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Home , Akhtuba, Alatyr (river), Bityug, Black lark, Dubna (Volga), Galichya Gora

Important Areas in –

■ RUSSIA

TANYA SVIRIDOVA

Danilovskoye marshes (IBA 073). (PHOTO: MIKHAIL IVANOV/RBCU)

GENERAL INTRODUCTION comprise 154 ‘new’ sites and 64 ‘original’ sites. The previous inventory of IBAs in Europe (Grimmett and Jones 1989) identified Russia, covering about 17,075,400 km2, spans two continents— 75 sites in European Russia (‘original’ sites), but 11 of these (listed Europe and Asia. This account considers only the European part of in Table 1) were excluded from the present review for various Russia, which covers about 3,955,800 km2 and which is bounded in reasons. Of these 11, one (former site SU110) was mistakenly the east by the mountains, in the south by the , classified as lying in Russian territory but was actually in mountains, the and , in the west by (see Belarus chapter), four were duplicates of other sites (former Belarus and the Baltic countries, in the north-west by the Fenno- site SU098 was the same as former site SU101, and former sites scandian countries, and in the north by the Arctic Ocean. European SU131, SU134 and SU135 were the same as SU133), while the other Russia straddles the latitudes between 44°N and 82°N (i.e. including six sites do not meet the current IBA criteria (which have been Franz Josef Land), and the longitudes between 20°E and 70°E. revised since 1989). Of the remaining 64 ‘original’ sites which are European Russia crosses three time-zones as well as eight major considered to meet the current criteria, 46 were updated with new biogeographic zones, and contains an enormous diversity of natural, information and were confirmed to meet the revised criteria, while man-altered and artificial environments, which provide habitats there was no new information for the remaining 18, for which for an extraordinarily rich flora and fauna. The biogeographic zones criteria have been assigned provisionally, based on information in vary from semi-desert in the south-east, passing as one moves the original 1989 inventory. northward through steppe, wooded steppe, temperate broadleaved Although the 218 IBAs cover about 174,500 km 2, about 4.4% and mixed forest, boreal forest (), wooded tundra, and finally of the land area of European Russia, they are not evenly distributed to the tundra proper in the far north. Similar zonation occurs, with throughout this territory. There are few IBAs on the inland tundra, increasing altitude, on the main mountain ranges. away from the Arctic shore—identifying such IBAs is difficult Most of the land surface of European Russia lies between sea because of the lack of infrastructure and because many species breed level and 200 m elevation. There are two high mountain ranges: there in a highly dispersed fashion, meaning that a particular area the Urals (up to c.2,000 m) and the Caucasus (up to c.5,640 m). In on its own may not support a significant number of individuals of addition, the Central Russian Uplands lie in the middle of European a species. In addition, there is a large area in the main forest-zone Russia. Several large rivers cross European Russia, such as the in the north-east of European Russia where very few IBAs have , , Severnaya Dvina, , and . been identified (see Map 1). At the level of individual administrative European Russia includes 53 out of the 89 administrative regions regions, IBAs tend to be located in the valleys of the larger rivers, in the whole country. These incorporate many of the larger centres as these are important ecological corridors and migration routes; of human population in Russia, such as , St Petersburg, or near to the boundary of the region, where there tends to be less Nizhni Novgorod, , ’, , , Ufa, Perm’, infrastructure and a lower human-population density. -na-Donu and Stavropol. Away from these centres, population Although the European part is relatively small compared to the densities are generally lower than those elsewhere in Europe. Vast whole of Russia, this territory is still vast compared to the rest of areas of mountains and northern forests are sparsely populated. Europe, and there are thus many potential IBAs whose importance Out of those sites proposed as Important Bird Areas (IBAs) might be confirmed in the future, once more field surveys have during the current IBA review, which spanned 1995 to 1997, a total been carried out. A ‘shadow’ list of such potential IBAs (totalling of 218 were confirmed to meet criteria (Table 1). The 218 sites 151 sites) is presented in Box 2 (at the end of this overview). Field

581 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Map 1. Location, area and criteria category of Important Bird Areas in European Russia (no IBAs were identified in Franz Josef Land).

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0 500 1000

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25 ARCTIC OCEAN 30

35 31 29

36 37 32 3 10 11 4 21 5 8 39 7 33 9 34 6

12 38 20 19 22 199 18 202 200 28 40 201 13 16 27 198 41 24 15 23 14 43 17 42 44 57 203 48 4549 53 BALTIC 58 185 ESTO 47 54 183 SEA 46 68 190 209 211 55 51 59 N 50 64 189 IA 52 186 210 65 67 184 205 204 212 56 66 187 191 207 71 192 60 76 105 188 208 61 75 73 101 112 72 110 194 206 63 88 85 99 100 197 217 70 84 109 196 213 LITHUANIA 62 104 218 74 87 98 195 214 69 89 193 2 86 91 102 103 108 111 1 90 215 97 83 106 136 216 93 96 107 80 132 78 95 131 BELARUS 82 139 128 POLAND 92 118 138 126 127 79 77 94 137 117 134 135 81 114 133 129 115 121 123 130 113 120 116 124 122 146 182 119 125 147 144 145 UKRAINE 140 149 180 142 141 143 179 157 148 160 165 181 156 166 164 178 Highest category of 150 172 criteria met by IBA 151 159 176 A (188 IBAs) 171 154 177 CASPIAN B (30 IBAs) 158 153 152 155 162 170 SEA Area of IBA (ha) 174 167 169 65,600 to 1,926,489 163 173 24,000 to 65,599 161 168 175 BLACK 8,132 to 23,999 SEA AZER- 20 to 8,131 BAIJAN (and unknown)

582 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 1. Summary of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. 218 IBAs covering 174,519 km2 IBA 1989 code code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 001 — Nemanski forest Nemansky Les Kaliningrad 17,000 B2 002 — Dal’ni forest Les Dal’ni Kaliningrad 4,000 A1 003 SU128 Ainov islands Ainovy Ostrova Murmansk 290 A4i, B1i, B3 004 SU129 Sem islands Sem Ostrovov Murmansk 10,667 A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 005 SU130 Coastal belt of eastern Murmansk Vostochnoye poberezh’ye Murmana Murmansk 260 A4i, B1i 006 SU132 Watershed of the Rivers Strelna and Mezhdurech’ye rek Strelna i Varzuga Murmansk 250,000 B1i Varzuga 007 SU133 Middle reaches of the River Ponoy Srednee techeniye reki Ponoy Murmansk 98,600 A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 (Zakaznik Ponoyski) (Zakaznik Ponoyski) 008 SU136 Lapland Biosphere Reserve Laplandski Murmansk 278,436 A3, B2, B3 009 SU137 Kandalaksha Bay Kandalakshski Zaliv Murmansk 208,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1ii, B2 010 — Gavrilovski archipelago Gavrilovski arkhipelag Murmansk 1,500 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1ii, B2, B3 011 — Surroundings of Kiyesh’yaur lake Okrestnosti ozera Kiyesh’yaur Murmansk 4,000 B2 012 SU138 Lakes of northern Karelia Ozera severnoy Karelii Karelia Republic 1,000,000 A4i, B1i 013 SU141 Kivach Zapovednik Kivach Karelia Republic 10,880 A3, B2, B3 014 SU142 Olonets plain Olonetskaya ravnina Karelia Republic 18,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 015 — Palinsaari island Ostrov Palinsaari Karelia Republic 100 B1i, B3 016 — Zaonezh’ye Zaonezh’ye Karelia Republic 330,000 A1, A3, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 017 — South-eastern coast of Poberezh’ye i ostrova ozera Ladoga Karelia Republic 1,250 A4i, B1i, B2 yuzhneye ust’ya reki Olonki 018 SU140 Onega Bay of Onezhskaya Guba Belogo Morya , Karelia Republic 200,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1ii, B2, B3 019 SU127 Pinezhski Nature Reserve Pinegski Zapovednik Arkhangelsk 41,244 A1, B2 020 SU139 Solovetski Archipelago Solovetskiye ostrova Arkhangelsk 34,700 A1, A4i, B1i, B1ii, B2, B3 021 — Torna–Shoina watershed Mezhdurech’e Torny i Shoiny Arkhangelsk 15,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 022 — Delta of River Severnaya Dvina Delta Severnoy Dviny Arkhangelsk 50,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 023 — Lake Lacha Ozero Lacha Arkhangelsk 53,500 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 024 — Kenozer’ye Kenozer’ye Arkhangelsk 180,000 A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 025 — Bezymyannaya and Gribovaya Bays Guba Bezymyannaya i Gribovaya Arkhangelsk 140,000 A1, A4i, A4ii, B1i, B1ii, B3 and adjoining waters 026 — Arkhangelskaya Bay Guba Arkhangelskaya Arkhangelsk 1,000 A4ii, B1ii 027 — ’ area Kargopol’skaya sush’ Arkhangelsk 175,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 028 — Vodlozero Vodlozero Arkhangelsk, Karelia Republic 200,000 A1, B2 029 SU119 Vashutkiny, Padimeyskiye and Vashutkiny, Padimeyskiye i Khargeyskiye Arkhangelsk, Nenetski 25,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i Khargeyskiye lakes Ozera 030 SU120 Vaygach island Ostrov Vaygach Arkhangelsk, Nenetski 340,000 A3, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 031 SU122 Varandeyskaya Lapta peninsula Poluostrov Varandeyskaya Lapta Arkhangelsk, Nenetski 350,000 A4iii 032 SU123 River Chernaya Reka Chernaya Arkhangelsk, Nenetski 200,000 A4iii 033 SU125 Southern coast of Cheshskaya Bay Yuzhnoe poberezh’ye Cheshskoy Guby Arkhangelsk, Nenetski — B1i 034 SU126 Kanin peninsula Poluostrov Kanin Arkhangelsk, Nenetski 500,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 035 SU121 Khaypudyrskaya Bay (islands of Khaypudyrskaya Guba, ostrova Nenetski 20,600 A4i, A4iii, B1i B. Zelenets, Dolgi, Matveyev) B. Zelenets, Dolgi, Matveyev 036 SU124 Russki Zavorot peninsula Poluostrov Russki Zavorot Nenetski 299,000 A3, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 037 — Middle reaches of Bolshaya Rogovaya Sredneye techeniye reki Bolshaya Nenetski 35,000 A1, A3, B2 river Rogovaya 038 SU118 Pechoro-Ilychski Nature Reserve Pechoro-Ilychski Zapovednik 705,500 A1, B2 039 — Yugyd Va Yugyd Va Komi Republic 1,926,489 A1, A3, B1i, B2 040 — Valley of Sysola river Dolina reki Sysoly Komi Republic 110,000 A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 041 SU143 Kilpola island and adjoining waters Kilpola Ostrov i prilegayushchaya Karelia Republic 30,000 B1i akvatoria 042 SU144 Mouth of Svir river Ust’ye reki Svir Leningrad 65,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 043 SU145 Rakovye lakes Rakovye Ozera Leningrad 9,700 A1, A4iii, B1i 044 SU146 Berezovye islands of Vyborg Bay Berezovye ostrova, Vyborgski Zaliv Leningrad 12,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 045 SU147 Koporski Bay Koporskaya Guba Leningrad 6,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 046 SU148 Lake Vyalye and adjoining marshes Ozero Vyal’ye i prilegayushchiye bolota Leningrad 20,000 B1i 047 SU151 Narvskoye Vodokhranilishche Leningrad 20,000 A4iii 048 — Kurgalski peninsula Kurgalski Poluostrov Leningrad 27,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i 049 — Swans area (southern shore of Finski Bay) Lebyazh’ye Leningrad 6,400 A4i, A4iii, B1i 050 SU152 Chudsko-Pskovski lake and adjacent Pskovsk-Chudskoye Ozero i okrestnosti Pskov 251,400 A1, A4i, A4iii, A4iv, B1i, B1iv areas 051 SU150 Lake Ilmen’ and adjoining marshy plain Ozero Ilmen’ i okrestnosti Novgorod 250,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 052 — Pereluchski Nature Reserve Pereluchski Zakaznik Novgorod 6,425 A1, B2 053 — Flood-plain of river Volkhovskaya poima Novgorod 17,650 A1, A4i, B1i 054 — Redrovski Nature Reserve Redrovski Zakaznik Novgorod 16,850 A1 055 SU149 Sources of the River Luga Verkhov’ya reki Luga Novgorod, Leningrad 49,600 A1, B1i 056 — Polisto-Lovatskaya mire system Polisto-Lovatskaya bolotnaya systema Novgorod, Pskov 110,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3

583 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 1 ... continued. Summary of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. 218 IBAs covering 174,519 km2 IBA 1989 code code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 057 — Sizemski flood-plain of reservoir Sizemski razliv Sheksninskogo Vologda 60,000 A1, B2 vodokhranilische 058 SU114 reservoir Rybinskoye vodokhranilishche Vologda, ’ 455,000 A1, B1i, B2 059 SU104 Uglichskoy reservoir Uglichskoe vodokhranilishche , Yaroslavl’ 10,000 B1i 060 SU113 Central Forest Biosphere Reserve and Tsentralno-Lesnoi Zapovednik Tver 63,680 A1, B1i adjacent areas i okrestnosti 061 — Sources of Osuga river Verkhov’ya reki Osugi Tver 5,100 A1 062 — Budnyanski mire Budnyanski Mokh Tver 3,156 B1i, B2 063 — Stakhovski marshes Stakhovski Mokh Tver 10,296 A1, B1i 064 — Upper river (Verestovo lake) Verkhov’ye reki Mologi (Ozero Verestovo) Tver 17,000 A1, B1i, B2 065 — Savtsinskoye marsh Boloto “Savtsinskoye” Tver 4,569 B1i, B2 066 — Orshinski marshes Boloto “Orshinski mokh” Tver 43,200 B1i 067 — Flood-plain of ’ and Ust’e rivers Poima rek Ust’e i Kotorosl’ Yaroslavl’ 4,200 A1, A4i, B1i 068 — Flood-plain of river Kostromskiye razlivy Yaroslavl’, Kostroma 55,125 A4iii, B1i 069 — Smolenskoye Pohozer’ye Smolenskoye Pohozer’ye Smolensk 146,161 A1, B2 070 SU103 Faustovo flood-plains of Moscow river Faustovskoye rashireniye poimy Moscow 9,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 reki Moskvy 071 SU105 Homeland of the Crane ( marshes Zhuravlinaya Rodina (Dubnenski Moscow 38,500 A1, B1i and adjacent areas) bolotny massiv i okrestnosti) 072 — Lotoshino crane gathering Lotoshinskoye zhuravlinoye skopleniye Moscow, Tver 28,200 B1i 073 — Danilovskoye marshes Danilovskoye boloto Moscow 400 B2 074 — Dedinivo flood-plain of river Dedinovskaya poima reki Oki Moscow 23,120 A1, A4iii, B1i, B2 075 SU107 Zavidovo Nature Reserve, including Zavidovski Zapovednik, Lotoshinski Moscow, Tver 133,800 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Lotoshinski, Klinski and Diatlovo i Klinski rybkhozy fish-ponds 076 — Central Meshchera lake-system Tsentral’no-Meshcherskaya ozernaya Moscow, Vladimir, Ryazan’ 92,700 A1, B3 sistema 077 — Nerussa–Desna woodland Nerusso-Desnyanskoe Poles’ye Bryansk 220,000 A1, B2, B3 078 — Flood-plain of Iput’ river in vicinity of Poima Iputi mezhdu Krutoyar i Krasnoe Bryansk 4,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i Krutoayr 079 — Flood-plain of Iput’ river in vicinity of Poima Iputi mezhdu rekoy Unich’ i Bryansk 6,800 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 Kholevichami Kholevicham 080 — Kletnyanski forest Kletnyanski Les Bryansk 38,100 B2 081 — Desna flood-plain near Trubchevsk Poima Desny mezhdu Trubchevskom i Bryansk 17,200 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 Beloy Berezkoy 082 — Gavan’skiye oak-forest Gavan’skiye Dubravy Bryansk 3,000 A1, B3 083 — Kaluzhskiye Zaseki Nature Reserve Kaluzhskiye Zaseki 44,613 A1, B2, B3 084 SU101 Oka River Valley Biosphere Reserve Okski Zapovednik Ryazan’ 55,731 A1 085 — Valley complex of Moksha and Oka rivers Dolinny Complex levoberezh’ya reki Oki Ryazan’ 22,400 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 086 — Shilovo flood-plain of Oka river Shilovskaya poima Oki Ryazan’ 22,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 087 — Izhevsk flood-plain of Oka river Izhevskaya poima Oki Ryazan’ 30,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 088 — Solotcha flood-plain of Oka river Solotchinskaya poima Oki Ryazan’ 12,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 089 — Oka valley in vicinity of Murmino Poima Oki v okrestnostyakh Murmino Ryazan’ 8,400 A4iii, B1i 090 — Watershed of and Vysha rivers Urochische Lepen’ (mezhdurech’ye Tsny Ryazan’ 16,000 A1 i Vyshy) 091 — Terekhovski oak-forest Terekhovskaya poimennaya Dubrava Ryazan’ 5,000 A1 092 — Kulikovski forest Kulikovski Les 18,500 A1 093 — Upper forest Verkhnevoronezhski lesnoy massiv Lipetsk, Tambov 92,800 A1, B2 094 — Watershed of and Tsna rivers Bityugo-Tsninski Tambov 80,000 A1, A4i, B1i 095 — Zavoronezhski area Zavoronezhski bolotno-polevoy uchastok Tambov 48,000 A1, A4i, B1i 096 — Voroninski Nature Reserve Voroninski Zapovednik Tambov 10,320 A1, B1i 097 — Tsninski forest Tsninski Lesnoy massiv Tambov 100,000 A1, B1i, B2 098 SU095 Flood-plain of river Poima reki Sura, Mordovia Republic 40,000 A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 099 SU096 Mordovian P. G. Smidovich Nature Mordovski Zapovednik Mordovia Republic 32,200 A1, B2 Reserve 100 SU097 Moksha valley in vicinity of Temnikov Moksha Dolina v okrestnostyakh Mordovia Republic 28,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Temnikova 101 — Ichalkovski Ichalkovski Mordovia Republic 10,000 A1, B2 102 — Flood-plain of Vad river Poima reki Vad Mordovia Republic 65,600 A1, B2, B3 103 — Insaro-Kovylkinski Insaro-Kovylkinsk Mordovia Republic 22,800 B2, B3 104 — Moksha flood-plain in vicinity of Poima Mokshy v okrestnostyakh Mordovia Republic 32,400 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Krasnoslobodsk Krasnoslobodska 105 — Flood-plain of ’ river in vicinity Poima reki Alatyr’ v okrestnostyakh Mordovia Republic 38,000 A1, B2 of Ardatov Ardatova 106 — Surski reservoir Surskoye vodokhranilische Penza 11,000 A1, B1i 107 — Bekovskoye forest Bekovskoye Lesnichestvo (Serdobski Penza 8,000 A1 Leskhoz)

