Threatened Birds of Asia: The BirdLife International Red Data Book

Editors N. J. COLLAR (Editor-in-chief), A. V. ANDREEV, S. CHAN, M. J. CROSBY, S. SUBRAMANYA and J. A. TOBIAS

Maps by RUDYANTO and M. J. CROSBY

Principal compilers and data contributors ■ BANGLADESH P. Thompson ■ BHUTAN R. Pradhan; C. Inskipp, T. Inskipp ■ CAMBODIA Sun Hean; C. M. Poole ■ ■ MAINLAND CHINA Zheng Guangmei; Ding Changqing, Gao Wei, Gao Yuren, Li Fulai, Liu Naifa, Ma Zhijun, the late Tan Yaokuang, Wang Qishan, Xu Weishu, Yang Lan, Yu Zhiwei, Zhang Zhengwang. ■ HONG KONG Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (BirdLife Affiliate); H. F. Cheung; F. N. Y. Lock, C. K. W. Ma, Y. T. Yu. ■ TAIWAN Wild Bird Federation of Taiwan (BirdLife Partner); L. Liu Severinghaus; Chang Chin-lung, Chiang Ming-liang, Fang Woei-horng, Ho Yi-hsian, Hwang Kwang-yin, Lin Wei-yuan, Lin Wen-horn, Lo Hung-ren, Sha Chian-chung, Yau Cheng-teh. ■ INDIA Bombay Natural History Society (BirdLife Partner Designate) and Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History; L. Vijayan and V. S. Vijayan; S. Balachandran, R. Bhargava, P. C. Bhattacharjee, S. Bhupathy, A. Chaudhury, P. Gole, S. A. Hussain, R. Kaul, U. Lachungpa, R. Naroji, S. Pandey, A. Pittie, V. Prakash, A. Rahmani, P. Saikia, R. Sankaran, P. Singh, R. Sugathan, Zafar-ul Islam ■ INDONESIA BirdLife International Indonesia Country Programme; Ria Saryanthi; D. Agista, S. van Balen, Y. Cahyadin, R. F. A. Grimmett, F. R. Lambert, M. Poulsen, Rudyanto, I. Setiawan, C. Trainor ■ JAPAN Wild Bird Society of Japan (BirdLife Partner); Y. Fujimaki; Y. Kanai, H. Morioka, K. Ono, H. Uchida, M. Ueta, N. Yanagisawa ■ KOREA ■ NORTH KOREA Pak U-il; Chong Jong-ryol, Rim Chu- yon. ■ SOUTH KOREA Lee Woo-shin; Han Sang-hoon, Kim Jin-han, Lee Ki-sup, Park Jin- young ■ LAOS K. Khounboline; W. J. Duckworth ■ MALAYSIA Malaysian Nature Society (BirdLife Partner); K. Kumar; G. Noramly, M. J. Kohler ■ MONGOLIA D. Batdelger; A. Bräunlich, N. Tseveenmyadag ■ MYANMAR Khin Ma Ma Thwin ■ NEPAL Bird Conservation Nepal (BirdLife Affiliate); H. S. Baral; C. Inskipp, T. P. Inskipp ■ PAKISTAN Ornithological Society of Pakistan (BirdLife Affiliate) ■ PHILIPPINES Haribon Foundation for Conservation of Natural Resources (BirdLife Partner); N. A. D. Mallari, B. R. Tabaranza, Jr. ■ Russian Bird Conservation Union (BirdLife Partner Designate); A. V. Andreev; A. G. Degtyarev, V. G. Degtyarev, V. A. Dugintsov, N. N. Gerasimov, Yu. N. Gerasimov, N. I. Germogenov, O. A. Goroshko, A. V. Kondrat’ev, Yu. V. Labutin, N. M. Litvinenko, Yu. N. Nazarov, V. A. Nechaev, V. I. Perfil’ev, R. V. Ryabtsev, Yu. V. Shibaev, S. G. Surmach, E. E. Tkachenko, O. P. Val’chuk, B. A. Voronov. ■ SINGAPORE The Nature Society (Singapore) (BirdLife Partner); Lim Kim Seng ■ SRI LANKA Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (BirdLife Affiliate); S. Kotagama; S. Aryaprema, S. Corea, J. P. G. Jones, U. Fernando, R. Perera, M. Siriwardhane, K. Weerakoon ■ THAILAND Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BirdLife Partner); U. Treesucon; R. Jugmongkol, V. Kongthong, P. Poonswad, P. D. Round, S. Supparatvikorn ■ VIETNAM BirdLife International Vietnam Country Programme; Nguyen Cu; J. C. Eames, A. W. Tordoff, Le Trong Trai, Nguyen Duc Tu.

With contributions from: S. H. M. Butchart, D. S. Butler (maps), P. Davidson, J. C. Lowen, G. C. L. Dutson, N. B. Peet, T. Vetta (maps), J. M. Villasper (maps), M. G. Wilson Recommended citation BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.

© 2001 BirdLife International Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 0NA, United Kingdom Tel: +44 1223 277318 Fax: +44 1223 277200 Email: [email protected] Internet: www.birdlife.net

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ISBN 0 946888 42 6 (Part A) ISBN 0 946888 43 4 (Part B) ISBN 0 946888 44 2 (Set)

British Library-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

First published 2001 by BirdLife International

Designed and produced by the NatureBureau, 36 Kingfisher Court, Hambridge Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5SJ, United Kingdom

Available from the Natural History Book Service Ltd, 2–3 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5XN, UK. Tel: +44 1803 865913 Fax: +44 1803 865280 Email [email protected] Internet: www.nhbs.com/services/birdlife.html

The presentation of material in this book and the geographical designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of BirdLife International concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Threatened birds of Asia

BAER’S POCHARD Aythya baeri

Critical — Endangered — Vulnerable A1c,d; A2c,d; C1

This poorly known lake-dwelling intra-Asian migrant has a small, rapidly declining population which qualifies it as Vulnerable. It is thought that hunting and wetland destruction are the key threats.

DISTRIBUTION Baer’s Pochard (see Remarks 1) breeds in eastern Russia, north-east China, and possibly in Mongolia and North Korea, and it has occurred on passage or in winter (or as a vagrant) in Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The main wintering areas appear to be in eastern and southern China, north- east India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar. ■ RUSSIA It breeds in eastern Russia, in Chita, , Khabarovsk, Jewish Autonomous Region and Primorye, with records from Buryatia and Sakhalin island where it is presumably a passage migrant. It has occurred as a vagrant (at an unspecified locality) on Kamchatka (Dement’ev and Gladkov 1951–1954). It is sporadically distributed within its breeding range, from the Torey lakes in Chita in the west, eastwards to the –Khanka plain, the lower reaches of right-bank tributaries of the Ussuri river and the coastal lowlands in the extreme south of Primorye. The northern limits of its range have not yet been clarified; it certainly nests near Khabarovsk, and presumably also further north up the Amur valley as far as Mariinskoye (Ivanov 1976). Records (by province) are as follows: ■ Buryatia Baikal lake, before 1875 (female in RMNH); Tulundza valley (untraced), seven seen on a lake, May 1974 (Shkatulova 1977); ■ Chita (nesting only at the Torey lakes) Barun-Torey lake (Torey lakes), very rare and sporadic breeder, bred in 1986, four ducklings collected in July 1987, bred in 1989 (Golovushkin 1989), not recorded at the lakes, 1990–1996 (E. E. Tkachenko in litt. 1997); Dauria (Daourie), before 1932 (female in IRSNB); near Shivichi lake, 3 km north-west of Kyra settlement, July 1989 (E. E. Malkov in litt. 1996); ■ Khabarovsk Udyl’ lake, lower Amur river, “rare” breeding bird, undated (Khrabry 1989, Poyarkov and Babenko 1991); Bolon’ lake, Amurskiy , occurring annually on passage, including small flocks (Roslyakov 1981b, 1984), “uncommon” summer resident, undated (Poyarkov and Babenko 1991); ■ Amur Amkan river mouth, upper Zeya plain, breeding pair seen on a small lake, June 1974 (Voronov 1983); middle reaches of the Un’ya river, upper Zeya plain, breeding, female collected from a flock of eight, August 1975 (Voronov 1983); Garmakan river (Bol’shoy Garmakan river), right bank tributary of the lower Gilyui river, Tukuringra range, male seen, June 1973, another sighting, undated (Voronov 1983); Argun river, recorded in the breeding season (unspecified years) (Stegmann 1930); Aleun river, north of the upper Amur drainage, “rare” breeding bird, two collected, August (unspecified year) (Kostin and Pan’kin 1977); near Blagoveshchensk (Blagowestschensk), very rare and unknown to the local hunters, single males collected, May 1928 and spring 1929 (Stegmann 1930); ■ Jewish Autonomous Region small lakes in Obluchenskiy district, lower Pompeyevka river (Pompeevka river), 100 km upstream of Amurzet settlement, nesting in 1992 (B. A. Voronov in litt. 1997); unnamed lake in Smidovichskiy district (Smidovich district), 5 km

502 Aythya baeri from Amur river, 20 km below the mouth of Bira river, nesting in 1988 (B. A. Voronov in litt. 1997); ■ Primorye near Gogolevka village, lower Iman river (Bol’shaya Ussurka), “common” breeding bird, undated (Spangenberg 1965); eastern shore of Khanka lake, “fairly common” breeding bird, 1975 (Glushchenko 1981); Gnilye lakes, lowlands, “fairly common” breeding bird, 1975 (Glushchenko 1981); Lebedinoye lake (Lebedinoe lake), Lake Khanka lowlands, “fairly common” breeding bird, 1975 (Glushchenko 1981); around Lefu river mouth (Ilistaya river, Lefa river), Lake Khanka lowlands, breeding, undated (Shul’pin 1936, Glushchenko and Shibaev 1996); near Vladivostok, 1901 (male in MCZ); Khasanskiy district (St Hasan), Kasan district, June 1977 (male in NHMW); lakes in the Khasan area, 30–40 nesting pairs between the Tumen river and Expedition bay, early 1970s, the species having subsequently become rarer and not recorded annually in the 1980s and 1990s (Litvinenko and Shibaev 1999b; also Khrabry 1989); around Tumen river mouth (Tumangan river), “fairly common” breeding bird and the second most numerous duck species, undated (Shul’pin 1936, Nazarov and Labzyuk 1975); ■ Sakhalin Susuya river mouth, near Korsakov at the southern tip of the island, collected before 1937 (Kiyosu 1965). ■ MONGOLIA It is a rare migrant to eastern Mongolia, with no confirmed breeding records (D. Batdelger in litt. 1998). Records (by province) are as follows: ■ Dornod Mongol Daguur Strictly Protected Area, very rare summer visitor (unspecified years) (Tseveenmyadag 1998); Chalchyn-gol and the valley of Tsogiin Tsagaan Nuur (Daschgain-tawan-nuur, Tashgain Tavan lake), observed on migration (unspecified years) (Dawaa et al. 1994, Fomin and Bold 1991); Khalkhgol (Khalkh) river basin, observed on migration (unspecified years) (Fomin and Bold 1991, Bold 1997); Buir Nur lake, observed on migration (unspecified years) (Fomin and Bold 1991, Bold 1997); Nomrog river basin, observed on migration (unspecified years) (Bold 1997); Guu Azragiin Gol (untraced), observed on migration (unspecified years) (Bold 1997). ■ JAPAN It is a regular but rare winter visitor, mainly to Honshu, but also to Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku (Brazil 1991, N. Yanagisawa in litt. 1998). Records (by island and prefecture) are as follows: Hokkaido Onne-to, Nemuro, September 1983 (Takada in Brazil 1991); Garugawa, April 1949 (Austin and Kuroda 1953, male in MCZ); Tomakomai, Iburi, April 1932, March and April 1936, February, March and October 1937 (nine specimens in YIO; also Austin and Kuroda 1953); Iburi, one collected, April (unspecified year) (Yamashina 1930b); Honshu ■ Aomori Mutsu, November 1911 (Austin and Kuroda 1953, male in MCZ), with no subsequent records (Aomori Prefecture 1978); ■ Miyagi Hirose-gawa river, Sendai-shi, male, winter 1954–1955 and December 1955 to March 1956 (Tachibana 1962); ■ Ibaraki unspecified localities, undated (Brazil 1991); ■ Tochigi Utsunomiya-shi, male, October– November 1978 (Tochigi Prefecture 1984); ■ Gunma lower Tone-gawa river, recorded before c.1940, “now very rare” (Ugi 1973); ■ Saitama Omiya Park (Omiya Daini Park), Shiba-gawa river, Omiya-shi, male, February 1995 (Birder 95/5), January–February 1996 (Birder 96/4); Saitama duck , Koshigaya-shi, one, January 1995, one, January 1996 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Ara-kawa river, two (probably the same birds at Akigase), January 1989 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Urawa-shi, at Shirahata-numa lake, male in December 1992 (Birder 93/3), male in January 1997 (Birder 97/3), one in January 1993, and one in January 1996 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), at Bessho-numa Park, one in January 1997 (Birder 97/3, Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), male in March 1996 (Birder 96/5); Shiki-shi, one, January 1995 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988– 1997); Sai-ko lake, Toda-shi, male, October 1995 to January 1996 (Birder 95/12, 96/1, 96/2, 96/3); Akigase (untraced), two, January 1989 (Research Center, WBSJ 1989); ■ Chiba Tega- numa lake, Higashikatsushika-gun, December 1883 (female in YIO; also Kuroda 1931a, Austin

