbekistan. stealer. effort over the past two decades, the etc.) and biodiversity protection through V.1, Tashkent, “FAN”. pp. 57-123. conservation status of the species has the development of environmentally Kreuzberg-Mukhina, E.A. 2003. Review A full review of the Blue Duck recovery worsened (TWSG News 14: 8-9) and friendly initiatives. Many of these of the current status of the eastern programme was completed at the end of declines in some key South Island wetlands are Important Bird Areas (IBA) populations of the White-headed 2004 and the resulting report pulled no populations have not been arrested. It in Uzbekistan and these sites, and their Duck. Casarca No 8. Bulletin of the punches and was critical of the prolonged has been the declines of important waterbird and wetland communities, now working group on Anseriformes of focus on habitat quality issues at the populations in two large National Parks need to be protected. The designation of Northern Eurasia. pp 277-294. expense of dealing with the predation (Kahurangi and Fiordland) at either end of such protected areas is justified at a Kreuzberg-Mukhina, E. & Lanovenko, E. impact. The report recommended a South Island that have really sounded national level as the White-headed Duck 2000. White-headed Ducks at the pulling back from numerous small alarm bells and forced a major rethink of is listed in the Uzbekistan Red Data Book Sudochie Wetlands, Uzbekistan. conservation attempts on small where conservation effort should be (2003). Such measures are also needed TWSG News 12: 15-16. populations in favour of concerted directed. under the various international treaties Kreuzberg-Mukhina, E.A. & Lanovenko, management at only five sites, each site which Uzbekistan has signed in recent E.N. 2001. About White-headed to embrace about 50 pairs within 2-4 In 2003, the New Zealand government years – CMS (1998), Ramsar Convention Duck in Uzbekistan. Problems of adjacent river catchments. Three South announced its ‘Operation Ark’ initiative. (2001), AEWA (2004) and CBD (2005). study and conservation of the Island and two North Island sites were This was a response to the periodic Anseriformes in Eastern Europe and identified within which the primary focus irruptions of House Mouse Mus musculus ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Northern Eurasia: Processing book of will be to reduce all known mammalian following mast seeding of southern beech The author expresses gratitude to the the 1 workshop of the Working predators to almost undetectable levels trees Nothofagus sp. and the resulting following funders of waterbird surveys in group on the geese and swans of of abundance and monitor the resulting plagues of their principal predator, the Uzbekistan: Wetlands International, Royal Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. response of the Blue Ducks. This Stoat Mustela erminea . Stoats become so Society for the Protection of Birds, and Moscow. pp. 74-75. redirection of effort has now been abundant, and then so hungry, that the National Committee of IUCN Lanovenko, E., Filatov, A. & Zagrebin, S. accepted as the focus of Blue Duck several species of hole-nesting forest Netherlands. The author would also like 2000. White-headed Ducks at conservation efforts for the next decade. birds, along with Kiwi and Blue Ducks, to thank colleagues working on White- Dengizkul Lake, Uzbekistan. TWSG suffer catastrophic levels of predation on headed Ducks in Uzbekistan: Dr. Oleg News 12: 16. While this change of management focus both nesting adults and their young. Mitropolsky, Dr. Maxet Ametov, Dr. Red Data Book of Uzbek SSR. 1983. V.1. and intensity has not been greeted with ‘Operation Ark’ will see a number of key Mukhtar Turaev, Dr. Natalia Vertebrate animals. Tashkent, warmth by everyone, there is some forest valleys throughout South Island Marmazinskaya, the students team, ‘FAN’. 128 p. support for the approach from work fortified by extensive lines of traps Valentin Soldatov, Maxim Mitropolsky, Red Data Book of Uzbekistan. 2003. V.1. within one North Island national park, Te backed up by an equally extensive and Daniel Kreuzberg. Thanks also to Vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Urewera. Within this park a central 3000 network of bait stations which will hunting-game inspectors of the Bukhara Tashkent, ‘Chinor-Enk’. 280 p. ha area of forest is deluged with traps dispense mammal-specific toxic food and toxic baits targeting every known pellets. Blue Duck is one of the three mammal that intrudes its hoof or paw main bird species at which this protection into the site. Initially this work was for is aimed. the benefit of a rare endemic wattlebird,

the Kokako Callaeas cinerea , but the

43 44 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 response of all native fauna within this ability to establish effective predator Madagascar Teal show a seasonal forest has been astounding. Blue Ducks control at these sites will drive their initial A SURVEY OF MADAGASCAR distribution moving into coastal areas to on a river within this defended area have selection, assessment of habitat quality TEAL AND OTHER WATERBIRDS breed during the wet season (December- proliferated and their densities are now will still play a role in the decision-making IN NORTH-WEST March). All breeding areas discovered to akin to that reported by some of the early process. MADAGASCAR, NOVEMBER- date have been in the coastal strip European explorers 150 years ago. From dominated by Grey Mangrove Avicennia this defended area, young Blue Ducks are It is a fairly radical switch in direction, DECEMBER 2003 marina . Breeding ecology is not yet fully dispersing to settle on nearby rivers and the retraction of effort to just five understood and the only research where they haven't been seen for some sites is uncomfortable for many with a Owen Joiner 1, Felix Razafindrajao 2 & H. published concerns captive specimens at time. They are dispersing within and long history of involvement with their Glyn Young 1 Jersey Zoo where first breeding only beyond a surrounding 20,000 ha area of cherished local population. Some of these occurred as recently as 1998. Young forest and waterways in which predator small populations will undoubtedly perish ¹ Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les (2002) postulated that the Madagascar control is not as intensive but seemingly as a consequence, and that will be hard Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Teal, a hole-nester, has always been efficient enough to allow the ducks to to accept. This change of focus reflects UK restricted to mangroves for breeding settle and breed successfully. the growing belief that the fundamental ² Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, (extensive mangrove is only found on the driver of all faunal declines in New BP8511, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar west coast of Madagascar). The degree Does this mean that habitat issues will be Zealand is predation by introduced of interspecific competition for suitable disregarded in the years to come? mammals, and that the war against them nest-cavities, and the level of Possibly so, but it is hard to see them cannot be fought piecemeal and INTRODUCTION territoriality, are not known but several being totally ignored when selection of everywhere. The Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri is diverse animals in western Madagascar new sites for population establishment or currently classified as Endangered by including Comb Duck Sarkidiornis enhancement are considered. Part of this For further information see: IUCN. The species distribution is limited melanotos , parrots Coracopsis sp. and new conservation strategy will see birds Operation Ark to the west coast of Madagascar, and nocturnal lemurs ( Lepilemur sp. and raised in captivity being released to www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.as although population size and distribution Cheirogaleus sp.) require cavities for augment existing populations, especially px?DocumentID=19425 are not accurately known, both are either reproduction or shelter. Hole- on those rivers or streams that are Blue Ducks suspected to be declining – the most occupying lemurs, very common in most presently on the edge of the new www.biodiversity.govt.nz/news/media/cu recent population estimate is 1,500- forest types, are absent in mangrove, as management sites and which are rrent/03feb05.html 2,500 (Delany & Scott 2002). It has is the large, voracious, predatory Fossa somewhat under-populated. While the been implied that this Teal was once Cryptoprocta ferox – an arboreal mammal more widespread prior to European arrival that routinely seeks out hole-dwelling in the late 16 th Century but Young (2002) lemurs. has suggested that, while aridification of the southwestern portion of Madagascar As with all cavity-nesting wildfowl, has been responsible for declines of Madagascar Teal require a primary waterbird populations in general, excavator or a process to create the tree Madagascar Teal has always had a small, cavities. In Madagascar there are no localised population on Madagascar’s woodpeckers (principal excavators of west coast. duck nest holes: see Kear 2003) or hornbills, and only three species of Ecologically Madagascar Teal is an parrot. The ecological niche otherwise interesting species capable of living in a filled by the woodpecker family is diverse range of habitats such as represented in Madagascar by the marshes, mangroves, dense deciduous insectivorous Aye-aye Daubentonia forest, open water and in herbaceous madagascariensis ; however, this lemur is savannah, especially areas characterised not a cavity creator and cavity creation by grasses Hyparrhenia and Heteropogon . relies largely on naturally occurring However, the species is mostly actions and decomposition processes. associated with coastal mangrove forest, Throughout the tropics, in areas subject bays, estuaries and shallow saline to seasonal storms and hurricanes, damage to tree limbs is substantial. The wetlands on the land-side of the mangroves. further actions of fungi, termites and ant

45 46 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 species ( Isoptera and Formicidae Young’s (2000) hypotheses on Teal METHODS mangroves east of the River Antsatrana respectively) on storm-damaged trees will habitat choice, that the species is The Baie de la Mahajamba was surveyed and those west of Ankazomborona. The inevitably lead to the formation of principally a bird of coastal mangrove and over seven days 23–29 November 2003, area surveyed on foot was considerably cavities of varying dimensions. adjacent areas, required testing in the Antanandava on 4 December and less than that conducted from a pirogue field. This study represents a preliminary Ankazomborona over two days 6–7 due to restricted visibility within the In Madagascar, mangrove and coastal venture into one area of western December. Surveys were conducted on mangroves and difficulty in moving. All forest are afforded little or no national Madagascar in order to evaluate sites foot and by pirogue (a type of boat). waterbird species observed were protection. Due the over-exhaustion of with a view to overcoming potential Pirogue surveys were more commonly recorded and times and state of the tide the land there is a steady human logistical problems ahead of more in- used as they permitted a greater area to noted – surveys were generally timed to migration from the High Plateau to depth fieldwork. Three separate areas in be covered. All waterbirds and birds of coincide with low tides as the period of coastal regions and this has influenced north-west Madagascar – Baie de la prey were recorded using 10x42 greatest avian activity within areas of local Malagasy traditions to the detriment Mahajamba and Sofia Bay (15°23’S binoculars. For key species, namely tidal influence. of the habitats in the low country. 47°06’E), Antanandava (14°06’E Madagascar Teal, Madagascar Heron Freshwater systems have been further 48°00’E) and Ankazomborona and Ardea humbloti , Madagascar White Ibis RESULTS heavily influenced by extensive rice Antsatrana River (13°23’S 48°46’E) Threskiornis bernieri and Madagascar Madagascar Teal were found in southern cultivation, rice being Madagascar’s (Figure 1) – were visited to provide an Fish-eagle Haliaeetus vociferoides , the and eastern areas of Baie de la major produce; despite being shallow and insight into their suitability for future stationary silhouette and the flight Mahajamba (Figure 2) and at muddy, rice paddies appear unsuitable for research. Numbers of other threatened patterns were discernable even if the Ankazomborona; no Teal were observed Teal. waterbird species were recorded during colouration was not. Throughout the at Antanandava. Individuals in Baie de la the visits. surveys, pirogues were powered by a Mahajamba were observed on mudflats, boatman leaving the two-strong team to either in the actual bay or on smaller Figure 1. Madagascar Teal: survey sites Nov-Dec 2003. conduct the census. mudflats within the mangrove system (Table 1). Foot surveys were conducted at two areas inaccessible by pirogue, i.e. within mangroves stands (in deep mud): in the

Figure 2. Baie de Mahajamba, north-west Madagascar.