584 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 1 ... continued. Summary of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. 218 IBAs covering 174,519 km2 IBA 1989 code code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 108 — Kuznetski forest Kuznetski Leskhoz Penza 40,000 A1, B2 109 — Sengileyevskiye mountain Sengileyevskiye Gory Ul’yanovsk 22,400 A1 110 SU093 Watershed of Sura and Barysh rivers Mezhdurech’ye Sury i Barysha Ul’yanovsk 16,500 A1, B1i, B2 111 — Privolzhskaya forest-steppe Privolzhskaya Lesostep’ Ul’yanovsk 15,000 A1, B2 112 — Cheremshanski Bay of Kuybyshev Cheremshanski Zaliv Kuybyshevskogo Ul’yanovsk 63,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 reservoir vodokhranilischa 113 SU099 Khoper Nature Reserve Khoperski Zapovednik Voronezh 16,178 A1 114 — Flood-plain of Khoper river near Lake Ilmen’ Poima reki Khoper u ozera Ilmen’ Voronezh 4,000 A1 115 — Khrenovskoy forest Khrenovskoy Bor Voronezh 35,000 A1, B2 116 — Bereznyakovski forest Bereznyakovski lesnoy massiv Voronezh 13,200 A1 117 — Voronezhski Nature Reserve Voronezhski Zapovednik Voronezh, Lipetsk 31,053 A1, B2 118 — Vorono-Khoperski area Vorono-Khopoerski Voronezh, Tambov, Saratov 22,000 A1, A4i, B1i 119 — Levo-Dobrinskaya valley Levo-Dobrinskaya Dolina Volgograd 3,000 A1, B2 120 — Lake El’ton Ozero El’ton Volgograd 30,000 A1, A4i, B1i 121 — Novokvasnikovski liman Novokvasnikovski Liman Volgograd 300 A1 122 — Kalachinskaya loop of River Don Kalachinskaya izluchina Dona Volgograd 60,000 A1, B2 123 — Danilovski forest Danilovski Bor Volgograd 10,000 A1, B2 124 — Rubezhnoye forest Urochishche Rubezhnoye Volgograd 5,000 A1, B2 125 — Akhtubinskoye Poozer’ye Volgograd 138,000 A1, A4iii, B2 126 SU092 Vicinity of Borisoglebovka (Saratovski Okrestnosti Borisoglebovki (Saratovski Saratov 35,000 A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 [Semenovski] Zakaznik) [Semenovski] Zakaznik) 127 — Valley of Safarovka river Dolina reki Safarovki Saratov 2,500 A1 128 — Siniye mountains Siniye Gory Saratov 15,000 A1, B2 129 — Priyeruslanskiye sands Priyeruslanskiye Peski Saratov 20,000 A1, B2 130 — Varfolomeyevskiye saltmarshes Varfolomeyevskiye Limany Saratov 2,800 A1, A4i, B1i 131 — North part of Volgogradski reservoir Severnaya zona Volgogradskogo Saratov 74,250 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 vodokhranilis 132 — Vicinity of Voznesenka village Okrestnosti sela Voznesenka Saratov 1,200 A1 133 — Sokino Sokino Saratov 30,330 A1 134 — Almazovski area Almazovski Zakaznik Saratov 4,500 B2 135 — Algaiski Algaiski Saratov 13,000 A1, A3, B2 136 — Khvalynski National Park Khvalynski Natsional’ny Park Saratov 25,514 A1, B2 137 — Rovno area Rovenski Saratov 8,220 A1 138 — Stepan Rasin rock Utes Stepana Rasina Saratov 35,050 A1, B2 139 — Rzhestyanka Rzhestyanka Saratov 8,000 A1, A3 140 SU059 Veselovskoye reservoir Veselovskoye Vodokhranilishche Rostov 230,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 141 — Delta of the River Don Delta Dona Rostov 53,800 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1iv, B2 142 — Beglitskaya sand-spit Beglitskaya Rostov 1,414 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 143 — Islands in the western part of Lake Ostrove v zapadnoy chasti ozera Rostov 19,200 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 Manych-Gudilo Manych-Gudilo 144 — Karaichevski forest Karaichevskaya Lesnaya Dacha Rostov 5,000 B2 145 — Secretevskiye sands (Oblivski forest) Urochishche Secretivskiye Peski Rostov 3,000 B2 (Oblivski Leskhoz) 146 — Kalitvenski forest Kalitvenskoye Lesnichestvo, Donetski Rostov 1,200 B2 Leskhoz 147 — Gorodishchenski forest Gorodishchenskaya Lesnaya Dacha Rostov 3,000 B2 148 SU085 Chistaya Banka and Ivan-Karaul islands Ostrova Chistaya Banka i Ivan-Karaul Kalmykiya Republic — A4i, A4iii, B1i 149 — Uttinskaya area Uttinskaya Kalmykiya Republic 98,000 A1, B2 150 SU057 Salt-lakes in the Primorsko-Akhtarsk area Primorsko-Akhtarskaya sistema limanov Krasnodarski kray 40,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 151 — Eastern coast of the Vostochnoe poberezh’ye Azovskogo morya Krasnodarski kray 457,300 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 152 — Kiziltash limans Kiziltashskiye Limany Krasnodarski kray 28,000 A4i, B1i, B2, B3 153 — Lower Urushtek river Nizov’e reki Urushtek Krasnodarski kray 1,764 B2, B3 154 — Akhmet–Skala ridge Khrebet Akhmet-Skala Krasnodarski kray 2,300 B2 155 — Kurdzhips river valley Dolina reki Kurdzhips Krasnodarski kray 10,230 B2 156 — Lake Khanskoye Ozero Khanskoye Krasnodarski kray 8,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 157 — Yeyski salt-lakes Yeyski Liman Krasnodarski kray 24,000 A4i, B1i, B2, B3 158 — Surroundings of Black Forest Okrestnosti Chernogo Lesa Krasnodarski kray 20 A4i, B1i, B2 159 — Kalininski Plavny Kalininskiye Plavny Krasnodarski kray 3,000 A4i, B1i, B2 160 — Mouth of Yeya river Ust’ye reki Yeya Krasnodarski kray 9,600 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 161 — Imeretinskaya lowland Imeretinskaya nizmennost’ Krasnodarski kray 1,500 A1 162 — Valley of Urup river Dolina reki Urup Krasnodarski kray, 8,132 B2, B3 Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya Republic 163 SU058 Caucasus Biosphere Reserve Kavkazski Biospherny Zapovednik Krasnodarski kray, Stavropolski kray, 280,338 A1, A2, A3, B1iv, B2 Adygeya Republic 164 — Dadynskiye lake Dadynskiye ozero Stavropolski kray 45,000 A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2, B3

585 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 1 ... continued. Summary of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. 218 IBAs covering 174,519 km2 IBA 1989 code code International name National name Administrative region Area (ha) Criteria (see p. 11) 165 SU060 Lake Manych-Gudilo Ozero Manych Gudilo Stavropolski kray, Kalmykiya Republic 50,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 166 SU061 Burukshunskiye limans Burukshunskiye Limany Stavropolski kray, Kalmykiya Republic 6,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 167 SU062 Teberdinski Nature Reserve Teberdinski Zapovednik Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya Republic 84,996 A1, A2, A3, B1iv, B2 168 SU063 Kabardino-Balkarski Nature Reserve Kabardino-Balkarski Zapovednik Kabardino-Balkarskaya Republic 74,099 B2 169 SU072 Severo-Osetinski (North Osetin) Nature Severo-Osetinski Zapovednik Severnaya Osetiya Republic 28,999 B2 Reserve 170 SU083 Budary lakes Budarskiye Ozera Chechenskaya Republic 1,000 B1i 171 SU082 Agrakhanski Bay Agrakhanski Zaliv Republic 39,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 172 SU084 Kizlyar Bay Kizlyarski Zaliv Dagestan Republic 19,061 A1, A4i, B1i 173 — Mouth of Samur river Ust’e reki Samur Dagestan Republic 7,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 174 — Lake Adzhi Ozero Adzhi Dagestan Republic 2,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 175 — Sources of Mazachai and Mullarchai rivers Verkhov’ya rek Mazachai i Mullarchai Dagestan Republic 10,000 A1, A3, B2 176 — Karakol’skiye lakes Karakol’skiye ozera Dagestan Republic 10,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 177 — Achikol’skiye lakes Achikol’skiye Ozera Dagestan Republic 20,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 178 SU087 Morskoy Biryuchek island Ostrov Morskoy Biryuchek Dagestan Republic, 30,000 A4i, B1i Kalmykiya Republic 179 SU086 Volga delta Delta Volgi 1,150,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 180 — Western Ilmen area Zapadnye podstepnye ilmeni Astrakhan 590,000 A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 181 — Maly Zhemchuzhny island Maly Zhemchuzhny Ostrov Astrakhan 35 A4i, B1i, B2 182 — Bogdinsko-Baskunchakski Bogdinsko-Baskunchakski Astrakhan 70,000 A1, A3, B2 183 SU116 Flood-plain of River Poima reki Vetlugi Kostroma — B1i 184 — Kamsko-Bakaldinskiye marshes Kamsko-Bakaldinskiye Bolota Nizhni Novgorod 120,000 B1i 185 — Sitnikovski Nature Reserve Sitnikovski Zakaznik Nizhni Novgorod 2,117 A4i, B1i, B2 186 SU115 Gorki reservoir and the lower Gorkovskoye Vodokhranilishche i Ivanovo, Nizhni Novgorod, 72,100 B1i river nizov’ya reki Unzha Kostroma 187 SU094 Flood-plain of Algashka river Poima reki Algashki Chuvashskaya Republic 400 A1, A4iii, B1i 188 — Sura environs Prisur’ye Chuvashskaya Republic 44,000 A1, B1i, B2 189 — Arski fish-ponds Arski rybkhoz Republic 1,000 A1, B1i 190 — Kamsko-Ikski area Kamsko-Ikski Tatarstan Republic 100,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 191 — Bulgarski Bulgarski Tatarstan Republic 25,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 192 — Cheremshanski forest Cheremshanski Les Tatarstan Republic, Ul’yanovsk 100,000 A1, B2 193 SU091 Zhigulevsk Nature Reserve Zhigulevski Zapovednik Samara 23,140 A1, B2, B3 194 — Tashlinski forest Tashlinski Les Samara 1,000 A1, B2 195 — Racheyski forest Racheyski Bor Samara 40,100 A1, B2, B3 196 — Suskanski Nature Reserve Suskanski Zakaznik Samara 40,500 A1, A4i, B1i 197 — Buzulukski forest Buzulukski Bor Samara, 111,210 A1, B2, B3 198 — Kamsko-Yayvenski wetland Kamsko-Yayvenski vodno-bolotny complex Perm 35,000 A1, B2 199 — Verkhnevisherski mountain Verkhnevisherski Gorny massiv Perm 180,000 A3, B2, B3 200 — Kumikushski wetland Kumikushski vodno-bolotny complex Perm 80,000 A1, A3, A4iii 201 — Adovo-Chugrumski wetland Adovo-Chugrumski vodno-bolotny Perm 21,000 A1, A3, B2 complex 202 — Khvarkush and Zolotoy Kamen’ ridges Khrebet Kvarkush i Zolotoy Kamen’ Perm 130,000 A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 203 — Nizhnekamskaya flood-plain Nizhnekamskaya poima Perm, Republic 8,000 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 204 SU090 Bashkirski Nature Reserve Bashkirski Zapovednik Republic 49,609 A1, B2 205 — Octyabr’ski forest Octyabr’ski Lesnoi massiv Bashkortostan Republic 50,000 A1, B2 206 — Mountain valley of river Gornaya Dolina reki Sakmary Bashkortostan Republic 5,000 A1, B2 207 — Nikiforovski forest Nikiforovski Lesnoi massiv Bashkortostan Republic 20,000 A1, B2 208 — Watershed of Bel’skaya and Nugush rivers Bel’sko-Nugushskoe Mezhdurech’ye Bashkortostan Republic 150,000 A1, B2 209 — Bel’skaya flood-plain Bel’skaya poima Bashkortostan Republic 42,800 A1, A4i, B1i, B2 210 — Yamantau mountain Gorny massiv Yamantau Bashkortostan Republic 120,000 A1, A3, B2 211 — Iremel’ski mountain Iremel’ski gorny massiv Bashkortostan Republic, 90,000 A1, A3, B2 Chelyabinsk 212 — Irendyk ridge Khrebet Irendyk Bashkortostan Republic 150,000 A1, A4i, A4iv, B1i, B1iv, B2 213 — Maly Nakas ridge Khrebet Maly Nakas Bashkortostan Republic, 50,000 A1, B2 Orenburg 214 — Steppe valley of Sakmara river Stepnaya Dolina reki Sakmary Orenburg 75,000 A1, B2 215 — Kupy area Urochishche Kupy Orenburg 2,000 A4iii, B1i 216 — Kulaksay lowland Nizina Kulaksay Orenburg 5,000 A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 217 — Shalkaro-Zhetykolski lake system Shalkaro-Zhelykolski Ozerny Rayon Orenburg 81,250 A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 218 — Orenburgski Nature Reserve Orenburgski Zapovednik Orenburg 21,600 A1, A3, B2 Sites identified in the previous inventory of IBAs in Europe (Grimmett and Jones 1989) but no longer considered to be IBAs SU098 Okskaya Dolina (Oka Valley), Ryazan ; SU100 Les Na Vorskle, Belgorod Oblast; SU102 Prioksko – Terrasny, Serpukhov, Moskovskaya Oblast; SU106 Moskovskoye Morye, Konakovo, Kalinin Oblast; SU108 Prof. V.V. Alekhin Tsentralno-Chernozemny (Central Black Earth) Biosphere Reserve, Kursk and Belgorod ; SU109 , ; SU110* Osveyskoye Ozero (Lake Osveyskoye), Verkhnedvinsk, “Belorussia Oblast”; SU117 Votkinskoye Vodokhranilishche (Votkinskoye Reservoir), Perm Oblast; SU131 Watershed of the Rivers Lumbovka and Ponoy Reka, Lovozero, Murmansk Oblast; SU134 Chalmny-Varre, Lovozero, Murmansk Oblast; SU135 Watershed of the Rivers Iokanga and Ponoy Reka, Lovozero, Murmansk Oblast. * Mistakenly treated as part of RSFSR in the previous inventory of IBAs in Europe (Grimmett and Jones 1989).

586 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 2. Important Bird Areas in European Russia that are important for species of global conservation concern (meeting criterion A1). Species IBA code Species IBA code Phalacrocorax pygmeus Pygmy Cormorant 171, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 179 Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel 105, 141, 142, 164, 212, 216 Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican 143, 150, 151, 156, 164, 165, 166, 171, 172, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi 163, 167, 175 173, 174, 176, 177, 179, 217 Caucasian Black Grouse Anser erythropus 019, 021, 027, 037, 040, 042, 045, 051, 055, Crex crex Corncrake 002, 014, 016, 023, 024, 027, 040, 042, 043, Lesser White-fronted Goose 060, 067, 141, 164, 165, 173, 189, 190, 191, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 060, 061, 216, 217 063, 064, 069, 070, 074, 075, 076, 077, 079, Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose 094, 100, 104, 118, 140, 141, 143, 164, 165, 081, 083, 084, 085, 086, 087, 088, 090, 092, 216, 217 093, 094, 095, 096, 097, 099, 100, 101, 104, Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck 141, 164, 173, 174, 177, 179 105, 110, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 131, Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider 010, 020, 025 141, 161, 163, 187, 188, 193, 195, 197, 198, Oxyura leucocephala White-headed Duck 164 200, 203, 204, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle 007, 009, 020, 024, 028, 038, 039, 042, 045, Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard 120, 127, 129, 135, 137, 139, 149, 164, 173, 057, 058, 075, 106, 112, 113, 114, 122, 124, 174, 218 125, 131, 136, 140, 141, 149, 163, 177, 179, Otis tarda Great Bustard 118, 126, 127, 128, 132, 137, 139, 164 182, 191, 193, 196, 198, 200, 203 Glareola nordmanni 121, 126, 127, 130, 141, 142, 143, 150, 160, Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture 149, 175 Black-winged Pratincole 164, 212, 217 Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier 128, 135, 173, 209, 212, 213, 216, 217 Gallinago media Great Snipe 039, 040, 042, 051, 052, 053, 063, 064, 070, Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle 050, 053, 054, 069, 071, 074, 075, 076, 077, 074, 075, 076, 087, 088, 090, 093, 102, 131, 082, 084, 091, 093, 097, 099, 102, 107, 110, 141, 191, 198, 200, 201, 202, 203, 209, 210, 115, 117, 133, 173, 179, 198, 202, 208, 209 211, 212 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle 093, 101, 105, 108, 109, 111, 113, 115, 117, Acrocephalus paludicola Aquatic Warbler 198, 203, 209 119, 122, 123, 128, 136, 138, 167, 182, 188, 192, 194, 197, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 214, 218

Table 3. Important Bird Areas in European Russia that support important numbers of one or more congregatory species (i.e. meeting criteria A4 and/or B1). IBAs meeting both criteria A4 and B1 for the species are shown in bold. IBAs meeting only criterion B1 for the species concerned, and not A4, are shown in normal type. For key to ‘Season’, see p. 7 . Species Season IBA code Species Season IBA code Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver B 016, 024, 036 Anser fabalis Bean Goose B 030, 036 P 044, 048 P 014, 016, 022, 023, 027, 035, 042, 055, 068, Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe B 141 078, 079, 094, 095, 112, 118 Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe B 141 N 029 P 044 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose B 030, 036 Podiceps nigricollis B 141 P 014, 022, 023, 027, 035, 046, 058, 062, 063, Black-necked Grebe 064, 065, 066, 067, 068, 070, 074, 078, 079, Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant R 152 081, 085, 086, 087, 088, 089, 094, 095, 098, B 141, 156, 179 100, 104, 112, 118, 164, 165, 217 P 171, 172 Anser erythropus P 021, 027, 040, 060, 164, 165, 189, 191, 216, N 164, 181 Lesser White-fronted Goose 217 Phalacrocorax pygmeus B 179 Anser anser Greylag Goose R 177 Pygmy Cormorant P 174 B 012, 140, 141, 166, 179, 180, 190, 217 Pelecanus onocrotalus N 164 W 140 White Pelican P 064, 065, 066, 074, 075, 085, 086, 087, 088, Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican R 177 089, 094, 095, 096, 097, 098, 100, 104, 118, B 143, 150, 151, 156, 164, 165, 171, 176, 179, 140, 141, 143, 152, 166, 187, 188, 189, 191, 217 196 P 172, 173, 174 N 140, 180, 217 N 166 Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose B 021, 030 Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron B 159, 179 P 014, 021, 022, 034, 044 Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron B 179 Branta bernicla Brent Goose P 021, 022, 044 Egretta garzetta Little Egret B 140, 143, 158, 159, 179 Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 100, 104, 118, 140, 143, 164, 165, 216, 217 N 141 Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck R 165 Egretta alba Great White Egret R 177 B 180 B 140, 150, 179, 180 N 164 P 166, 172, 173 Tadorna tadorna Shelduck B 180 N 078, 141 N 165 Ardea cinerea Grey Heron B 179 Anas penelope Wigeon B 045 P 141 P 106, 187, 191, 215 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 140, 151, 158, 159, 166, 179 Anas strepera Gadwall B 190 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 140, 143, 150, 151, 164, 165, 166, 179, 180 P 172, 190 P 173 Anas crecca Teal B 045, 190 Cygnus olor Mute Swan R 164 P 166, 190, 191 B 179, 180 N 180 P 140, 178 Anas platyrhynchos Mallard B 179, 190 N 141, 165 W 140 Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan B 030, 034, 036 P 106, 141, 166, 190 P 022, 044, 045, 048, 049 Anas acuta Pintail B 021, 036, 045 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan B 006, 012 W 178 W 179 Anas querquedula Garganey P 141, 190 P 016, 023, 024, 035, 042, 044, 045, 048, 049, Anas clypeata Shoveler B 058, 190 140, 141, 151 P 190 N 006, 007 N 023