503 Threatened birds of Asia and Kuroda 1953); ■ Tokyo Ukima Park, Kita-ku, one, January 1992 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), single males, January 1993, January and December 1994, March 1995 and January 1996 (Birder 93/3, 95/2, 95/3, 95/5, 96/3); Shinobazu-no-ike pond, Ueno Zoo, recorded almost annually (Brazil 1987), January–March 1974 (WBSJ 1975), one, January 1995 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), juvenile male, December 1995 (Birder 96/ 3), male, December 1997 (Birder 98/3); Haneda, including on Haneda , November 1908, November 1909, March 1912, March 1914 and November 1932 (Austin and Kuroda 1953, WBSJ 1975); ■ Kanagawa Kawasaki-shi, “irregularly recorded”, 1986–1991 (WBSJ Kanagawa Chapter 1992); Yokohama, four collected, late nineteenth century (including one in 1894) (Kuroda 1931a, specimen in BMNH), “irregularly recorded”, 1986–1991 (WBSJ Kanagawa Chapter 1992); ■ Niigata Sado island, undated (OSJ 2000); ■ Toyama Kawaguchi, Shimminato-shi, February 1996 (WBSJ Toyama Chapter database); Jintsu-gawa river, Toyama-shi, November 1985 (WBSJ Toyama Chapter database); ■ Nagano Toyoshina-machi, Minamiazumi-gun, single birds, January 1995, 1996 and 1997 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), male on the Sai-gawa river, November 1995 (P. D. Round in litt. 2000); ■ Gifu Nagara-gawa river, Kaizu-cho, Kaitsu-gun, male, January–February 1996 (Y. Sakai in litt. 1998), one, January 1997 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); unspecified locality, one, January 1992 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); ■ Shizuoka Youngland pond, Shimizu-shi, one, January 1997 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Suruga bay (old name for part of Shizuoka), undated (Austin and Kuroda 1953, specimen in AMNH); Hamana-ko lake, November 1993 (WBSJ Totomi Chapter database); Sanaru-ko lake, Hamamatsu-shi, February 1986, January 1994, January 1995 and January 1996 (WBSJ Totomi Chapter database, Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Shinohara-cho, Hamamatsu-shi, one, January 1994 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Tenryu-gawa river mouth, December 1990 (WBSJ Totomi Chapter database); ■ Aichi Shonai-gawa river mouth, Nagoya-shi, female, March 1996 (Birder 96/6); unspecified localities, three, January 1987 (Brazil 1991); ■ Mie unspecified localities, undated (Brazil 1991); ■ Shiga Kohoku-cho, Higashiazai-gun, one, July–August 1990 (WBSJ 1991); ■ Kyoto Sakyo-ku, male, November 1992 (Government of Kyoto 1993); Kita-ku, five males and a female, March 1987, male, March 1990 (Government of Kyoto 1993); ■ Osaka Ryokuchi Park, Tsurumi-ku, juvenile, February 1994 (Birder 94/4); Sakai-shi, one, January 1988 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), four at Oizumi-ike pond, January 1990 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988– 1997); Fujiidera-shi, one, January 1991 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Hitsu- ike pond, Sayama-shi, three, January 1989 (Research Center, WBSJ 1989), four, January 1989 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); ■ Hyogo Himeji-shi, male, November 1994 (WBSJ 1996); Itami-shi, one, November 1993 (WBSJ 1994); ■ Wakayama Donyu-gawa river, Wakayama-shi, October 1996 (WBSJ Wakayama Chapter database); Mizukami-ike pond, Nara-shi, single males in February 1994 and January 1996 (Birder 94/4, 96/3); ■ Shimane Nakano-umi lake, Yasugi-shi, January 1972 (Uchida 1982); Ohashi-gawa river mouth, Matsue- shi, November 1997 (Motoyoshi and Yamazaki in litt. 1998); Shinji-ko lake, Matsue-shi, November 1987 (WBSJ 1987a); Masuda-gawa river mouth, male, January 1996 (WBSJ 1997a), single birds in January 1994 and 1997 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); ■ Okayama Soja-shi, one, January 1995 (WBSJ 1996); ■ Hiroshima Kamo-cho, Fukuyama- shi, male at Kamigamo, December 1997 and February 1998 (WBSJ Hiroshima Chapter database), male at Hishibara Pond, February 1998 (WBSJ Hiroshima Branch 1998); Minoshima landfill, Fukuyama-shi, female, January 1984 (WBSJ Hiroshima Chapter database); Hiroshimajo Park, Hiroshima-shi, female, November 1994 (Birder 95/1); Yawata- gawa river mouth, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima-shi, female, November 1983 (WBSJ Hiroshima Chapter database); Shikoku ■ Kagawa Kumi-ike pond, Takamatsu-shi, one, January 1991 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997); Oda-ike pond, Konan-cho, Kagawa-gun, male and female,

504 Aythya baeri

December 1993–January 1994 (Birder 94/4); Tamura-ike pond, Tamura-cho, Marugame-shi, one, January 1990 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), male and female, January 1998 (Birder 98/3); ■ Ehime Nakamura, Iyo-shi, one, January 1998 (Y. Watanabe in litt. 1998); Kyushu ■ Fukuoka Sone tidal flat, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, one, March 1989 (K. Samoto in litt. 1998); Tsuiki-machi, Chikujo-gun, two, December 1989 (K. Sato in litt. 1998); Shiida coast, Shiida-machi, Chikujo-gun, male, January 1990 (WBSJ 1990), one, January 1998 (H. Furushiro in litt. 1998); O-hori-koen, three, February 1988 (Brazil 1991); Fukuoka-shi, at Obori Park, Chuo-ku, male in December 1993 (Birder 93/12), “many birds” in December 1994 (Birder 95/3) and male in January 1995 (Birder 95/3), male at Jonai, Chuo- ku, February 1994 (Birder 94/4), October 1994 (WBSJ 1996); Misaki-machi (untraced), seven, January 1989 (Research Center, WBSJ 1989); ■ Oita Nakatsu-shi, two males, February 1987 (WBSJ 1987), one at Oo-ike pond, January 1991 (Environment Agency of Japan 1988–1997), male at Osada Park, November 1995 (WBSJ 1997a, Birder 96/1); ■ Miyazaki Tonda, Shintomi- cho, Koyu-gun, female, January 1994 (Birder 94/4); Hitotsuse-gawa river, Futatsutate, Sadowara-cho, Miyazaki-gun, male, December 1993–January 1994 (Birder 94/3); Kotano- ooike pond, Sadowara-cho, Miyazaki-gun, male, March 1995 (Birder 95/5); ■ Kagoshima Ikeda-ko lake, Ibusuki-shi, male, December 1992 (Birder 93/4); Yonaguni-jima island, female on Kubura-mito, March 1994, one photographed, February 1996 (McWhirter et al. 1996). ■ KOREA ■ NORTH KOREA It is a rare visitor to North Korea, but it possibly nests in the north-east near the border with Russia (Tomek 1999), with records (by province) as follows: ■ North Hamgyong Tumen river (Tumenula), June 1927 (Tomek 1999); Pakankori (untraced), June 1927 (Tomek 1999); ■ South Pyongan Anju, one collected, October 1931 (Won 1963); Nampho (Nampo), pair seen, April 1990 (Fiebig 1993); ■ Kangwon near Wonsan, Songdowon coast, female seen, October 1988 (Fiebig 1993); ■ Hwanghae unspecified locality, one collected, December 1916 (Austin 1948, Won 1963). ■ SOUTH KOREA This species is a scarce winter visitor to South Korea, where it is usually found with groups of Common Pochard Aythya ferina and Tufted Duck A. fuligula (Lee Woo-shin in litt. 1998), with records (by province) as follows: ■ Kyonggi and Seoul Han river, near Seoul, one collected, 18 October 1912 (N. Kuroda 1918, Austin 1948, Won 1963), one seen at Jungryang-chon, February 1998 (Lee Woo-shin in litt. 1998); ■ South Chungchong Daeho reservoir, two seen in January 1995, the only record in six surveys of the area in December 1994–March 1995 (Park et al. 1996); ■ South Kyongsang Upo reservoir, 1–2 wintering every year (Lee Woo-shin in litt. 1998); Chunam reservoir (Junam), 1–2 wintering every year (Lee Woo-shin in litt. 1998); Nakdong river, collected in 1968 (Lee Woo-shin in litt. 1998). ■ CHINA ■ MAINLAND CHINA Baer’s Pochard breeds in , and , and probably in Liaoning, and occurs widely in northern (including as far west as Xinjiang and Tibet) and eastern China on passage and in winter. Some large non-breeding concentrations have been reported in the coastal provinces of Tianjin, Shandong and Jiangsu, in the wetlands in the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins in Henan, Hubei, Jiangxi and Hunan, and as far west as Sichuan. Records (by province) are as follows: ■ Heilongjiang Sanjiang Nature Reserve, Fuyuan county, “very common” summer visitor, undated (Liu Bowen et al. 1999); , May 1981 (specimen in NEFUCN); Zhalong National Nature Reserve, city, collected at Qiqihar (Tsitsihar), June and October 1939 (two specimens in FMNH), “common” (breeding) summer visitor and passage migrant, undated (Gao Zhongxin 1990; also Scott 1989), several seen on recent visits (P. Alström, U. Olsson and D. Zetterström in litt. 2000); Lianhuan Hu Game Park, Dorbod Mongol autonomous county, “common”, undated (Gao Jihong et al. 1995), collected in Dorbod