Ankazomborona/ Antsatrana River

Antanandava

Baie de la Mahajamba

Mahajanga Mahatsinjo Ambatomilay Sofia River Befamify Beraroratra Ambariotelo Ambariomirango

•Tsinjoariv o 47 48 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

The greatest number of Teal (79) was Table 2. Madagascar White Ibis observed in Baie de la Mahajamba and Antanandava, north- observed on a single expansive mudflat in west Madagascar, Nov-Dec 2003 the south-east of the Bay. The majority were observed during ebb to low tide, Area Tidal state Number observed with the fewest present during flood to high tide. Baie de la Mahajamba Ambariotelo - mouth of Sofia high - ebb 13 In Baie de la Mahajamba 110 individuals Mahatsinjo - mouth of Sofia low - flood 6 were counted and within the mangroves of Ankazomborona 46 were counted; Mahatsinjo - Befamify high - ebb 4 interestingly, all here were at or around Ambatomilay ebb - low 3 stagnant pools within the mangrove system. Ambatomilay - Tsinjoarivo high - ebb 1 Total 27 Table 2 shows the survey results for the Madagascar White Ibis. These were Antanandava high - ebb 19 encountered in relatively small numbers, Grand Total 46 the most (19 individuals) being recorded at Antanandava. DISCUSSION

In Baie de la Mahajamba, 110 Teal were Madagascar White Ibis were observed Only four Fish-eagles were recorded, all counted and we estimated the population solitarily during all stages of the tidal in Baie de la Mahajamba. for this area at approximately 150-200 cycle (Table 2). During high tide

birds. All observations were of pairs or individuals were observed preening and Madagascar Heron was the only key small loose flocks consisting of paired resting, often in dead mangrove trees, species observed in all three study areas; birds foraging in open areas. The and on an ebbing tide individuals began nine were counted with no more than mudflats in the centre of the bay foraging and continued until the two birds present in any given survey. appeared to be particularly favoured subsequent flooding tide would force The tidal state did not appear to influence feeding grounds: areas that were only them to retreat. On one occasion, in presence or activity. exposed during the low tide and were Antanandava, Ibises were observed in a

submerged rapidly with the onset of the loose flock of ten birds foraging in

flood tide providing the birds with only a mangrove during the ebbing tide. Table 1. Madagascar Teal observed in Baie de la Mahajamba and Ankazomborona area, north- brief period (approximately two hours) of west Madagascar, Nov-Dec 2003. foraging time. The greatest number of Ibis encountered

on any single survey, not including the Area Tidal state Number observed No Teal were found in the western aforementioned loose flock, was 17 section of Baie de la Mahajamba. Baie de la Mahajamba individuals. These birds were distributed Sections of the area were surveyed as singletons across an extensive Tsinjoarivo - Ambariotelo flood 17 during each stage of the tidal cycle but network of mudflats in the south-east Ambariotelo - Mahatsinjo high - ebb 6 no birds were sighted. Reports from the area of Baie de la Mahajamba. The only local fishermen confirmed that Teal were reports received from local fishermen Mudflats in south-east of Bay ebb - low 79 not a common species in the area but concerning Ibis breeding suggested that Ambariomirango low - flood 8 that there used to be many especially on nesting occurs on an ‘island’ of the mudflats in the south-west area of mangrove in the Antanandava area and it Total 110 the bay. Reasons for their current was within this stand of mangroves that Ankazomborona absence, or why the birds have left the the flock of ten was seen. area, are unclear. River Antsatrana - Ankazomborona flood - high 3

Within mangroves at Ankazomborona low 43 Total 46 Grand Total 156

49 50 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Madagascar Fish-eagle as expected was were seen foraging in the mangrove Threats to key species are unclear. of Ankajamborona was estimated at encountered only rarely. They were channels, on mudflats in sheltered bays Localised mangrove felling approximately 150-200 individuals for absent from two sites, Ankazomborona and on coastal mud/sand banks. There (predominantly of Red Mangrove each site. The actual population of Teal and Antanandava, and in Baie de la was, however, no evidence of breeding, Rhizophora mangle , destined for at Ankazomborona may be higher than Mahajamba there were an estimated all birds observed foraging singly or Mahajanga) was noted. This was, this as the area is large and there are three pairs (Table 3) although evidence of resting at the water’s edge. however, localised and only witnessed in stands of dense mangrove that breeding was not discovered. The the western part of Baie de la potentially harbour more individuals. Due observed birds were all in the eastern It should also be noted that exceptionally Mahajamba. In several areas there was to Teal migration into breeding habitat section of the bay except for a solitary high numbers of Crab Plover were also evidence of disturbance to colonial they were naturally encountered less individual in the Mahajamba estuary. The present, some 993 at Ankazomborona nest-sites, and egrets ( Egretta and frequently. The visual field for the reason for this is not clear although the exceeded the 1% threshold of 700 used Bubulcus ) seemed to be particularly surveyor was also considerably reduced eastern section offered larger expanses to identify sites of international targeted. Within these areas sections of in comparison to estuarine mud flats. of water surface which would perhaps importance for this species under the mangrove had been felled in order to rob Local accounts reveal the area as an provide a greater hunting opportunity. Ramsar Convention (Delany & Scott the nests of egrets. The main areas of important Teal breeding ground and the 2002). such activity were between Befaroratra prominent presence of paired birds makes Madagascar Heron were observed at all and Ambatomilay in the east of Baie de la this an area a high consideration for sites and during all stages of the tidal Appendix 1 gives total numbers of all bird Mahajamba. potential research into the reproductive cycle (Table 4); demonstrating an ability species seen during the expedition. ecology of the species. to utilise a variety of habitats including Fishing for both shrimp and fish was freshwater in the River Mahajamba near evident at all sites. Within Baie de la ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tsinjoarivo, and coastal habitats. Birds Mahajamba fishermen could be observed The authors are indebted to Durrell at all stages of the tide in all habitats Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey and Table 3. Madagascar Fish-eagle observed in Baie de la Mahajamba, north-west Madagascar, fishing with gill-nets and hook-and-line. Madagascar for help in co-ordinating this Nov 2003. Crab collecting, typically of large project. Anna Feistner, Joanna Durbin mangrove-inhabiting species, was a and Richard Lewis provided invaluable Area Tidal state Number observed further source of income for the local input throughout the preparation and human population and disturbance undertaking of the fieldwork. Hester Ambatomilay ebb - low 3 caused through crab collection may be an Whitehead kindly assisted in the Tsinjoarivo flood 1 important aspect in the breeding success preparation of this report. of Teal. Grand Total 4 REFERENCES Shrimp fishing in the Ankazomborona Delany, S. & Scott, D. 2002. Waterbird Table 4. Madagascar Heron observed in Baie de la Mahajamba, Antanandava and area was exceedingly prominent; the Population Estimates – Third Edition. Ankazomborona areas, north-west Madagascar, Nov-Dec 2003. coastline was, almost literally, swept Wetlands International, Wageningen. daily for planktonic shrimp. This activity Kear, J. 2003. Cavity-nesting ducks: appears not to disturb many bird species why woodpeckers matter. British Area Tidal State Number observed in the area, e.g. Whimbrel Numenius Birds 96: 217-233. Baie de la Mahajamba phaeopus and Crab Plover Dromas Young, H.G. 2002. Predicting the Mahatsinjo - mouth of Sofia low - flood 2 ardeola , while some, e.g. terns Sterna sp. ecology of Madagascar’s endemic and Frigate-birds Fregata sp. actually dabbling ducks using captive Ambatomilay ebb - low 2 appeared to benefit from the harvest. populations and related taxa: Ambatomilay - Ambariotelo high - ebb 1 implications for conservation. PhD CONCLUSIONS thesis, University of Kent, Tsinjoarivo ebb 1 The population of Teal observed in Baie Canterbury, UK Total 6 de la Mahajamba and in the mangroves . Antanandava flood 1 Ankazomborona ebb - low 2 Grand Total 9

51 52 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Appendix 1: Combined bird counts from all sites. Baie de le Species Antanandava Ankazomborona Mahajamba Baie de le Charadrius Species Antanandava Ankazomborona Greater Sand Plover - - 2 Mahajamba leschenaultii White-faced Whistling Dendrocygna Pluvialis 97 - 225 Grey Plover 15 14 42 Duck bicolor squatarola Sarkidiornis Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 3 - - Comb Duck 11 - 60 melanotos Numenius Whimbrel 175 101 627 Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri 104 - 51 phaeopus Phalacrocorax Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2 - 16 Long-tailed Cormorant 19 - - africanus Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis - - 2 African Darter Anhinga rufa 1 - - Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 4 - 149 Greater Frigate-Bird Fregata minor - - 2 Actitis Common Sandpiper 113 51 610 Lesser Frigate-Bird Fregata ariel - - 8 hypoleucos Black-crowned Night Nycticorax Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres - - 4 4 - - Heron nycticorax Sanderling Calidris alba 6 29 169 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 43 206 - Caspian Tern Sterna caspia 1 - 103 Striated Heron Butorides striatus 111 - 69 Sterna Lesser Crested Tern 131 - - Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca 88 13 91 bengalensis Dimorphic Egret (white) Egretta dimorpha 154 28 65 Roseate Tern Sterna dougalli 32 - 7 Dimorphic Egret (blue) Egretta dimorpha 107 24 44 Saunder’s Tern Sterna saundersi 23 - - Great Egret Ardea alba 50 5 38 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 19 - 234 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 3 1 1 Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa 142 - - Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 9 - 2 Lesser Vasa Parrot Coracopsis nigra 166 - 2 Madagascar Heron Ardea humbloti 5 1 2 Grey-headed Lovebird Agapornis canus 49 - - Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 1 Madagascar Malachite Alcedo vintsioides 48 3 - Threskiornis Kingfisher Madagascar White Ibis 27 19 - bernieri Pied Crow Corvus albus 29 - - Plegadis Glossy Ibis 8 6 - falcinellus African Spoonbill Platalea alba 9 - 6 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius 108 - - Haliaeetus Madagascar Fish-eagle 4 - - vociferoides Polyboroides Madagascar Harrier-hawk 2 - - radiatus Buteo Madagascar Buzzard 1 1 5 brachypterus Dryolimnas White-throated Rail 40 - - cuvieri Crab Plover Dromas ardeola 4 6 993 Himantopus Black-winged Stilt - - 38 himantopus Charadrius Greater Ringed Plover 1 - - hiaticula Charadrius Madagascar Plover 3 - 16 thoracicus Charadrius White-fronted Plover - - 6 marginatus Charadrius Lesser Sand Plover - - 6 mongolus

53 54 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Table 1. Number of Andaman Teals counted during the surveys in the Andaman Islands 13 °41’N and 92 °12’ to 93 °57’E) (Figure (*not surveyed)- CONSERVATION OF ANDAMAN 1). Surveys were conducted in four main TEAL areas, namely North (1,348 km 2), Middle 1,070 km 2), South and Little Andaman 1995-98 2003-04 Lalitha Vijayan, V. Murugan & M.A. Raja (3,990 km 2 combined). Mamannan Place Min Max Max

Figure 1. Study area: Andaman and North Andaman Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Nicobar Islands, India Natural History, Coimbatore - 641 108, 1 Paschim Sagar 4 4 0 India 2 Shearme Island 1 1 * [email protected] 3 Interview Island 0 46 14 4 North Reef Island 3 33 26 5 Mohanpur 6 28 4 INTRODUCTION 6 Hanspuri 12 24 * The Andaman Teal Anas gibberifrons albogularis, once abundant, has always Middle Andaman been restricted to the Andaman Islands, a 7 Kadamtala 0 15 12 group of oceanic islands in the Bay of 8 Betapur 0 55 1 Bengal in India (Figure 1). This endemic South Andaman species (Fullagar 2005) has traditionally 9 John Lawrence Island 0 107 * been considered a sub-species of the Constance Bay (Jarawa Australasian Grey Teal Anas gracilis , and it 10 7 7 410 Reserve) has long been considered globally endangered at the sub-species level 11 Dhaninala (Rutland) 30 230 110 (Anon. 2001). This species is the only 12 Redskin 0 7 0 threatened endemic duck in India, with the 13 Dhanikari Reservoir 0 1 76 exception of the Pink-headed Duck , which 14 Sippighat 0 4 0 is believed to be extinct. The Andaman 15 Katakatchang 0 6 0 Teal inhabits freshwater streams, ponds, Sonapahar Reservoir swamps and brackish water swamps, 16 * * 18 (Jarawa Reserve) tidal creeks and estuaries (Ali & Ripley 1987; Green 1992). This species has Little Andaman three closely related taxa also distributed 17 At km 6 0 6 0 in the islands and Australasia (Howard & 18 At km 2 0 2 0 Moore 1991) of which one ( A. g. 19 Jackson creek 6 6 * remissa ) is considered extinct (Green 20 Vishnunala Dam 0 0 3 1992). The Andaman Teal is considered Total 69 582 674 a priority species requiring immediate attention and conservation action (Rao The approximate area of forests and 1989; Vijayan 1996; Vijayan et al. 2000; wetlands surveyed in each of the four Vijayan in press). Hence, a study was areas was 87 km 2, 42 km 2, 130 km 2 and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION numbers was very high because of local conducted during 1995-98 to determine 39 km 2, respectively. Although more Population and distribution movements and the counts were not the status of the Andaman Teal and localities were surveyed during 2003-04 Some 20 sites held Teals in 1995-98 or simultaneous, hence it was difficult to understand its biology with emphasis on for general bird counts, five sites with 2003-04 (Table 1). Constance Bay get a realistic population estimate. Taking the ecological requirements. Another Teal records could not be covered. Most (Jarawa Reserve), Dhaninala (Rutland) the maximum number counted at each rapid survey was undertaken recently Teal localities were covered in summer and Dhanikari Reservoir held the majority location during the two studies, the (2003-04) to assess the status. (as these birds concentrate at this time of of birds in 2003-04. Four sites, namely totals seen were 582 and 674 during year at specific locations) with the Dhaninala, John Lawrence Island, 1995-98 and 2003-04, respectively. The STUDY AREA exception of Dhaninala (Rutland) which Betapur, Interview Island and North Reef population of the Andaman Teal was The study was conducted in the was surveyed in winter. Island, held fewer Teal in 2003-04 than previously estimated at between 500 and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (6 °45’ to during previous surveys. Fluctuation in 600 (Vijayan 1996; Vijayan et al. 2000)