587 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 3 ... continued. Important Bird Areas in European Russia that support important numbers of one or more congregatory species (i.e. meeting criteria A4 and/or B1). IBAs meeting both criteria A4 and B1 for the species are shown in bold. IBAs meeting only criterion B1 for the species concerned, and not A4, are shown in normal type. For key to ‘Season’, see p. 7. Species Season IBA code Species Season IBA code Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard B 160, 177, 179 Numenius arquata Curlew B 016, 056 P 141, 172 P 016 Aythya ferina Pochard B 190 Tringa totanus Redshank B 150 P 141, 166, 190 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 040 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 179 P 024 Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck P 044, 187 Actitis hypoleucos B 016 Aythya marila Scaup B 021, 036 Common Sandpiper P 016 P 044, 045, 190, 191 Arenaria interpres Turnstone B 018 Somateria mollissima Eider R 010 Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua B 018 B 004, 009 Larus ichthyaetus B 148, 151, 152, 164, 165, 181 W 005, 018 Great Black-headed Gull P 141, 142 P 035 Larus minutus Little Gull B 017, 023, 045, 203 N 009 P 141, 142, 173 Somateria spectabilis King Eider B 036 Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull R 185 W 005 P 044, 141, 142 P 035 Larus genei Slender-billed Gull B 143, 165 Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider W 010 P 141, 142 N 020, 025 Larus canus Common Gull R 185 Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck B 030 B 016, 018 P 044 P 027, 044, 048 Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 042, 044, 045 Larus fuscus B 018, 045 Melanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 044 Lesser Black-backed Gull P 044, 048 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye B 036, 045 Larus argentatus Herring Gull B 018 P 024, 044, 068 P 044, 048 N 009, 050 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 152, 156, 157, 164, 165, 181 Mergus serrator B 016 P 141, 142 Red-breasted Merganser P 044, 048 Larus marinus B 003 Mergus merganser Goosander B 030 Great Black-backed Gull P 048 P 044, 048 Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern B 143, 152, 164, 165 Fulica atra Coot R 177 P 173 B 179, 180 N 141 P 166, 174 Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 015, 152, 156, 181 N 050 N 141 Grus grus Crane B 016, 043, 056, 184 Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern R 152 P 016, 027, 071, 072, 095, 110, 120, 209 B 157, 181 Himantopus himantopus B 141, 143, 150, 151, 152, 164 Sterna hirundo Common Tern B 016, 152, 156, 157 Black-winged Stilt P 141 P 141, 142, 190 Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet B 150, 151, 152 Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern B 020 Glareola pratincola B 150, 160, 165 Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 045, 075, 150, 152, 203 Collared Pratincole P 141 P 141, 142, 190, 191 Glareola nordmanni B 126, 130, 164, 217 Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B 160, 165 Black-winged Pratincole P 141 P 141 N 143 Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 075 Charadrius alexandrinus P 120 P 141 Kentish Plover Chlidonias leucopterus B 203 Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover P 016, 086 White-winged Black Tern P 141, 173 Vanellus vanellus Lapwing P 016, 196 Uria lomvia Brünnich’s Guillemot B 025, 026 Calidris maritima Purple Sandpiper P 003 Alca torda Razorbill B 010 Philomachus pugnax Ruff P 166 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 009, 010, 025 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 039, 051, 053, 087, 088, 202, 212 R 020 P 131, 141 surveys in 1998 (after the current IBA review was completed) have There are several endemic or restricted-range species in European shown that at least 73 (48%) of these sites appear to meet IBA Russia, most of which occur in the Caucasus Endemic Bird Area criteria. However, this shadow list is still bound to be incomplete (EBA 122, one of only three EBAs in Europe: Stattersfield et al. since there are, even now, vast areas of European Russia that have 1998), for instance Tetrao mlokosiewiczi, Tetraogallus caucasicus, never been ornithologically explored. Tetraogallus caspius, Prunella ocularis, Phylloscopus lorenzii (formerly P. sindianus) and Sitta krueperi. Of the 47 species in Europe that are restricted to either the boreal biome or the Arctic/tundra biome, ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE (when breeding) the majority of Arctic/tundra species and all of the boreal species breed regularly in European Russia. However, these There are 196 species of European conservation concern (SPECs) species usually occur at relatively low densities, most being highly which breed regularly in European Russia (Tucker and Heath 1994). dispersed across these vast zones, and thus it is sometimes very Twelve of them are globally threatened: Pelecanus crispus, Anser difficult or impossible to identify particular IBAs for these biome- erythropus, Aythya nyroca, Polysticta stelleri, Oxyura leucocephala, restricted species. It is easier to identify IBAs in highly developed Aquila clanga, Aquila heliaca, Falco naumanni, Crex crex, Otis tarda, regions, where suitable habitats are more scarce. Chettusia gregaria and Acrocephalus paludicola. The sites that hold Table 1 lists the criteria under which IBAs in European Russia significant numbers of these and eight other species of global were identified, the main ones being importance for species of global conservation concern are listed in Table 2. Apart from these 20 conservation concern (meeting the A1 criterion; 152 sites), for species species, a further 116 SPECs in Russia also have an unfavourable of European conservation concern (meeting B2/B3; 144 sites), and in Europe (Tucker and Heath 1994). for large congregations of waterbirds or seabirds (A4, B1; 131 sites).

588 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Most IBAs qualified under several criteria. Map 1 shows that the A large proportion of the IBAs are important for migratory great majority of the IBAs (188 sites) qualify as being globally waterbirds of many different species, at some point in their annual important (they meet ‘A’ criteria) and only 30 as regionally important life-cycle (i.e. when breeding, staging or wintering), and these 118 sites (meeting ‘B’ criteria only). A total of 116 SPECs meet criteria in and 87 species are listed in Table 3. Most of these are located IBAs in Russia, and they are listed in Table 4. Many of these species in the coastal zones of the Caspian, Black and Baltic Seas, the Arctic breed at densities that are too low to meet the relevant numerical Ocean and along the flood-plains of large rivers, and some have threshold, thus relatively few sites have qualified per species under been designated as Ramsar Sites (Table 5). A minority of sites are the B2/B3 criteria. rich in species that meet IBA criteria, e.g. 29 sites have more than 10

Table 4. Species of European conservation concern with significant breeding populations at Important Bird Areas in European Russia (meeting any IBA criteria). Minimum Proportion (%) of Minimum Proportion (%) of national breeding national population national breeding national population population breeding at all IBAs population breeding at all IBAs Species 1 (pairs) 2 in Russia Species 1 (pairs) 2 in Russia Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver 100,000 1 Larus minutus Little Gull 11,000 17 Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag 1,000 20 Larus canus Common Gull 40,000 57 Phalacrocorax pygmeus Pygmy Cormorant 330 1003 Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull 2,100 1003 Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican 300 1003 Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull 8,200 44 Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican 437 1003 Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern 1,800 22 Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron 9,000 61 Sterna caspia Caspian Tern 3,000 45 Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron 5,500 24 Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern 4,000 44 Ardea purpurea Purple Heron 40,000 9 Sterna albifrons Little Tern 5,000 27 Ciconia nigra Black Stork 400 13 Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern 10,000 9 Ciconia ciconia White Stork 3,500 2 Chlidonias niger Black Tern 20,000 9 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis 10,300 1003 Alca torda Razorbill 2,000 33 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill 2,300 69 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot 23,500 7 Anser erythropus Lesser White-fronted Goose 500 6 Columba oenas Stock Dove 10,000 3 Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose 4,000 63 Columba palumbus Woodpigeon 100,000 5 Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck 6,000 1003 Otus scops Scops Owl 20,000 1003 Anas strepera Gadwall 55,000 2 Bubo bubo Eagle Owl 2,000 2 Anas acuta Pintail 150,000 3 Nyctea scandiaca Snowy Owl — National pop unknown Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard 5,500 63 Strix aluco Tawny Owl 10,000 5 Aythya ferina Pochard 90,000 1 Alcedo atthis Kingfisher 10,000 5 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck 500 99 Jynx torquilla Wryneck 50,000 4 Mergus albellus Smew 7,000 <1 Dendrocopos medius Middle Spotted Woodpecker 1,000 51 Oxyura leucocephala White-headed Duck 50 8 Picoides tridactylus Three-toed Woodpecker 10,000 35 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle 900 38 yeltoniensis Black 6,000 69 Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier 40 30 Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed Lark 100,000 2 Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture 120 6 Lullula arborea 10,000 11 Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture 124 1003 arvensis Skylark 1,000,000 3 Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture 30 7 Riparia riparia Sand Martin 1,000,000 2 Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier 1,000 14 Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit 1,000,000 1 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk 3,000 2 Prunella atrogularis Black-throated Accentor 1,000 10 Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard 800 2 luscinia Nightingale 100,000 5 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle 300 8 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart 100,000 5 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle 800 10 Saxicola rubetra Whinchat 100,000 10 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle 600 12 Turdus merula Blackbird 10,000 29 Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle 500 7 Turdus philomelos Song Thrush 100,000 25 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle 500 8 Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush 10,000 41 Pandion haliaetus Osprey 2,500 5 Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler 100,000 2 Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel 70 29 Acrocephalus paludicola Aquatic Warbler 250 14 Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon 15,000 1 Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler 100,000 4 Falco cherrug Saker 120 1 Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler 10,000 3 Falco rusticolus Gyrfalcon 50 24 Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler 1,000,000 1 Falco peregrinus Peregrine 1,000 2 Sylvia borin Garden Warbler 500,000 7 Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse 100,000 7 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher 1,000,000 2 Tetrao mlokosiewiczi Caucasian Black Grouse 2,515 1003 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher 5,000 1003 Tetraogallus caucasicus Caucasian Snowcock 1,540 1003 Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher 1,000,000 2 Coturnix coturnix Quail 100,000 2 Parus caeruleus Blue Tit 100,000 5 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake 10,000 3 Sitta krueperi Krüper’s Nuthatch — National pop unknown Crex crex Corncrake 1,000,000 1 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike 100,000 3 Grus grus Crane 30,000 3 Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike 10,000 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard 18,000 2 Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay 10,000 11 Otis tarda Great Bustard 10,000 4 Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch 10,000 1003 Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet 1,730 1003 Carduelis chloris Greenfinch 100,000 6 Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole 1,000 7 Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill 10,000 17 Glareola nordmanni Black-winged Pratincole 6,500 5 Carpodacus rubicilla Great 70 1003 Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover 1,000 3 Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting 10,000 8 Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover 10,000 10 1. Only those species of European conservation concern (see Box 1, p. 12) that meet IBA criteria in Calidris maritima Purple Sandpiper 1,000 1 Russia are listed. Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper 100 6 2. Data are taken from the BirdLife/EBCC European Bird Database 1998 (Heath and Borggreve 2000). Gallinago media Great Snipe 150,000 1 3. The percentage of the national population in IBAs exceeds 100%. Usually this is because Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit 10,000 6 the national population estimate has not been updated recently whilst the IBA population Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel 10,000 6 estimate has been recently updated with new data as a result of comprehensive surveys of IBAs themselves. Also, the individual site count for a species may be the maximum or Tringa totanus Redshank 10,000 35 average over recent years, and summing these may record more than are present Larus melanocephalus Mediterranean Gull 2,050 1003 nationally in any single year.

589 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

The huge land-area of the former USSR was shared for Figure 1. Habitats at Important Bird Areas in European Russia • (see Appendix 3 for definitions of habitats). management mainly between two sectors: the governmental forestry agencies (the major land-users) and the hunting societies (the secondary land-users). Wetland • Most areas of relatively intact or little-modified habitat were Forest and woodland used for hunting activities.

Grassland The current situation is much the same, except that private ownership Artificial landscape of land is becoming more frequent and may in the future affect the overall balance of land-uses in the country, and possibly in IBAs. Scrub Other types of land-use are not so widespread in IBAs. A very Marine areas positive fact is that official nature-conservation activities take place in about 35% of IBAs, and at most such sites these activities cover Rocky areas ³ 50% cover¹ more than half of the IBA. Desert 5%–49% cover¹ The most frequent threats in Russian IBAs are the unsustainable < 5% or unknown¹ Unknown exploitation of birds (51%) and the disturbance of birds (42%) (Figure 3). The former threat takes a variety of forms—excessive 0 10 2030 4050 60 70 (legal) hunting of waterbirds, spring hunting (legal), poaching Percentage of IBAs (100% = 218 sites) (illegal)—and is also a consequence of other threats, e.g. expansion 1. percentage of area of individual IBA covered by habitat of agriculture and forestry, water management, or the extraction industry, which ‘invade’ wild areas and not only destroy habitats, qualifying species each, and six have more than 20 each, these being but also introduce more people into the landscape. The same can the Don delta (site 141; 36 species), Zaonezh’ye (site 016; 34 species), be said about disturbance of birds, as this is caused not only by Lapland Biosphere Reserve (site 008; 30 species), Volga delta (site direct and deliberate pursuit of birds, but also (and mainly) through 179; 27 species), and Kenozer’ye and Dadynskiye lake (sites 024 other human activities (listed in Figure 3) which cause incidental, and 164) both have 22 species. non-deliberate disturbance of sensitive species, for instance logging, It is difficult to assess how adequately breeding bird populations drainage or recreation during the nesting season. are covered by IBAs in European Russia (see Table 4), as national Overall, infrastructural development and urbanization are less population data are still unsatisfactory for many bird species and frequent than the previously mentioned threats (Figure 3), at least not all IBAs have been identified yet. But there is no doubt that for those IBAs already identified, although their severity for an many species of European conservation concern are not adequately individual IBA depends very much on its geographical location covered by the IBA network. (the highly developed centre of European Russia versus the vast, little-populated north-east). This threat will certainly increase in importance in the future. HABITATS Recent drastic changes in the economy will certainly modify bird habitats and, eventually, bird populations. A large decrease in There is a mosaic of natural and semi-natural habitats in European agricultural activity occurred during the last 10 years in Russia, Russia. Huge areas of the tundra and taiga are still very close to being and this reduction in land management poses a threat to certain ‘natural’. At the same time, some parts of the country have been bird species. Millions of hectares of agricultural land are currently almost completely transformed by man’s activities and being neglected, and haymaking and grazing have stopped on many infrastructure—mainly in the central and south-western meadows and pastures. Some industrial and intensive agricultural administrative regions such as Moscow, Tula, Kaluga, Orel, Belgorod, pressures on bird habitats have reduced, and some environmental Bryansk and Lipetsk, Kursk, Rostov, Krasnodar and Stavropol. pollution (e.g. from high use of artificial fertilizers) has sharply Eight main habitat-types are present in the 218 Russian IBAs, of decreased. At the same time, clear-cutting of forests has become which forests, wetlands and are the most frequent more widespread in recent years in the vast boreal zone, especially (Figure 1). Most of the Russian IBAs are located in real wilderness— in concessions granted to foreign or joint Russian–foreign logging in areas where there has been very little human impact. In contrast, companies, where the resulting problems are most acute. some IBAs exist mainly due to man’s non-intensive agricultural Further research is needed on the consequences for birds of these activities. For example, staging areas for migrating geese Anser and recent, large-scale changes in land-uses. In addition to the above- Grus grus often occur in agricultural landscapes, although never far from mires and forests, and some waders (Charadrii) prefer non- Figure 2. Land-uses at Important Bird Areas in European Russia intensive pastures for breeding. Although more IBAs contain forest (see Appendix 3 for definitions of land-uses). and woodland than any other main habitat-type (Figure 1), such habitat is present mostly as isolated tracts or small patches in the Agriculture IBAs of central and southern European Russia, while the vast boreal forests in the north, especially in the north-east, are still hardly Forestry covered by the IBA network (see Map 1). Hunting

Nature conservation/research

IMPACTS ON IBAs – LAND-USE AND THREATS Tourism/recreation Russia covers a wide span of Europe from north to south, and can Fisheries/aquaculture be divided into northern, central and southern zones in terms of Not utilized the level of human development and of habitat destruction. The current socio-economic situation has affected land-use in European Urban/industrial/transport Russia. In general, the influence of man and his activities decreases Water management from the south to the north of the country, as well as from the west ¹ to the east, and (within any particular administrative region) also Unknown ³ 50% cover from the centre to the boundaries. Most IBAs are currently state- 5%–49% cover¹ Other owned. Figure 2 shows the most common forms of land-use on < 5% or unknown¹ identified IBAs. Military Agricultural activity occurs in 57% of IBAs, while forestry and hunting occur in more than 43% and 40% of IBAs respectively 0 10 20 3040 50 60 Percentage of IBAs (100% = 218 sites) (Figure 2). The latter two land-uses are common within IBAs for 1. percentage of area of individual IBA covered by land-use two main reasons:

590 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Figure 3. Threats at Important Bird Areas in European Russia (see Appendix 3 for definitions of threat types and impact categories).

Unsustainable exploitation Disturbance to birds Recreation/tourism Selective logging/cutting Agricultural intensification/expansion Drainage Deforestation (commercial) Abandonment/reduction of land management Firewood collection Intensified forest management Extraction industry Infrastructure Forest grazing Aquaculture/fisheries Industrialization/urbanization Natural events Afforestation Other Groundwater abstraction High impact Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage Medium to low impact Filling-in of wetlands Dredging/canalization Unknown impact Consequences of /plant introductions Unknown 010203040 50 60 Percentage of IBAs (100% = 218 sites) mentioned threats, one of the most dangerous threats to IBAs is There are no analogues to the Zapovednik system elsewhere in the ever greater decentralization of decision-making from the the world. It was created in the former USSR and still exists in Russia federal to the regional level, accompanied by increasingly complex as the main remnant of that former system of protected areas. There and varied regional legislation, which sometimes makes it very are currently in all of the main physico-geographic difficult to monitor or affect the land-use and protected-area zones of Russia. Establishment of a Zapovednik entails major situation. restrictions on land-use. With the exception of scientific research, most forms of human activity are prohibited within its borders, including residence. Each Zapovednik is surrounded by a semi- PROTECTION STATUS protected buffer zone where a limited range of human development activities are allowed, provided that the reserve itself is unharmed. Table 5 summarizes the available data on the national and Allowed activities are agreed between the managers of the international protection status of IBAs. Zapovednik and the relevant local authorities. By the end of 1997 there were 99 Zapovedniks in the whole of Russia. ■ National protection One of the most comprehensive attempts at biodiversity 2. National Park conservation in Russia has been the establishment of an extensive National Parks fall within category II of the IUCN protected-area network of protected areas. The majority of protected areas in classification (IUCN 1994). In Russia, National Parks have a short Russia are owned, administered and monitored by a number of history as the first one was created in 1983. These areas are also state organizations, although many other organizations, including federal institutions with special staff, being administered by the NGOs, are also involved in the process of creation or monitoring. Federal Forest Service (mostly by regional units of that body) of the There are also one or two privately owned protected areas in Russia, Ministry of Agriculture. In comparison with Zapovedniks, National but this phenomenon is very new and still rare. Parks have a more flexible regime of economic development, and Three main federal laws regulate the management of all protected communities residing within the territory are typically incorporated areas, together with many local laws. The federal laws are: into the park. Among the main themes of staff activity are not only 1. Federal law ‘On Natural Environment Protection’. environment protection, but also public education and awareness. 2. Federal law ‘On Specially Protected Areas’. There are 34 National Parks in Russia. 3. Federal law ‘On Animal Protection’. 3. Natural Monument There are also other laws (for example, Forest law) which affect Natural Monuments meet category III of the IUCN protected-area protected areas in certain ways. classification (IUCN 1994). Most often, Natural Monuments are There are four main levels of natural resource management in designated to protect objects of special interest, such as a rock Russia: federal, regional (i.e. administrative regions, and republics), outcrop, or a rare bird’s nest (e.g. stork Ciconia or raptor), or a local authorities (districts within regions/republics), and land- water-source. Although the objectives of Natural Monuments are owners and land-users (including collective land-users). The process very similar to Zakazniks (see below), traditionally Natural of decision-making at each level is preceded by the consent of the Monuments have had a relatively small size (100–500 ha), but there appropriate authorities at all lower levels and of land-users. are exceptions in some regions. The management of Natural Details of the four main types of nationally are Monuments is arranged in the same way as it is in Zakazniks (see given below—for more detailed information see Sobolev et al. (1995) below), and they have neither scientific nor law-enforcement staff. and Blagovidov et al. (1995). 4. Zakaznik (Special Purpose Reserve or Nature Refuge) 1. Zapovednik (Strict Nature Reserve) Zakazniks mostly meet category IV of the IUCN protected-area This type of protected area falls mainly within category I of the classification (IUCN 1994). Zakazniks are territories where either IUCN protected-area classification (IUCN 1994), and most are permanent or temporary limitations have been placed upon administered by the Federal Committee for Environment and economic activities. There are several tens of federal Zakazniks in Nature Protection. There is a special Division of Nature Reserve Russia, but more commonly they are established at the level of Management within the Committee, and several Zapovedniks are administrative regions or republics. There are more than 1,000 such also managed by universities or by the Academy of Science. regional Zakazniks, covering about 4% of the territory of Russia.