505 Threatened birds of Asia

Mongol autonomous county, June 1982 (specimen in NEFUCN); , breeding, undated (Wildlife Institute of Heilongjiang Province 1992); Bayan (Payangan), 90 km north- east of , July 1937 (11 specimens in FMNH); near Harbin, including on the Sungari river, collected, September 1923 (Mizuno 1934), four collected, April and October 1927– 1929 (Meise 1934), April 1936, April, June and October 1937, April 1938, April, May and June 1939, March 1940 (16 specimens in FMNH and YPM), September 1977 (specimen in NEFUCN); county, breeding, undated (Wildlife Institute of Heilongjiang Province 1992); Wuchang county, breeding, undated (Wildlife Institute of Heilongjiang Province 1992); Sanjiang plain, “common” in and districts (Ma Yiqing et al. 1991); ■ Jilin (where a common game species, recorded from , Jilin, Yanbian and prefectures: Jilin Wildlife Conservation Society 1987) Melmeg Nature Reserve (Momoge), 2–3 pairs reported to breed in the reserve at Yueliangpao, and 40–50 recorded on spring migration, unspecified years (Wu Zhigang and Han Xiaodong 1992), four pairs, May 1999 (A. Dean in litt. 1999); Xianghai National Nature Reserve, “common” summer (breeding) visitor, 1988–1989 (Gao Jihong et al. 1992a; also Scott 1989), regularly seen on recent visits, e.g. 12 birds, May 1994, 31 birds, May 1995 (P. Alström, U. Olsson and D. Zetterström in litt. 2000); county, undated (Zhao Zhengjie 1985); Changbai Shan mountains, at , Erdao, and Tonghua city, “common” summer visitor, unspecified years (Fu Tongsheng et al. 1984), rare summer visitor to the Changbai Shan mountains (Zhao Zhengjie in litt. 1985); Jingxin, Hunchun county, near Tumen river estuary, one, April 1988–1990 (Yang Xingjia and Wu Zhigang 1994); Fusong county, undated (Zhao Zhengjie 1985); ■ Liaoning Chaoyang, summer visitor (unspecified years) (Liaoning Ornithological Survey Team 1986, Huang Mupeng et al. 1989); Liaozhong county, summer visitor (unspecified years) (Liaoning Ornithological Survey Team 1986), at Liu’erbao, March (unspecified years) (Huang Mupeng et al. 1989); Tai’an county, summer visitor (unspecified years) (Liaoning Ornithological Survey Team 1986); Zhaoquan He, Dawa county, June (unspecified years) (Huang Mupeng et al. 1989); near Niuzhuang (Niutschwang, Eikô), male collected at Yingtzu, April 1901 (Ingram 1909), female collected, undated (Kuroda 1932 in Meise 1934); Shuangtai Hekou National Nature Reserve, probably breeding, unspecified years (Huang Mupeng et al. 1989; also Scott 1989); Yingkou, collected in April 1901 and March 1928 (Mizuno 1934), summer visitor (unspecified years) (Liaoning Ornithological Survey Team 1986), March– April (unspecified years) (Huang Mupeng et al. 1989); Liao He estuary (Daliao He, Liao-ho, Ryoga river), collected in March 1931 (Mizuno 1934; Huang Mupeng et al. 1989), male collected, April (unspecified year) (Kuroda 1932 in Meise 1934); Dandong, summer visitor (unspecified years) (Liaoning Ornithological Survey Team 1986); Yalu Jiang river, collected, March 1932 (Mizuno 1934; also Huang Mupeng et al. 1989), with one record on the lower reaches of the Yalu river, November 1986–January 1987 (Yang Xingjia et al. 1989); Donggou county, summer visitor (unspecified years) (Liaoning Ornithological Survey Team 1986), recorded in June (unspecified year) and probably breeding (Huang Mupeng et al. 1989); ■ Inner Mongolia Hailar (Chailar), 165 km north-west of “Buchedu”, occuring on migration (unspecified years) (Piechocki 1956); near Yakeshi (Yakchih), pair seen in the 1930s, and reported by a hunter to have bred there for many years (Loukashkin in Piechocki 1956); Hulun Buir league, August 1963 (five specimens in ASCN); Barga steppe, c.10 km south-east of Dalai Hu lake, common breeding species, on both small and large lakes, undated (Piechocki 1956); Dalai Hu National Nature Reserve (Hulun Nur Nature Reserve), passage migrant, several hundred occurring annually on spring and autumn (Wuliji and Liu Songtao in litt. 1998); Tumeeji Sum, Jalaid Qi, passage migrant, c.50 at Damingzhao Paozi lake, April 1992 (Liu Bowen in litt. 1998); Horqin Nature Reserve (Ke’erqin), breeding, c.10 birds, March–October 1988 (Arongqiqige in litt. 1998); (Wuliangsu Hai), May 1960 (two specimens in ASCN), rare passage migrant, October 1986 and 1987 (Yang Guisheng et al. 1998);

506 Aythya baeri

■ Xinjiang Qinggil county, Altay mountains, 1980 (Yuan Guoying 1991); Ili He river valley, passage migrant, collected, October (1981 or 1995) (Hou Lanxin et al. 1999); Korla, November 1960 (specimen in ASCN); Kashi city, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); ■ Tibet Banggong Co lake, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); Yi’ong, undated (Cheng Tso- hsin 1987); Yamzho Yumco lake, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); ■ Qinghai Qaidam basin, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); unspecified localities, eastern Qinghai, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); ■ Gansu Yongdeng county, passage migrant, unspecified years (Wang Xiangting 1991); Lanzhou, in the suburbs of the city, unspecified years (Wang Xiangting 1991), 37 birds, January 1991, 26 birds, January 1993 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); ■ Qianjin Hu lake, Pingluo county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Sishilidian, Helan county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Jingui, Helan county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Tonggui, Helan county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Zhangzhengqiao (Zhangzheng), city, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Tongqiao, Yongning county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Wanghongpu (Wanghong), Yongning county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Yesheng, Qingtongxia city, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Xinhuaqiao, Lingwu county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Daba reservoir, Qingtongxia city, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Qingtongxia reservoir tree farm, Qingtongxia city, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Shenjiahe reservoir, Guyuan county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Dianziwa reservoir, Pangyang county, undated (Wang Xiangting 1990); Liupan Shan National Nature Reserve, Jingyuan county, passage migrant, unspecified years (Wang Xiangting 1988); ■ Sichuan Serxu county, north-west Sichuan, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); Gulou Cun, Taiping Xiang, Xichong county, January 1975 (specimen in SUCN; also Li Guiyuan 1995); Jintang county, undated (Li Guiyuan 1995); Changshou reservoir, 81 birds, January 1992 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Sanxikou reservoir, 250 birds, November 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Pingshan county, one collected, November 1989 (Huang Qiang et al. 1993); ■ Yunnan Dashanbao, 15 birds, December 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Cheng Hai (Changhai, Changhaizi) lake, three, December 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); unspecified localities, north-western Yunnan, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); ■ Guizhou Cao Hai, two, November 1993 (I. Lewis in litt. 1999), one, June 1994 (S. Howe in litt. 1999); Weining county, c.2,230 m, winter (unspecified years) (Zhu Jingyi et al. 1998); ■ Shanxi unspecified localities, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987); ■ Hebei Qinhuangdao (Chinwangtao), collected in September–October 1911–1913, “extremely abundant” during the latter half of September and beginning of October, remaining until the end of October, 1910–1917 (La Touche 1920–1921, four specimens in MCZ); Beidaihe, March 1940 (Wilder 1940b), four birds possibly of this species, April 1943 (Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968), c.20 birds, March–June 1985 (Williams 1986), 12 birds in October 1986, six in September 1988 and seven in October 1990 (Williams et al. 1992; also Tao Yu et al. 1991), total of 84 birds, March–April 1994 (J. Thalund in litt. 1999), 16 birds on Hengho reservoir, September 1994 (Dierschke and Heintzenberg 1994); Bazhou, December 1963 (two specimens in ASCN); Xin’an, October 1935 (specimen in ASCN); Baiyang , March and October 1959 (two specimens in ASCN); Qingdianwa, Ji Xian county, nest collected, July 1959 (Cheng Tso-hsin 1979); ■ Tianjin Dongqilihai (Doqilihai), 80 birds, January 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Tuanpo (Tuanbowa), 80 birds, January 1990 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Beidagang, 200 birds, January 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994), November–December 1998 (Zhang Shuping et al. 1999); Yuqiao reservoir (not mapped), November–December 1998 (Zhang Shuping et al. 1999); ■ Beijing Summer Palace, Beijing, seen here and at “Chung-hai”, April 1942, pair seen, June and August 1942 (Hemmingsen and Guildal 1968), 44 birds on , March

507 Threatened birds of Asia

1987 (Goodwin 1987), February–May and October 1989 (J. Palfrey in litt. 1999), male, May 1991 (Jihmanner 1991), two, September 1994 (Dierschke and Heintzenberg 1994); Beijing, March 1901 (specimen in BNHS), 20 birds on lakes in Beijing, May 1917, and 10 in the market, February 1917 (Wilder and Hubbard 1924); ■ Shandong Changshan islands, Changdao county, December (unspecified year) (Fan Qiangdong and Xu Jianmin 1996); Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve, passage migrant, unspecified years (Zhao Yanmao and Song Chaoshu 1995); Weihai city, at Bahe Gang, , Wulin, Shenlong, Longjiaoshan, Taiyi, Jinghai, Wuleidao and Mashan wetlands, rare passage migrant, 1995–1997 (Yan Liqin et al. 1998); Qingdao, undated (Cheng Tso-hsin 1987), 50 birds, January 1990, 2,000 birds, January 1991, 20 birds, February 1993 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Weishan Hu (Nansi Hu) lake, “rare”, 1988–1991 (Feng Zhilu et al. 1996); ■ Henan other sections of the Yellow River, including Huayuankou, Liuyuankou, Heigangkou and Sanmenxia, total of 557 birds, early 1990s (Wang Wenlin et al. 1998), 167 birds at Heigangkou, winter 1994–1995 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999); Sanmenxia Nature Reserve, 210 birds, winter 1994–1995 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999), “abundant” winter visitor, January and March 1995 (Wang Wenlin et al. 1999); ■ Hubei Dong Hu lake, Wuhan, March 1948 (two specimens in WUCN); Chen Hu lake, 100 birds, winter 1987–1988 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999), 100 birds, January 1988 (Scott 1989); Hannan lakes, 140 birds, January 1990 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Hong Hu lake, a winter visitor, large numbers of birds of this species reported as being shot at Sidong Hekou and Donggangzi (which are only part of Hong Hu so the total shot there could be higher) from 1981–1987, including 1,539 in 1981, 254 in 1982, none in 1983, 2,785 in 1984, 1,690 in 1985, 4,803 in 1986 and 336 in 1987 (Li Chengling and Jiang Yongsheng 1990); ■ Anhui Shengjin Hu lake, 27 birds, January 1990 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); ■ Jiangsu Guandong salt works, Yancheng Nature Reserve, two, December 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Jiangsu coast, including Yancheng Nature Reserve, 1,620 birds, January 1991 (when large numbers were also counted at Qingdao in Shandong) (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Sheyang salt works, Yancheng Nature Reserve, two, January 1991, 20 birds, winter 1991–1992 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994), 120 birds, winter October 1989 to March 1990 (Wang Hui and Du Jinjin 1993); Yancheng Nature Reserve, 750 birds, January 1988 (Scott 1989), 483 birds, December 1997 to January 1998 (Su Hualong et al. 1998); Hongze Hu, 30 km south-west of Qingjiang, 150 birds, January 1988 (Scott 1989); Gaoyou Hu and Gaobao Hu lakes, 450 birds, January 1990, 50 birds at Gaoyou Hu, January 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Dongtai Liulishe, in or near to Yancheng Nature Reserve, 64 birds, November 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Shaobo Hu lake, 30 birds, January 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); near Zhenjiang (Chinkiang, Kinkiang), Yangtze River, male in the market, c.1869 (Swinhoe 1871), February 1910 (La Touche 1906–1907, male in MCZ); ■ Shanghai Shanghai, March 1873, March 1876, January 1897 (eight specimens in BMNH, MCML and RMNH), pair collected in Wusong (Wu-sung) district, undated, and fairly common there in winter (Sowerby 1943), winter visitor (unspecified years) (Huang Zhengyi et al. 1991), two (wild birds) at Xijiao Zoo, January 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); ■ Zhejiang found throughout (Zhuge Yang 1990), including at Jiaxing, collected, undated (Zhuge Yang 1990); Ningbo (Ningpo), April 1907 (male in AMNH); Lanxi (Lanchi), December 1927 (specimen in FMNH); Wenzhou city, collected, undated (Zhuge Yang 1990); ■ Fujian (note that Jinmen Dao island is under the administration of Taipei) Fuzhou (Foochow), December 1913 and November 1916 (La Touche 1917, two females in MCZ); Jinmen Dao (Chin-men Tao, Kinmen or Quemoy) island, single birds in 1992 and 1998 (CWBF database); ■ Jiangxi Jiujiang (Kewkeang), March 1869 (male in BMNH); Poyang Hu Nature Reserve, 200 birds, January 1988 (Scott 1989), 100 birds, January 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); Nanchang zoo, 10 seen (assumed to be wild birds), undated (D. Allen in litt. 2000);