55 56 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 and it seems that this estimate remains on the monsoon. The nest is a platform population has been the major REFERENCES valid after the recent survey. However, a of grass or reed mat 20-35 cm above conservation problem (Vijayan et al. Abdulali, H. 1964. The birds of Andaman detailed and long-term study is required water among the reeds, 20-50 cm from 2000). Site-specific recommendations for and Nicobar Islands. Journal of the involving population counts along with open water. Nesting pools were 20-50 the conservation of the rare endemic Bombay Natural History Society 61: banding and telemetry techniques to gain cm deep, mainly brackish and located in avifauna of the Andaman Islands, 483-571. a better picture of the status of this coastal areas, 50-100 m from the high especially the Andaman Teal (Vijayan et Ali, S. & Ripley, S.D. 1987. A compact species. tide line. All these wetlands had natural al . 2000; Vijayan in press), include: handbook of the birds of India and or man-made bunds for collecting 1. Declaring Dhaninala and the Pakistan. Oxford University Press. Ecology rainwater which reduced salinity. This surrounding areas in Rutland Island as New Delhi. Habitat species selected a nesting site based on an Andaman Teal Sanctuary. Anon. 2001. Threatened waterfowl Andaman Teal used a variety of habitats optimum water levels and availability of 2. Providing increased protection to a species and subspecies. TWSG at different times. Feeding locations in food for the young, as found in many few sites, namely John Lawrence and News 13: 2-4. summer were shallow areas with sparse other studies (Sridharan 1989; Vijayan Henry Lawrence Islands in Jhansi Fullagar, P. 2005. Andaman Teal Anas vegetation, whereas during the breeding 1991; Svingen & Anderson 1998). Rani Marine National Park, South albogularis. In: Ducks, Geese and season (autumn) they foraged among Nesting success was high during the Andaman, and Jackson Creek, Little Swans (Kear, J. ed.). Oxford reeds, Phragmites karka and Scirpus sp., study (85%) as there were very few Andaman. University Press, Oxford. pp. 572- with thicker cover nearer to the nest. predators. However, poaching of eggs by 3. Declaring Mohanpur and Hanspuri 573. Teal were found loafing in open water or humans and predation by Water Monitor (North Andamans), and Katakatchang Green, A.J. 1992. Wildfowl at risk, resting on wooden logs, mounds, small Lizards were the major causes of egg and Sippighat-Bimblitang (South 1992. Wildfowl 43: 160-184. trees, or bushes in water or on the banks loss. Predation by raptors may also Andaman) as ‘Andaman Teal Howard, R. & Moore, A. 1991. A and mud banks (Vijayan et al. 2000). occur. Parents with ducklings spent most Conservation areas’. complete checklist of the birds of Teal were in single species flocks or of their time in thick vegetation, coming 4. Wetlands, both freshwater and the world. Academic press, London. mixed flocks with the Lesser Whistling- into open water with sparse vegetation brackish water, have not been given Kear, J. & Williams, G. 1978. Waterfowl duck Dendrocygna javanica . Detailed only for very short periods. proper attention, and hence need at risk. Wildfowl 29: 5-21. analysis comparing feeding and non- extensive surveys and studies for Lavery, H.J. 1971. Studies of waterfowl feeding sites showed that insects and Conservation perspectives and their conservation and management. (Anatidae) in north Queensland. 6. small molluscs in the soil were crucial recommendations Feeding method and foods. Queensl. factors in determining feeding locations The rarity of a species with a small ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS J. Agric. Anim. Sci. 28: 255-273. for Teal (Vijayan in press). distribution and a declining population, as This study was funded by the Man and Lavery, H.J. 1972. Studies of waterfowl is the case for many island endemics, is Biosphere Reserve Programme of the in north Queensland. 9. Grey Teal Food the most important issue in the Ministry of Environment & Forests and (A. gibberifrons gracilis Butler) at Molluscs and arthropods formed the conservation of the Andaman Teal. This the Department of Biotechnology, saltwater habitat. Wildl. 29: 223- major part of the Andaman Teal’s diet. bird is hence considered as endangered Ministry of Science & Technology, 235. Seasonal differences in food were (Anon. 2001). Historically there was a Government of India. The study would Rao, N.V.S. 1989. Fauna of Andaman observed: a higher proportion of animal drastic decline in the population of this not have been possible without co- and Nicobar Islands: diversity, food (88%) was found in the diet in species, mainly because of habitat loss operation and support from the Forest endemism, endangered species and summer than during the monsoon (60%), due to reclamation of wetlands, over- Department of Andaman and Nicobar conservation strategies. In: similar to observations of Grey Teal in hunting and poaching of eggs (Abdulali Islands. Officials of various other Andaman, Nicobar & Lakshadweep, North Queensland (Lavery 1971; Lavery 1964; Kear & Williams 1978). An departments such as the Forest an environmental impact 1972). Andaman Teal was previously accurate population estimate for this Development Corporation, District assessment, (Ed. C.J. Saldanha) recorded as mostly vegetarian, feeding species is still lacking. Long-term Administration, Public Works, Harbour Oxford & IBH Publ. Co., New Delhi. also on invertebrates (Ali & Ripley 1987). monitoring and information on the extent Works and Police were also helpful. pp. 74-82. of wetlands are very desirable for the Scientists from various institutions in Saldanha, C.J. 1989. Andaman, Nicobar Breeding management of the species and the Andamans, namely Botanical Survey of & Lakshadweep. An environmental Altogether 13 nests were found in two sustainable utilisation of wetland India, Zoological Survey of India and impact assessment. Oxford & IBH locations during 1997 and 1998, six at resources. Although the species is legally Central Agricultural Research Institute Publ. Co. New Delhi. Mohanpur and seven at Hanspuri; birds protected under the Wildlife (Protection) and many others helped us during the Sridharan, U. 1989. Comparative ecology were apparently breeding at 10 further Act 1972, very few of the Teal habitats study. The staff of Sálim Ali Centre for of the resident waterfowl in sites but nests could not be located. are within protected areas. Lack of Ornithology and Natural History, Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur. Nesting was found from July to October awareness of the status of this species especially the Director, V.S. Vijayan, University of Bombay (unpublished). with a variation in the peak, depending and the value of wetlands to the local gave full support and encouragement.

57 58 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Stattersfield, A.J., Crosby, M.J., Long, Vijayan, V.S. 1991. Keoladeo National was estimated as 2,400–4,500 A.J. & Wege, D.C. 1998. Endemic Park ecology study: 1980-1990. SCALY-SIDED MERGANSER individuals in the 1990s, and at least bird areas of the world. Cambridge, Final Report. Bombay Natural History SURVEYS IN PRIMORYE, 10,000 in the early 2000s (Hughes & BirdLife International. Society. pp. 337 RUSSIA, 2003-05 Hunter 1994; BirdLife International 2001; Svingen, D. & Anderson, S.H. 1998. Vijayan, L., Sankaran, R., Sivakumar, K. Shokhrin & Solovieva 2003). The Waterfowl management on grass- & Murugan, V. 2000. A study on majority of the breeding population 1 2 sage stock ponds. Wetlands 48: 84- the ecology, status and conservation Diana Solovieva , Valery Shokhrin , occurs in the Primorye (BirdLife 1 1 89. perspectives of certain rare and Sergey Vartanyan , Alexey Dondua & International 2001). The breeding 3 Vijayan, L. 1996. Status and endemic avifauna of the Andaman Natalia Vartanyan population of the Sikhote-Alin mountain conservation of the Andaman Teal and Nicobar islands. (Final report of range declined significantly during the 1 Anas gibberifrons albogularis. In: the project). SACON. pp. 184. Wrangel Island State Reserve, 1960s to the early 1980s when numbers Proc. Anatidae 2000 Conference, Vijayan, L. in press. Ecology and Obrucheva Str., 38, Pevek, Chukotka, started to stabilize and even slightly Strasbourg, France, 5-9 December Conservation of the Andaman Teal. Russia. increased in early 1990s (Kolomiytsev 1994 (Eds: M. Birkan, J. van In: A look at threatened species. [email protected] 1992; Bocharnikov & Shibnyev 1994). 2 Vessem, P. Havet, J. Madsen, B. Proc. JBNHS Centenary seminar, Lazo State Reserve, 56, Centralnaya The Scaly-sided Merganser is included in Trolliet & M. Moser). Gibier Faune Bombay Natural History Soc. Str., Lazo, Primorsky Region, 692890, the Red Data Books of IUCN, Russia Sauvage, Game Wildl. 13: 831-842. Russia. (category 3 – rare), China and South 3 Russian Hydro meteorological Korea. This cavity-nesting duck inhabits University, St. Petersburg, Russia clean fast mountain rivers fringed with old broadleaved forest.

ABSTRACT This paper presents up-to-date results of Surveys for pairs and broods of Scaly- annual breeding surveys along the rivers sided Mergansers Mergus squamatus of the Primorye. The sex and age took place in the Primorye in 2003-05. In structure of the breeding population is 2003, 19 rivers were surveyed: low also described. densities (less than 0.1 pairs/km) occurred along four rivers, medium STUDY AREA AND METHODS densities (0.1-0.3) along 11 rivers, and Spring surveys for breeding Scaly-sided high densities (>0.3) along four rivers. Mergansers were conducted in 2003-05 River size, mountain slope, human with summer surveys for broods population, visual estimate of conducted in 2002-05. Large-scale broadleaved forest and water surveys took place in spring 2003 (Table transparency did not explain breeding 1, Figure 1). In some years we surveyed density. Low densities on upper and various other rivers in the Southern lower reaches, and high densities on Primorye in order to study annual middle reaches, characterize the Scaly- fluctuations in breeding numbers (Tables sided Merganser’s distribution. The 1 & 2). Rivers under investigation ranged spring population consisted of 32% adult between 40 and 450 km in length and males, 41% adult females, 7% subadult were situated on both slopes of the males, 6% subadult females, 3% non- Sikhote-Alin Range. We distinguish breeding subadult males, and 11% non- between large and small rivers, those breeding subadult females. Brood density shorter than 60 km being considered as was correlated with breeding pair density small. All large rivers of the east slope in the Kievka basin (R P=0.908) during are independent and flow into the Sea of 2000-05. Japan while all large rivers of the western slope are tributaries of the INTRODUCTION Ussuri River; no small rivers were The Scaly-sided Merganser is among the surveyed on the west slope. Short rivers rarest seaducks in the Old World. The were completely surveyed while large world population is poorly known and rivers were only surveyed in part.

59 60 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Table 1. Survey dates and length of rivers surveyed during Scaly-sided Merganser breeding Figure 1. Scaly-sided Merganser study area in the Primorye, Russia. Small rivers are numbered: surveys in the Primorye, Russia. 1 - Krivaya; 2 - Mineral’naya; 3 - Benevka; 4 - Sergeevka.