591 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 5. Protection status of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. A tick (✔) indicates that an IBA overlaps with a protected area (to any extent). National International National International

IBA International IBA International

code name Zapovednik National Park Natural Monument Zakaznik Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve code name Zapovednik National Park Natural Monument Zakaznik Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve 001 Nemanski forest 052 Pereluchski Nature Reserve ✔ 002 Dal’ni forest ✔ 053 Flood-plain of Volkhov river 003 Ainov islands ✔ 054 Redrovski Nature Reserve ✔ 004 Sem islands ✔ 055 Sources of the River Luga 005 Coastal belt of eastern Murmansk 056 Polisto-Lovatskaya mire system ✔✔ 006 Watershed of the Rivers Strelna 057 Sizemski flood-plain and Varzuga of ✔ 007 Middle reaches of the River 058 ✔ ✔ Ponoy (Zakaznik Ponoyski) 059 Uglichskoy reservoir ✔✔ 008 Lapland Biosphere Reserve 060 Central Forest Biosphere Reserve 009 Kandalaksha Bay ✔✔ and adjacent areas ✔✔ 010 Gavrilovski archipelago ✔ 061 Sources of Osuga river 011 Surroundings of Kiyesh’yaur lake 062 Budnyanski mire ✔ 012 Lakes of northern Karelia ✔ 063 Stakhovski marshes 013 ✔ 064 Upper Mologa river (Verestovo lake) ✔ 014 Olonets plain ✔ 065 Savtsinskoye marsh ✔ 015 Palinsaari island 0661 Orshinski marshes 016 Zaonezh’ye ✔ 067 Flood-plain of Kotorosl’ 017 South-eastern coast of Lake Ladoga ✔ and Ust’e rivers 018 Onega Bay of White Sea ✔✔ 068 Flood-plain of Kostroma river ✔ 019 Pinezhski Nature Reserve ✔ 069 Smolenskoye Pohozer’ye ✔ 0201 Solovetski archipelago ✔ 070 Faustovo flood-plains ✔ 021 Torna–Shoina watershed of Moscow river 022 Delta of River Severnaya Dvina ✔ 071 Homeland of the Crane (Dubna marshes and adjacent areas) 023 Lake Lacha ✔ 072 Lotoshino crane gathering 024 Kenozer’ye ✔ 073 Danilovskoye marshes ✔ 025 Bezymyannaya and Gribovaya Bays ✔ and adjoining waters 074 Dedinivo flood-plain of Oka river 026 Arkhangelskaya Bay 075 Zavidovo Nature Reserve, including Lotoshinski, Klinski 027 Kargopol’ area ✔ and Diatlovo fish-ponds ✔ 028 Vodlozero ✔ 076 Central Meshchera lake-system ✔✔ 029 Vashutkiny, Padimeyskiye and 077 Nerussa–Desna woodland ✔ Khargeyskiye lakes 078 Flood-plain of Iput’ river 030 Vaygach island ✔ in vicinity of Krutoayr ✔ 031 Varandeyskaya Lapta peninsula 079 Flood-plain of Iput’ river 032 River Chernaya in vicinity of Kholevichami 033 Southern coast of Cheshskaya Bay 080 Kletnyanski forest ✔ 034 Kanin peninsula 081 Desna flood-plain near Trubchevsk ✔ 035 Khaypudyrskaya Bay (islands of 082 Gavan’skiye oak-forest B. Zelenets, Dolgi, Matveyev) 083 Kaluzhskiye Zaseki Nature Reserve ✔ 036 Russki Zavorot peninsula ✔ 084 Oka River Valley Biosphere Reserve ✔✔ 037 Middle reaches of 085 Valley complex of Moksha Bolshaya Rogovaya river and Oka rivers ✔ 038 Pechoro-Ilychski Nature Reserve ✔✔✔ 086 Shilovo flood-plain of Oka river ✔ 039 Yugyd Va ✔ 087 Izhevsk flood-plain of Oka river ✔✔ 040 Valley of Sysola river ✔✔ 088 Solotcha flood-plain of Oka river ✔ 041 Kilpola island and adjoining waters 089 Oka valley in vicinity of Murmino ✔ 042 Mouth of Svir river ✔✔ 090 Watershed of Tsna and Vysha rivers 043 Rakovye lakes ✔ 091 Terekhovski oak-forest 044 Berezovye islands of ✔ Vyborg Bay ✔✔ 092 Kulikovski forest ✔ 045 Koporski Bay 093 Upper Voronezh forest 046 Lake Vyalye and adjoining marshes ✔ 094 Watershed of Bityug and Tsna rivers 047 Narva reservoir 095 Zavoronezhski area ✔ 048 Kurgalski peninsula ✔ 096 Voroninski Nature Reserve 049 Swans area (southern shore 097 Tsninski forest of Finski Bay) ✔✔ 098 Flood-plain of Sura river ✔ 050 Chudsko-Pskovski lake 099 Mordovian P. G. Smidovich and adjacent areas ✔✔ Nature Reserve ✔ 051 Lake Ilmen’ and adjoining 100 Moksha valley in vicinity marshy plain ✔✔ of Temnikov Subtotal of IBAs 10 3 1 19 7 2 2 Subtotal of IBAs 19 6 1 37 12 2 4

592 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 5 ... continued. Protection status of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. A tick (✔) indicates that an IBA overlaps with a protected area (to any extent). National International National International

IBA International IBA International code name Zapovednik National Park Natural Monument Zakaznik Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve code name Zapovednik National Park Natural Monument Zakaznik Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve 101 Ichalkovski ✔ 154 Akhmet–Skala ridge 102 Flood-plain of Vad river ✔ 155 Kurdzhips river valley ✔ 103 Insaro-Kovylkinski 156 Lake Khanskoye 104 Moksha flood-plain in vicinity 157 Yeyski salt-lakes ✔ of Krasnoslobodsk 158 Surroundings of Black Forest 105 Flood-plain of Alatyr’ river 159 Kalininski Plavny in vicinity of Ardatov ✔ 160 Mouth of Yeya river 106 Surski reservoir 161 Imeretinskaya lowland 107 Bekovskoye forest 162 Valley of Urup river ✔ 108 Kuznetski forest 163 Caucasus Biosphere Reserve ✔✔ 1091 Sengileyevskiye mountain 164 Dadynskiye lake 110 Watershed of Sura and Barysh rivers ✔✔ 165 Lake Manych-Gudilo ✔✔✔ 111 Privolzhskaya forest-steppe ✔ 166 Burukshunskiye limans ✔ 112 Cheremshanski Bay 167 Teberdinski Nature Reserve ✔ of ✔ 168 Kabardino-Balkarski Nature Reserve ✔ 113 Khoper Nature Reserve ✔ 169 Severo-Osetinski (North Osetin) 114 Flood-plain of Khoper river Nature Reserve ✔ near Lake Ilmen’ 170 Budary lakes 115 Khrenovskoy forest 171 Agrakhanski Bay ✔ 116 Bereznyakovski forest 172 Kizlyar Bay ✔ 117 Voronezhski Nature Reserve ✔✔ 173 Mouth of Samur river ✔ 118 Vorono-Khoperski area 174 Lake Adzhi 119 Levo-Dobrinskaya valley 175 Sources of Mazachai and 120 Lake El’ton Mullarchai rivers 121 Novokvasnikovski liman 176 Karakol’skiye lakes 122 Kalachinskaya loop of River Don 177 Achikol’skiye lakes 123 Danilovski forest 178 Morskoy Biryuchek island ✔✔ 124 Rubezhnoye forest 179 Volga delta ✔✔✔ 125 Akhtubinsk wetland ✔ 180 Western Ilmen area ✔ 126 Vicinity of Borisoglebovka 181 Maly Zhemchuzhny island ✔ (Saratovski [Semenovski] Zakaznik) 182 Bogdinsko-Baskunchakski ✔ 127 Valley of Safarovka river 183 Flood-plain of River Vetluga 128 Siniye mountains 184 Kamsko-Bakaldinskiye marshes ✔✔ 129 Priyeruslanskiye sands ✔ 185 Sitnikovski Nature Reserve ✔ 130 Varfolomeyevskiye saltmarshes 186 Gorki reservoir and the 131 North part of Volgogradski reservoir ✔ lower Unzha river 132 Vicinity of Voznesenka village 187 Flood-plain of Algashka river 133 Sokino 188 Sura environs ✔ 134 Almazovski area 189 Arski fish-ponds 135 Algaiski 190 Kamsko-Ikski area ✔ 136 Khvalynski National Park ✔ 191 Bulgarski ✔ 137 Rovno area 192 Cheremshanski forest 138 Stepan Rasin rock ✔ 193 Zhigulevsk Nature Reserve ✔ 139 Rzhestyanka 194 Tashlinski forest 140 Veselovskoye reservoir ✔ 195 Racheyski forest ✔ 141 Delta of the River Don ✔✔ 196 Suskanski Nature Reserve ✔ 142 Beglitskaya sand-spit ✔ 1971 Buzulukski forest 143 Islands in the western part of ✔ Lake Manych-Gudilo ✔✔198 Kamsko-Yayvenski wetland ✔ 144 Karaichevski forest ✔ 199 Verkhnevisherski mountain ✔ 145 Secretevskiye sands (Oblivski forest) 200 Kumikushski wetland ✔ 146 Kalitvenski forest 201 Adovo-Chugrumski wetland ✔ 147 Gorodishchenski forest 202 Khvarkush and Zolotoy Kamen’ ridges 148 Chistaya Banka and 203 Nizhnekamskaya flood-plain Ivan-Karaul islands 204 Bashkirski Nature Reserve ✔ 149 Uttinskaya area ✔✔205 Octyabr’ski forest 150 Salt-lakes in the 206 Mountain valley of Sakmara river Primorsko-Akhtarsk area 207 Nikiforovski forest ✔✔ 151 Eastern coast of the Sea of Azov 208 Watershed of Bel’skaya and 152 Kiziltash limans Nugush rivers ✔✔ ✔ 153 Lower Urushtek river ✔ 209 Bel’skaya flood-plain Subtotal of IBAs 24 8 4 50 15 2 6 Subtotal of IBAs 38 9 6 67 18 2 9

593 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Table 5 ... continued. Protection status of Important Bird Areas in European Russia. A tick (✔) indicates that an IBA overlaps with a protected area (to any extent). National International National International

IBA International IBA International

code name Zapovednik National Park Natural Monument Zakaznik Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve code name Zapovednik National Park Natural Monument Zakaznik Ramsar Site Heritage Site World Biosphere Reserve 210 Yamantau mountain ✔ 215 Kupy area 211 Iremel’ski mountain 216 Kulaksay lowland 212 Irendyk ridge 217 Shalkaro-Zhetykolski lake system 213 Maly Nakas ridge 218 Orenburgski Nature Reserve ✔ 214 Steppe valley of Sakmara river Total number of IBAs 40 9 6 67 18 2 9 Subtotal of IBAs 39 9 6 67 18 2 9 1. Protection status of IBAs 020, 066, 109 and 197 is unknown.

(Figure 4, Table 5). The remaining 115 IBAs (53%) have a low overlap Box 1. International legislation Global and initiatives that are Biodiversity Convention ✔ (18 sites) or no protection at all (97 sites). Thus, only about half of the relevant to site conservation in Ramsar Convention ✔ identified IBAs have a moderate or high overlap with the national Russia (see Appendix 1 for a Bonn Convention protected-area system. In total, 39–40% of the total IBA area is covered general description of these World Heritage Convention ✔ by national types of protected area in Russia (Figure 4). agreements). MAB Programme ✔ Pan-European ■ International protection Bern Convention Russia is party to most of the relevant international legislation and Regional initiatives concerning the conservation of sites in Europe (Box 1). Helsinki Convention There are only 18 IBAs in European Russia which overlap with ✔ Convention ratified/initiative supported officially designated Ramsar Sites (Table 5), but most of the other (✔) Convention signed wetland IBAs feature in a shadow list of Ramsar Sites (Langeveld and Grimmett 1990). Nine IBAs are also protected at the international level as Biosphere Reserves (Table 5, Figure 5). In total, There are several common types of Zakaznik, such as zoological, about 19% of the total IBA area in Russia is covered by international ornithological, botanical, hydrobiological, and landscape. Hunting types of protected area (Figure 5). organizations are very active in the establishment of temporary Hunting Zakazniks, each lasting for 10–20 years. Zakazniks which ■ Future proposals are established by the federal government usually have a staff of Almost all protected areas in Russia conserve some bird habitat, rangers (game managers). In the case of other Zakazniks, the primary hence proposals for their continued development remain a research land-users are officially responsible for site protection and for priority for ornithologists (Galushin and Zubakin 1998). It should management of suitable activities in the area, but there are no be noted that not all protected areas within IBAs were created for permanent staff in these areas. the purpose of bird conservation. So, a special attempt should be made as soon as possible to analyse the current protected-area Zakazniks and Natural Monuments play very significant roles, regime, and to restrict human activity in some protected areas, to forming the ‘backbone’ of a regionally administered protected-area make sure that they really are conserving birds. network. In addition to the four major types of protected area, a variety of regulations allow for nature conservation in other ways. According CONSERVATION to several federal laws, including the national law ‘On Specially Protected Areas’, any form of protected area can exist at the regional • A national Red Data Book for threatened and rare bird species and local (district) levels (e.g. ‘green belts’ of towns, water- was established in 1974—the second edition is under preparation protection zones along rivers, privately owned protected areas). at the moment—and this lists about 125 bird species or subspecies The types of restriction on economic activity, and their limits, (in the whole of Russia) as nationally threatened. By a special depend on what is being protected at a particular area. decision of the government in 1996, all Red Data Book species Fifty-two (24%) out of the total of 218 IBAs have a high level of and their subspecies are now strictly protected by federal laws overlap with the national protected-area system (mostly as Zapovedniks (Galushin and Zubakin 1998). The compilation of regional Red or National Parks), while 51 of the 218 IBAs have a moderate overlap Data Books is now underway in many regions of Russia.

Figure 4. The national protection status of Important Bird Areas Figure 5. The international protection status of Important Bird in European Russia. Areas in European Russia. High None 21 IBAs (10%) 97 IBAs (45%) High None Partial 52 IBAs (24%) 190 IBAs (87%) 6 IBAs (3%) Low 1 IBA (<1%)

% of area of % of area of individual individual IBA overlaps IBA overlaps with national with international protected areas: protected areas: High >90% Partial High >90% Partial 10–90% 51 IBAs (23%) Partial 10–90% Low <10% Low <10% None Low None 18 IBAs (8%) Total area of overlap between IBA network in Russia and national protected-area system Total area of overlap between IBA network in Russia and international protected-area (see Table 5 for categories) = 68,937–70,272 km2 (40% of total IBA area). system (see Table 5 for categories) = 32,982 km2 (19% of total IBA area).

594 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Box 2. Shadow list of 151 sites in European Russia that are potentially IBAs. Those sites that were surveyed in 1998 (after the closing date for inclusion in this publication) and which were found to meet IBA criteria are marked with an asterisk (*). These latter sites (totalling 73) will certainly be included in the forthcoming national IBA inventory.