508 Aythya baeri

■ Hunan Chaishang Hu, Daxi Hu and Xiaoxi Hu, total of 213 birds, winter 1995–1996 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999); Dong Dongting Hu Nature Reserve, 30 birds, January 1988 (Scott 1989), 132 birds, January 1990 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994), 85 birds, 1992–1993, 192 birds, 1993–1994, 140 birds, 1994–1995, 170 birds, 1995–1996 (Lei Gang and Qian Weirong 1998); Wanzi Hu lake, 16 birds, January 1991, two, December 1991 (Waterbird Specialist Group 1994); ■ Guangdong Chenghai, December 1959 (specimen in SCICN); Xi Jiang (Pearl river) delta, at least 50 birds, early 1986 (Scott 1989). ■ HONG KONG It is recorded from three sites in Inner Deep Bay marshes, and at Lok Ma Chau, with records as follows: Lok Ma Chau, recorded in winter since 1978, usually single birds or small numbers, maximum of four, December 1978 (HKBWS database); Mai Po marshes, recorded almost annually in winter since 1975, usually single birds or small numbers, maxima of 11 birds, January 1986 and 30 birds, January 1987 (HKBWS database); Nam Sang Wei, female, March 1997 (HKBWS database); Tsim Bei Tsui, 23 birds, January 1988 (HKBWS database). ■ TAIWAN It is a scarce winter visitor, with records as follows (for records on Jinmen Dao island see under Fujian province above): Kuantu, Taipei city, undated (Fang Woei- horng in litt. 1998); Shetzu, Taipei, one, January 1997 (Fang Woei-horng 1998a), three, 1996 (CWBF database); Huachiangta bridge (Hua-chiang-chiao Wildfowl Sanctuary), Taipei, three, December 1988 (Fang Woei-horng 1988); Hsiapu, Ilan county, single birds in 1995 and 1996 (CWBF database); Chu-an, Ilan county, eight, December 1994 to January 1995 (CWBF database); Wentitsun (Wenti), Ilan county, two, 1992, four, 1994 (CWBF database); Chunan, Miaoli county, two, 1998 (CWBF database); Tatu estuary, Changhwa county, two, January 1994 (Fang Woei-horng 1995a); Szutsao, Tainan city, 1–2 birds, winter 1992–1996 (CWBF database); Meinung, Kaohsiung county, one, 1998 (CWBF database); Lungluan Tan, Pingtung county, 1–2 birds, winter 1992–1996 (CWBF database), one, January 1997 (Fang Woei- horng 1998a). ■ PAKISTAN There is a single record: ■ Punjab near Gujrat, male collected, January 1957 (Jang 1989, Roberts 1991–1992). ■ INDIA It occurs regularly (but locally) in the north-east, but is uncommon and erratic elsewhere (Grimmett et al. 1998; see Remarks 1), with records (by state) as follows: ■ Punjab Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, 18 birds, 1980–1981 (Ali and Daniel 1998; see Remarks 1); ■ Rajasthan Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, pair, March 1984 (Kannan 1985, V. J. Rajan in litt. 1988); ■ Uttar Pradesh Kukra Tal, Dudwa National Park, four, 1982 (Scott 1989); ■ Bihar where it “accidentally has occurred… and is possibly overlooked” (C. Savage and H. Abdulali in Isakov 1970), including at Darbhanga district, at Baherie, Baghownie, male, February 1929 (Inglis 1930), and elsewhere in March 1938, January 1943 (two specimens in YPM); also Manjhaul (not mapped), where a male on sale in the bird market had presumably been obtained nearby, January 1964 (George 1964); ■ Orissa Chilka lake, one, January 1987 (Turin et al. 1987); ■ West Bengal within 40 km of Calcutta (see Remarks 2), 1842 or 1843 (Finn 1896), February 1896 (Finn 1896), between November 1896 and January 1897 (Finn 1898a,c), January–February 1900 (two specimens in BNHS); Salt lakes, undated (Anon. 1969); Santragachi jheel, four, 1997 (Mookherjee et al. 1999); ■ Assam Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, two at Rongmola , December 1993 (Choudhury 1995b); Bhimpoora bhil, female, January 1905, female, December 1905 (Stevens 1914–1915), these presumably the undated records mentioned by Baker (1908); Sibsagar tank, seven, February 1988 (Choudhury 1988, 1991b), with other recent records from Sibsagar

509 Threatened birds of Asia district at Joysagar tank (up to seven in 1988), and Phokolai and Dorou (Choudhury 2000c); Kaziranga National Park, at Sohala, two, December 1993 (Kovacs 1994 in Barua and Sharma 1999, J.-C. Kovacs in litt. 1998), listed by Bhattacharjee et al. (1996); Deepor beel (Deepar beel), 1988–1992 (Barman et al. 1995; see Remarks 3), late 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); Diyung river, North Cachar hills, flock of c.10–12 in 1898–1999 (Baker 1908); Cachar, one or two birds shot and reportedly regular, undated (Baker 1908); Bordoibam-Bilmukh Sanctuary (not mapped), 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); Dhubri district (not mapped), at Sareswar, Diplai (maximum count 118 in January 1989) and Dhir beels (maximum count 55 in January 1990), 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); Jorhat district (not mapped), at Majuli and Janjimukh (including Misamari, Digholi and Kawoimari beels), 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (not mapped), sporadically in the 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (not mapped), 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); Panidihing Sanctuary (not mapped), 1990s (Choudhury 2000c); ■ Manipur Imphal, almost annually between 1910 and 1932 (Higgins 1916, 1933–1934), at Ekop jhil, c.20 km south of Imphal, male, March 1913 (Higgins 1913a); unspecified localities, March 1913 (specimen in BNHS), undated (specimen in BNHS; Abdulali 1968–1996). An unconfirmed record is from Naregal (Naregalkere), Dharwad district, Karnataka, where 20 birds were reported in January 1996 (Uttangi 1996; see Remarks 1). ■ NEPAL The species has occurred in central Nepal, but is only regular at Kosi Barrage in the east of the country, with records as follows: Phewa Tal, Pokhara valley, 915 m, two, October 1984 (Christensen et al. 1984; also Oriental Bird Club Bull. 1 [1985]: 24–28); Kushaha, Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, three, March 1991, January 1992 (H. S. Baral in litt. 1997), 2–3 birds in January to March in most years between 1991 and 1994 (Khadka 1994), one, February 1997 (S. Shakya in litt. 1997); Kosi barrage, 20 birds, February 1979 (Lambert 1979, Redman et al. 1984), one pair with c.60 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, January 1983 (Suter 1983), one, March 1983 (Ross 1983), one, February 1986 (S. C. Madge 1986), one, February 1987 (Eve and Hibberd 1987), up to five, February 1987 (Nicolle 1987, A. Bräunlich in litt. 2000), up to 43, March 1988 (J.-C. Kovacs in litt. 1998), up to 10, March 1988 (Kall and Wallander 1988), 10, January 1994 (J. Hough verbally 1996), up to 12, February 1994 (Cocker 1994, Cottridge 1994, Thompson 1994, Drijvers 1995), six, November 1994 (H. Choudhary verbally 1997), one, March 1996 (Davidson and Heywood 1996), three, March 1999 (D. Steele in litt. 1999). ■ BHUTAN It is known by the following two records: Tashitang, on the Mo Chu, one male with other migrant waterfowl, March 1994 (Bishop 1998); Wangdi (Wangdue, Wangdiphodrang), on the Sang Chu, female, April 1998 (Holt 1998). ■ BANGLADESH Rashid (1967) listed the species as a winter visitor throughout the country except the Chittagong Hill Tracts, coastal regions, the north-east highlands and the south- east, without further details. Records are as follows: Tangua haor, many wintering, 1990s (Thompson and Johnson 1996), with maximum counts of 660 birds on Pana Beel, January– February 1992, 112 birds, January–February 1993; Pashua haor, 600 in January–February 1993 (Thompson et al. 1993); Hakaluki haor, 10 at two sites, January–February 1992, 700 at Chatla and Pingla Beels and 300 at haorkhal, January–February 1993 (Thompson et al. 1993); Sylhet, one or two birds, undated (Baker 1908); Aila haor, many wintering, 1990s (Thompson and Johnson 1996); Hail haor, rare visitor, 1980s (Scott 1989); Dhaka (at Dhaka zoo), male, winter 1993–1995 (Thompson and Johnson 1996). ■ MYANMAR It is a winter visitor, and some important concentrations have been found during recent Midwinter Waterfowl Censuses (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999), with records as follows: Homalin, Chindwin, two, January 1931 (Milner 1931), and one collected at an unspecified locality in Chindwin in January 1906 (Hopwood 1908); near Bhamo, one collected, undated (Baker 1908), one on the Irrawaddy 10 miles below Bhamo, January 1931 (Turner

510 Aythya baeri

1931); Ngwedaung, Mandalay district, one shot on the “Maungmagan in”, December 1936 (Smith 1942, female in BMNH); Wetlet, Shwebo, one, December in the period 1920–1927 (Milner 1931); Maymyo lake, February 1986 (Balanca et al. 1986); Sameikkon, February 1995 (S. Howe in litt. 1999); Yit lake, 90 birds, January 1990 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999); Myingyan district, undated (Macdonald 1906), February 1995 (S. Howe in litt. 1999); Minhla- Nyaung lake, 134 birds, January 1993 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999); Inle lake, four, January 1979, five, January 1982 (King 1983); Mong Pai, Shan State, 150 birds, January 1995 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999); Arakan, about six separate individuals (only two shot and conclusively identified, the others assumed to be the same), 1908–1910 (Hopwood 1912b), 1943–1945 (Christison et al. 1946); Kyee Ni lake (not mapped; at 20º25’N 96º08’E), Yemethin township, Mandalay division, c.60 birds, January 2001, local boatmen reported that c.1,000 occur annually (SC); Taung Kan lake (not mapped; at 22º11’N 96º13’E), Madaya township, Mandalay division, at least one, February 2001 (SC); Yewai lake (untraced), 512 birds, January 1991 (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999); Letpantabin (untraced), February 1995 (S. Howe in litt. 1999). ■ THAILAND It is found on water bodies throughout continental Thailand, mainly centred on the northern Central Plains, i.e. Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok; it appears to move in response to local flooding conditions and human disturbance, and its distribution is thus variable between winters (P. D. Round in litt. 1999). Records are as follows: Chiang Saen district, annual winter visitor at Nong Bong Khai in small numbers, maximum of 83 birds, February 1987 (P. Undeland per P. D. Round in litt. 1999), 14 birds, January 1996 (Bird Conserv. Soc. Thailand Bull. 13, 2 [1996]: 14, P. D. Round in litt. 1999), 3–5, December 1997–January 1998 (Bird Conserv. Soc. Thailand Bull. 15, 3 [1998]: 15 and 15, 4 [1998]: 15), 13 birds 1 km south of Chiang Saen, February 1993 (P. Shepherd in litt. 1999), and at Nong Kraeb, one, March 1993 (Bangkok Bird Club Bull. 10, 6 [1993]: 11); Chiang Mai, male, December 1930, single individuals in March and November 1936 (Deignan 1936a, 1945), at Ban Pa Muat, 1936–1937 (Deignan 1945); Beung Khong Long, 59 birds, December 1988–February 1989 (Oriental Bird Club Bull. 9 [1989]: 38–44, Wolstencroft et al. 1993); Nong Han Kumphawapi, Udorn Thani, 16 birds, January 1990 (P. D. Round in litt. 1999); Nong Nam Khao Non-Hunting Area (Ban Hung Dua, Ban Lung Tua), six, January 1983 (P. D. Round in litt. 1999), 170 birds, January 1988 (Oriental Bird Club Bull. 7 [1988]: 34–40), and at other sites on the Mae Yom floodplain, between Sukkhothai and Phitsanulok (Scott 1989); Ban Nong Hua Khu, Udon Thani, at least 30 birds, January 1989 (Oriental Bird Club Bull. 9 [1989]: 38–44, Wolstencroft et al. 1993); Chaiyaphum, 18 birds at Nong Lahan, January 1984 (P. Kennerley, G. Speight and J. M. Turton per P. D. Round in litt. 1999), 10 birds, December 1988, three at Nong Ban Din Dam, February 1989 (Wolstencroft et al. 1993); Bung Boraphet, 112 birds, February 1983 (P. D. Round in litt. 1999), 426 birds, January 1988 (Oriental Bird Club Bull. 7 [1988]: 34–40, D. Ogle in litt. 1988), 220 birds, March 1989 (D. Ogle in litt. 1989), 12 birds, January 1993 (M. Rodgers in litt. 1999), 15 birds, February 1996 (Bird Conserv. Soc. Thailand Bull. 13, 3 [1996]: 12–13); Nong Sano, Sanaambin Non-Hunting Area, Buriram, four, December 1991–January 1992 (M. P. Goodey per P. D. Round in litt. 1999, P. Phaewpolsong per P. D. Round in litt. 1999); Krabinburi, Prachinburi, two, January 1994 (Bird Conserv. Soc. Thailand Bull. 11, 4 [1994]: 10, K. Ratanajun per P. D. Round in litt. 1999); Rangsit (Rangsit marsh), Pathumthani, two, January 1991 (Bangkok Bird Club Bull. 8, 4 [1991]: 11–12, P. D. Round in litt. 1999); Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, two, undated (P. D. Round in litt. 1999); Potaram, Mekong, female, apparently the first recorded in Thailand, January 1926 (Riley 1933, 1938); Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khirikhan, male, February 1995 (B. Sykes per P. D. Round in litt. 1999); Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area, five, January 1991 (Parr 1994a); Nong Kraeb (untraced), 20 birds, February 1993 (R. Drijvers in litt. 1993); Sangkhom (untraced), Nong Khai, 10 birds, November 1991 (K. Foundation per P. D. Round