River Survey length 2003 2004 2005 Avvakumovka 52 km 19 Apr 17-18 Apr 26-27 Apr Alexeevka 10 km 16 Apr Arzamazovka 35 km 20-21 Apr Benevka 12 km 09 May 15 Apr Chernaya 25 km 27 Apr Izvilinka 6 km 24 Apr Iman 16 km 30 Apr Kievka 83 km 13-15 Apr 12-14 Apr 16-18 Apr Krivaya 10 km 15 Apr 15 Apr 23 Apr Lazovka 18 km 14 Apr 12 Apr 16 Apr Margaritovka 15 km 17 Apr 21 Apr 28 Apr Milogradovka 12 km 17 Apr Mineral’naya 15 km 18 Apr Partizanskaya 34 km 16 Apr Pavlovka 51 km 23 Apr Sergeevka 7 km 16 Apr Ussuri 20 km 24 Apr Vasilkovka 36 km 20-21 Apr 19-20 Apr Zerkal'naya 40 km 22 Apr Total (km) 497 226 178

Table 2. Survey dates and length of rivers surveyed during Scaly-sided Merganser brood surveys in the Primorye, Russia. Numbers in brackets after each date are the length of river surveyed in km. The combined method of rubber boat and We distinguished between adult and River 2002 2003 2004 2005 foot survey was used (Kolomiytsev subadult (one- and two-year-old) males Avvakumovka 16-17 July (52) 1990) and counts were started soon according to their plumage. Additional Benevka mid July (12) 12 July (12) after the Scaly-sided Merganser’s arrival females in trios were considered to be and river ice break-up. Brood counts were subadults, thus each trio includes a male, Chernaya mid July (25) 8 July (25) 18 July (14) conducted in the time prior to fledging an adult female and a subadult female Kievka mid July (75) 28 Jul-5 Aug (81) 16-27 July (83) 7-10 July (83) (survey methods are described in detail in with all of them presumably breeding. Krivaya mid July (12) 15 July (10) 27 July (12) 10 July (12) Shokhrin & Solovieva 2002). Breeding The position of some nests close to Lazovka mid July (12) 13 July (18) 25 June (18) 6 July (18) density was estimated as the number of conspecifics (minimum distance 25 m), Margaritovka mid July (20) 15 July (15) breeding pairs per kilometre of river. nest parasitism, and direct observation of Perekatnaya mid July (25) 10-11 Aug (25) 20 July (25) Pairs, trios (male and two females) and female nest change-over suggested that Ussuri 19 July (20) single males were all considered to both females in a trio make nesting Total (km) 181 258 113 152 represent breeding pairs (families) during attempts (Solovieva et al . 2005). Flocked spring surveys. A single female was females were considered to be subadult considered a breeding pair only when it non-breeding females and all birds from had a large abdomen, indicating egg mixed flocks of subadult males and laying, and if no single male was reported females were considered non-breeders. within the nearest 3 km. Brood density was estimated as number of broods per kilometre of river.

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In spring 2003, water transparency and Avvakumovka basin (0.18 ±0.01) and Figure 2. Scaly-sided Merganser breeding density (pairs per km) along 19 rivers of the broadleaved forest quality were evaluated high density in the Kievka basin Primorye, Russia, in 2003. Rivers are: Alexeevka, Arzamazovka, Partizanskaya, Ussuri, during surveys. Water transparency was (0.45 ±0.09), although these differences Chernaya, Zerkal’naya, Benevka, Izvilinka, Vasil’kovka, Mineral’naya, Lazovka, Milogradovka, measured using a 24 cm secchi disc. were not significant. Of the rivers of the Margaritovka, Sergeevka, Avvakumovka, Iman, Pavlovka, Kievka, and Krivaya. Water depth did not allow for full west slope, the lowest density was disappearance of the secchi disc, so we found on the upper reaches of the Ussuri 0.9 high density estimated transparency as two grades: River while some of its tributaries (Iman Grade 1 – absolutely clean water, where and Pavlovka) supported high densities. 0.8 no changes in the secchi disc appearance Breeding density did not differ between 0.7 occurred during submerging to bottom; small (0.26 ±0.04) and large rivers medium density Grade 2 – if black and white sectors of (0.25 ±0.06), or between large rivers of 0.6 the disc did not appear clear when on the the east (0.22 ±0.04) or west slope 0.5 bottom. Forest quality within 50-100 m (0.31 ±0.06). There was no significant of the river was estimated for each correlation between human population 0.4 low density kilometre of river: Grade 4 – floodplain and Scaly-sided Merganser breeding 0.3 never subjected to logging; Grade 3 - density (R P=-0.06). A negative bank covered by solid young forest with correlation (R P=-0.427) was found 0.2 a high percentage of old-grown trees; between broadleaved forest quality and Grade 2 - solid young forest with rare merganser density. Water transparency 0.1 old-grown trees; Grade 1 - fields with during survey did not affect breeding 0 small forest patches; Grade 0 - totally density (R P=0.126). Kri Izv Mil Kie Par Ale Zer Ser Arz Laz Ima Pav Uss Min Ben

deforested agricultural areas and roads. Vas Mar Che Avv Data were analysed with Statistica 99 Breeding distribution software. Breeding pairs were not equally distributed along the rivers (Figure 3). As Figure 3. Scaly-sided Merganser breeding pair distribution 2003-05 along the Kievka (top) and RESULTS previously reported (Kolomiytsev 1990; Avvakumovka (bottom) Rivers, Primorye, Russia. During spring surveys a total of 334 adult Shokhrin & Solovieva 2002), we found 3,0 mergansers were counted in 2003, 45 of that Scaly-sided Mergansers do not use which were in flocks; in 2004 we the uppermost reaches (about 20-30 km) 2,5 counted 203 birds with no flocks; and in of any river. Middle reaches are preferred 2,0 2005 126 birds with 13 birds in flocks. with lower reaches supporting lower The majority of the spring population densities. The Kievka River (Figure 3) can 1,5 were paired territorial birds, considered to be split into three sections based on 1,0 be breeding pairs although their actual merganser breeding densities: the upper nesting status is unclear. 20-40 kms, the middle 40-80 kms, and 0,5 the lower part to the river mouth 0,0 Breeding density 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90100

(approximately 105 km). We km pairs/10 density, Breeding Breeding pair densities differed between distinguished two parts of Avvakumovka Distance from river head, km rivers. Low densities (less than 0.1 River because our survey began at 35 km pairs/km) occurred on four rivers, from the source and we missed the upper medium densities (0.1-0.3) on 11 rivers, reaches. A high merganser density was 1,2 and high densities (>0.3) on four rivers found on the middle reaches, from 35-75 (Figure 2). Of the three independent river km from the source. basins of the east slope, the lowest 0,8 density occurred in the Partizanskaya ± basin (0.11 0.02), medium density in the 0,4

0,0 35 45 55 65 75 85

Breeding pair density, pairs/ 10 km 10 pairs/ density, pair Breeding Distance from river head, km

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Annual variation in breeding density nesting may be confused with non- Figure 5. Annual variation in the proportion of Scaly-sided Merganser trios observed in the Annual surveys from 2000 to 2005 breeding subadult females because it is Kievka-River basin, Primorye, Russia, 2000-2005. The total number of family groups observed showed that when numbers were higher not possible distinguish between female is given to the right of each bar. on the Margaritovka River, numbers age classes. Pairs with subadult males tended to be lower on the Avvakumovka were reported in 5.4% of cases. No trios and vice versa (Figure 4). Breeding with subadult males were observed. 2005 0 30 density on the Kievka River was consistently high. Brood surveys 2004 38 Brood densities along all rivers surveyed 0,18 Sex-age structure of spring population in 2002-05 are given in Table 3. Only the The proportion of trios in the breeding Kievka River with two main tributaries 2003 0,07 43 population varied between years, (the Lazovka and Krivaya) has been averaging 13% (Figure 5). In 2005 no surveyed annually, except for spring trios were observed – all families were survey 2002. Brood density correlates pairs. The spring population consisted of well with breeding pair density in the 32% adult males, 41% adult females, Kievka River basin (Figure 6). 2001 0,17 42 7% subadult males, 6% subadult females, 3% non-breeding subadult 2000 0,19 42 males, and 11% non-breeding subadult females. Some adult females which skip 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

Table 3. Scaly-sided Merganser brood densities (birds/km) in the Primorye, Russia. Figure 4. Annual variation in Scaly-sided Merganser breeding density on the Avvakumovka, Kievka and Margaritovka Rivers, Primorye, Russia. River 2002 2003 2004 2005

Avvakumovka 0.27 0,7 Benevka 0.17 0.25 Avvakumovka Chernaya 0.04 0.08 0.14 0,6 Kievka Margaritovka Kievka 0.21 0.37 0.39 0.34 0,5 Krivaya 0.25 0.4 0.25 0.17 0,4 Lazovka 0.25 0.17 0.17 0.11 Margaritovka 0.2 0.13 0,3 Perekatnaya 0.08 0.12 0.12 0,2 Ussuri 0.2

0,1

0,0 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005

65 66 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Figure 6. Scaly-sided Merganser breeding pair (solid line) and brood density (dotted line) in the young birds participating in nesting. The REFERENCES Kievka River basin (Kievka, Lazovka, and Krivaya Rivers), 2000-05. observed number of young birds (total BirdLife International. 2001. Scaly-sided 27%) returning to breeding grounds the Merganser. Threatened birds of Asia: following spring suggests a high the BirdLife International Red Data 0.6 overwinter survival in recent years. The Book. BirdLife International, 0.5 switch from freshwater breeding habitats Cambridge, UK. to saltwater wintering grounds is known Bocharnikov, V.N. & Shibnyev, Yu.B. 0.4 to cause increased mortality in juvenile 1994. The Scaly-sided Merganser seaducks. Scaly-sided Mergansers are Mergus squamatus in the Bikin River 0.3 known to winter on fresh water bodies, Basin, Far-East Russia. (eds. B. mainly rivers, during winter (He Fen-Qi et Hughes & J. Hunter). Special 0.2 al. 2002; Duckworth & Chol 2004; Birds publication of the Wildfowl & of Korea Website). However, a lack of Wetlands Trust No 1: pp. 3-10.

pair brooddensity and 0.1 past wintering data means we cannot Duckworth, J.V. & Chol, K. 2004. Scaly- determine if the switch from marine to sided Mergansers Mergus squamatus 0 river habitats occurred recently. A male- in the lower Chongchon River, 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 female ratio of 0.78 among adult birds central Korea. Wildfowl 55: 133- seems to be typical for Siberian 141. populations of mergansers Mergus sp., He, F-Q., Melville, D., Gui, X.-J., Hong,

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula Y.-H. & Liu, Zh.-Y. 2002. Status of

and Smew Mergus albellus (Pronkevich the Scaly-sided Merganser Wintering DISCUSSION beaches. The upper part of each river is 2005). in Mainland China in the 1990s. Breeding density narrow, while the lower part comprises Waterbirds 25: 462-464. The breeding density of Scaly-sided networks of narrow channels with slow Summer surveys for broods Hughes, B. & Hunter, J. 1994. The Mergansers was not related to the currents. Future surveys in unstudied In the Kievka basin we observed a pair to Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus geographical or anthropogenic factors we areas of the breeding range should brood ratio of 0.62 ±0.04 (range 0.54– squamatus TWSG Special measured. Although forest quality did not ensure coverage of the part of the river 0.70). As complete nest depredation is publication No 1. TWSG News 6: 4- explain duck distribution, this was 50-80 km from the source. very rare (from 21 known nests only one 5 probably due to the method we used to was depredated – our data), we therefore Kolomiytsev, N.P. 1990. About methods classify forest type – which does not Annual variation in breeding density believe this is due to high mortality of of the counts of the Chinese reflect nest site availability. Additionally, As nest site fidelity is not high in the newly-hatched ducklings (Kolomiytsev Merganser (Mergus squamatus) and ducks live along several kilometres of Scaly-sided Merganser (our data), the 1992; Solovieva et al. 2005). Predation the Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata). river and the point at which they are first birds may use different rivers in different pressure on very young ducklings seems (ed. Kurochkin, E.N.). Modern seen may lie far away from the nest. breeding seasons. A movement of to be similar between years. Ornithology. Moscow. Nauka Publ.: Although visual observations suggested nesting females between the nearby pp. 217-21 (in Russian with English that some rivers were less clean than Avvakumovka and Margaritovka Rivers ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS summary). others, the standard method of water may be responsible for the negative Our fieldwork in Primorye was funded by Kolomiytsev, N. P. 1992. К биологии transparency did not give comparable correlation in breeding density on these the Rufford Small Grants (2003 and чешуйчатого крохаля в бассейне р. data for the shallow and relatively clean two rivers. The Kievka basin, situated 2004) of the Rufford Maurice Laing Киевки ( Южное Приморье ). rivers of the Sikhote-Alin Range. Factors about 100 km away from Avvakumovka Foundation, London, UK and in 2005 by Орнитологические исследования в such as prey abundance, which is and Margaritovka, has a notable variation a grant from the Wildfowl & Wetlands заповедниках . (ed. V.E. Sokolov), difficult to estimate without special in breeding density between years. Trust, Slimbridge, UK. Special thanks to Nauka, Moscow: pp. 68-83 investigation, probably determine Dr Baz Hughes, the Chair of the TWSG, (in Russian). merganser numbers along the rivers. Sex-age structure of spring population who has supervised the Scaly-sided Pronkevich, V.V. 2005. Materials to the The proportion of subadult birds, both Merganser work since it started in 2000. knowledge of Waterfowl birds of Breeding distribution males and females, in the Scaly-sided Khabarovsk territory. In: (ed. The merganser distribution observed Merganser population is high. This is Gavrilo, M.V.). Waterfowl of typifies the Scaly-sided Merganser’s atypical for seaducks, in which there is Northern Eurasia. Abstracts of III avoidance of narrow streams and normally less than 10% subadults. We International Symposium, St. channels. Birds prefer the middle reaches suggest that recent Scaly-sided Petersburg, 6-10 October 2005. St. of the rivers where the stream is wide Merganser increases in the Primorye may Petersburg, Kartfabrika VSEGEI: and fast-flowing with frequent stony be related to the high proportion of