Arkhangelsk region Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya Republic Ryazan’ region 1. Delta reki ’ (Mezen’ delta) 56. *Skalistyi Khrebet mezhdu rekami Urup i Malyi 103. Dolinniy complex Mokshi i Oki (Valley complex of 2. Kozhozerski Zakaznik Ostrov Dezhkin Kamen’ Zelenchuk (Skalinstyi ridge, watershed of Urup and Oka and Moksha rivers) (Dezhkin Kamen’ island) Malyi Zelenchuk) 104. Poima reki Proni (Flood-plain of Pronya river) 3. Southern tundra of Novaya Zemlya 57. *Dolina reki Khasaut (Valley of Khasaut river) 105. Rybkhoz ‘Para’ (Para fish-ponds) 4. Ust’ye reki Kara (Mouth of Kara river) Kirov region 106. Poima rek Mokhshi I Tsny (Flood-plain of Moksha 5. Lesnoi ostrov More-Yu (More Yu forest) 58. *Kamsko-Poryshski taezhno-bolotni complex and Tsna rivers) 6. Bolvanskaya guba (Bolvanskaya Bay) (Kamsko-Poryshski taiga–mire complex) 107. Ozera Komgar’ i Negar’ (Komgar’ and Negar’ lakes) 7. Pakhanicheskaya guba (Pakhanicheskaya Bay) 59. *Mezhdurech’ye Atsvezha I Yumy (Watershed of Samara region 8. Kosminskaya systema ozer (Kosminskaya lake system) Atsvezha and Yuma rivers) 108. Baituganski Zakaznik (Baituganski reserve) 9. Delta Pechory (Pechora delta) Komi Republic 109. Pokhvistnevski lesnoi massiv (Pokhvistnevski forest) 10. Ostrov I proliv Sengeiski (Sengeiski Bay and island) 60. Mezhdurech’ye Shchepkinoi I Ersy (Watershed of 110. Uzuykovski Bor (Uzuykovski forest) 11. Ostrov Kolguev (Kolguev island) Shchepkina and Ersa rivers) 111. Kondurchinskiye Bory (Kondurchinskiye forest) Bashkortostan Republic 61. Bolotnaya sistema Usvanuyr (Usvanuyr mire system) 112. *Chapaevskiye Limani(Chapaevskie liman) 12. *Khrebet Shaitan-Tau (Shaitan-Tau ridge) Krasnodarski kray and Adygeya Republic Saratov region 13. *Zilairskoye Prisakmar’ye 62. Gora Autl’ (Autl’ mountain) 113. Pamyatnik prirody Pady (Pady Natural Monument) 14. *Gorni massiv Kraka (Kraka mountain) 63. Sladko-Limanskoye okhotkhozyastvo (Sladko- 114. Dolina Khopra (Khoper valley) 15. *Meneuzskiye Yary (Meneuzskiye bank) Limanskoye hunting area) 115. *Krasnoyarskiye luga (Krasnoyarskiye meadows) 16. *Usen’skiye Yary (Usen’skiye bank) 64. Eiskiye plavni 116. Kirovskaya step’ (Kirovskaya steppe) 17. *Gornaya dolina reki Inzer (Mountain valley of 65. Okretnosti gory Bolshoi Tkhach (Surroundings of 117. Pereluybski (Pereluybski area) Inzer river) Bolshoi Tkhach mountain) 118. Okrestnosti gory Sinyaya (Surroundings of Sinyaya 18. Zapovednik Basegi (Basegi Nature Reserve) 66. *Verkhov’ya rek Kuna i Shisha (Sources of Kuna and mountain) 19. Nukaevskiye shishki (Nukaevskiye hills) Shisha rivers) 119. *Agrotsenozy yuzhnoi i vostochnoi chasti 20. Andreevskiye shishki (Andreevskiye hills) 67. *Dolina reki Khodz’ (Valley of Khodz’ river) Novouzenskogo raiona (Agricultural 21. Muradymovskoye ushchel’ye (‘Muradymovskoye land of Novouzenski district) Leningrad region Ushchel’ye’ National Park) 120. *Cherkasski Zakaznik (Cherkasski Reserve) 68. Severo-Zapadniye prigorody St 22. Krasnokamski Les (Krasnokamski forest) 121. *Okrestnosty Eruslana (Vicinity of Eruslan village) 69. Yugo-Zapadniye prigorody St 23. Kaltasinski Les (Kaltasinski forest) 122. *Okrestnosti Zelenogo Dola (Vicinity of Zeleni Dol 70. Ivinski razliv (Ivinskoye lake and suroundings) 24. *Uphimskoye Plato (Uphimskoye plateau) village) 71. Shlisselburgskaya guba Ladozhskogo ozera 25. *Pavlovskoye vodokhranilishche (Pavlovskoye 123. *Polynno-Zlakoviye stepi u sela Kanavka (Steppe in (Shlisserburgskaya Bay of Lake Ladoga) reservoir) vicinity of Kanavka village) 26. *Aiskiye Yary (Aiskiye bank) 72. Rybkhoz Kovashi i Syur’evskoye boloto Smolensk region 27. *Gornaya dolina reki Ai (Mountain valley of Ai (Surroundings of Kovashi ponds) 124. Rybkhoz Zherespeya (Zherespeya fish-ponds) river) Mordovia Republic 125. Lesniye massivy v poime Ugry (Forest in flood-plain 28. *Gornaya dolina reki Zilim (Mountain valley of 73. Purdoshanski (Purdoshanski area) of Ugra river) 74. Sialeevskaya (Sialeevskaya area) Zilim river) 126. *Sokolino-Kasplyanskaya (Sokolino-Kasplyanskaya 75. Ardatovski (Ardatovski area) 29. *Tazlarovskiye shishki (Tazlarovskiye hills) area) 30. *Uruyk (Uruyk area) 76. Umetski (Umetski area) 31. *Bakalinski Les (Bakalinski forest) 77. *Vyshinski (Vyshinski area) Stavropolski kray 32. *Vedeneevskaya Dacha (Vedeneevskaya area) 78. *Rybkinski (Rybkinski area) 127. *Solenoe ozero (Lake Solenoe) 33. *Prisuyn’skoye lesnichestvo (Prisuyn’skoye forest) 79. *Issinski (Issinski area) 128. *Irgaklinskaya lesnaya dacha (Irgaklinskaya area) 129. *Okrestnosti ozera Ptich’ye (Surroundings of 34. *Sharanskiye Bory (Sharanski forest) Murmansk region Ptich’ye lake) 35. *Buninski Les (Buninski forest) 80. Ph’yarvann (Ph’yarvann) 130. *Ostrov Pelikani (Pelikani island) 36. *Usen’-Ivanovski Les (Usen’-Ivanovski forest) Nizhni Novgorod region 131. *Okrestnosti Kislovodska (Surroundings of Kislovodsk) Dagestan Republic 81. Poima reki Oki v okrestnostyakh Pavlovo (Oka Tatarstan Republic 37. *Turalinskaya laguna (Turalinskaya lagoon) flood-plain in vicinity of Pavlovo) 132. *Bugulminskiye Bory (Bugulminski forest) 38. *Sulakskaya laguna (Sulakskaya lagoon) Orenburg region Ul’yanovskaya region 39. *Samurski Khrebet (Samurski ridge) 82. Donguzskaya step’ (Donduzskaya steppe) 133. *Starokulatkinskiye dubravy (Starokulatkinski forest) 40. *Khrebet Kebyaktepe (Kebyaktepe ridge) 83. *Poima reki Ilek (Ilek flood-plain) 134. *Zolotaya Gora i okrestnosti (Zolotaya mountain 41. *Urochishche ‘Laman-Kam’ (‘Laman-Kam’ area) 84. Chibendinskaya melovaya step’ (Chibendinskaya and surroundings) 42. *Temirgoiskiye Ozera (Temirgoiskiye lakes) steppe) 135. *Karginskiye Kholmy (Karginskiye hills) 43. *Kayakentski Zakaznik (Kayakentski Reserve) 85. Okrestnosti Dombarovskogo (Vicinity of 44. *Kasumkentski Zakaznik (Kasumkentski Reserve) Dombarovskoye) Vladimir region 45. *Berkubinskaya Lesnaya Dacha (Berkubinski forest) 86. Iriklinskoye vodokhranilishche (Iriklinskoye reservoir) 136. Petushinskoye okhotkhozyastvo (Petushinski Ingushetiya Republic 87. Ozero Aike (Aike lake) hunting area) 46. Verkhov’ya reki Assy (Valley of Assa river) Orel region Volgograd region Ivanovo region 88. Orlovskoye Poles’ye (Orlovskoye Poles’ye National 137. *Cherebaevo (Cherebaevo area) 47. Srednee techeniye reki Lukh (Middle stream of Park) 138. Teterevyatka (Teterevyatka area) 139. *Bulukhta (Gor’ko-Solenoe ozero) (Bulukhta, Lukh river) Penza region Gor’ko-Solenoe lake) Kalmykiya Republic 89. Zamechenski (Zamechenski area) 140. Zakaznik Drophini (Drophini reserve) 48. *Ozero Sostinskoye (Sostinskoye lake) Perm’ region 141. Pravoberezhe Volgogradskogo vodokhranilishcha Kaluga region 90. *Redrikovskiye bolota (Redrikovskiye mire) (Right shore of Volgogradski reservoir) 49. *Bryansko-Zhizdryanskoye Poles’ye (Bryansko- 91. *Krasnoye Plotbishche 142. Archadinskiye Peski (Archadinskiye sands) Zhizdryanski forest, watershed of Reseta and 92. *Bereznikovskiye bolota (Bereznikovskiye mire) 143. Sarpinskiye Ozera (Sarpinskiye lakes) Vytebet’ rivers) Pskov region 144. Voiskovaya dubrava (Voiskovaya oak-forest) Karelia Republic 93. Sebezhskaya (Sebezhski National Park) 145. Mezhdurech’ye Dona I Chira (Watershed of Don 50. Shuiskiye polya (Shuiskiye fields) Rostov region and Chir rivers) Kaliningrad region 94. *Elanski (Elanski area) 146. Tsimlyanskoye vodokhranilishche (Tsimlyanski 51. Vislinskaya kosa (Vislinskaya spit) 95. *Ostrovnoi (Ostrovnoi area) reservoir) 52. Yuzhnoye Poberezh’ye Kurshskogo Zaliva 96. *Tsimlyanskiye peski (Tsimlyanskiye sands) 147. *Golubinskiye peski (Golubinskiye sands) (Southern shore of Kurshski Bay) 97. Liman Kholostonur (Kholostonur liman) 148. *Stepnovski Ugol (Stepnovski area) 53. Vostochnoye Poberezh’ye Kurshskogo Zaliva 98. *Dudarevskya (Dudarevskaya area) Yaroslavl’ region (Eastern shore of Kurshski Bay) 99. Reshetovskaya (Reshetovskaya area) 149. *Dunilovskoye boloto (Dunilovskoye bog) 54. Dolina i ust’ye reki Deima (Valley and mouth of 100. Chirski (Chirski area) 150. *Shalimovskoye boloto (Shalimovskoye bog) Deima river) 101. *Kundruychinskiye peski (Kundruychinskiye sands) 151. *Poima reki Yukhot’ (Yukhot’ flood-plain) 55. Ozero Vyshtenetskoye (Vyshtenetskoye lake) 102. *Migulinskiye peski (Migulinskiye sands)

595 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

• As mentioned previously, about half of the IBAs have (individually) liman a water-body in a shallow depression in the steppe zone, normally but a moderate to high overlap with nationally protected areas. This not necessarily saline (can be brackish or fresh). implies that the protected parts of the IBAs should have a specified RBCU Russian Bird Conservation Union (Soyuz Okhrany Ptits Rossii). land-use regime, formally agreed on paper with land-users, regional taiga the coniferous forest of the boreal biome of northern Europe and Asia, governmental organizations, etc. A network of regional lying between the temperate and the tundra biomes. governmental environment agencies was established in 1988 as the mechanism for controlling and managing protected areas and other conservation issues. These regional agencies (one per region ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for almost all administrative regions/republics) are supervised by the Government Committee for Nature Protection and The current IBA review in European Russia is a result of huge amount of Environment. But, because of a lack of staff and sometimes of work carried out by a network of collaborators, who volunteered their energy funds, in reality at most sites there is no control of the land-use and much free time in compiling data and surveying sites in the field. It was regime, and as a result there are many violations of the statutory only through the enthusiasm of all these people that it was possible to organize protection. Only Zapovedniks and some federal Zakazniks and this review within a very restricted time-schedule and with a rather small National Parks have something resembling a management plan. amount of funds. There has been no tradition in Russia to write management plans We are indebted to the following authors of data-sheets (site-codes in and then to really apply them in practice, so the majority of IBAs brackets): V. A. Andreev (022), A. N. Antonchikov (118, 121, 126, 129, 130, 132), (even if protected) do have not them. V. M. Anufriev (039, 040), V. V. Anufriev (035), N. V. Anzigitova (023, 027), • Scientific research and monitoring of breeding, migrating and A. V. Artem’ev (014, 017), O. V. Askeev and I. V. Askeev (189), V. O. Avdanin wintering birds are carried out at those IBAs which fully or partly (021, 050), A. S. Ayupov (190, 191), Z. T. Bagautdinova (204), S. V. Bakka (184, overlap with federal nature reserves (Zapovedniks and National 185), V. P. Belik (107, 108, 115, 119, 122, 123, 124, 144, 145, 146, 147, 192, 194, Parks). Some management work is done at IBAs in regions where 197, 205, 206, 207, 214), A. V. Belyachenko (118, 121, 126, 129, 130, 131), V. V. there are active conservation NGOs, e.g. towards the creation Bianki (003), A. I. Bliznyuk (149, 165, 166, 178), V. S. Bogatov (171), N. S. Boiko of protected areas or towards the monitoring of rare species or (010), O. V. Borodin (109, 110, 111, 112), Yu. N. Bublichenko (048), O. M. of waterbird numbers. It is currently difficult to say exactly how Bukreeva (165), V. T. But’ev (027), V. A. Buzun (036), A. E. Cherenkov (018, many IBAs are under active management or research by RBCU 020), S. E. Cherenkov (165), V. F. Chernobay (125), E. V. Chernova (058), A. O. members and projects, or by the Division for Nature Reserves Choubine (120, 171), V. G. Chupachenko (077), A. V. Davygora (215, 216, 217), or by other environmental NGOs, although RBCU has good S. A. Dylyuk (011, 072), G. S. Dzhamirzoev (173, 174, 175, 176, 177), N. A. working contacts with many of these other groups. Egorova (083), M. Kh. Emtyl (150, 152, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160), G. S. Eremkin • In general, there are three top priorities for avian conservation (064, 076), G. S. Fedchuk (058), Yu. P. Fedotov (077), V. V. Frolov (106), A. M. research which will closely determine the future progress of IBA Gineev (151), O. V. Glushenkov (187), S. V. Golubev (058, 067, 068), Yu. A. work in Russia (Galushin and Zubakin 1998): Gorshkov (190, 191), E. A. Goryunov (084, 085, 086, 087, 088, 089, 090, 091), G. 1. the assessment and prediction of the impact of present socio- V. Grishanov (001, 002), G. F. Grishutkin (101, 099), E. B. Gruzdev (058), A. S. economic conditions on bird diversity and populations; Gylyazov (007, 008), I. V. Il’inskiy (055), M. P. Il’yukh (164), N. P. Iovchenko 2. the survey, monitoring and comparison of bird fauna, (049), A. M. Ivanenko (152, 156, 157), M. N. Ivanova (060), I. V. Karyakin (198, populations and habitats in various regions; 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213), B. A. Kazakov (140), T. Yu. 3. the implementation of conservation-biology practices, Khohlova (015, 016, 023, 024, 028), A. N. Khokhlov (164), S. K. Kochanov (037, including the development of appropriate measures for the 039), S. A. Korkina (106), S. M. Kosenko (077, 078, 079, 080, 081, 082), A. B. conservation of birds and their habitats. Kostin (083), V. A. Kovalev (042), V. G. Krivenko (021, 180), A. V. Kuznetsov (057), E. A. Kuznetsov (023, 025, 026, 027), A. S. Lapshin (100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 098), N. V. Lapshin (014, 017), E. A. Lebedeva (173), G. P. Lebedeva (193, 195, ANALYTICAL METHODS 196, 197), Yu. V. Lokhman (150, 152, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160), B. Yu. Losov (077), E. V. Lysenkov (100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 098), S. V. Mikhailov (043), V. A. • IBA data-sheets were prepared in Russian, very similar to the Minoranskiy (141, 142, 143), A. L. Mischenko (051, 052, 053, 054, 056, 071, 074, data-sheets in English that had been prepared by the Secretariat of 075), V. V. Morozov (127, 128), V. N. Moseikin (126, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, BirdLife International. A lack of recent ornithological information, 139), N. N. Moshonkin (182), N. D. Neifeld (038), V. I. Nikolaev (061, 062, 063, and a scarcity of professional ornithologists and skilled amateur 064, 065, 066, 075), G. A. Noskov (042, 043, 044, 048, 049), A. D. Numerov (114, birdwatchers, are both real problems in Russia, therefore some 115, 116, 117), T. D. Paneva (010), I. V. Panteleev (193, 195, 196, 197), V. G. additional boxes were added to the data-sheets, so that any available Pchelintsev (055), V. V. Piskunov (121, 126, 129, 130, 131), T. V. Pleshak (030), information from the last 10–15 years could also be included, in I. V. Pokrovskaya (025, 026), V. M. Polivanov (167), S. P. Rezviy (042, 045), S. order to have as much data as possible about each IBA. V. Rudnitskiy (166), G. M. Rusanov (179, 180, 181), A. A. Rusinov (058, 067, • As no strong and full scientific coordination was possible in 068), S. Yu. Rykova (019), V. S. Sarychev (115, 116, 092, 093), I. B. Savinich (045), Russia, each collaborator used their traditional methods of bird V. Yu. Semashko (018, 020), A. I. Shepel (200, 201, 202), I. P. Shpilenok (077), S. counting, such as absolute counts, transects, plots, etc. and then L. Smirnova (109, 110, 111), E. N. Sokhina (125), A. Yu. Sokolov (114), O. V. extrapolated data to cover the whole area suggested as an IBA, Sukhanova (051, 053, 075), T. V. Sviridova (074), M. I. Tarantsev (140), G. M. so as to produce estimates of minimum and maximum population Tertitskiy (018, 020), P. A. Tilba (152, 153, 154, 155, 161, 162, 163), V. G. Turchin size for bird species. Data were then checked at the RBCU office (115, 116), P. D. Vengerov (114, 115, 116, 117), E. V. Vilkov (171, 172), G. V. and defined more precisely, working together with collaborators Vinogradov (021), S. M. Volkov (069), G. P. Vorobiev (096, 097), I. I. Vorobiev if necessary and possible. Certain species (e.g. Crex crex, certain (113), V. A. Yakovlev (188), M. V. Yakovleva (013), M. M. Zabelin (118, 094, waders [Charadrii]) do not have a pair-breeding system, but counts 095), V. I. Zabelin (164), V. L. Zemlyanoy (133), V. B. Zimin (014, 017), A. A. are given as ‘breeding pairs’, unless otherwise stated, even though Zolotarev (113), V. A. Zubakin (004, 070, 071, 073, 074). the actual unit of census may have been something else (e.g. the We are also very grateful to other collaborators who contributed to the shadow number of breeding individuals, or of calling or displaying males). list of potential IBAs (see Box 2) and to all of the participants in the IBA Programme • Other sites in European Russia which have the potential to meet in Russia, who continue to compile data in their own free time: L. N. Voronov, IBA criteria, following future investigations, but which are not S. V. Bukharinov, A. Yu. Okolelov, K. V. Avilova, A. A. Mogilner, S. V. Kornev, covered by the current European IBA review, are listed in Box 2. L. D. Alba, S. V. Buslaev, Yu. D. Galchenkov, V. I. Garanin, Yu. A. Gorshkov, • Overall, this inventory of IBAs has improved knowledge of bird A. V. Zavyalov, B. Yu. Lozov, N. P. Malkov, V. G. Marrphin, E. Sisonenko, Yu. distributions in European Russia, and for several species has N. Tabanakov, V. V. Tolstyakov, O. V. Shvets, L. Ph. Skryleva, A. V. Dobrinov, allowed a more accurate estimate of their total population size in A. Lastukhin, V. N. Melnikov, R. A. Khanov, Yu. V. Pishvanov, T. I. Chevanina, European Russia. A. A. Chibilev, P. Pakhomov, V. D. Kokhanov, L. P. Uryadova, G. D. Rudnykh, V. S. Kuznetsov, B. A. Kozlov, V. I. Mironov, S. A. Fetisov, S. Nedosekin, M. A. Erashov, V. I. Pozdyshev, N. V. Markov, A. I. Dodonov, D. Yu. Suchkov, L. GLOSSARY G. Onoprienko, S. V. Ruudnitski, V. N. Medvedev, R. A. Volkov, B. V. Khasminski, A. G. Fefilov, L. I. Nikolaev, D. I. Chukhlantsev, M. V. Gordin, kray administrative region. Yu. G. Karpov, V. R. Roganov, O. V. Bakin, L. I. Kuts, A. I. Paliev, I. V.

596 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Silchenko, D. G. Kosintsev, P. V. Kopylov, A. S. Galaktionov, V. A. Grudinin, Affairs, the PIN-Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature A. S. Tolstykh, A. A. Medvedev, Yu. A. Bykov, L. D. Bekhtereva, E. P. Komlev, Conservation and Fisheries, the Netherlands Agricultural Council Moscow S. M. Volkov, V. I. Gorshkov, A. P. Bicherev, M. I. Demidova, E. V. Gavluyk, (Landbouwraad Moskou), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife G. M. Salnikov, V. V. Bianki, V. D. Boyarshinov, V. I. Zabelin, R. Mnatsekanov, Partner in the UK), the Institute of Soviet–American Relations, and the Prins S. Vershinin, V. A. Telpov, V. P. Kazakov, V. A. Lapushkin, S. V. Fisher, A. V. Bernhard Fonds, which all provided special grants for purching equipment, for Boikov, T. O. Barabashin, A. G. Varlamov, D. V. Bogomolov, M. Bubnov, O. coordination and for field projects within the framework variously of the IBA N. Orlova, D. A. Solovkov, and O. A. Vitovich. programme and of projects on globally threatened species in European Russia. In addition, we thank the Russian office of Wetlands International for providing We are especially grateful to Johanna Winkelman for all the practical help in all available information on Ramsar Sites in European Russia. the project and help in obtaining funds for the Russian IBA programme. Elena Special thanks should be given to the Secretariat of BirdLife International, Lebedeva and Vladimir Galushin helped in the writing of the overview text. We and especially to Melanie Heath, Tony Payne and Mike Evans, for their patience are especially thankful also to Sergei Dyluyk and Sergei Bukreev who assisted the in answering all questions and in resolving problems that occurred during the IBA Officer during the compilation and checking of the data and of this review, work. and to Yuri Chernikov, who helped with arrangements for field projects. Our This review would have been almost impossible without substantial greatest regards should be given to Victor Zubakin—the person who initiated the sponsorship from Vogelbescherming Nederland (BirdLife Partner in the IBA programme in Russia, who supervised this work during the last four years, Netherlands), the MATRA-Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign and who contributed a great deal to the current progress of the programme.