511 Threatened birds of Asia

KHABAROVSK

BURYATIA RUSSIA AMUR 7 8 SAKHALIN 1 10 9 CHITA 5

24 147 MONGOLIA 148 149 30 157–167 146 XINJIANG GANSU 150 CHINA 154 155 169 QINGHAI 168 156 170 248 151 XIZANG 171 201 249 JAPAN BA NEPAL 251 220 250 244 221 RAJASTHAN 222 237 238–242 P A C I F I C 245 98 231 246 243 TAIWAN O C E A N INDIA 247

311 310 PHILIPPINES

AB 303

CHITA AMUR 11 A KHABAROVSK 2 12 3 6 139 RUSSIA 26 25 4 140 142 141 HEILONGJIANG 14 109 143 13 27 28 29 111 110 SAKHALIN 144 112 113 115 114 15 24 119 116 18 120 PRIMORYE 118 16 17 INNER MONGOLIA 145 117 19 121 HOKKAIDO JILIN 20 12221 31 CHINA 123 32 LIAONING 126 125 22 124 23 33 128 130 129 127 99 131 132 34 191 133 134 136 NORTH KOREA 192 135 137 HONSHU 188 182 100 184 190 183 138 102 185 101 186 189 103 51 HEBEI 194 193 SHANXI 187 195 104 SOUTH KOREA 35 181 52 53 37 36 SHANDONG 105 38 54 76 72 65 49 45 196 106 107 83 77 75 6455 199 89 79 56 48 197 108 90 78 80 71 62 207 82 50 39–44 198200 JIANGSU 88 58 57 46–47 208 91 63 211 209 87 73 59–61 HENAN 210 92 93 81 84 74 66–70 212 214 213 94 86 85 JAPAN HUBEI ANHUI 95 SHIKOKU 215 226–228 216 96 203 202 SHANGHAI 97 KYUSHU 206 217 204 P A C I F I C 205 223 219 218 229 224 O C E A N B JIANGXI 230 225 ZHEJIANG

512 Aythya baeri

The distribution of Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri (maps opposite): (1) Baikal Lake; (2) Barun-Torey lake; (3) Dauria; (4) Shivichi lake; (5) Udyl’ lake; (6) Bolon’ lake; (7) Amkan river mouth; (8) Un’ya river; (9) Garmakan river; (10) Argun river; (11) Aleun river; (12) Blagoveshchensk; (13) lower Pompeyevka river; (14) Smidovichskiy district; (15) Gogolevka; (16) Khanka Lake; (17) Gnilye lakes; (18) Lebedinoye lake; (19) Lefu river mouth; (20) Vladivostok; (21) Khasanskiy district; (22) Khasan; (23) Tumen river mouth; (24) Susuya river mouth; (25) Mongol Daguur Strictly Protected Area; (26) Tsogiin Tsagaan Nuur; (27) Khalkhgol; (28) Buir Nur; (29) Nomrog river; (30) Onne-to; (31) Garugawa; (32) Tomakomai; (33) Iburi; (34) Mutsu; (35) Hirose-gawa; (36) Ibaraki; (37) Utsunomiya-shi; (38) Tone-gawa; (39) Omiya Park; (40) Koshigaya-shi; (41) Ara-kawa; (42) Urawa-shi; (43) Shiki-shi; (44) Toda-shi; (45) Tega-numa; (46) Kita-ku; (47) Shinobazu pond; (48) Haneda; (49) Kawasaki-shi; (50) Yokohama; (51) Sado island; (52) Shimminato-shi; (53) Jintsu-gawa; (54) Toyoshina- machi; (55) Kaizu-cho; (56) Shimizu-shi; (57) Suruga bay; (58) Hamana-ko; (59) Sanaru-ko; (60) Hamamatsu- shi; (61) Tenryu-gawa river mouth; (62) Shonai-gawa river mouth; (63) Mie; (64) Kohoku-cho; (65) Sakyo-ku; (66) Kita-ku; (67) Tsurumi-ku; (68) Sakai-shi; (69) Fujiidera-shi; (70) Sayama-shi; (71) Himeji-shi; (72) Itami- shi; (73) Wakayama-shi; (74) Mizukami-ike; (75) Nakano-umi; (76) Matsue-shi; (77) Shinji-ko; (78) Masuda- gawa river mouth; (79) Soja-shi; (80) Kamo-cho; (81) Fukuyama-shi; (82) Hiroshima-shi; (83) Yawata-gawa river mouth; (84) Takamatsu-shi; (85) Oda-ike; (86) Marugame-shi; (87) Iyo-shi; (88) Sone tidal flat; (89) Tsuiki-machi; (90) Shiida; (91) O-hori-koen; (92) Fukuoka-shi; (93) Nakatsu-shi; (94) Koyu-gun; (95) Hitotsuse-gawa; (96) Sadowara-cho; (97) Ikeda-ko; (98) Yonaguni-jima; (99) Tumen river; (100) Anju; (101) Nampho; (102) Wonsan; (103) Hwanghae; (104) Seoul; (105) Daeho reservoir; (106) Upo reservoir; (107) Chunam reservoir; (108) Nakdong river; (109) Fuyuan county; (110) Lindian county; (111) Zhalong National Nature Reserve; (112) Lianhuan Hu; (113) Tailai county; (114) Bayan; (115) Harbin; (116) Shangzhi county; (117) Wuchang county; (118) Mudanjiang; (119) Melmeg Nature Reserve; (120) Xianghai National Nature Reserve; (121) Dunhua county; (122) Hunchun; (123) Erdao; (124) Jingxin; (125) Helong; (126) Fusong county; (127) Tonghua city; (128) Chaoyang; (129) Liaozhong county; (130) Tai’an county; (131) Dawa county; (132) Niuzhuang; (133) Shuangtai Hekou National Nature Reserve; (134) Yingkou; (135) Liao He estuary; (136) Dandong; (137) Yalu Jiang; (138) Donggou county; (139) Hailar; (140) Yakeshi; (141) Hulun Buir league; (142) Barga; (143) Dalai Hu National Nature Reserve; (144) Jalaid Qi; (145) Horqin Nature Reserve; (146) Ulansuhai Nur; (147) Qinggil county; (148) Ili He; (149) Korla; (150) Kashi city; (151) Banggong Co; (152) Yi’ong; (153) Yamzho Yumco; (154) Qaidam Basin; (155) Yongdeng county; (156) Lanzhou; (157) Qianjin Hu; (158) Sishilidian; (159) Jingui; (160) Tonggui; (161) Zhangzhengqiao; (162) Tongqiao; (163) Wanghongpu; (164) Yesheng; (165) Xinhuaqiao; (166) Daba; (167) Qingtongxia reservoir; (168) Shenjiahe reservoir; (169) Dianziwa reservoir; (170) Liupan Shan National Nature Reserve; (171) Serxu county; (172) Gulou Cun; (173) Jintang county; (174) Changshou reservoir; (175) Sanxikou reservoir; (176) Pingshan county; (177) Dashanbao; (178) Cheng Hai; (179) Cao Hai; (180) Weining county; (181) Shanxi; (182) Qinhuangdao; (183) Beidaihe; (184) Bazhou; (185) Xin’an; (186) Baiyang Dian; (187) Ji Xian county; (188) Dongqilihai; (189) Tuanpo; (190) Beidagang; (191) Summer Palace; (192) Beijing; (193) Changshan islands; (194) Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve; (195) Weihai city; (196) Qingdao; (197) Weishan Hu; (198) Huayuankou; (199) Liuyuankou; (200) Heigangkou; (201) Sanmenxia Nature Reserve; (202) Dong Hu; (203) Chen Hu; (204) Hannan lakes; (205) Hong Hu; (206) Shengjin Hu; (207) Guandong Salt Works; (208) Jiangsu coast; (209) Sheyang Salt Works; (210) Yancheng Nature Reserve; (211) Hongze Hu; (212) Gaoyou Hu; (213) Liulishe; (214) Shaobo Hu; (215) Zhenjiang; (216) Shanghai; (217) Jiaxing; (218) Ningbo; (219) Lanxi; (220) Wenzhou city; (221) Fuzhou; (222) Jinmen Dao; (223) Jiujiang; (224) Poyang Hu Nature Reserve; (225) Nanchang; (226) Chaishang Hu; (227) Daxi Hu; (228) Xiaoxi Hu; (229) Dong Dongting Hu Nature Reserve; (230) Wanzi Hu; (231) Chenghai; (232) Xi Jiang; (233) Lok Ma Chau; (234) Mai Po; (235) Nam Sang Wei; (236) Tsim Bei Tsui; (237) Kuantu; (238) Shetzu; (239) Huachiangta Bridge; (240) Hsiapu; (241) Chu-an; (242) Wentitsun; (243) Chunan; (244) Tatu estuary; (245) Tainan city; (246) Meinung; (247) Lungluan Tan; (248) Gujrat; (249) Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary; (250) Keoladeo National Park; (251) Dudwa National Park; (252) Darbhanga district; (253) Chilka lake; (254) Calcutta; (255) Salt lakes; (256) Santragachi jheel; (257) Dibru-Saikhowa National Park; (258) Bhimpoora bhil; (259) Sibsagar; (260) Kaziranga National Park; (261) Deepor beel; (262) Diyung river; (263) Cachar; (264) Imphal; (265) Phewa Tal; (266) Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve; (267) Kosi barrage; (268) Mo Chu; (269) Wangdi; (270) Tangua haor; (271) Pashua haor; (272) Hakaluki haor; (273) Sylhet; (274) Aila haor; (275) Hail haor; (276) Dhaka; (277) Homalin; (278) Bhamo; (279) Ngwedaung; (280) Wetlet; (281) Maymyo lake; (282) Sameikkon; (283) Yit lake; (284) Myingyan district; (285) Minhla-Nyaung lake; (286) Inle lake; (287) Mong Pai; (288) Arakan; (289) Chiang Saen; (290) Chiang Mai; (291) Beung Khong Long; (292) Nong Han Kumphawapi; (293) Nong Nam Khao Non-Hunting Area; (294) Ban Nong Hua Khu; (295) Chaiyaphum; (296) Bung Boraphet; (297) Nong Sano; (298) Krabinburi; (299) Rangsit; (300) Nakhon Pathom; (301) Potaram; (302) Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park; (303) Thale Noi; (304) Phu Tho province; (305) Ho Tay; (306) Hai Duong; (307) Hoa Binh; (308) Cuc Phuong National Park; (309) Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve; (310) Candaba marsh; (311) Manila. Historical (pre-1950) Fairly recent (1950–1979) Recent (1980–present) Undated

513 Threatened birds of Asia in litt. 1999); Huai Talat-Sanambin area (not mapped), female, November/December 1988 (Bangkok Bird Club Bull. 6, 1 [1989]: 10–11). Unconfirmed records include: Ban Nong Khiet, on the Mae Ping between Chom Tong and Mu’t Ka, one female Aythya apparently Baer’s Pochard and another three unidentified pochards near Ban Ta Nong Luang, a little further downriver, again probably this species, December 1935 (Deignan 1936b). Moreover, photographs in the possession of Dr. Boonsong Lekagul’s family (taken in the early to mid-twentieth century) show large numbers of ducks, including some Aythya which are probably Baer’s Pochard, in flight over the Inner Gulf of Thailand (around Samut Sakhon) where none has been recorded in recent years (P. D. Round in litt. 1999).