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217-219. (in Russian, with English (Mergus squamatus) in the Kievka- restrictions, and declaring the area as a version on CD) River basin: number, ecology and PHYSICAL CONDITION AND NATURA 2000 site. Shokhrin, V. & Solovieva, D. 2003. achievements of artificial nest AGE STRUCTURE OF RED- Scaly-Sided Merganser breeding program. (ed. Myslenkov, A.I.). BREASTED GEESE WINTERING METHODS AND STUDY AREA population increase in Far East Scientific investigations of nature in AT DURANKULAK LAKE, At the end of February 2005, a field Russia. TWSG News 14: 43-51. Lazovsky Reserve. Vladivostok. study visit was conducted by a team of Solovieva, D.V., Shokhrin, V.P., Russij Ostrov: 188-202. (In Russian BULGARIA, FEBRUARY 2005 WWT Caerlaverock Reserve staff and Vartanyan S.L. & Dondua A.G. with English summary). BSPB staff to collect age and body profile 2005. Scaly-sided Merganser Nikolai Petkov data and conduct the coordinated count. Data were collected over a four-day Bulgarian Society for the Protection of period in the fields around Eagle Marsh of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria, PO Box 50, BG- Durankulak Lake complex. The hunting 1111 Sofia, Bulgaria season was over and geese were tamer [email protected] and easier to approach. There were an estimated 2,500-3,500 Red-breasted Geese in the area with some 1,500- INTRODUCTION 2,000 White-fronted Geese Anser Shabla and Durankulak Lakes are known albifrons and 10 Lesser White-fronted to hold up to 70% of the global Geese Anser erythropus . During most of population of the Red-breasted Goose the winter period the numbers of Branta ruficollis (Kostadinova & Dereliev wintering geese were low due to mild 2001) currently listed by IUCN as weather conditions and probably many Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2000). remained in the area of Romanian Danube The monitoring of the Red-breasted Delta and Ukraine. Goose is one of the longest running species monitoring programmes of Age structure was expressed as the ratio BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria. The species has of adult to immature birds and belly been monitored for over nine years. The profiles were recorded using the system last three years’ monitoring work has devised by WWT for Barnacle Geese been supported by the Wildfowl & Branta leucopsis , a closely related Wetlands Trust (WWT). Age data and species similar in physical structure to physical condition (belly profiles) are the Red-breasted Goose. Belly profile gathered in foraging areas. The counts data were collected for 15 samples of are conducted in North East Bulgaria in 172 individuals from a flock of some the area of Shabla Lake (43 °34’N, 3,000 Red-breasted Geese. Samples 28 °34’E; IBA BG49) and Durankulak Lake were taken from all parts of the flock to (43 °40’N, 28 °33’E; IBA BG50) each avoid bias caused by positioning and fortnight and are coordinated with similar distribution of the birds in the flock. A counts in Romania and Ukraine. The total of 508 birds from the same flock geese are counted at sunrise when they were aged, again sampling all parts of leave roosting sites for their foraging the flock. grounds. Preferred foraging areas around the lakes are mapped on non-hunting days. The field studies provide baseline data for the conservation of the Red- breasted Goose in the region, including information needed for a programme of land acquisition to protect foraging grounds (funds provided by ECCONET) assisting the local authorities in enforcing conservation and hunting regulations and

69 70 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Figure 1. Belly profiles of Red-breasted Goose at Durankulak Lake in late February 2005 stronger predator pressure, led to low REFERENCES productivity and a population decrease. BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened The good body condition and high Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions 0.60% percentage of young in 2004/05 might and BirdLife International. Barcelona 9.90% 32% result in the stabilization of the and Cambridge, UK. population. However, if this recovery is Dereliev, S., Ivanov, I., Georgiev, D., not observed in the next 1-2 years the Petkov, N. & Griffin, L. 2005. class2 IUCN status should be re-evaluated and Results from the monitoring of the Red-breasted Goose upgraded to wintering Red-breasted Geese Branta Endangered. ruficollis in the region of the Shabla class 3 and Durankulak Lakes (NE Bulgaria) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT S from 2003 to 2005. BSPB Technical The work was part of the BSPB/BirdLife report No1/2005. class 4 Bulgaria Red-breasted Goose Kostadinova, I. & S. Dereliev. 2001. 57.5% conservation programme, funded by the Results from the mid-winter counts Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Sincere of waterfowl in Bulgaria for the class 5 thanks to Ivaylo Ivanov, the BSPB period 1997-2001. BSPB Regional Coordinator, Petar Iankov, Conservation Series No 3, Sofi Dimitar Georgiev and Brian Morrell and Larry Griffin from WWT. Special thanks RESULTS early March when the last Red-breasted go to Dr. Baz Hughes, Head of the WWT Belly profile data showed a predominance Geese leave the area for the north. Species Conservation Department. of class 3 and class 4 (Figure 1). However some geese had an extreme The high proportion of juveniles (23%) belly profile of class 2 (very thin) and suggested an improved survival rate of class 5 (very fat). Some 23.4% of birds immature birds compared with the in the samples were immatures. previous 2-3 years, when the percentage young has been as low as 10%. Dereliev DISCUSSION et al. (2005) reported a higher This study suggests that Red-breasted percentage of young (34%) in the same Geese in February 2005 were in good area during the same time of year, and physical condition at the end of the from a higher sample of birds. These wintering period, compared with the differences are likely due to sampling previous 2-3 years. Prior to the winter of bias. 2004/05 there were several consecutive years when autumn drought and deep For the last few winters the total number snow cover provided very poor of Red-breasted Geese recorded by conditions for the wintering goose flocks. coordinated winter counts in Bulgaria, During these years most birds were in Romania and Ukraine has been much poor physical condition with belly profiles lower than the peak in the early 2000s. of class 0 to 2 with fewer birds of class This could be due to poor breeding 3 or 4. Many fatigued birds were located success in the Arctic, combined with in fields, undernourished and unable to poor wintering conditions in the last 2-3 fly. In 2004/05 the conditions changed years with insufficient foraging resources dramatically providing the geese with – a lack of winter wheat and heavy snow enough food for premigratory fattening. cover preventing geese from accessing The geese were foraging in the the green shoots of the crops. immediate vicinity of the lake in fields to Unfavorable wintering conditions may the north and west of the Eagle Marsh. have resulted in poor survival rate and This is the most favoured foraging body condition prior to the breeding location for the species in February and season, which, combined with the

71 72 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

INFRASPECIFIC TAXA hollows of trees that stand in or beside REFERENCES ACTION PLAN FOR N. c. coromandelianus (south-east Asia) water (Beruldsen 1977; G. Beruldsen). Beruldsen, G. 1977. The nest and eggs AUSTRALIAN COTTON PYGMY does not occur in Australia and has a Principal foods are pondweed of the White Pygmy-Goose. Sunbird GOOSE status of Least Concern. Potamogeton seeds and other aquatic 8: 65-69. vegetation (Frith 1982). Blakers, M., Davies, S.J.J.F. & Reilly, PAST RANGE AND ABUNDANCE P.N. 1984. The Atlas of Australian Stephen Garnett & G.M. Crowley Princess Charlotte Bay, Queensland, to THREATS Birds. RAOU and Melbourne Hunter River, New South Wales, inland in The species has been adversely affected University Press, Melbourne. Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, PO. the headwaters of the Dawson, Fitzroy by drainage of wetlands or their invasion Frith, H.J. 1982. Waterfowl in Australia. Box 2066, Cairns, Queensland 4870, and Burdekin Rivers (Frith 1982; by introduced weeds, particularly water Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Australia. Marchant & Higgins 1990). From limited hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Beruldsen Garnett, S.T. & Cox, J.B. 1987. Birds of [email protected] data, the population was estimated at 1977) and the exotic ponded-pastures the Townsville Town Common. The 1,500 individuals in the early 1960s Echinochloa polystachya and Authors, Townsville. (Lavery 1966). Hymenachne amplexicaulis (A. Taplin), Lavery, H.J. 1966. Pygmy-Geese in The following text is reproduced from the but benefited by creation of new Australia. Qld Agric. J. 92: 294- action plan for Australian birds published PRESENT RANGE AND ABUNDANCE wetlands, such as Ross River Dam and 299. by Environment Australia with kind Tinaroo Dam. Longmore, N.W. 1978. Avifauna of the permission of the authors (Garnett, S.T. Rockhampton area, Queensland. & Crowley, G.M. 2000. The Action Plan RECOMMENDED ACTIONS Sunbird 9: 25-53. for Australian Birds 2000. Environment 1. Survey to determine the size and Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (eds) 1990. Australia, Canberra). status of the population and the The Handbook of Australian, New favoured breeding habitat. Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE (AUSTRALIAN) 2. Monitor spread of introduced ponded- University Press, Melbourne. Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis pasture species and, if detrimental, (Gould 1842) control ponded-pasture in prime Conservation status: Near Threatened Cotton Pygmy-Goose habitat.