■ SITE ACCOUNTS

■ Protection status B2 Nemanski forest 001 National High International None Admin region Kaliningrad 4,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Dyunniy, 8,000 ha). Coordinates 55°00’N 22°20’E Altitude 0–50 m Area 17,000 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Forest grazing (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective ■ Site description logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) This forested area is located within one of the most developed regions in Russia. There are plans to create an international (Russian–Lithuanian) nature reserve here, covering the Neman delta. Habitats Forest and woodland (87%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), (12%), Wetland (1%) Land-use Agriculture (12%), Forestry (30%), Hunting (100%), Tourism/recreation (10%) Ainov islands A4i, B1i, B3 003 Admin region Murmansk ■ Birds Coordinates 69°50’N 31°35’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 0–21 m Area 290 ha 1 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1994 1 2 B B2 1. Internationally important but not in ‘Top 5’ sites. ■ Site description The best site for breeding raptors in the Kaliningrad region. Breeding Tundra islands in the Barents Sea. species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Habitats Grassland (90%; humid grassland; tundra), Wetland (11%; tidal river/enclosed Aquila clanga (1 pair), Crex crex (5–10 pairs). The only known tidal water; coastal lagoon; fen/transition mire/spring) breeding site for Milvus milvus in Russia. Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Calidris maritima Purple Sandpiper P 1996 150 800 A A4i, B1i Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B) Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1996 2,100 6,000 A A4i, B1i, B3 The islands support important numbers of breeding Larus marinus and of migrating Calidris maritima. Dal’ni forest A1 002 ■ Protection status Admin region Kaliningrad National High International None Coordinates 55°12’N 21°20’E 290 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kandalakshskiy, 70,500 ha). Altitude 0–10 m Area 4,000 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Other (U) The area lies in one of the most developed regions of Russia, and includes many wet habitat-types, including some that are seasonally wet. Pollution of seawater is a threat (‘Other’ threat, above).

Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland) Land-use Agriculture (4%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/ Sem islands A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 004 research (100%), Not utilized (50%), Tourism/recreation (5%) Admin region Murmansk Coordinates 68°45’N 37°30’E Altitude 50–112 m Area 10,667 ha ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Site description Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 80 120 B A1 Habitats Marine areas (94%; sea inlet/coastal features), Rocky areas (6%; sea cliff/rocky Crex crex breeds in significant numbers, but another breeding species shore) of global conservation concern does not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) albicilla (1–3 pairs).

597 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Cliffs and rocky shores of tundra islands in the Barents Sea. The IBA Middle reaches A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 007 covers 667 ha of land and 10,000 ha of sea. of the River Ponoy (Zakaznik Ponoyski) ■ Birds Admin region Murmansk Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 67°15’N 37°40’E Somateria mollissima Eider B 1991 1,407 1,407 A B1i Altitude 145–340 m Area 98,600 ha Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1991 550 550 A B3 More than 25,000 pairs of seabirds breed here, comprising mainly ■ Site description Rissa tridactyla. An area of very wet northern taiga with many lakes and rivers, in the central part of the Kola peninsula. Land-uses include reindeer-herding. ■ Protection status Habitats Forest and woodland (native coniferous forest), Wetland (standing fresh water; National High International None river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring) 10,667 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kandalakshskiy, 70,500 ha). Land-use Agriculture (100%), Hunting, Tourism/recreation

■ Birds Coastal belt A4i, B1i 005 of eastern Murmansk Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region Murmansk 1 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan N 1989 500 — — A4i, B1i Coordinates 68°00’N 39°00’E Mergus albellus Smew B 1995 — — — A3 Altitude 0–0 m Area 260 ha Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1995 9 9 — A1 Falco peregrinus Peregrine B 1995 1 10 — B2 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1995 — — — A3 ■ Site description Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1995 — — — A3 Coastal shallows along the shore of the Barents Sea. Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing B 1995 — — — A3 Parus cinctus Siberian Tit R 1995 — — — A3 Habitats Marine areas (sea inlet/coastal features) Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1995 — — — A3 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1995 — — — A3 Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak B 1995 — — — A3 ■ Birds 1. Also breeds, but no accurate counts. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Breeding species include two raptors (in significant numbers) as well 1 Somateria mollissima Eider W 1988 — — — A4i, B1i 1 Somateria spectabilis King Eider W 1988 — — — A4i, B1i as eight of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome when breeding (no specific counts have been made). Not less 1. Up to 100,000 S. mollissima/S. spectabilis. than 500 Cygnus cygnus, and possibly up to several thousand, Two eider-duck Somateria species form congregations of up to congregate prior to migration. 100,000 individuals in winter. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Anser erythropus (there is an old ■ Protection status observation of one breeding pair, but no recent information is National High International None available). 98,600 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ponoysky, 98,600 ha).

■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National None International None The extent of the site should possibly be increased so as to include some part of the surroundings of the Zakaznik, but insufficient ornithological data are available to justify this. To obtain further information, surveys are needed, but this is currently not feasible as B1i Watershed of the 006 the area is far from any roads and the only access is by helicopter, Rivers Strelna and Varzuga thus very expensive. Admin region Murmansk Coordinates 66°30’N 37°40’E Altitude — Area 250,000 ha Lapland Biosphere Reserve A3, B2, B3 008 Admin region Murmansk ■ Site description Coordinates 67°55’N 32°00’E Extremely marshy northern taiga with a large number of lakes. Altitude 102–1,114 m Area 278,436 ha Habitats Forest and woodland, Wetland (standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) ■ Site description An area of tundra (some wooded) near the town of Nikel. ■ Birds Habitats Forest and woodland (63%; mixed forest; wooded tundra), Grassland (19%; Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria tundra), Wetland (12%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Rocky areas (6%; Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan B 1989 — — — B1i scree/boulders) 1 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan N 1989 — 500 — B1i Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) 1. Pre-migration gathering. Based on data in the previous European IBA inventory (Grimmett ■ Birds and Jones 1989), this is an important breeding and post-breeding site Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria for Cygnus cygnus. Breeding species of global conservation concern 1 Aythya marila Scaup B 1995 20 20 C A3 that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1 pair). Other 1 Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck B 1995 100 100 C A3 breeding species include Anser fabalis and Pandion haliaetus (1 pair). 1 Melanitta nigra Common Scoter B 1995 50 80 C A3 2 Mergus albellus Smew B 1995 10 20 B A3 ■ Protection status 1 Buteo lagopus Rough-legged Buzzard B 1995 10 200 B A3 National None International None Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover B 1995 500 980 B B3 1,3 Calidris minuta Little Stint U 1995 2 7 C A3 1 ■ Conservation issues Calidris temminckii Temminck’s Stint B 1995 10 10 C A3 No recent information. A Zapovednik (Varzuga, 107,000 ha) was Limicola falcinellus B 1995 5 — B B2 Broad-billed Sandpiper planned, but has not yet been created.

598 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Protection status 2 Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe B 1995 10 10 C A3 National Partial International High 1 Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank B 1995 200 200 B A3 70,500 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kandalakshskiy, 70,500 ha). 2 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1995 900 900 B A3 208,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Kandalaksha Bay, 1 Phalaropus lobatus B 1995 200 200 B A3 208,000 ha). Red-necked Phalarope 2 Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1994 10 800 A A3 ■ Conservation issues 2 Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1995 — 20 B A3 Picoides tridactylus R 1995 2,500 3,500 B B2 Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Extraction industry (A), Three-toed Woodpecker Recreation/tourism (B) Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit B 1995 8,500 15,000 B B3 2 Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing B 1995 100 5,000 B A3 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart B 1995 3,900 7,500 B B2 Turdus philomelos Song Thrush B 1995 1,500 1,700 B B3 Gavrilovski A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1ii, B2, B3 010 2 Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1995 — 6,000 B A3 archipelago 2 Parus cinctus Siberian Tit R 1995 4,400 10,300 B A3 Admin region Murmansk 2 Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay R 1995 880 2,000 B A3, B2 Coordinates 69°10’N 36°00’E 2 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1995 24,000 40,000 B A3 Altitude 0–70 m Area 1,500 ha 2 Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1995 2,000 31,000 B A3 2 Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill B 1995 1,030 4,300 B A3, B3 2 Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak B 1995 900 5,000 B A3 ■ Site description 1 Calcarius lapponicus Lapland Bunting B 1995 100 100 C A3 A group of rocky offshore islets, around which the sea does not freeze 1 Plectrophenax nivalis Snow Bunting B 1995 130 700 B A3 in winter, although situated in the tundra zone. 2 Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1995 2,900 5,500 B A3 1. Arctic/tundra biome. Habitats Grassland (tundra), Marine areas (sea inlet/coastal features), Rocky areas (sea 2. Boreal biome. cliff/rocky shore) 3. Breeding status uncertain (no. of possible pairs given). Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) The avifauna includes 24 of the 47 species in Europe that are restricted either to the Arctic/tundra biome or to the boreal biome when breeding. ■ Birds Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Aquila chrysaetos (at least 2 pairs). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Phalacrocorax aristotelis Shag B 1995 200 200 A B3 ■ Protection status Somateria mollissima Eider R 1995 2,500 2,500 A B1i Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider W 1995 2,000 2,000 A A1, A4i, B1i National High International High Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1995 900 900 A B3 268,400 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Laplandskiy, 268,400 ha). Alca torda Razorbill B 1995 500 500 A B1ii 268,400 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Laplandskiy, Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1995 800 800 A B1ii, B2 268,400 ha). Important numbers of the globally threatened Polysticta stelleri winter ■ Conservation issues offshore, and there are more than 10,000 pairs of nesting waterbirds and seabirds during the breeding season. Threats Natural events (C), Extraction industry (C) Forest fires can be a problem. The IBA lies close to the Monchegorsk ■ Protection status industrial area, and parts of the site are affected by pollution from the National High International None ore industry. 1,500 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kandalakshskiy, 70,500 ha).

■ Conservation issues Kandalaksha Bay A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1ii, B2 009 Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B) Admin region Murmansk Over-fishing is a problem, reducing the amount of food available for Coordinates 67°02’N 33°18’E birds. Altitude 0–0 m Area 208,000 ha

■ Site description A large sea bay with a rocky coastline, and including many islands Surroundings of Kiyesh’yaur lake B2 011 and alluvial sand deposits. The islands range from outcrops of rock Admin region Murmansk and low-lying treeless islets to larger islands. There are some lakes on Coordinates 69°02’N 30°08’E the larger islands, with coastal meadows and beds of reed Phragmites Altitude 156–179 m Area 4,000 ha and sedge Carex. ■ Site description Habitats Grassland (10%; humid grassland), Wetland (30%; tidal river/enclosed tidal A small area of marshy forest in the north-west of the Murmansk water; coastal lagoon; standing fresh water; river/stream), Marine areas (80%; sea inlet/ region. The site is a complex of fens, lakes and adjacent raised bogs coastal features) and transition mires, which differs from the surrounding taiga (as Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture, Hunting, Tourism/recreation observed in 1996) not only as a landscape, but also in terms of the birds it supports. The site is hardly used by local people, only by local ■ Birds hunters and berry-collectors in autumn (no more than 30–40 berry collectors at any one time). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Somateria mollissima Eider B 1988 — 9,500 — A4i, B1i Habitats Forest and woodland (32%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland 1 Somateria mollissima Eider N 1988 10,000 12,000 — B1i (73%; standing fresh water; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring) 1 Bucephala clangula Goldeneye N 1988 — 10,000 — A4i, B1i Land-use Not utilized (100%) Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1988 — 12 — A1, B2 Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1988 300 500 — B1ii, B2 ■ 1. Moulting. Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Three species breed in important numbers along this coast, and more Limicola falcinellus B 1996 — — C B2 than 20,000 moulting individuals of Somateria mollissima and Broad-billed Sandpiper Bucephala clangula congregate offshore after the breeding season.

599 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Limicola falcinellus is thought to breed at this site, although there Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria have been no certain breeding records (nests discovered) in European Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay R 1996 — 140 C A3, B2 Russia since 1964, due at least partly to the species’s very cryptic Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1996 1,300 2,000 B A3 behaviour and habit of breeding in colonies of up to 2–6 pairs only. Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1996 2 51 C A3 Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill B 1996 2 300 C A3, B3 ■ Protection status Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1996 1,000 1,640 B A3 National None International None The avifauna includes up to 12 of the 15 species in Europe that are ■ Conservation issues restricted to the boreal biome when breeding.

Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Extraction industry (B), Intensified forest ■ Protection status management (B), Other (C) National High International None ‘Other’ threat refers to a variety of minor problems. 10,880 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kivach, 10,880 ha).

■ Conservation issues No major threats are known. Lakes of northern Karelia A4i, B1i 012 Admin region Karelia Republic Coordinates 66°00’N 33°00’E Olonets plain A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 014 Altitude — Area 1,000,000 ha Admin region Karelia Republic Coordinates 60°56’N 32°55’E ■ Site description Altitude 9–59 m Area 18,000 ha Northern taiga with a large number of lakes and marshes, including Lakes Keret, Eng, Nizhneye, Kum, and the south-eastern part of Lake ■ Site description Top. The boundaries of the most important wetlands need to be Wet agricultural land in the vicinity of the town of Olonets, near the determined. shore of Lake Ladoga. Habitats Forest and woodland, Wetland (standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland (raised bog), Artificial landscape (100%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable ■ Birds land; perennial crops/orchards/groves) Land-use Agriculture (100%), Nature conservation/research (28%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan B 1989 1,000 1,000 — A4i, B1i 1 Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1989 — — — B1i ■ Birds 1. The most northerly breeding site in Russia. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Based on data in the previous European IBA inventory (Grimmett Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 200,000 300,000 A A4i, B1i and Jones 1989), this is an important breeding site for two wildfowl Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 500,000 700,000 A A4i, B1i species, and an important staging site for migrating ducks. Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1997 2,000 3,000 A A4i, B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 150 500 — A1, B2 Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1997 100 200 — B3 ■ Protection status National Low International None Hundreds of thousands of geese stage in the area during migration. Part of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ozero Keret). ■ ■ Protection status Conservation issues National Partial International None No recent information. The site was included in a plan for a 5,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Olonetsky, 5,000 ha). Zapovednik in north Karelia. ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Extraction industry (A), Unsustainable Kivach Nature Reserve A3, B2, B3 013 exploitation (C) Admin region Karelia Republic Coordinates 62°13’N 34°00’E Altitude 50–150 m Area 10,880 ha Palinsaari island B1i, B3 015 ■ Site description Admin region Karelia Republic Mainly coniferous forests (taiga) lying in the river basin. Coordinates 61°41’N 31°07’E Altitude 33–38 m Area 100 ha Habitats Forest and woodland (89%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland (11%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition mire/ spring) ■ Site description Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%), Water management (5%) A small island near the Valaam archipelago, in the northern part of Lake Ladoga. Human activities include the collection of birds’ eggs (‘Other’ land-use, below). ■ Birds Habitats Scrub (50%; scrub), Wetland (10%; shingle/stony beach), Rocky areas (40%; Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria rock stacks/islets) Podiceps auritus Slavonian Grebe U 1996 — — B A3 Land-use Other (100%), Tourism/recreation (100%) Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe U 1996 — — C A3 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1996 17 — B A3 Surnia ulula Hawk Owl U 1996 0 1 — A3 ■ Birds Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1996 1 2 B A3 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Picoides tridactylus R 1996 44 200 B B2 Three-toed Woodpecker Larus fuscus B 1997 70 — A B3 Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing B 1996 6 12 B A3 Lesser Black-backed Gull Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush B 1996 52 175 B B3 Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 1993 24 24 A B1i Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1996 — 50 C A3 Significant numbers of two colonial waterbirds breed here.

600 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National None International None Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Intensified forest management (A) ■ Conservation issues Threats Afforestation (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/ tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (A) South-eastern coast A4i, B1i, B2 017 of Lake Ladoga Admin region Karelia Republic Zaonezh’ye A1, A3, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 016 Coordinates 60°50’N 32°40’E Admin region Karelia Republic Altitude 0–9 m Area 1,250 ha Coordinates 62°13’N 34°00’E Altitude 33–202 m Area 330,000 ha ■ Site description Two groups of islands together with adjacent mainland shorelines, ■ Site description situated on the south-east coast of Lake Ladoga, south of the mouth Numerous islands and peninsulas, separated by narrow channels, in of the Olonka river. Reedbeds (Phragmites) and exposed sediments , to the north of the town of Petrozavodsk. fringe the flat, treeless shores. The shape of the coastline and the size of the reedbeds and exposed flats vary according to the changing level Habitats Forest and woodland (25%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Scrub (5%; of Lake Ladoga. scrub), Wetland (60%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%; highly improved Habitats Wetland (100%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; shingle/stony beach; reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Agriculture (12%), Fisheries/aquaculture (50%), Forestry (20%), Hunting (20%), Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (100%), Hunting (60%), Nature conservation/ Nature conservation/research (35%), Not utilized (30%), Tourism/recreation (50%) research (80%), Not utilized (80%)

■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver B 1997 300 400 C A4i, B1i Larus minutus Little Gull B 1997 300 600 — A4i, B1i, B2 1 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1977 1,000 — C A4i, B1i 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1977 5,000 — C A4i, B1i Important numbers of Larus minutus breed. Mergus serrator B 1997 1,000 1,800 B A4i, B1i Red-breasted Merganser ■ Protection status Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1997 5,000 6,000 B B2 National Partial International None Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 120 1,000 C A1, B2 100 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Andrusovsky, area not known). Grus grus Crane B 1997 150 300 C B1i Part of IBA (mainland shoreline) covered by Zakaznik (Olonetsky, Grus grus Crane P 1997 600 800 C B1i 1 Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover P 1976 20,000 — B A4i, B1i 27,000 ha). 1 Vanellus vanellus Lapwing P 1976 10,000 70,000 C A4i, B1i Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe B 1997 — — — A3 ■ Conservation issues Numenius arquata Curlew B 1997 — 1,500 C A4i, B1i Threats Unsustainable exploitation (B) 1 Numenius arquata Curlew P 1977 3,500 — C A4i, B1i Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1997 100 — — A3 Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper B 1997 5,000 6,000 B A4i, B1i Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper P 1997 — 30,000 C A4i, B1i Larus canus Common Gull B 1997 5,000 8,000 B A4i, B1i, B2 Onega Bay A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1ii, B2, B3 018 Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull B 1997 200 300 B B3 of White Sea Sterna hirundo Common Tern B 1997 — 2,000 B A4i, B1i Admin region Karelia Republic, Arkhangelsk Columba palumbus Woodpigeon B 1997 3,000 4,000 C B3 Coordinates 64°30’N 35°30’E Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl B 1997 1 — — A3 Altitude 0–150 m Area 200,000 ha Jynx torquilla Wryneck B 1997 500 1,000 C B2 Picoides tridactylus R 1976 100 — C B2 Three-toed Woodpecker ■ Site description Alauda arvensis Skylark B 1997 15,000 16,000 C B2 Islands situated along the western shore of Onega Bay in the White Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing B 1976 50 100 — A3 Sea, with extensive foreshore and wet coastal meadow habitats. ‘Other’ Saxicola rubetra Whinchat B 1997 2,000 2,500 C B3 Turdus philomelos Song Thrush B 1997 15,000 20,000 B B3 land-use is seaweed harvesting. Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler B 1997 1,000 2,000 C B3 Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; native coniferous forest; wooded tundra), Sylvia borin Garden Warbler B 1997 10,000 20,000 B B3 Grassland (5%; tundra), Wetland (10%; tidal river/enclosed tidal water; shingle/stony Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1997 100 150 C A3 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike B 1997 300 1,000 C B2 beach; river/stream), Marine areas (50%; open sea; sea inlet/coastal features), Rocky Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1997 — — C A3 areas (15%) Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch B 1997 100,000 120,000 B B3 Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Not utilized (90%), Other (30%), Tourism/ Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1997 5,000 10,000 B A3 recreation (10%) Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1986 — 1,500 C A3 Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill B 1986 200 1,500 C A3, B3 Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1997 10,000 15,000 B A3 ■ Birds 1. No counts available for 1997 migration. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Many species of boreal forest, lake and mire breed, including important Somateria mollissima Eider W 1988 20,000 — C B1i Arenaria interpres Turnstone B 1995 320 350 A A4i, B1i numbers of one species of global conservation concern, as well as 10 Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua B 1995 80 100 A B1ii of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome Larus canus Common Gull B 1995 3,800 4,000 A B1i, B2 when breeding. Seven waterbirds stage in the area in significant Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull B 1995 1,000 1,000 A B1i, B3 numbers during migration, and the site holds 20,000 or more migrating Larus argentatus Herring Gull B 1995 5,000 5,100 A B1i waterbirds on a regular basis. Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull B 1995 90 100 A B3