172 HUBEI 204 XIZANG 173 202 152 203 CHINA SICHUAN 174 227 205 153 175 228 226 BHUTAN 176 229 265 230 268 257 258 177 HUNAN NEPAL 269 266 260 178 180 ASSAM 261 259 GUIZHOU 267 262 179 252 270 272 263 BIHAR 271 277 278 YUNNAN 273 264 274 275 INDIA 276 GUANGDONG WEST BENGAL MYANMAR 254 279 232 255 280 281 256 282 VIETNAM 307 ORISSA 283 304 306 284 285 233–236 286 305 253 287 LAOS BANGLADESH 289 308 309 288 290 THAILAND 291 292 293 B A Y O F 294 B E N G A L 296 295 297 300 299 298 301 CAMBODIA 302 A B

The distribution of Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri (map B): (152) Yi’ong; (153) Yamzho Yumco; (172) Gulou Cun; (173) Jintang county; (174) Changshou reservoir; (175) Sanxikou reservoir; (176) Pingshan county; (177) Dashanbao; (178) Cheng Hai; (179) Cao Hai; (180) Weining county; (202) Dong Hu; (203) Chen Hu; (204) Hannan lakes; (205) Hong Hu; (226) Chaishang Hu; (227) Daxi Hu; (228) Xiaoxi Hu; (229) Dong Dongting Hu Nature Reserve; (230) Wanzi Hu; (232) Xi Jiang; (233) Lok Ma Chau; (234) Mai Po; (235) Nam Sang Wei; (236) Tsim Bei Tsui; (252) Darbhanga district; (253) Chilka lake; (254) Calcutta; (255) Salt lakes; (256) Santragachi jheel; (257) Dibru-Saikhowa National Park; (258) Bhimpoora bhil; (259) Sibsagar; (260) Kaziranga National Park; (261) Deepor beel; (262) Diyung river; (263) Cachar; (264) Imphal; (265) Phewa Tal; (266) Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve; (267) Kosi barrage; (268) Mo Chu; (269) Wangdi; (270) Tangua haor; (271) Pashua haor; (272) Hakaluki haor; (273) Sylhet; (274) Aila haor; (275) Hail haor; (276) Dhaka; (277) Homalin; (278) Bhamo; (279) Ngwedaung; (280) Wetlet; (281) Maymyo lake; (282) Sameikkon; (283) Yit lake; (284) Myingyan district; (285) Minhla-Nyaung lake; (286) Inle lake; (287) Mong Pai; (288) Arakan; (289) Chiang Saen; (290) Chiang Mai; (291) Beung Khong Long; (292) Nong Han Kumphawapi; (293) Nong Nam Khao Non-Hunting Area; (294) Ban Nong Hua Khu; (295) Chaiyaphum; (296) Bung Boraphet; (297) Nong Sano; (298) Krabinburi; (299) Rangsit; (300) Nakhon Pathom; (301) Potaram; (302) Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park; (304) Phu Tho province; (305) Ho Tay; (306) Hai Duong; (307) Hoa Binh; (308) Cuc Phuong National Park; (309) Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve. Historical (pre-1950) Fairly recent (1950–1979) Recent (1980–present) Undated

514 Aythya baeri

■ VIETNAM It was first recorded in the country by Vo Quy (1971), and reported to occur in Tonkin (northern Vietnam) by Vo Quy (1975). There are several subsequent records as follows: Phu Tho province, male collected, November 1965, specimen kept at Hanoi National University (Nguyen Cu in litt. 1997); Ho Tay (), Hanoi, 45 birds, March 1988 (Scott 1988); Hai Duong province, female collected, January 1965, specimen kept at Hanoi National University (Vo Quy 1975, Nguyen Cu in litt. 1997); Hoa Binh province, female collected, December 1972, specimen kept at Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi (Dang Huy Huynh et al. 1974, Nguyen Cu in litt. 1997); series of dams at the edge of Cuc Phuong National Park, male, February 2000 (Oriental Bird Club Bull. 32 [2000]: 66–76); Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve, Nam Dinh, six, December 1996 (Nguyen Cu in litt. 1997). ■ PHILIPPINES There are two records, both on Luzon: Luzon Candaba marsh, pair, March 1979 (Glass et al. 1979); Manila, one on a pond, November 1997 (M. K. Poulsen verbally 1997).

POPULATION Various estimates of the global population of this species have recently been made, including more than 10,000 individuals (Callaghan and Green 1993), fewer than 25,000 and possibly fewer than 10,000 (Rose and Scott 1997), and 10,000–20,000 birds (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999). Callaghan and Green (1993) and Rose and Scott (1997) considered that its population was declining. In the 1910s, La Touche (1920–1921, 1925– 1934) found it to be “extremely abundant” on migration on the coast of Hebei province in China, but recent migration studies in the same area have found it to be a scarce passage migrant, indicating that a substantial decline in its population has taken place during the twentieth century (Williams and Dorner 1991). Russia Its population in many parts of its Russian breeding range is poorly known, including in Amur (V. A. Dugintsov in litt. 1997) and Kabarovsk (Shibaev 1989c, B. A. Voronov in litt. 1997). At the Torey lakes in Chita it is a rare and irregular breeding species, and elsewhere in Chita it is only a vagrant (E. E. Tkachenko in litt. 1997). It used to be fairly common at Lake Khanka and in the Ussuri valley in southern Primorye from the 1930s to the 1970s (Shul’pin 1936, Nazarov and Labzyuk 1975, Glushchenko 1981), but since then it has declined to become very rare (Yu. V. Shibaev in litt. 1997). On Lake Khanka this decline occurred when the water-level of the lake fell in 1975–1978, after which this species started to disappear (Glushchenko 1981). Mongolia It is a rare migrant to eastern Mongolia, with no confirmed breeding records (D. Batdelger in litt. 1998). Japan Wada (1922) reported this species to be “quite numerous” in Aomori prefecture, but it was rare on the pond at Haneda in Tokyo in the 1910s and 1920s (Kuroda 1931a) and rare throughout Japan in the 1930s (Kuroda 1939). It is now a regular but rare winter visitor (Brazil 1991, N. Yanagisawa in litt. 1998). Korea There were only a handful of records of this species in Korea before the mid-twentieth century (Austin 1948, Won 1963), and it is currently considered to be a rare visitor to North Korea (although it may possibly nest in the north-east near the border with Russia) (Fiebig 1993, Tomek 1999), and a scarce winter visitor to South Korea (Lee Woo-shin in litt. 1998). Mainland China Cheng Tso-hsin (1979) considered this species to be a common winter visitor in eastern China, sometimes in large flocks, and Zhao Zhengjie (1988) regarded it as common in coastal north-east China, although these assessments might have been based on its status in the 1950s or early 1960s. It is still described as “common” at several breeding localities (see Distribution), but a significant decline appears to have taken place in numbers during the twentieth century (Williams and Dorner 1991). India Ali and Ripley (1968–1998) stated that the species was an uncommon and erratic winter visitor to Manipur (fairly regular), Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh, remarking

515 Threatened birds of Asia that it was “possibly less rare in these areas than records indicate” because of confusion with Ferruginous Duck. Savage and Mackenzie (in Isakov 1970) considered it a “very rare visitor in Assam, only recorded by Mackenzie three times in 13 years”. In Manipur, 51 individuals were shot between 1910 and 1932, suggesting that it was “a very regular though uncommon visitor” (Higgins 1933–1934). Its current status in Manipur is unknown, but conservation problems at Logtak lake (Scott 1989) suggest that the wintering population in the area is probably very small. Fairly large numbers (as many as 60 in winter 1896–1897, almost entirely young birds and females) were sold in the Calcutta bazaar during midwinter months in three consecutive years in the late nineteenth century, suggesting “that the bird was not at all uncommon” in West Bengal (Finn 1896, 1898a,c; see Remarks 2). There is only one recent record for the state (and none for Bihar) implying that a decline has taken place in the region. The area in India with the most records is in the lowlands of Assam. Baker (1908) mentioned that he had hunted in “Lakhimpur, Tezpur, Gowhatty, Cachar and Sylhet, and in all of these it is the Common White-eye [=Ferruginous Duck] which is the typical local form” but that he had taken one or two individuals of Baer’s Pochard from all of these except Gauhati. Local hunters claimed that the species was a “rare but regular visitor to Cachar” (Baker 1908). More recent fieldwork has produced no further records of Baer’s Pochard from Cachar, and shown it to be the rarer of these two ducks in the Brahmaputra valley, but a considerable population still occurs (Choudhury 2000c). In Deepor beel near Gauhati, for example, the species has been described as “common” (albeit in a table in which it is also listed as “rare” for the site) by Barman et al. (1995), whose winter counts between 1988 and 1993 produced some interesting but undependable results (see Remarks 3). It has recently been clarified that the largest count yet recorded in Assam is c.250 birds at Deepor beel in January 1990 (suggesting that 1988–1989 data at this site were totally inaccurate, but that the 1989–1990 data were correct; again see Remarks 3) (Choudhury 2000c). January counts in Assam totalled 544 Baer’s Pochards in 1990, three in 1991, 473 in 1992, 110 in 1993, 262 in 1994, 109 in 1995 and 30 in 1996 (AWC data); these are thought to be substantial underestimates (because only a few sites were visited) and the total winter population in the state is placed at c.1,000 individuals (Choudhury 2000c). North-east India is clearly very important for the species at this season. Nepal Its population in Nepal fluctuates considerably between years, but has been estimated at 30–50 birds (H. S. Baral in litt. 1998). In some years (e.g. 1995–1996) numbers are low, but in others higher (H. Choudhary verbally 1997). There is no direct evidence of a population decline in Nepal (C. Inskipp and T. P. Inskipp verbally 1998), but clearly the country is a peripheral range state. Bangladesh It was listed as a rare winter visitor by Khan (1982), without further details. Local hunters claim the species to be a “rare but regular visitor to Cachar, and a more common one to Sylhet” (Baker 1908), and it was said to be an “uncommon and erratic” winter visitor to the Indian subcontinent (Ripley 1982). Thompson and Johnson (1996) stated that the main wintering area for the species is probably in the north-east of the country, where up to 1,500 individuals have been recorded. However, a count of 1,712 was made in the this area in January–February 1993 (Thompson et al. 1993). More recently, P. M. Thompson in litt. (1997) stated that c.800 winter in the haors in the north-east of the country. Myanmar Six lone individuals were noted in Arakan province in 1909–1910 by Hopwood (1912b), and “a fair number” of the species migrated through the area during November and December 1943–1945 (Christison et al. 1946). At Inle lake the largest published record is five individuals in the early 1980s (King 1983), but it is not known whether the species still occurs. E. W. Oates (in Baker 1908) was of the opinion that Baer’s Pochard was more abundant than Ferruginous Duck in Myanmar, but Baker (1908) tried for three years to acquire specimens of the former from the country and only succeeded in obtaining three skins, while many of the latter were received; he concluded that “even in Burma, Baer’s Pochard is not the common