REASONS FOR LISTING The population of this subspecies seems small, and appears to have declined in density over at least the southern half of its historical range (Near Threatened: Major centres of population: Dawson, criterion c). Fitzroy, Burdekin and Barron River

catchments (Blakers et al . 1984). Locally Estimate Reliability common in suitable habitat near Brisbane Extent of (G. Beruldsen). Now vagrant outside 400,000 km 2 High occurrence Queensland (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Trend Stable High Largest recent counts: 300 on Ross River Dam near Townsville (Garnett & Cox Area of 1,500 km 2 Low 1987) and 350 at Lake Powlathanga near occupancy Charters Towers in 1990 (P. Britton). No Trend Stable Medium recent estimates of total population size. No. of breeding Frequency of sightings near 5,000 Low birds Rockhampton has apparently declined (Longmore 1978; M. Crawford). Trend Stable Medium No. of sub- ECOLOGY 1 High populations Cotton Pygmy-Geese are found on Generation time 5 years Low freshwater lakes, swamps and large water impoundments. They congregate in flocks on permanent water-bodies during the dry season. They lay 6-9 eggs in the 73 74 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

tracking study conducted in the same rather than mainstem rivers - as one of REFERENCES NOTES ON THE TERRITORY area in June 2003. our transmittered birds frequently did - on Beehler, B.M., Pratt, T.K. &. Zimmerman, SIZE OF SALVADORI’S TEAL IN which they are likely not to be detected. D.A. 1986. Birds of New Guinea. CRATER MOUNTAIN WILDLIFE I captured two female ducks (birds were Princeton University Press, New MANAGEMENT AREA, PAPUA sexed by eye colour) in June 2003 with My results indicate that the birds are Jersey. nylon mist-nets stretched across the fairly common in the CMWMA, but Bell, H. 1969. Birds of Ok Tedi, New NEW GUINEA Wara Whali River where birds were widely spaced along the rivers and thus Guinea. Emu 69: 193-211. previously observed in 2002. The birds unlikely to be seen by the casual Delany, S. & Scott, D.A. 2002. Nancy Straus were fitted with back-mounted, battery- observer making them appear rarer than Waterbird Population Estimates – powered radio transmitters weighing 2 g they really are. Because of the difficulties Third Edition. Wetlands International, Conservation Biology Institute, 260 SW with a whip antenna and a life in capturing and observing these birds, Wageningen. Madison Ave, Suite 106, Corvallis, OR expectancy of two weeks. I used hand- future researchers may want to gather Diamond, J.M. 1972. Avifauna of the 97333, USA held yagi antennas to locate birds by distribution and nesting data by using a Eastern Highlands of New Guinea. [email protected] walking along the stream until a signal questionnaire circulated to landowners Publs. Nuttal Orn. Club 12: 1-438. was heard and then walking towards the within the CMWMA. Symes & Marsden IUCN. 2006. IUCN red list of threatened bird to verify its location visually. All (2003) had some success using such species. International Union for the Salvadori’s Teal Salvadorina waigiuensis locations were marked with a global surveys to study breeding biology of Conservation of Nature and Natural is a secretive inhabitant of fast-flowing positioning system (GPS) and loaded into many birds in the area, including Resources, Gland, Switzerland. streams and alpine lakes between 500 a geographic information system (GIS). Salvadori’s Teal. A questionnaire Kear, J. 1975. Salvadori’s Duck of New and 3,700 m in the mountains of New distributed annually may give insight into Guinea. Wildfowl 26: 104-111. Guinea (Beehler et al . 1986) and, as one Transmittered ducks were always found population changes over time, which Symes, C.T. & Marsden S.F. 2003. of only four waterfowl species adapted on the river, so territory sizes were could help direct conservation efforts for Notes on breeding of Salvadori’s to life on fast-flowing rivers, is the sole calculated as the linear distance between this little-known species. Teal Anas waigiuensis and other endemic duck species of New Guinea the lowest downstream location and the birds in Crater Mountain Wildlife (Diamond 1972). The World Conservation highest upstream location. Territory sizes Management Area, Papua New Union (IUCN) has listed the species as for our birds were 1,200 m and 1,600 m Guinea. Bull. BOC 125: 11-27. vulnerable, and the total population may in length, and there was some non- Straus, N. 2003. Ecology of a vulnerable be slowly declining (Delany & Scott synchronous overlap of river sections single island endemic: Salvadori’s 2002; IUCN 2006). The status is, used by the two birds. One bird was Teal. TWSG News 14: 41-42 however, uncertain because few surveys often found using a small tributary of the have been conducted to provide reliable Wara Whali while the other bird was seen most often on the main river. Both population estimates. In addition, very little is known about the basic biology of females were normally found with an Salvadori’s Teal. Information is needed unmarked bird, presumably their mate. on distribution, breeding biology, No nests or nesting activity was recorded territoriality, and habitat needs in order to and there was no evidence of moulting or direct conservation and management brood patches on either bird. efforts for the species. Previous estimates of territory size for In March 2002, I began a two-year study these ducks have varied greatly to collect basic natural history depending upon the river surveyed. Bell information about Salvadori’s Teal in (1969) located a pair every 160 m on the Papua New Guinea. In 2003, I published Ok Menga River (600 m elevation), but preliminary results of a population survey observations on the Baiyer River (central in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Papua New Guinea) indicated territory Management Area (CMWMA), indicating sizes closer to 1,500 m (Kear 1975), that the ducks were fairly common in this similar to the results of our study. As area, although widely dispersed along the noted in my earlier article, the large rivers (Straus 2003). This report desc- territory sizes of these ducks may ribes the results of a small-scale radio- contribute to their perceived rarity. The birds may may be using small tributaries

75 76 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

2000). In 2001-2003 the growth of the Figure 1. The main wintering sites for Baikal Teal in South Korea BAIKAL TEAL WINTERING population continued, with birds recorded STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION IN in the regions south of 62-67ºN and with SOUTH KOREA numbers of birds recorded on spring migration increasing by thousands. In summer in former nesting areas, 1 Andrey G. Degtyarev , Nikolai I. however, the population of Baikal Teal 2 3 Germogenov , Heui-Young Kang & has remained low with only 0.4-0.5% of 4 Hansoo Lee previous numbers recorded previously (Degtyarev 2004). 1 Department of Biological Resources, 14 Sverdlov str., Yakutsk, Russia, 677005 In the 1940s Baikal Teal were common in Seosan Lakes dbr@sakha.ru Korea during migration (Austin 1948). 2 Institute for Biological Problems of The first aggregation of 5,000 wintering Cryolithozone SD RAS 41 Lenin birds was recorded in 1984/1985, since Geum River str.,Yakutsk, Russia, 678980 when the population has increased 3 Department of Biology College of annually. In 1996, 135,000 birds were Natural Science Kong-ju National recorded in three regions; and in University, 182 Shinkwan-dong, Kong-ju, 1999/2000 some 250,000-270,000 in Chungnam, Korea, 314-701 two regions (Kang & Cho 1996; Yeongam 4 Institute of Environmental Ecology, Miyabashi & Mundkur 1999; Moores & Lake 1004 New Hanjin Office tel. 535-5 Koyung-Won 2000). Bongmyoung-dong,Yusung-gu, Daejeon, Gecheonnam Korea, 305-301 NUMBERS AND DISTRIBUTION IN Lake SOUTH KOREA According to our data the population of INTRODUCTION Baikal Teal in Korea began to increase The Baikal Teal Anas formosa is one of considerably from 1998. In 2001/2002, the least studied ducks in East Asia. 350,000 birds wintered in three regions, and 34°32’N, 126°29’E respectively). their peripheries, we observed small During the last century its population was and the next year 400,000. In 2004 The Teal return to the Geum River, and groups of Mallards Anas platyrhynchos severely reduced and the cause of this during simultaneous censuses 658,140 other northern sites, later in the winter and Eurasian Teal A. crecca . Of the decline is still unknown, though thought birds were counted in Korea, including where they remain until they start their 1,238 Baikal Teal sexed, 54.9% were to be mainly overhunting and habitat 600,000 in the lower reaches of the spring migration in mid March/early April. males and 45.1% females. loss. In Yakutia, Russia, research has Geum River. During this period, fewer NUMBERS AND BEHAVIOUR ON THE been conducted since 1968, and in Korea than 10,000 birds wintered in Japan and By 1800h birds typically gathered into GEUM RIVER since 1996. Joint fieldwork was carried China (Perennou et al . 1990; Miyabashi one compact group, the density of which out in the Lungha River (Russia) in July & Mundkur 1999), suggesting most In February 2003, 250,000-260,000 gradually increased to its maximum, four 2002 (Degtyarev et al . 2003), and in the Baikal Teal wintered in Korea. The birds inhabited the Geum River 3 km individuals per square metre, within one lower reaches of the Geum River (Korea) current main wintering sites are located above the first bridge (Figure 2). The size hour. At 1900h the Baikal Teal from the from 9-24 February 2003. in three regions of the Korean peninsula and density of bird aggregations was centre of the aggregation began to fly up, (Figure 1). Baikal Teal arrive at Seosan most likely caused by weather moving into a ‘spire’, often in a clock- In Yakutia, in the heart of the Baikal Teal Lakes (Cheonsu Bay) (36°40’N, conditions. In calm and foggy weather wise direction, and by 1930h all birds breeding range, the sharp decline in the 126°25’E) in September, building to a during daytime all of the Baikal Teal were in the air, the flock taking the shape population happened in the mid 1960s would remain in one roosting flock of a funnel revolving on its axis, the peak through October and November. 2 with less severe declines subsequently During mid-winter, birds move south to occupying an area of 0.06-2 km . In lower part reaching the water and the (Degtyarev & Perfiliev 1998). The first the Geum River (36°02’N, 126°46’E) bright and windy weather Baikal Teal upper a height of 300-600 m. Later, signs of a population recovery were and, as temperatures fall below zero formed flocks of 5,000-50,000 birds and flocks of 50-100 birds left the upper noticed in 1999 and 2000 when 300- causing ponds to freeze and as food often flew 1-3 km, the flocks sometimes funnel to fly in the same direction to 500 birds were seen during spring resources are exhausted, the birds joining up or sometimes fragmenting into feeding areas. Foraging sites changed migration in the southern regions of migrate southwest to Gocheonnam and small groups. Most were single-species daily. Up to 6 km away from the river, Yakutia (up to 60-65ºN) (Degtyarev Yeongam Lakes (34°42’N, 126°28’E) aggregations but from time to time, at the aggregation of flying birds remained

77 78 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 compact, covering a 1.5 km front 6-7 km organs. However, the oesophagus and Figure 3. Flight formation used by 250,000 Baikal Teal as they leave their Geum River day long. Among the large flocks were stomachs were filled with rice suggesting roost smaller ones of 30-50 individuals, and the birds may have pesticide poisoning. sometimes flocks were followed by Based on the weight of rice (40-50 g) groups of Northern Pintail A. acuta , from the digestive organs of the birds Eurasian Teal and Mallard. examined, the daily food consumption of the Baikal Teal population in the Geum Dense aggregations of Baikal Teal in the River was not less than 10 tonnes. wintering sites may be detrimental to the species as there is an increased Threats to the Baikal Teal in Korea possibility of them suffering from include disturbance. Flight distances for infectious diseases. In Cheonsu Bay Baikal Teal are 500-600 m compared within eight days in October 2002 with 80-200 m for Greater White-fronted approximately 12,000 ducks died of Geese Anser albifrons , Whooper Swans avian cholera including 10,000 Baikal Cygnus cygnus and Mallards. The birds Teal (Lee 2000). On 12 February 2003, are also disturbed by low flying airplanes along the coastal line of a reed island and helicopters (up to 12 per day). The 200 m long, we found 17 dead or weak Geum River is also polluted by pesticides Baikal Teal unable to fly. The birds were from the rice fields as well as household not injured, were in reasonable body rubbish. condition, and there was no visible, unusual pathology in birds' internal

The Geum River, 9 km from the REFERENCES

mouth, is a reserve area - water Austin, O.L. 1948. The birds of Korea. Bull.

Figure 2. Location of Baikal Teal flocks wintering in the lower reaches of the Geum River. Key: transportation is restricted here and Vus. Comp. Zool. 101 (1). 1, dam with gateway servers; 2, bridge; 3, main directions of feeding flights; 4, sites of Baikal there are three observation stations Degtyarev, A.G. 2000. Good news about Teal aggregation. for bird watchers. To provide birds Baikal Teal. Casarca 6: 295. with food under an agreement with Degtyarev, A.G. 2004. New data about

Government of Korea, farmers in the Baikal Teal number in Yakutia, Russia. five main Baikal Teal wintering areas Casarca 9: 56-58. in Korea, including the lower reaches Degtyarev, A.G., Germogenov, N.I., of the Geum River, left 10% of rice Nakhodkin, N.A., Kang, H.Y. & Lee, H. yield in the fields. 2003. Monitoring of Anserifomes in the Lunkha River (Western Yakutia). The Baikal Teal is listed in the Red In: Management and conservation of Data Books of Korea, Russia and waterfowl population in Northern Yakutia (Red Data Book 2003). Eurasia. Petrozavodsk; pp. 46-48. Hunting for Baikal Teal is banned. To Degtyarev, A.G. & Perfilyev, V.I. 1998. improve species conservation, annual Biology and present status of the monitoring of the population, Baikal Teal in Yakutia. Casarca 4: 259- including the impact of disease, and 272. control of illegal bird hunting are Kang, H.Y. & Cho, C.R. 1996. Wintering necessary. ecology of Baikal Teal (Anas formosa) and carrying capacity of their habitats. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Kor. J. Orni. 3: 33-41. This joint fieldwork project was Kim, K.E., Kim, M.S., Kim, R.T., Kim, K.N., carried out with financial support Kim, T.S., Rim, C.Y., Pak, U.I. & Han, from the firm ‘Wildnet’, Korea. K.H. 2002. Red data Book of DPRK (Animal). Pyongyang.