■ Protection status A number of coastal waterbirds breed in important numbers, notably National Partial International None gull species. The area is an important staging area for migrating Cygnus 50,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kizhsky, 50,000 ha). cygnus, C. columbianus, Branta bernicla, B. leucopsis and other geese

601 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia and ducks, but no detailed information is available at present, although A variety of coastal species breed in significant numbers, and non- it is certain that more than 20,000 waterbirds are present regularly on breeding individuals of the globally threatened Polysticta stelleri migration. In winter, at least 20,000 Somateria mollissima congregate congregate here. in the area. ■ Protection status ■ Protection status National High International High National Low International Low 34,700 ha of IBA covered by Historical Cultural and Natural Complex Part of IBA covered by two Zakazniks (Kemskie Shkhery; Kuzova). (Solovetsky, 34,700 ha). 34,700 ha of IBA covered by World Heritage 3,600 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Islands in Onega Bay (White Site (Solovetski, 34,700 ha). Sea), 3,600 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Solovetski archipelago is protected for its cultural value and is included on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites for this reason. Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C)

Torna–Shoina A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 021 watershed Pinezhski Nature Reserve A1, B2 019 Admin region Arkhangelsk Admin region Arkhangelsk Coordinates 68°00’N 44°15’E Coordinates 64°40’N 43°20’E Altitude 0–2 m Area 15,000 ha Altitude — Area 41,244 ha ■ Site description ■ Site description The site is located about 420 km south-east of Arkhangelsk, on the An area of coniferous forest near the town of , within the taiga eastern coast of the Kanin peninsula, and covers the watersheds of zone. Pine Pinus and spruce Picea cover the majority of the area, with the Torna and Shoina rivers, with the latter forming the southern Betula on recently logged sites. Small raised bogs occur boundary of the site. Low-lying wetland habitats consist of mudflats, throughout the forest. coastal marshes, dunes and estuaries. Adjacent to these lies a 2–5 m high terrace covered by tundra vegetation. The state reindeer farm Habitats Forest and woodland (87%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland legally owns the area, but no habitat-damage is apparent. (8%; river/stream; raised bog) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) Habitats Grassland (tundra), Wetland (tidal river/enclosed tidal water; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water) Land-use Agriculture, Fisheries/aquaculture, Hunting ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Birds Anser erythropus P 1995 1 20 — A1 Lesser White-fronted Goose Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Picoides tridactylus B 1995 415 — — B2 Anser erythropus P 1995 1,500 — C A1, A4i, B1i Three-toed Woodpecker Lesser White-fronted Goose Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose B 1994 — 2,000 B A4i, B1i, B3 The globally threatened Anser erythropus occurs on passage. 1 Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1995 — — B A4i, B1i 1 Branta bernicla Brent Goose P 1995 — — B A4i, B1i ■ Anas acuta Pintail B 1995 — 3,000 B B1i, B2 Protection status Aythya marila Scaup B 1995 — 3,000 B A4i, B1i National High International None 41,244 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Pinezhskiy, 41,244 ha). 1. Up to 80,000 B. leucopsis/B. bernicla. Breeding species in significant numbers include three wildfowl species. Tens of thousands of geese Anser stage in the area during migration, in particular the globally threatened Anser erythropus occurs in very A1, A4i, B1i, B1ii, B2, B3 Solovetski 020 significant numbers. A total of 30,000 small waders (Calidris minuta, archipelago C. ferruginea, C. alpina) congregate here during spring and autumn Admin region Arkhangelsk migration, and at least 1,000 moulting seaduck of four species also Coordinates 65°05’N 35°45’E occur. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Altitude 0–100 m Area 34,700 ha criteria: Polysticta stelleri (on migration; numbers almost certainly would meet criteria, but no systematic counts yet). ■ Site description The area is located on the northern edge of Onega Bay, and forms a ■ Protection status complex with Onezhskaya Guba in the White Sea. The archipelago National None International None consists of several large islands surrounded by marine shallows, with extensive shorelines, beaches and coastal meadows. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; wooded tundra), Grassland (tundra), Wetland Threats Unsustainable exploitation (U) (38%; tidal river/enclosed tidal water; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; The area has been included on a ‘shadow list’ of potential Ramsar fen/transition mire/spring), Marine areas (15%; open sea; sea inlet/coastal features), Sites. Rocky areas), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land; forestry plantation; other urban/ industrial areas) Land-use Forestry (80%), Nature conservation/research (90%), Tourism/recreation (30%) Delta of River A4i, A4iii, B1i 022 Severnaya Dvina ■ Birds Admin region Arkhangelsk Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 64°30’N 40°20’E Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider N 1996 5 1,000 B A1, A4i, B1i Altitude 8–50 m Area 50,000 ha Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 3 5 B A1 Larus canus Common Gull B 1994 650 900 B B2 Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull B 1996 340 650 A B3 ■ Site description Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern B 1994 4,000 10,500 A A4i, B1i The delta of the River Severnaya Dvina at the White Sea, containing Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot R 1996 388 390 A B1ii, B2 numerous meanders and islands.

602 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Habitats Forest and woodland (alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (humid grassland), Kenozer’ye A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 024 Wetland (tidal river/enclosed tidal water; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; Admin region Arkhangelsk coastal lagoon; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape (arable land) Coordinates 61°55’N 38°07’E Land-use Agriculture (15%), Fisheries/aquaculture (30%), Hunting (30%), Not utilized, Altitude 120–229 m Area 180,000 ha Urban/industrial/transport ■ Site description ■ Birds Extensive tracts of coniferous forest, as well as six large lakes, in the middle zone of the taiga. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1997 1,000 9,000 — A4i, B1i Habitats Forest and woodland (55%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Scrub (5%; 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 — — — A4i, B1i scrub), Wetland (35%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 — — — A4i, B1i (10%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1997 5,000 8,000 — A4i, B1i Land-use Agriculture (15%), Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (20%), Branta bernicla Brent Goose P 1997 15,000 25,000 — A4i, B1i Nature conservation/research (20%), Not utilized (60%), Tourism/recreation (30%), Urban/ 1. 52,000–80,000 A. fabalis/A. albifrons. industrial/transport (5%) Very large numbers of wildfowl regularly occur on passage, especially Cygnus columbianus and geese Anser. ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Protection status Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver B 1997 300 400 B A4i, B1i National Partial International None Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1997 100 800 C A4i, B1i The IBA overlaps with Zakaznik (Dvinskoi, area not known). Bucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1997 2,000 3,500 C B1i Mergus albellus Smew U 1997 10 50 C A3 ■ Conservation issues Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1997 4 6 B A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 50 100 B A1 Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (A), Infrastructure (B), Recreation/ Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe U 1997 — — — A3 tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1997 100 300 C A3 Tringa nebularia Greenshank P 1997 1,500 3,000 C A4i, B1i Larus minutus Little Gull B 1997 150 200 B B2 Larus canus Common Gull B 1997 1,500 2,000 B B2 Lake Lacha A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 023 Columba palumbus Woodpigeon B 1997 1,500 3,000 B B3 Admin region Arkhangelsk Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1997 20 40 — A3 Coordinates 61°20’N 38°35’E Picoides tridactylus R 1997 200 400 C B2 Altitude 118–120 m Area 53,500 ha Three-toed Woodpecker Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing R 1997 50 300 B A3 Saxicola rubetra Whinchat B 1997 1,000 — C B3 ■ Site description Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush B 1997 100 — C B3 A large lake in the south of the Arkhangelsk region, surrounded by Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler B 1997 1,500 2,000 B B3 very wet forest and bogs. Fringilla coelebs Chaffinch B 1997 100,000 120,000 B B3 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1997 2,000 5,000 B A3 Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill R 1997 100 200 — A3 Wetland (60%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape (15%; Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill R 1997 500 600 B A3, B3 arable land; urban parks/gardens) Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1997 8,000 10,000 — A3 Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (60%), Forestry (10%), Not utilized Many species of boreal forest, lake and mire breed here, including (20%), Tourism/recreation (20%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) two species of global conservation concern, as well as up to nine of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome when ■ Birds breeding. Three waterbirds stage in the area in significant numbers during migration. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1997 300 2,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Protection status 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 — — B A4i, B1i National Partial International None 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 — — B A4i, B1i Anas clypeata Shoveler N 1997 600 1,000 B B1i 139,200 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Kenozyerskiy, Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 10 30 C A1 139,200 ha). Larus minutus Little Gull B 1997 500 800 B A4i, B1i, B2 Larus canus Common Gull B 1997 1,500 — C B2 ■ Conservation issues 1. Up to 30,000 A. fabalis/A. albifrons. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/ expansion (B), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Firewood Huge numbers of wildfowl regularly stage at the site during migration collection (B), Infrastructure (B), Intensified forest management (A), Recreation/tourism (C), (geese Anser) or gather on the lake after the breeding season (up to Selective logging/cutting (A), Unsustainable exploitation (B) 40,000 duck, notably Anas clypeata). Crex crex breeds, as do important numbers of two gull Larus species. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (more than 2 breeding pairs; 7–10 birds on passage). Bezymyannaya A1, A4i, A4ii, B1i, B1ii, B3 025 ■ and Gribovaya Bays Protection status and adjoining waters National Partial International None Admin region Arkhangelsk 20,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Lachskiy Hunting Reserve, Coordinates 72°55’N 53°05’E 20,000 ha). Altitude 0–816 m Area 140,000 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Afforestation (B), Deforestation An area on the north-west shore of the southernmost island in the (commercial) (C), Disturbance to birds (B), Firewood collection (B), Forest grazing (C), Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Industrialization/urbanization (C), Infrastructure (C), Intensified forest management (C), Natural events (A), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Habitats Grassland (70%; tundra), Marine areas (30%; open sea; sea inlet/coastal features) Land-use Military (100%), Nature conservation/research (100%) Irregular flooding is a threat (‘Natural events’, above).

603 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Polysticta stelleri Steller’s Eider N 1994 300 — B A1, A4i, B1i Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 30,000 — B A4i, B1i Calidris maritima Purple Sandpiper B 1994 10 — C B3 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 70,000 — B A4i, B1i Uria lomvia Brünnich’s Guillemot B 1995 140,000 315,000 A A4ii, B1ii Anser erythropus P 1996 — 1,000 C A1, A4i, B1i Cepphus grylle Black Guillemot B 1995 118 118 A B1ii Lesser White-fronted Goose Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1991 500 1,000 C B2 1. Single count. Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 200 200 A A1 The IBA is important for its non-breeding population of the globally Grus grus Crane P 1996 4,000 10,000 A A4i, B1i threatened Polysticta stelleri, and for the large breeding colony of Uria Larus canus Common Gull P 1996 20,000 40,000 B A4i, B1i Bubo bubo Eagle Owl R 1991 10 20 C B2 lomvia. Current data for the site are incomplete, and further research is required. Ornithological data from the 1940s are available, for The site is a gathering point for more Grus grus than any other site in comparative purposes. European Russia during the autumn migration, and also holds very important numbers of the globally threatened Anser erythropus. ■ Protection status The globally threatened Crex crex breeds in good numbers, as does National None International None Tetrao tetrix.

■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status National Partial International None Threats Other (A), Unsustainable exploitation (B) 23,600 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Filatovskiy, 23,600 ha). Radioactive contamination is a problem (‘Other’ threat). During recent years attempts have been made, with international support, to establish ■ Conservation issues Novozemelskiy Strict Nature Reserve (Zapovednik). The area was Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (C), designated as a Zapovednik up until the mid-1950s, when a lot of Recreation/tourism (C) Zapovedniks lost their official status. A decline in arable cropping may have an negative effect on the numbers of Grus grus which gather here on passage, as cereal grain is their main food source. Arkhangelskaya Bay A4ii, B1ii 026 Admin region Arkhangelsk Coordinates 75°50’N 59°00’E Altitude 0–500 m Area 1,000 ha Vodlozero A1, B2 028 Admin region Arkhangelsk, Karelia Republic Coordinates 62°35’N 36°55’E ■ Site description Altitude 140–218 m Area 200,000 ha The area lies on the north-west shore of the northernmost island in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. ■ Site description Habitats Grassland (90%; tundra), Rocky areas (10%; sea cliff/rocky shore) A complex of habitats typical of the middle zone of the taiga. Land-use Military (100%) Habitats Forest and woodland (49%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Scrub (2%; scrub), Wetland (48%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe ■ Birds vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (4%; highly improved Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Uria lomvia Brünnich’s Guillemot B 1996 73,200 131,200 A A4ii, B1ii Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Hunting (20%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Not utilized (50%), Tourism/recreation (10%) An important seabird breeding colony, which holds very large numbers of Uria lomvia. Other breeding seabirds include Larus hyperboreus, Rissa tridactyla, Cepphus grylle, Alle alle and Fratercula arctica. ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Protection status Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1997 15 17 A A1, B2 National None International None Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle B 1990 3 8 B B2 ■ Conservation issues Two eagle species breed in significant numbers. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga Threats Other (A) (status unknown). The IBA is threatened by radioactive pollution. Ornithological data are incomplete for the site, and further survey work is required. An ■ Protection status international fauna monitoring project is being carried out by Russian National Partial International None and Norwegian biologists. 180,000 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Vodlozerskiy, 468,340 ha).

■ Conservation issues Kargopol’ area A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 027 Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Afforestation (C), Admin region Arkhangelsk Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Disturbance to birds (C), Firewood collection (C), Coordinates 61°50’N 38°55’E Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective logging/cutting (B) Altitude 128–186 m Area 175,000 ha

■ Site description Vashutkiny, Padimeyskiye A4i, A4iii, B1i 029 Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet and Khargeyskiye lakes forest), Wetland (40%; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial Admin region Arkhangelsk, Nenetski landscape (8%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves) Coordinates 68°00’N 62°00’E Land-use Agriculture (8%), Forestry (70%), Hunting (99%), Nature conservation/research (15%) Altitude — Area 25,000 ha Lying near to the town of Kargopol in the south of the Arkhangelsk region, habitats in the area include agricultural fields surrounded by ■ Site description fens and raised bogs. A lake system in the Bolshezemelskaya tundra.

604 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Protection status Habitats Grassland (tundra), Wetland (standing fresh water) National None International None

■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Proposed as a Ramsar Site. No recent information. 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose N 1989 50,000 50,000 — A4i, B1i 1. Moulting. River Chernaya A4iii 032 An important breeding and moulting area for Anser fabalis and ducks Admin region Arkhangelsk, Nenetski (80,000–100,000), according to the previous pan-European IBA Coordinates 68°07’N 57°00’E inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989). No updated information. Altitude — Area 200,000 ha ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Site description Low-lying marshy tundra with lakes. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Grassland (tundra), Wetland (standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) No recent information.

■ Birds Important for breeding and moulting swans (500), geese (20,000– Vaygach island A3, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 030 30,000), and diving ducks (20,000). Recent count data are not available Admin region Arkhangelsk, Nenetski for any bird species. Coordinates 70°00’N 59°30’E Altitude 0–170 m Area 340,000 ha ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Site description A large tundra island located just off the mainland, north of the Ural ■ Conservation issues mountains. Human activities include reindeer herding. No recent information.

Habitats Grassland (100%; tundra) Land-use Agriculture (30%), Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (90%) Southern coast of Cheshskaya Bay B1i 033 Admin region Arkhangelsk, Nenetski ■ Birds Coordinates 66°49’N 46°30’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 0–0 m Area — Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan B — — 75,000 — A3, A4i, B1i Anser fabalis Bean Goose B 1987 — 33,000 — A4i, B1i Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose B 1984 — 100,000 — A3, A4i, B1i ■ Site description Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose B 1987 2,500 3,000 — A3, A4i, B1i, B3 Low-lying coastal tundra in the vicinity of the Rivers Snopa, Oma, Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck B 1987 20,000 — — A3, A4i, B1i Vizha and Perepusk. Mergus merganser Goosander B 1987 2,500 3,000 — A4i, B1i Falco peregrinus Peregrine B 1991 10 10 — B2 Habitats Grassland (tundra), Wetland (standing fresh water; river/stream) Nyctea scandiaca Snowy Owl B 1991 5 — — A3, B2

The breeding avifauna includes five of the 32 species in Europe that ■ Birds are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome when breeding, and huge Large numbers of geese and ducks occur on passage. The B1i criterion numbers of waterfowl overall. The northern third of the island is the is applied at site-level rather than at species-level, as recent count data most important for bird conservation. Breeding species of global are not available for any bird species. The site may also prove to fulfil conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla the A4i criterion once systematic counts have been made. (at least 4 pairs). ■ Protection status ■ Protection status National None International None National High International None 340,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Vaigach, 340,000 ha). ■ Conservation issues No recent information. ■ Conservation issues Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Kanin peninsula A4i, A4iii, B1i 034 Admin region Arkhangelsk, Nenetski Coordinates 66°40’N 44°40’E Varandeyskaya Lapta peninsula A4iii 031 Altitude — Area 500,000 ha Admin region Arkhangelsk, Nenetski Coordinates 68°49’N 59°00’E ■ Site description Altitude — Area 350,000 ha Marshy, low-lying tundra with numerous rivers, lakes and channels between the Rivers Yazhma and Nyes. ■ Site description Habitats Grassland (tundra), Wetland (standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) A low-lying peninsula with numerous lakes that are connected by channels with each other and to the Pechora Sea. ■ Birds Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water) A breeding area for Cygnus columbianus and geese. Very large numbers of geese moult (50,000), and swans and geese (including Branta ■ Birds leucopsis) occur on passage. There are no recent counts for any species. One of the most important sites in north European Russia for breeding Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria swans, geese, and ducks, and for moulting swans (2,000), geese (30,000– Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan B 1989 — — — A4i, B1i 40,000), and ducks (100,000). Recent count data are not available for Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1989 — — — B1i any bird species.

605 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Protection status (individuals/km2), including geese, dabbling ducks, and seaduck such National None International None as Clangula hyemalis. These extrapolated totals are very approximate but allow preliminary identification of important species. After the ■ Conservation issues breeding season, up to 10,000 moulting swans (Cygnus columbianus No recent information. and C. cygnus) congregate in the area.

■ Protection status National High International None Khaypudyrskaya Bay A4i, A4iii, B1i 035 299,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Nenetski, 440,000 ha). (islands of B. Zelenets, Dolgi, Matveyev) ■ Conservation issues Admin region Nenetski Coordinates 68°55’N 59°50’E Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Altitude 0–30 m Area 20,600 ha A proposal has been put forward for the designation of a Zapovednik in the area (Nenetski). A scientific research programme is ongoing in ■ Site description conjunction with Groningen University (The Netherlands). A shallow bay with extensive mudflats, surrounded by marshy tundra and a number of lakes. Habitats Grassland (10%; tundra), Wetland (70%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand Middle reaches of A1, A3 037 beach; shingle/stony beach; coastal lagoon; river/stream), Marine areas (20%; open sea) Bolshaya Rogovaya river Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (15%), Hunting (10%), Not utilized (75%) Admin region Nenetski Coordinates 67°04’N 62°02’E Altitude 20–70 m Area 35,000 ha ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1992 300 — — B1i Site description 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1992 — — — A4i, B1i Wet, wooded tundra and fens along a river valley in the southern 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1992 — — — A4i, B1i tundra subzone. 2 Somateria mollissima Eider P 1992 — — — A4i, B1i 2 Somateria spectabilis King Eider P 1992 — — — A4i, B1i Habitats Forest and woodland (13%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (55%; tundra), 1. Up to 20,000 A. fabalis/A. albifrons. Wetland (12%; fen/transition mire/spring) 2. Up to 80,000 S. mollissima/S. spectabilis. Land-use Agriculture (5%), Unknown (95%) Migrating waterfowl occur in very large numbers, including up to 20,000 geese (Anser fabalis and A. albifrons), up to 80,000 eider duck ■ Birds (Somateria mollissima and S. spectabilis) and up to 40,000 other seaduck Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria (Aythya marila, Clangula hyemalis, Melanitta nigra and M. fusca). Anser erythropus B 1990 30 30 B A1, A3 Lesser White-fronted Goose ■ Protection status Aythya marila Scaup B 1990 50 70 B A3 National None International None Melanitta nigra Common Scoter B 1990 100 120 B A3 1 Calidris minuta Little Stint B 1990 — — — A3 ■ Conservation issues 1 Calidris temminckii Temminck’s Stint B 1990 — — — A3 Phalaropus lobatus B 1990 100 120 B A3 Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Extraction industry (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Red-necked Phalarope Stercorarius longicaudus Long-tailed Skua B 1990 10 15 B A3 1 Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit B 1990 — — — A3 Calcarius lapponicus Lapland Bunting B 1990 300 400 B A3 Russki Zavorot peninsula A3, A4i, A4iii, 036 1. No special counts. Admin region Nenetski B1i, B2 Nine of the 32 species in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra Coordinates 68°35’N 53°30’E biome (when breeding) breed at the site in significant numbers, Altitude 1–139 m Area 299,000 ha including the globally threatened Anser erythropus.