516 Aythya baeri type”. Recurrent security problems curtailed attempts to survey wetlands in the area in the 1980s (Scott 1989), but during the 1990s counts of 90 or more birds were made at four localities in the country, including 512 birds at Yewai lake (Miyabayashi and Mundkur 1999), indicating that Myanmar is indeed a significant part of the wintering range of this species. At least 60 birds were counted at Kyee Ni lake in early 2001, when local boatmen reported that c.1,000 occur there annually (SC), Thailand In the early nineteenth century, Riley (1933) pronounced that this species “must occur as far south as [Thailand] very rarely”. Nevertheless, photographs from shortly after this time show large duck flocks in the Gulf of Thailand, including several Aythya in flight, which are thought probably to be Baer’s Pochard (P. D. Round in litt. 1999), suggesting that the species might once have been much more widespread and abundant than at present. Deignan (1945) found it regular in winter in the north “but always in small numbers”. However, in 1936–1937, it was “comparatively common” on a wooded pond at Ban Pa Muat, a locality on the east bank the Mae Ping in an area of rice-paddies. No significant concentrations of waterbirds are now known from this area (P. D. Round in litt. 1999). More recent information suggested that Thailand supported the largest known wintering population. Reports implied a minimum of 600 birds on two lakes (van der Ven 1988) with perhaps 1,000 individuals on Bung Boraphet in March 1987 (D. Ogle in litt. 1987). The latter figure, however, should be treated as provisional, as the largest accurate count at Bung Boraphet is 426 (Oriental Bird Club Bull. 7 [1988]: 34–40). There have been no comparable counts even of as many as 400 recently and it appears have undergone a major decline in Thailand (P. D. Round in litt. 1999). Vietnam It appears to be a rare winter visitor to northern Vietnam (see Distribution).

ECOLOGY The typical nesting habitat of this species in Russia is small lakes in the lowlands with rich aquatic vegetation (Shibaev 1989c). In the Amur region it nests on large shallow lakes and fast-flowing rivers and streams with herbaceous and shrubby vegetation, building its nest in dense areas of grass, on a tussock or under a shrub (Barancheev 1953). At Lake Khanka it apparently often tends to nest in gull colonies (Shibaev 1989c). On the Torey lakes in Chita, it nests on small islands that are densely vegetated with grass, and on migration it uses small lakes and swampy shores, overgrown with reeds and other wetland vegetation (E. E. Tkachenko in litt. 1997). When it first arrives at the breeding grounds at Xianghai Nature Reserve in China, it usually gathers in large flocks with other duck species, and stays far from the shore and is sensitive to human presence; when the water in the reedbeds has thawed, all the birds move inside the reedbeds (Gao Jihong et al. 1992a). In Liaoning, it is usually found in coastal wetlands with dense vegetation, or rivers and surrounded by forest, and it probably breeds in the reed marshes there (Huang Mupeng et al. 1989). On migration in Gansu, it is found both at lakes with dense aquatic vegetation and in open water on reservoirs and rivers (Wang Xiangting 1991), and it is also found on lakes and reservoirs on passage in South Korea (Yoo and Lee 1998). It was observed on a broad, forested section of river on migration in Bhutan (Bishop 1998). On the wintering grounds in Nepal it occurs in marshy wetlands, small pools and ponds, wet paddyfields, sandy islands and an extensive area of wet seepage east of the earthen embankment of the large Kosi Barrage waterbody (Khadka 1994, H. S. Baral in litt. 1997). The important wintering site (at least formerly) at Bung Boraphet in Thailand was described by Scott (1989) as a large freshwater lake (18 km by 6 km), formed in 1930 by the damming of a freshwater swamp (originally 640 km2) in order to develop a fishery. It is surrounded by rice-paddies, largely covered with floating vegetation and with an average depth of 3–4 m, depending on season. Food This species feeds almost entirely by diving (Madge and Burn 1988). It was observed to feeding actively at 08h00–09h00 when just arrived from its wintering grounds, and to dive to 0.5–2.0 m deep for c.40 seconds (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). It is omnivorous, and during

517 Threatened birds of Asia the migration seasons it feeds mainly on aquatic plants and seeds, but it takes more animal food (insects, molluscs, shrimps and fish) during the breeding season (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b); nonetheless, in another report birds eat many snails in winter in Zhejiang (Zhuge Yang 1990). At the Changbai Shan mountains, it feeds on seeds and algae, and also takes molluscs and aquatic insects (Fu Tongsheng et al. 1984), and in Heilongjiang it feeds on insects and grass seeds in early spring (Wildlife Institute of Heilongjiang Province 1992). The stomachs of male specimens shot in October contained chitin particles of Dytiscus and hydrophilic vegetation (Polivanova 1971). Another specimen contained water plants, grass seeds and molluscs (Wang Xiangting 1991). Breeding It usually nests on the ground, sometimes inside a reedbed, and the nest is well hidden; in suitable undisturbed areas near water several nests can sometimes be found in the same place, and nests have been found only 1.5 m apart (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). In Russia the nest is built amongst grass on a tussock or under a shrub, always nearby water, and is sometimes floating and occasionally amongst branches (Barancheev 1953). In the Changbai Shan mountains, it nests on the ground in grasses along riverbanks (Fu Tongsheng et al. 1984). At Lake Khanka in Russia, it often associates with colonies of gulls while nesting (Yu. V. Shibaev in litt. 1997). In China, pairs begin to form from mid-April and egg-laying begins from mid- to late May, with the latest record of a clutch being 28 June (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). In the Changbai Shan mountains, the eggs are laid from late May to early June (Fu Tongsheng et al. 1984). The clutch size is variably 9–14 eggs (Barancheev 1953) or 9–15 eggs (usually 12) (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). During a study in China, several cases of “egg- dumping” were observed, with females of this species laying their eggs in the nests of Common Pochard (seven cases) and Gadwall Anas strepera (one case), and Common Pochard was also observed to lay eggs in the nests of Baer’s Pochard (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). Incubation lasts 25–28 days (Barancheev 1953) or 23–25 days, and is undertaken exclusively by the female with the male nearby guarding the nest; birds are most liable to abandon the nest early in the incubation period (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). On Lake Khanka nests with eggs were found throughout the month of June, and a brood of 10 ducklings was seen on 20 July (Shibaev 1989c). In places where disturbance is low, the nestlings will stay near the nest for 1–2 days, but in more disturbed areas the parent birds may not wait for all the eggs to hatch, taking the earlier hatchlings away from the nest and leaving 1–2 eggs in the nest (these are usually eaten by birds of prey) (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). The parent birds tend the ducklings for 2–3 weeks, after which the ducklings can dive and forage by themselves; at this time the female birds leave the ducklings in order to moult, and the ducklings form their own flocks (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). On Lake Khanka, a correlation has been found between breeding success and the water-level of the lake (Glushchenko 1981). Migration Its migratory movements in Russia are poorly known. On spring migration in Buryatia it has occurred in the first week of May (Shkatulova 1977), and in Primorye autumn migrants were observed on 14–23 October 1963 (Polivanova 1971). In mainland China, it arrived at Xianghai Nature Reserve in late March to early April in 1989 (during a warm spring), and seven birds arrived as early as 10 March; autumn migration began at the end of September (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). In the Changbai Shan mountains, it arrived in late March and departed in late September (Fu Tongsheng et al. 1984). It arrives on the wintering grounds at Hong Hu lake in Hubei in November and departs in February (Li Chengling and Jiang Yongsheng 1990), and it is found in Zhejiang from November to April (Zhuge Yang 1990). In India, it was recorded in Manipur between December 4 and March 15 (Higgins 1933–1934), and specimens appeared in the Calcutta bazaar between 25 November and 5 January (Finn 1898a,c). At Bung Boraphet in Thailand, 220 individuals of the species were observed on 4 March 1989, but only a single individual on 7 April (D. Ogle in litt. 1989), indicating that almost all birds had departed for the breeding grounds between those visits. In 1988, six birds were present until 12 May, after almost all other migratory waterfowl had

518 Aythya baeri departed (D. Ogle in litt. 1988). In Thailand (and presumably elsewhere in its range), Baer’s Pochard is probably highly mobile and able to respond to changing flooding conditions, human disturbance, etc., by moving to the sites where conditions are optimal (P. D. Round in litt. 1999), in a similar manner to the closely related Ferruginous Duck (see Cramp 1977).

THREATS Habitat loss Russia On the breeding grounds this species has been negatively affected by habitat degradation, probably caused by regular grass fires, and the drainage of marshlands (V. A. Dugintsov in litt. 1997). At Lake Khanka it was formerly common, but it started to disappear when the water-level fell in 1975–1978 (Glushchenko 1981). Mainland China It is being affected by the drainage and degradation of its wetland (see, e.g., Scott 1989, MacKinnon et al. 1996). The equivalent section under Swan Goose Anser cygnoides carries details of the threats at Sanjiang Plain in Heilongjiang. India Despite the assertion of Savage and Mackenzie (in Isakov 1970) that huge areas of habitat remain untouched by humans in the Brahmaputra Valley, populations of waterbirds in the area are nevertheless declining because of a variety of factors, including habitat alteration, weed growth, siltation and “biotic interference in the wetlands” (Saikia and Bhattacharjee 1990). In Sibsagar district of Assam, local people cut canals to drain water from small wetlands, substantially reducing the amount of habitat available for waterbirds (Choudhury 1991). Rice cultivation around the fringes of Deepor beel in Assam is apparently “creating fundamental problems” for the ecology of the area through habitat alteration and pesticide run-off (Saikia and Bhattacharjee 1989c). In addition, a plan to route a sewage canal from Guwahati city to the lake would undoubtedly flood the aquatic system with toxins if it goes ahead (Saikia and Bhattacharjee 1989c). This species has recently declined at Deepor beel in Assam, where large-scale removal of aquatic vegetation by fishermen has greatly compromised the quality of the habitats, especially for Baer’s Pochard which favours wetlands with floating vegetation, and some of the lake area has been reclaimed for agricultural land (Barman et al. 1995). Bangladesh The species is threatened by wetland drainage (P. M. Thompson in litt. 1997). Moreover, siltation of wetlands in Bangladesh is occurring rapidly as a result of severe erosion in catchment areas, and as this process continues fewer areas lie submerged and more land is converted to agriculture (Scott 1989). Myanmar Inle lake is silting up rapidly, and suitable wetland habitats along the Arakan coast have largely been and continue to be converted to agricultural land (Scott 1989). Thailand At Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area, the wetland is threatened by conversion to agriculture, and by intensive exploitation of natural resources by a large human population (Parr 1994a). Originally the maintenance of standing water to support wildfowl at Ban Lung Tua, on the Yom river floodplain, was dependent on releases of water from the Royal Irrigation Department, but in drier winters water was not always available for this purpose (Scott 1989). In fact, drought in the whole Mae Yom basin eventually forced the abandonment of rice cultivation and fishponds, such that no habitat suitable for the species currently remains (P. D. Round in litt. 1999). At Bung Boraphet, the Fisheries Department drained the lake in the early 1990s in an attempt to eradicate water-weed and began developing some of the lake islands and periphery, causing intense disturbance and disruption to the lake’s ecology (Parr 1992). Fishponds and the associated infrastructure have been developed along some sections of the lakeshore; the impact of these activities on the has yet to be assessed, but the lack of large counts of Baer’s Pochard in recent years suggests that one or more of the above factors has made the site less attractive to it (P. D. Round in litt. 1998). Hunting Russia The species is difficult to distinguish in the field from other waterfowl, and in Russia it is shot by hunters ignorant of its identity alongside other Aythya ducks (Yu. V. Shibaev in litt. 1997, E. E. Tkachenko in litt. 1997). Mainland China A study of hunting pressure in the middle and lower basins of the Yangtze River in 1987–1992 estimated that c.50% of the total wintering waterfowl in this region were killed each year by local hunters, using netting, shooting and poisoning; Baer’s Pochard was one of the quarry species found