79 80 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Lee, H. 2000. News. Casarca 6: 397. in the East Asian Flyway. Tokyo. la costa y zona árida de las islas, y Moores, N. & Koung-Won K. 2000. Wetland International. AVES DE LAGUNA usualmente están rodeadas de manglar, Baikal Teal in South Korea. Perennou, C., Rose, P. & Poole, C. 1990. REGISTRADAS EN 2006 EN entre otro tipo de vegetación (Castro & TWSG News 12: 4. Asian Waterfowl Census 1990. IWRB, GALÁPAGOS Phillips 1996). La importancia de estas Miyabayashi Y. & Mundkur T. 1999. Slimbidge, UK. lagunas es que albergan en su hábitat Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae Red Data Book of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) una gran diversidad de especies, entre las 1 (Animal). 2003, Yakutsk. Gustavo Jiménez Uzcátegui & Sixto cuales se encuentran las aves de laguna. 2 Naranjo

1 Fundación Charles Darwin [email protected] 2 Servicio Parque Nacional Galápagos, Puerto Ayora, Isla Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador

SUMMARY There are 76 wetlands of different salinities in the Galápagos Islands, where 50 waterbird species have been

recorded. Most of these species are

migrants, and the residents include the

Galápagos Pintail. On 24 January 2006,

21 wetlands were visited on five islands Se han registrado más de 50 especies de (Floreana, Isabela, Santa Cruz, Santiago aves en las lagunas salobres, and Bainbridge Islands) and 595 birds of principalmente migratorias (Castro & 16 species (11 native and endemic, four Phillips 1996). Entre las aves nativas, la migratory and one introduced) were especie emblema de las lagunas es el recorded. The greatest number of birds Flamenco de Galápagos Phoenicopterus was recorded at Poza de las Diablas on ruber , que se encuentra en la lista roja de Isabela (155 birds). The Galápagos Pintail aves del Ecuador como vulnerable was the most common species (266 in (Granizo 2002). Mientras, entre las aves total, recorded on 13 (62%) of wetlands endémicas (especies o subespecies) está and on all five islands). el Patillo Anas bahamensis galapagensis

que está igual en la lista roja como en INTRODUCCIÓN peligro, según la TWSG (2001). Desde En los últimos años se ha incrementado a 1996 en el monitoreo se registra otras nivel mundial la atención sobre el valor de aves de laguna, con el objetivo de los humedales y las lagunas, y los conocer su distribución y presencia y esfuerzos para su conservación han ausencia. aumentado (Gelin & Gravez 2002). En

Galápagos se han registrado 76 lagunas METODOLOGÍA salinas y de agua dulce (FCD 2006), las El 24 de enero de 2006 se distribuyó al cuales se encuentran en las calderas, personal a las 21 lagunas designadas. El cerca de la costa (aguas filtradas desde el número de lagunas incluidas en el censo mar y lluvias), y/o se forman pozas ha variado entre 6 y 34 (Vargas et al. in temporales por las lluvias (Vargas 1989). prep .), pero desde 1996 se estandarizó la

metodología (Jiménez et al . 2005). Las lagunas salobres en Galápagos, la

mayoría son permanentes, no exceden de Las lagunas que se censaron en 2006 un metro de profundidad, son situadas en fueron en las siguientes islas: Floreana

81 82 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 con 2 lagunas (Punta Cormorán y laguna (El Sartén); y en los Islotes RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN Montura); Isabela con 11 lagunas Bainbridge con una laguna del mismo Se observó 16 especies de aves de De las 16 especies observadas, 11 (Baltasar, Barahona Occidental, Barahona nombre (Figure 1). laguna-costera con un total de 595 fueron nativas y endémicas (especies y Oriental, El Manzanillo, Las Salinas, Las individuos en las lagunas monitoreadas. subespecies): Patillo, Pelícano Pelecanus Diablas, Las Ninfas, Puerta de Jelí, A las 10:00 de la mañana todos los La especie que se observó con el mayor occidentalis urinator , Fragata ( Fregata Tercera Playa, Cuarta Playa y Quinta censistas comenzaron su trabajo. Se número de individuos fue el Patillo con minor , F. magnificens magnificens ), Playa); Santa Cruz con 6 lagunas (Cerro anotó en hojas de registro a los 266 individuos (45%). La siguiente fue la Garza Nocturna o Huaque Nyctanassa Dragón, El Garrapatero I y III, Las Bachas individuos según las características Gallinula Gallinula chloropus con 56 violacea pauper , Garza de Lava Butorides I y II, y Tortuga Bay); Santiago con una externas. individuos (9%). La tercera especie striatus sundevalli , Garza Blanca Ardea observada fue el Tero Real Himantopus alba , Garza Morena Ardea herodias , mexicanus con 43 individuos (7%; Figure Gallinula, Ostrero Haematopus palliatus Figure 1. Distribución de las lagunas censadas en Galápagos en 2006. 2, Table 1). galapagoensis , Tero Real y Gaviota de Key: Isla Isabela: Quinta Playa (1), Cuarta Playa (2), Tercera Playa (3), Barahona Oriental (4), Lava Larus fuliginosus . Cuatro aves Barahona Occidental (5), Las Diablas (6), Puerta de Jelí (7), Baltasar (8), Las Salinas (9), Las La isla con mayor cantidad de individuos migratorias: Sormomujo Podilymbus Ninfas (10), El Manzanillo (11). observados en las lagunas fue: Isabela podiceps , Chorlitejo Charadrius Isla Floreana: Montura (12), Punta Cormorán (13). (74%), Santa Cruz (16%), Floreana (6%), semipalmatus , Zarapito Numenius Isla Santa Cruz: Tortuga Bay (14), El Garrapatero I (15), El Garrapatero III (16), Las Bachas I Santiago (2%) e islotes Bainbridge (2%). phaeopus y Vuelve Piedras Arenaria (17), Las Bachas II (18), Cerro Dragón (19). La laguna donde se observó mayor interpres . Y una ave introducida: Garza Isla Santiago: El Sartén (20). Islotes Bainbridge (21). cantidad de aves en el monitoreo fue en Bueyera Bubulcus ibis . Poza de las Diablas o Cementerio con 155 individuos (26%), seguido por La especie de mayor distribución en las Quinta Playa con 131 individuos (22%), lagunas fue el Patillo, el cual estaba en y El Manzanillo con 54 individuos (9%; 13 lagunas (62%), seguido por el Tero Figure 2; Table 1), siendo todas estas Real en 9 lagunas (43%) y el Chorlitejo y lagunas de la isla Isabela; razón por la Gallinula en 7 lagunas (33%). cual Isabela es la isla de mayor cantidad de aves observadas.

Figure 2. Porcentaje según las especies en 2006 en Galápagos.

50 44

40

30 % 20

9 10 7 6 6 5 4 3 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 0 Fregatasp Ardeaalba A.herodias Bubulcusibis Larusfuliginosus Butorides striatus Anasbahamensis Arenariainterpres Gallinulachloropus Numenius phaeopus Nyvtanassa violacea Podilymbuspodiceps Haematopus palliatus Pelecanusoccidentalis Himantopus mexicanus Charadriussemipalmatus

83 84 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

AGRADECIMIENTOS Granizo, T. 2002. Flamenco americano. Servicio Parque Nacional Galápagos y En : T Granizo, C Pacheco, MB Fundación Charles Darwin. A los guarda- Rivadeneira, M Guerrero & L Suárez parques, voluntarios, monitoreadores y (eds.), Libro Rojo de las Aves del especial a los colaboradores Óscar Ecuador, pp. 110–111. SIMBIOE/ Carvajal, Sandra Landázuri, Alizon Llerena ConservationInternational/ y Washington Llerena. Este trabajo es EcoCiencia/Ministerio del Ambiente/ dedicado a la memoria de Elizabeth UICN. Serie Libros Rojos del Uzcátegui Mendoza. Ecuador, tomo 2. Quito, Ecuador. Jiménez U., G., Wiedenfeld, D.A., BIBLIOGRAFÍA Vargas, H. & S. Naranjo. 2005. Castro, I. & Phillips, A. 1996. A guide to Manual para censo de Flamencos the birds of the Galapagos Islands. Phoenicopterus ruber . Fundación London, UK. Charles Darwin y Servicio Parque FCD. 2006. Base de datos de las lagunas Nacional Galápagos. Puerto Ayora, de Galápagos. Fundación Charles Ecuador. Darwin. Puerto Ayora, Ecuador. Vargas, H. 1998. Estado actual de las Gelin, A. & Gravez, V. 2002. Capítulo 6. aves acuáticas residentes de lagunas Lagunas costeras. En : reserve cercanas a zonas pobladas en las marina de Galápagos. Línea Base de Islas Isabela y San Cristóbal, la Biodiversidad (Danulat E & Edgar, Galápagos. Pontificia Universidad GJ. eds). pp 119-145. Fundación Católica del Ecuador. Tesis previa a Charles Darwin/Servicio Parque la obtención del título de Licenciado Nacional Galápagos. Santa Cruz, en Ciencias Biológicas. Quito, Ecuador. Ecuador. TWSG. 2001. The bulletin of the threatened waterfowl specialist group. UK.

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comprehensive and simultaneous count netting, shooting and poisoning. The ducks and six of the 14 populations of WWF–CHINA WATERBIRD has been carried out to obtain accurate numbers of waterfowl in the lower diving ducks have also decreased. SURVEYS IN THE LOWER information on the abundance and Yangtze River floodplain have declined YANGTZE FLOODPLAIN IN 2004 distribution of waterbirds when numbers greatly in the last 10 years and hunting THE SURVEYS AND 2005 are at a maximum. An analysis of appears to be the main reason for recent Survey objectives available published count data collected decreases in the numbers of Swan Goose The main objectives of the surveys were during 1990-2003 shows that the best and the eastern population of Lesser to: Mark Barter¹, Lei Cao², Gang Lei³ & Oin censused locations are Poyang Hu, East White-fronted Goose (BirdLife • systematically collect comprehensive Yang 4 Dongting Hu, Shengjin Hu and the International 2003). data on waterbird abundance and Shanghai coastal region, but it is likely distribution over single time periods; ¹ 21 Chivalry Avenue, Glen Waverley, that few of these counts were truly The construction and operation of the • collect data on the conservation VIC 3150, Australia comprehensive. Some of the other lakes Three Gorges Dam, which commenced status of the wetlands surveyed; [email protected] within the floodplain have been counted, filling in mid-2003, will change the • identify key wetlands that are ² School of Life Sciences, University of but mostly only once or twice since seasonal flow of water in the Yangtze currently unprotected and recom- Science and Technology of China, No. 96 1990. Many lakes and wetlands may River and could negatively affect the mend new protected areas; Jin Zai Road, Hefei 230027, Anhui, never have been counted. wetlands downstream. There is a danger • involve provincial, nature reserve and China that by artificially maintaining low water university staff, and local NGOs in ³ WWF China Programme, Room 901, Threats to wetlands and waterbirds levels during the summer flood season the survey so that they can be Changsheng Building, No. 126 Jianghan The wetlands of the lower Yangtze River and raising them in the winter (estimated trained in survey techniques, Road, Wuhan 430014, Hubei, China floodplain have been much reduced and to be one metre higher) the character of waterbird ecology, and waterbird 4 WWF China Programme, Room 1609, degraded by economic activities, the wetlands will be changed, and the identification and counting methods; Wen Hua Gong, Beijing Working People’s principally land-claim for agriculture. The shallow areas that most waterbirds and Culture Palace, Beijing 100006, China total area of lakes is reported to have require for feeding will be greatly reduced • improve public awareness of declined by 62% between the 1950s and in extent (BirdLife International 2003). waterbirds and their complete depen- 1980s. More than 1,100 lakes have been Implementation of the South-North Water dence on wetland habitats. INTRODUCTION totally claimed, notably in Hubei Province Transfer project, which plans to draw 48 Waterbirds of the floodplain where numbers have decreased from billion cubic metres from the Yangtze The survey area The wetlands of the lower Yangtze River 1,066 to 83 lakes over the 1950-1980 River watershed and send it via three The survey area covered the middle and basin are of great importance for a wide period. The surface area of Poyang Hu canals to arid areas of northern China, lower reaches of the Yangtze River variety of waterbirds (Scott 1989). The (the largest lake in China) has been can also be expected to affect water floodplain, extending 1,850 km from the huge concentrations during the non- reduced from 5,000 km 2 to 3,600 km 2 supply to wetlands in the region. Three Gorges Dam to the river estuary at breeding season include many globally and that of Dongting Hu (the second Construction of the Eastern Route Shanghai. threatened species, notably almost the largest lake in China) from 4,350 km 2 to commenced in 2002 and of the Central entire global populations of the Oriental 2,700 km 2. Although the total area of Route in 2003. The extensive nature of the lakes within White Stork Ciconia boyciana and wetlands is still large, their quality has the survey area, and their large number, Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus , and also been greatly affected by Recent information, based on data from can be seen in Figure 1. Poyang Hu, significant proportions of the global development, pollution, overfishing, crab the breeding areas, indicates that habitat Dongting Hu, and the Wuhan Lakes are populations of Swan Goose Anser farming, fish farming using fertilisers, loss and hunting in the staging and non- located within the middle reaches, while cygnoides , Lesser White-fronted Goose planting of poplar plantations and human breeding regions (e.g. the lower Yangtze the lower reaches contain the Lower Anser erythropus , White-naped Crane disturbance, and waterbirds are River floodplain) have caused significant Yangtze River Lakes and a number of Grus vipio and Hooded Crane Grus concentrated in the remaining suitable declines in waterbird numbers in east large lakes in southern Jiangsu – Hongze monachus. Amongst the other threatened areas of shallow wetland during the non- Asia (E. Syrechkovski Jr. in litt .). Over Hu, Gaoyou Hu, Shaobo Hu and Tai Hu. waterbird species present within the breeding season (BirdLife International recent decades, all geese populations region are Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus 2003; G. Lei pers . obs .) have declined by more than 80%; 10 of crispus , Baikal Teal Anas formosa , Baer’s the 13 migratory populations of dabbling Pochard Aythya baeri and Scaly-sided A study of hunting pressure in the lower Merganser Mergus squamatus (BirdLife Yangtze River floodplain in 1987–1992 International 2003). estimated that c.50% of the total wintering waterfowl in this region were Although the importance of the lower killed each year by local hunters, using Yangtze River floodplain is known, no