519 Threatened birds of Asia in hunters’ bags during the study (Lu Jianjian 1993a). Liu Zhiyong and Zhao Jinsheng (1998) noted that the numbers of Anatidae at Poyang Hu lake have declined greatly in the last ten years, presumably mainly because of this intense hunting pressure, as wild ducks and geese were found in huge flocks in the mid-1980s but are now sometimes “even rarer than cranes”. India Despite the assertion of Savage and Mackenzie (in Isakov 1970) that the effect of hunting on waterfowl is “negligible” in the Brahmaputra Valley, populations of waterbirds in the area are nevertheless declining because of a variety of factors, including “extensive netting, trapping and shooting” (Saikia and Bhattacharjee 1990). In marshes along the Brahmaputra, Wilson (1924) reported four sportsmen shooting 1,400 duck in two-and-a- half days, and eleven were purchased at Calcutta bazaar in February 1895 (Finn 1896). Many hunters continue to shoot waterfowl in the Brahmaputra valley, but the greatest number of birds are trapped with mist-nets, used at night and especially in dense fog, when hundreds of birds are caught on some occasions (Choudhury 1991). The apparent decline of this species at Deepor beel in Assam could have been caused by several factors, including the netting, trapping and killing of waterbirds during winter (Barman et al. 1995). Nepal Duck hunting is increasing around Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, and duck numbers in the area are consequently declining (D. Petersson 1998). Bangladesh Hunting is also a threat to this species in Bangladesh (P. M. Thompson in litt. 1997). Myanmar At Inle lake, the large human population subjects migratory ducks, which are apparently brought to the markets in basketfuls, to intense hunting and trapping (Scott 1989). Bird nets were seen at almost all wetlands visited in Mandalay division in January–February 2001; at Kyee Ni lake, interviews with hunters indicated that up to 100 birds of this species may be captured annually (SC). Thailand Illegal hunting of waterbirds is frequent at sites such as Bung Boraphet and the Yom river floodplain (Scott 1989). Egg collection The breeding success of this species at Xianghai Nature Reserve, China, was only 32%, and some of the loss of eggs and nests was caused by local people collecting their eggs (17.6%) (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). Disturbance The low breeding success at Xianghai Nature Reserve, China (see above), was partly caused by the desertion of nests because of disturbance by people or livestock (Gao Jihong et al. 1992b). The apparent decline of this species at Deepor beel in Assam could have been caused by several factors, including fishing activities, noise and boat disturbance on the wetland (Barman et al. 1995). In Myanmar, there is a considerable of disturbance of wildfowl in the country’s wetlands due to hunting, fishing and agricultural practices (Scott 1989). Around 30,000 people live around the margins of Bung Boraphet, Thailand, causing sufficient disturbance to have seriously reduced wildfowl populations in recent years (Scott 1989). Pollution and pesticides In Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, thiodan, dieldrin and other non-biodegradable pesticides are used in winter to kill fish, presumably with detrimental effects on wetland (Choudhury 1995b, 1997d). The discharge of effluent at Inle lake, Myanmar, is becoming potentially hazardous to the environment (Scott 1989). At Bung Boraphet, Thailand, farmers occasionally put out large quantities of poisoned grain to kill waterfowl which they claim graze on their rice crops, and the lake is littered with the remnants of plastic fishing nets that may cause the death of many wild birds if they become trapped (Scott 1989). Although persistent pesticides are little used in rice-growing areas, there is the possibility that the organochlorines used extensively on the nearby upland cotton crops might contaminate the Bung Boraphet basin (P. D. Round in litt. 1999).

MEASURES TAKEN Legislation Baer’s Pochard is included in the Russian national Red Data Book (Kolosov 1983). It is listed as “Rare” under the Mongolian Law on Hunting (1995), which means that it may only be hunted or trapped for special purposes. It is also listed as “Rare” in the Mongolia Red Book (Bold 1987, 1997). It is not nationally protected

520 Aythya baeri in China, but it is protected by the wildlife laws of the following provinces and municipality: Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Henan and Hunan (SC). It is protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance in Hong Kong (Cheung Ho-fai in litt. 1998) and listed as a totally protected species in Myanmar (List of protected species 1994). In India the species is not listed on Appendix I of the Wildlife Act (1972), but is included under the general (and presumably ineffectual) heading of “Ducks” in Schedule IV. Protected areas Russia Some nesting localities are protected in the Daursky and Khankaisky State Reserves (Yu. V. Shibaev in litt. 1997, E. E. Tkachenko in litt. 1997), and a new strict reserve is being established at Bolon’ lake (B. A. Voronov in litt. 1997). Khanka Nature Reserve was established in 1991, and includes most of the area of the lake that is favoured by this species (Nechaev and Glushchenko 1993). It also occurs in the “Khasanskiy” Nature Park, which was established in 1997 (S. G. Surmach in litt. 1999). Japan It has been recorded in or near to several sites important for wintering ducks and geese which have been designated as National Wildlife Protected Areas, including Nakanoumi National Wildlife Protection Area in Shimane (Environment Agency of Japan in litt. 1999). Mainland China Several nature reserves in China are known or suspected to be important for the conservation of this species, including: in the breeding grounds, Zhalong, Lianhuan Hu and Sanjiang (and possibly Honghe) Nature Reserves in Heilongjiang, Melmeg (Momoge) and Xianghai Nature Reserves in Jilin, Shuangtai Hekou National Nature Reserve in Liaoning and Horqin Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia; in the non-breeding range, Dalai Hu National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia, Liupan Shan Nature Reserve in Ningxia, Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve in Shandong, Yancheng Nature Reserve in Jiangsu, Poyang Hu Nature Reserve in Jiangxi and Dong Dongting Hu Nature Reserve in Hunan (see Distribution; also Liu Donglai et al. 1996, MacKinnon et al. 1996). Sanjiang Nature Reserve has been listed as a site on the East Asian Anatidae Site Network (SC). Hong Kong Inner Deep Bay is now a Ramsar site and Mai Po marshes a nature reserve (Cheung Ho-fai in litt. 1998); see equivalent section under Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus for details of measures taken at Deep Bay. India Although reported from Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Keoladeo National Park and Dudwa National Park, these sites are visited by the species very infrequently and are not important for its conservation. Of much greater importance are protected areas in Assam which support regular or occasional wintering populations of the species, these being Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Deepor beel and Panidihing Sanctuary; the tanks at Sibsagar and Joysagar are also protected by favourable local sentiment (Choudhury 2000c). Nepal The wintering site at Kosi barrage is protected in the Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve area (H. S. Baral in litt. 1997). Thailand An assessment of socio-economics and tourism potential at Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area has been undertaken (Parr 1994a). The Nong Nam Kao Non-Hunting Area (0.57 km2) has been established, encompassing Ban Lung Tua, an area of fishponds and semi-natural swamp habitat on a privately owned smallholding managed as a waterfowl reserve by an enlightened owner, together with the adjacent, state-owned lake of Nong Nam Kao (Scott 1989). However, there is apparently no suitable habitat for the species left at these sites (see Population; also P. D. Round in litt. 1999). An area of 450 km2, covering Bung Boraphet and surrounding areas of paddy, was declared a Non-Hunting Area in 1975, and fishing is not permitted in certain parts of the lake (Scott 1989). However, most of the laws protecting the site are flaunted with impunity by the local communities that rely on the lake for their livelihoood (P. D. Round in litt. 1998; see Threats under White-eyed River-martin Eurochelidon sirintarae).

MEASURES PROPOSED Legislation This species would benefit from a ban on the spring shooting of ducks in Russia (Shibaev 1989c, V. A. Dugintsov in litt. 1997). It should be designated as a nationally protected species in mainland China (which supports important breeding and wintering populations) and raised to Schedule I in India (Choudhury 2000c).

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Protected areas and habitat conservation Russia Following comprehensive surveys throughout its Russian range, important sites for this species should be established as new protected areas (Shibaev 1989c, V. A. Dugintsov in litt. 1997, B. A. Voronov in litt. 1997). The breeding grounds at Lake Khanka are not fully protected, and the boundaries of the Khanka Reserve should therefore be extended (Glushchenko and Shibaev 1996). The Tumen (Tumangan) river mouth should be designated as a Ramsar wetland (Shibaev 1989c). Mainland China Gao Jihong et al. (1992b) proposed that at Xianghai Nature Reserve in Jilin, in China, fishing and livestock-grazing should be limited during the breeding season; the breeding grounds of this species should be designated as a restricted area during the breeding season; and the water-level should be carefully controlled, to prevent the nesting areas from drying up or from being flooded. India Saikia and Bhattacharjee (1989c) proposed that Deepor beel should be declared a wildlife sanctuary, that rice cultivation, hunting and disturbance should be controlled there, and that plans for a sewage outflow into the lake should be scrapped. Bangladesh The freshwater marshes in the “Haor basin” in north-east Bangladesh should also be declared a wildlife sanctuary (Rashid 1993; see equivalent section under Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus), as should Inle lake in Myanmar (Scott 1989, Lwin 1995). Research A comprehensive survey is needed in the species’s range in Russia, to clarify its current distribution and population (Yu. V. Shibaev in litt. 1997), with the aim of identifying key sites for the conservation of this species. This is clearly also true for other parts of the species’s core range, notably China, and there needs to be some detailed study of its precise ecological needs, so that key areas can be managed in its favour. Conservation education A campaign is required in Russia to educate hunters about the species’s ecology and identification (E. E. Tkachenko in litt. 1997), and good-quality field guides are needed for the hunters (to help them to avoid accidentally killing threatened species), although it is unlikely that this alone would significantly reduce the hunting pressure (Yu. V. Shibaev in litt. 1997). Nevertheless, such is the apparent impact of hunting in many areas that efforts to indicate the significance of Baer’s Pochard are well worth contemplating, particularly as the plight of several other waterfowl and wetland species can be highlighted at the same time.

REMARKS (1) It is easy to confuse Baer’s Pochard with other Aythya ducks, particularly the Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca, and it is therefore possible that some of the sight records (and even some specimen records) listed in the Distribution section involve misidentifications (A. Bräunlich in litt. 2000, MJC). The only record at Harike Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Punjab, which lies outside the normal range of the species, involved a remarkable total of 18 birds and is possibly questionable, and a report from Karnataka is here treated as unconfirmed because it is so far outside the known range of the species. (2) These records refer to birds in the Calcutta market; Hume (1879a) considered that all birds for sale at that time in Calcutta market almost certainly came from within 40 km of the city. (3) The following review of some recent records from Deepor beel, Assam, is based on data in Barman et al. (1995). In winter 1988–1989, 1,018 Baer’s Pochards were counted with 250 the following year. On these occasions, the count for Ferruginous Duck was zero, suggesting that the count might have comprised totals for both species. This suspicion appears to be confirmed with reference to winter 1990–1991, when 609 Ferruginous Duck were present alongside only three individual Baer’s Pochards. This trend is reversed the following year, however, when only 79 Ferruginous Duck were present with 135 Baer’s Pochards. Curiously, Baer’s Pochard was absent in winter 1992–1993, and the lake held only 43 Ferruginous Duck. Choudhury (2000c) later mentioned that the resultant mean total for the site (see Perennou et al. 1994) should be “taken with caution due to possible misidentification”. These counts indicate that winter numbers of these two species fluctuate considerably in northern India, and stress the importance of accurate identification if a clear picture of their relative status is to be drawn.

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