87 88 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

Figure 1. Montage of satellite images showing the lower Yangtze River floodplain, and crecca (43,037), Dunlin Calidris alpina breeding ranges of waterbirds associated wetland areas, downstream of the Three Gorges Dam. (41,744), Common Black-headed Gull occurring in the Yangtze floodplain. Larus ridibundus (32,114), Spot-billed More information will be needed on the Duck A. poecilorhyncha (29,210), extent of these changes in order that Greater White-fronted Goose A. albifrons reasons for differences in species (26,494), Pied Avocet Recurvirostra abundance and distribution can be avosetta (20,636) and Falcated Duck ascertained. It is planned to explore these Anas falcata (18,364). changes in detail when three years of results are available after the January Very large numbers of several species 2006 survey is completed. were recorded, and in several cases the counts exceeded the current flyway It is recommended that: population estimates. Large numbers of • a waterbird monitoring programme be six globally globally-threatened species established; were present, namely Lesser White- • data on water levels and weather be fronted Goose (the count represented systematically collected; 121% of – i.e. exceeded – the current • a compilation of historical count data population estimate), Swan Goose be made to assist in determining (111%), Hooded Crane (109%), Siberian trends in population sizes and Crane (93%), White-naped Crane (68%) waterbird numbers at key sites; and Oriental White Stork (57%). Another • updated information be obtained on four species were present in high historical wetland habitat loss in the proportions of their estimated flyway lower Yangtze River floodplain and populations, namely Black Stork Ciconia future plans for wetland modification SURVEY RESULTS 158,743, Hunan – 110,566, Hubei – nigra (108%), Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea in the region; Two comprehensive, simultaneous 82,104, Jiangsu – 38,361 and Shanghai leucorodia (105%), Bean Goose (91%), • a study be conducted of waterbird counts have been carried out to date – in Municipality – 20,018. Tundra Swan (76%) and Falcated Duck hunting pressure; late January-early February 2004 (Barter (53%). • public awareness programmes be et al. 2004) and the second half of In 2005 the most common species group instituted to explain the importance February 2005 (WWF China unpubl. was the Anatidae (ducks, geese and A total of 23 sites were identified in the of the lower Yangtze River floodplain data), immediately after the Chinese New swans) comprising 67% of the surveys at which at least one waterbird for waterbirds and measures that can Year when disturbance is at a minimum. waterbirds counted; next were shorebirds species was recorded in internationally be taken to conserve them. Most of the important wetlands within (16%), gulls (4%), and egrets and herons important numbers. Particularly important the Yangtze floodplain were visited. The (5%). The percentage composition of the sites were: Poyang Hu NNR (15 species REFERENCES number of wetlands surveyed increased different species groups was very similar present in internationally important Barter, M., Chen, L., Cao, L. & Lei, G. from 50 in 2004 to 60 in 2005, with 17 in both years. numbers), South Poyang Hu (11), East 2004. Waterbird Survey of the being visited for the first time. In 2005 Dongting Hu (10), Caizi Hu (8), North Middle and Lower Yangtze River improved coverage was also achieved of Fourteen globally-threatened species and Poyang Hu (7), Shengjin Hu (6) and Floodplain in Late January and Early most of the wetlands that were visited in one near-threatened species were Wang Hu (5). February 2004. China Forestry both years. encountered in the two surveys. Twenty- Publishing House, Beijing, China. seven species were found to be present There were significant changes in the BirdLife International 2003. Saving Asia’s In both years the surveys were in internationally important numbers at abundance and distribution of some threatened birds: a guide for conducted by 14 teams comprising one or more sites. species between years but analysis of government and civil society. around 60 people drawn mostly from these changes is complicated due to: BirdLife International, Cambridge, provincial forestry bureau, nature reserve The ten most common species counted • the greatly improved coverage UK. and university staff, and local NGOs. (highest counts from either 2004 or achieved in some Provinces in 2005; Scott, D.A. (ed.) 1989. A Directory of 2005) were Bean Goose Anser fabalis • changes in water levels between Asian Wetlands, IUCN, Gland, The highest count was in 2005, when a (105,519 individual, both middendorfi years; and Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. total of 635,967 waterbirds of 95 and serrirostris present, Tundra Swan • changes in weather conditions species was counted. Provincial totals Cygnus columbianus (65,114), Swan between years throughout the non- were Jiangxi – 226,175, Anhui – Goose (61,178), Common Teal Anas

89 90 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS INSTRUCCIONES PARA AUTORES

TWSG News publishes articles on globally threatened and near threatened Anseriform taxa TWSG News publica artículos sobre taxones de anátidas que son amenazados o casi (listed earlier). We welcome reports on the status of taxa on a global or local scale, short amenazados (listados arriba) a nivel mundial. Serán bien recibidos los artículos sobre el estatus papers with original data, progress reports of conservation projects, news items, requests for de taxones a nivel mundial o local, trabajos cortos con datos originales, informes sobre el éxito information etc. They should be in English, French or Spanish and no longer than 1,500 words, de proyectos de conservación, noticias, peticiones de información etc. Estos deben estar including references. If appropriate please include a map of the geographical area referred to in escritos en Español, Inglés o Francés en no más de 1,500 palabras, referencias incluidas. each article. Wherever possible, please send files by e-mail (UUENCODE or MIME encoded), Cuando sea posible, mandenoslo por e-mail (UUENCODE or MIME encodificado) en MS Word. preferably as MS Word files. Figures should be sent as MS Excel or .JPG files and be of quality Las figuras se deben enviar como MS Excel ou .JPG y estén de la calidad conveniente para la suitable for direct reproduction. Any black and white images/photographs to accompany the reproducción directa. Los co-ordinadores se reservan el derecho de hacer pequeños cambios en text should be sent as .TIF files. The Editor reserves the right to make minor changes to los artículos enviados sin consultarlo con los autores. Serán bien recibidas cartas o notas de articles without consulting the authors. We welcome letters or notes from readers with lectores con comentarios sobre artículos publicados en el boletín, así como copias de comments on articles in the bulletin as well as copies of recent publications on threatened publicaciones recientes sobre aves acuáticas amenazadas que podríamos citar en el boletín. waterfowl for citation within the bulletin. TWSG (c/o Peter Cranswick) Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Slimbridge INSTRUCTIONS POUR AUTEURS Glos. GL2 7BT, UK

[email protected] TWSG News publie des articles sur Anseriform taxa qui sont menacés dans le monde ou presque menacés (listé plus haut). Des rapports sur la situation de taxa à l'échelle mondiale ou locale sont les bienvenues, ainsi que des articles courts avec des données originales, des rapports sur le progrès des projets de conservation, des nouvelles, des demandes pour information, et caetera. Ils devraient être écrit en français, en anglais ou en espagnol et ne devraient pas excéder 1,500 mots y compris des reférences. Veuillez fournir une carte de la région géographique à laquelle vous faites référence dans chaque article si cela en est applicable. Si possible, vous devriez les envoyer par e-mail (UUENCODE ou MIME encodé) comme des fichiers MS Word. Des figues doivent étre envoyées dans le format MS Excel ou JPG et doivent étre d’une qualité qui est appropriée à la reproduction directe. Toutes images/photographies qui accompagnent le texte doivent étre envoyées comme un .TIF. Les coordinateurs réservent le droit de faire des changements mineurs aux articles soumis sans consulter des auteurs. Des lettres ou des notes de la part des lecteurs avec des observations sur des articles dans le communiqué sont les bienvenues, ainsi que des copies des nouvelles publications sur des oiseaux d'eau menacés pour citation dans le communiqué.

91 92 TWSG News No. 15, December 2006 TWSG News No. 15 December 2006

CONTENTS EDITORIAL ...... 1 THREATENED WATERFOWL SPECIES AND SUB-SPECIES ...... 2 IUCN RED LIST CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA...... 5 NEWS ROUNDUP ...... 8 Madagascar Pochard re-discovered...... 8 Campbell Teal return home...... 8 New Zealand zoos win prestigious award...... 8 Saving the Laysan Duck...... 9 White-headed Duck Action Plan published...... 12 White-headed Ducks in Manych wetland, Russia, April 2006...... 14 Population structure and loss of genetic diversity in the endangered White-headed Duck 14 Hybridization between White-headed Ducks and introduced Ruddy Ducks in Spain ...... 15 The Ruddy Duck in Europe: natural colonization or human introduction? ...... 15 Brown Teal released at Port Charles, New Zealand...... 16 Use of wing tags and other methods to mark Marbled Teal in Spain...... 18 Survival of Marbled Teal released back into the wild...... 19 Interspecific associations in habitat use between Marbled Teal and other waterbirds wintering at Sidi Bou Ghaba, Morocco ...... 20 Lead isotopes and lead shot ingestion in the globally threatened Marbled teal and White- headed Duck...... 20 Falcated Duck in Russia ...... 21 Ferruginous Duck Action Plan published...... 22 FEATURES ...... 24 What actually is the status of the Pink-headed Duck?...... 24 Reproductive rate and development of ducklings of Brazilian Merganser at Serra da canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2001-2005 ...... 25 Nesting survey of the White-backed Duck at Lake Antsamaka in western Madagascar ... 34 Madagascar White-backed Duck: what is its true status?...... 38 White-headed Duck and its protection in Uzbekistan...... 41 Blue Ducks demand, and get, greater attention...... 44 A survey of Madagascar Teal and other waterbirds in north-west Madagascar, November- December 2003 ...... 46 Conservation of Andaman Teal ...... 55 Scaly-sided Merganser surveys in Primorye, Russia, 2003-05...... 60 Physical condition and age structure of Red-breasted Geese wintering at Durankulak Lake, Bulgaria, February 2005...... 70 Action plan for Australian Cotton Pygmy Goose...... 73 Notes on the territory size of Salvadori’s Teal in Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Papua New Guinea ...... 75 Baikal Teal wintering status and distribution in South Korea ...... 77 Aves de Laguna Registradas en 2006 en Galápagos ...... 82 WWF–China waterbird surveys in the lower Yangtze floodplain in 2004 and 2005 ...... 87 INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS...... 91

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