■ Site description ■ Protection status The area covers the northern part of the Russki Zavorot peninsula. National None International None Extensive marine shallows and low-lying tundra with numerous small lakes connected by channels. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Grassland (75%; tundra), Wetland (40%; tidal river/enclosed tidal water; Threats Firewood collection (C), Forest grazing (C) standing fresh water; river/stream) Land-use Agriculture (50%), Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Hunting (100%)

■ Pechoro-Ilychski A1, B2 038 Birds Nature Reserve Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region Komi Republic Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver B 1996 500 — C A4i, B1i Coordinates 62°30’N 59°00’E Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan B 1996 60 — C A3, A4i, B1i Altitude 160–1,195 m Area 705,500 ha Anser fabalis Bean Goose B 1996 — 1,700 C A4i, B1i Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose B 1996 2,500 — — A3, B1i Anas acuta Pintail B 1996 — 6,500 C A4i, B1i, B2 ■ Site description Aythya marila Scaup B 1996 — 8,500 C A3, A4i, B1i Northern taiga forests in the upper reaches of the Pechora river. Somateria spectabilis King Eider B 1996 — 3,000 C A3, A4i, B1i Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck B 1996 8,000 — C A3 Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; native coniferous forest), Grassland (2%; alpine/subalpine/ Bucephala clangula Goldeneye B 1996 1,000 — C B1i boreal grassland), Wetland (5%; river/stream; raised bog), Rocky areas (8%; scree/boulders) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) The breeding avifauna includes five species (all waterbirds) out of the 32 in Europe that are restricted to the Arctic/tundra biome when breeding. Very large numbers of waterbirds breed in the area (more ■ Birds than 20,000 individuals), based on extrapolations from count data Significant numbers of two raptors breed in the area.

606 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (100%) Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 8 11 A A1, B2 Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle R 1996 2 4 B B2 A valley to the south of the town of Syktyvkar. The area is highly developed.

■ Protection status ■ Birds National High International High Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 705,500 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Pechoro–Ilychskiy, Podiceps auritus Slavonian Grebe B 1996 15 30 — A3 721,322 ha). 705,500 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve Anser erythropus P 1996 50 150 — A1, B1i (Pechoro–Ilychskiy, 721,322 ha). 705,500 ha of IBA covered by World Lesser White-fronted Goose Heritage Site (Virgin Komi Forest, 3,280,000 ha). Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 200 350 B A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 20 30 B A1 ■ Conservation issues Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1996 1,000 — — A3, A4i, B1i Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1996 40 80 — A3 Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Firewood collection (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1996 5 15 — A3 Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing B 1996 200 600 — A3 Unsustainable exploitation (C) Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1996 2,200 — — A3 Hunting, forestry and fishery activities take place in the buffer zone Parus cinctus Siberian Tit R 1996 100 200 — A3 (650,000 ha) surrounding the site. Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay R 1996 80 120 — A3, B2 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1996 2,000 2,100 — A3 Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1996 500 3,000 — A3 1 Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill U 1996 — — — A3 Yugyd Va A1, A3, B1i, B2 039 1. No counts of abundance. Admin region Komi Republic The globally threatened Anser erythropus stages in important numbers Coordinates 64°30’N 58°40’E on passage. Two species of global conservation concern breed in the Altitude 120–1,820 m Area 1,926,489 ha area, as do 11 of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding). ■ Site description Habitats are characteristic of the subpolar region of the northern Ural ■ Protection status mountains. National Low International None 500 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Abkedzhskiy, 500 ha). 30 ha of Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland IBA covered by Zakaznik (Bolotniy, Bortom Baza, 43 ha). 12 ha of (20%; humid grassland; tundra), Wetland (30%; river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition IBA covered by Natural Monument (Gorsibskiy, 12 ha). 120 ha of mire/spring), Rocky areas (25%) IBA covered by Natural Monument (Kadzheromskiy, 120 ha). Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (60%), Water management (20%) ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Drainage (C), ■ Birds Infrastructure (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 15 20 B A1, B2 The site is also adjacent to Vizingskiy Zakaznik (9,400 ha). Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 100 200 B A1, B1i Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1996 — — — A3 Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1996 — — — A3 Bombycilla garrulus Waxwing B — — — — A3 Kilpola island and adjoining waters B1i 041 Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1996 Common — A3 Admin region Karelia Republic Parus cinctus Siberian Tit B 1996 Common — A3 Coordinates 61°49’N 31°40’E Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1996 — — — A3 Altitude — Area 30,000 ha Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1996 Common — A3 Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1996 — — — A3 Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak B 1996 — — — A3 ■ Site description Calcarius lapponicus Lapland Bunting B 1996 — — — A3 Shallows with small islands in Lake Ladoga, east of the . Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1996 — — — A3 Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water) Breeding species include 11 of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome when breeding (no abundance counts have been made), as well as significant numbers of Gallinago media and of raptors. ■ Birds An important area for diving duck during migration. The B1i criterion ■ Protection status is applied at site-level rather than at species-level, as recent count data National High International None are not available for any bird species. The site may also prove to fulfil 1,926,489 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Yugyd Va, 1,926,489 ha). the A4i criterion once systematic counts have been made.

■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status National None International None Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Extraction industry (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) ■ Conservation issues No recent information. A seasonal nature reserve (Zakaznik) has been proposed. Valley of Sysola river A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 040 Admin region Komi Republic Coordinates 61°08’N 50°17’E Altitude — Area 110,000 ha Mouth of Svir river A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 042 Admin region Leningrad Coordinates 60°35’N 32°56’E ■ Site description Altitude 14–40 m Area 65,000 ha Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (30%; humid grassland), Wetland (4%; river/ ■ Site description stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (50%; highly improved reseeded Shallow waters around the mouth of the Svir river, where it enters grassland; arable land; urban parks/gardens) Lake Ladoga.

607 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Habitats Forest and woodland (52%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Berezovye islands A4i, A4iii, B1i 044 Wetland (44%; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; raised bog; fen/ of Vyborg Bay transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (4%; highly improved reseeded grassland; Admin region Leningrad arable land) Coordinates 60°18’N 29°00’E Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (15%), Forestry (10%), Hunting (20%), Altitude 0–43 m Area 12,000 ha Nature conservation/research (65%) ■ Site description ■ Birds This area encompasses shallow waters, inlets, small bays and several small islands located near Vyborg Bay in the Gulf of Finland, south- Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria west of the town of Primorsk. Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1995 500 1,100 C A4i, B1i Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 1,000 3,000 C B1i Habitats Forest and woodland, Wetland (70%; tidal river/enclosed tidal water; shingle/ Anser erythropus P 1996 8 30 C A1 stony beach; coastal lagoon; raised bog) Lesser White-fronted Goose Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture, Tourism/recreation Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1996 10,000 25,000 C A4i, B1i Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 3 4 A A1 Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1996 10 140 C B3 ■ Birds Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 10 100 C A1 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 10 60 C A1 Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver P 1996 20,000 40,000 — A4i, B1i Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1995 400 500 C B3 1 Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe P 1996 — — — B1i Larus minutus Little Gull B 1995 20 130 C B2 Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 — 5,000 — A4i, B1i Acrocephalus scirpaceus B 1995 — 2,000 C B3 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 15,000 25,000 — A4i, B1i Reed Warbler 2 Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose P 1996 — — — A4i, B1i Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill B 1995 — 100 C B3 2 Branta bernicla Brent Goose P 1996 — — — A4i, B1i Significant numbers of a variety of birds breed in the area, mainly Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck P 1996 100,000 200,000 A A4i, B1i waterbirds and including four species of global conservation concern. Aythya marila Scaup P 1996 100,000 300,000 A A4i, B1i Large numbers of wildfowl stage in the area during migration. Clangula hyemalis Long-tailed Duck P 1996 300,000 400,000 A A4i, B1i Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1996 300,000 400,000 A A4i, B1i ■ Melanitta fusca Velvet Scoter P 1996 100,000 200,000 A A4i, B1i Protection status Bucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1996 150,000 200,000 A A4i, B1i National Partial International High 3 Mergus serrator P 1996 — — B A4i, B1i 41,436 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Nizhne-Svirskiy, Red-breasted Merganser 41,436 ha). 60,500 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Svir Delta, 3 Mergus merganser Goosander P 1996 — — — A4i, B1i 60,500 ha). Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull P 1996 — 200,000 A A4i, B1i Larus canus Common Gull P 1996 — 100,000 A A4i, B1i ■ Conservation issues Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull P 1996 — 50,000 A A4i, B1i Larus argentatus Herring Gull P 1996 — 100,000 A A4i, B1i Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (C), 1. Up to 2,000 P. cristatus/P. grisegena. Industrialization/urbanization (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/ 2. Up to 70,000 B. leucopsis/B. bernicla. cutting (C) 3. Up to 15,000 M. serrator/M. merganser. The reduction in the area of agricultural land is negatively affecting The area holds huge congregations of waterbirds during migration, geese and Grus grus which forage on this habitat during migration. including up to 500,000 wildfowl and up to 100,000 waders during migration, with Anas penelope, A. acuta, A. querquedula, Charadrius hiaticula, Calidris minuta, Calidris temminckii, Calidris alpina, Gallinago gallinago, Numenius phaeopus and N. arquata being among Rakovye lakes A1, A4iii, B1i 043 the most numerous species. Admin region Leningrad Coordinates 60°38’N 29°25’E ■ Protection status Altitude 34–43 m Area 9,700 ha National High International High 12,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Berezovye Ostrova, 12,000 ha). ■ Site description 12,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Berezovye Islands, A system of lakes formed from abandoned areas of peat-mining. 12,000 ha).

Habitats Forest and woodland (native coniferous forest), Wetland (70%; standing fresh ■ Conservation issues water; fen/transition mire/spring) The building of a harbour with oil terminals poses a major threat to this IBA. ■ Birds Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Dredging/canalization (U), Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Infrastructure (A), Intensified forest management (U) Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 20 — — A1 Grus grus Crane B 1996 100 — — B1i An important site for breeding Crex crex and Grus grus. There Koporski Bay A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 045 have been few counts of individual species, but in total up to 6,000 Admin region Leningrad geese (mainly Anser fabalis and A. albifrons), 50,000 dabbling ducks Coordinates 59°47’N 28°45’E (Anas spp.) and 150,000 diving ducks congregate in the area during Altitude 0–0 m Area 6,000 ha autumn and spring migration.

■ Protection status ■ Site description National Partial International None The site comprises a number of sandy beaches partly covered by 6,142 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Rakovie Ozera, 6,142 ha). reedbeds, in the Gulf of Finland.

Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; mixed forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Wetland (90%; ■ Conservation issues tidal river/enclosed tidal water; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; coastal Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), lagoon; fen/transition mire/spring) Disturbance to birds (U), Drainage (U), Intensified forest management (U), Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (80%), Hunting (90%), Military (10%), Tourism/ Unsustainable exploitation (U) recreation (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%)

608 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds ■ Protection status Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria National None International None Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1997 200 500 B A4i, B1i ■ Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1997 1,000 2,000 B A4i, B1i Conservation issues Anser erythropus P 1997 15 30 B A1 No recent information. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anas penelope Wigeon B 1997 2,000 5,000 B B1i Anas crecca Teal B 1997 5,000 10,000 B A4i, B1i A4i, A4iii, B1i Anas acuta Pintail B 1997 500 1,000 B B1i Kurgalski peninsula 048 Aythya marila Scaup P 1997 5,000 10,000 B A4i, B1i Admin region Leningrad Melanitta nigra Common Scoter P 1997 20,000 50,000 B A4i, B1i Coordinates 59°38’N 28°09’E Bucephala clangula Goldeneye B 1997 1,000 2,000 B A4i, B1i Altitude 1–45 m Area 27,000 ha Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1997 10 15 B A1 Tringa totanus Redshank B 1997 300 500 B B2 ■ Site description Larus minutus Little Gull B 1997 200 600 B A4i, B1i, B2 The area comprises the Kurgalski peninsula together with the Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull B 1997 500 1,000 B B1i, B3 surrounding shallow waters of the . Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1997 50 150 B B1i, B2 Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler B 1997 200 500 B B3 Habitats Forest and woodland (native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland (humid grassland), Wetland (mudflat/sandflat; coastal lagoon), Marine areas (sea inlet/coastal The site regularly holds more than 20,000 waterfowl during both the features) breeding and migration seasons, including important numbers of many Land-use Unknown individual species.

■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Gavia arctica Black-throated Diver P 1993 10,000 20,000 — A4i, B1i ■ Conservation issues Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1993 50,000 — — A4i, B1i Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1993 50,000 — — A4i, B1i Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable Mergus serrator Red-breasted Merganser P 1993 — 20,000 — A4i, B1i exploitation (B) Mergus merganser Goosander P 1993 — 10,000 — A4i, B1i Larus canus Common Gull P 1996 300,000 — — A4i, B1i Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull P 1996 150,000 — — A4i, B1i Larus argentatus Herring Gull P 1996 400,000 — — A4i, B1i Lake Vyalye B1i 046 Larus marinus Great Black-backed Gull P 1996 50,000 — — A4i, B1i and adjoining marshes A very important staging area for waterbirds on passage, with up to Admin region Leningrad 100,000 swans Cygnus, hundreds of thousands of geese, 1,200,000 ducks, Coordinates 59°10’N 30°10’E 100,000 waders and 1,000,000 gulls regularly occurring here during Altitude — Area 20,000 ha spring and autumn migration.

■ Site description ■ Protection status A freshwater lake and low-lying marshes. National None International High 27,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Kurgalsky peninsula, Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) 65,000 ha).

■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Threats Disturbance to birds (U) 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1989 — — — B1i 1. Large numbers. Based on data in the previous pan-European IBA inventory (Grimmett Swans area A4i, A4iii, B1i 049 and Jones 1989), this is an important staging site for Anser albifrons. (southern shore of Finski Bay) Breeding species include Grus grus. Admin region Leningrad Coordinates 60°00’N 29°15’E ■ Protection status Altitude 0–3 m Area 6,400 ha National Partial International None Part of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ozero Vyalye). ■ Site description ■ Conservation issues Shallow waters along the southern shore of Finski Bay (Gulf of No recent information. Finland) in the Baltic Sea.

Habitats Forest and woodland, Wetland, Marine areas (open sea; sea inlet/coastal features) Narva reservoir A4iii 047 Admin region Leningrad ■ Birds Coordinates 59°19’N 28°15’E Altitude — Area 20,000 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan P 1996 — 4,000 — A4i, B1i 1 Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1996 5,000 — — A4i, B1i ■ Site description 1. Up to 25,000 Cygnus in total. A reservoir with a hydroelectric power station. This is one of the most important sites on the White Sea–Baltic Sea Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water) flyway, with up to 25,000 swans (Cygnus olor, C. columbianus, C. cygnus), Land-use Water management 100,000 ducks and 200,000 gulls staging here regularly on migration, mainly in spring. ■ Birds An important breeding site for ducks (25,000 pairs). Recent count data ■ Protection status are not available for any species. National High International High

609 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

6,400 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Lebyazhiy Hunting Reserve, ■ Birds 6,400 ha). 6,400 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (‘Southern coast Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria of the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea’, 6,400 ha). Anser erythropus P 1993 15 20 C A1 ■ Lesser White-fronted Goose Conservation issues Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 1,500 2,500 B A1, B2 Data are incomplete for individual bird species, and further survey Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 200 300 C A1, A4i, B1i work is required. The area is important for three species of global conservation concern. It holds 20,000 or more migrating waterfowl on a regular basis, mainly Anas penelope, A. crecca, A. platyrhynchos, A. querquedula, A. clypeata Chudsko-Pskovski lake A1, A4i, A4iii, A4iv, 050 and Aythya fuligula. Breeding species of global conservation concern and adjacent areas B1i, B1iv that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1–2 pairs). Admin region Pskov Coordinates 58°30’N 27°49’E ■ Protection status Altitude 30–70 m Area 251,400 ha National Low International None 8,600 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Novgorodsky, 8,600 ha). ■ Site description 9,460 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Vostochno–Ilmensky, 9,460 ha). A large lake on the Russian–Estonian border, in a highly developed area. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (10%), Grassland (5%), Wetland (80%), Artificial Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Intensified forest landscape (5%) management (C), Recreation/tourism (B) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture, Tourism/recreation, Nature conservation/research (25%), Urban/industrial/transport

Pereluchski Nature Reserve A1, B2 052 ■ Birds Admin region Novgorod Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 58°13’N 34°36’E Bucephala clangula Goldeneye N — — 5,600 — A4i, B1i Altitude — Area 6,425 ha Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B — 3 4 — A1 Crex crex Corncrake B — 100 — — A1 ■ Fulica atra Coot N — — 34,500 — B1i Site description A large lake formed by the flooding of the Uver, S’ezha and Medvedka Two species of global conservation concern breed in important rivers. numbers. At least 200,000–300,000 individuals of waterfowl stage here Habitats Forest and woodland (50%), Grassland (15%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; during spring migration, mainly Anser fabalis, A. albifrons, Anas standing fresh water; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (17%; arable land; penelope, A. platyrhynchos, Aythya fuligula and Bucephala clangula. urban parks/gardens) The lake is also important for moulting waterfowl, notably Anas Land-use Agriculture (5%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (70%), Tourism/recreation (5%) platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina, Aythya fuligula and Bucephala clangula. The narrow land-corridor between Chudskoe and Pskovskoe lakes acts as a major bottleneck for migrating birds: as many as 4 million ■ Birds (mainly but also some raptors) have been estimated to pass Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria in a single 5-hour period in early September. Crex crex Corncrake B 1991 15 50 C A1 ■ Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1991 20 40 C A1 Protection status Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1991 200 300 C B2 National Partial International Partial 64,900 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Remdovsky, 64,900 ha). Three flood-plain species breed in significant numbers, two of the three 93,600 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Pskovsko-Chudskaya being species of global conservation concern. Lowland, 93,600 ha). ■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National High International None 6,425 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Pereluchsky, 6,425 ha). Threats Firewood collection (U), Recreation/tourism (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) ■ Conservation issues It has not been decided whether this area should be treated as one Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Deforestation (commercial) (A), IBA, or whether several IBAs should be identified along the Estonian Unsustainable exploitation (C) and Russian shores. More field research is needed and has already been planned.

Flood-plain of Volkhov river A1, A4i, B1i 053 Lake Ilmen’ and A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 051 Admin region Novgorod adjoining marshy plain Coordinates 59°10’N 31°50’E Admin region Novgorod Altitude 18–32 m Area 17,650 ha Coordinates 58°15’N 31°45’E Altitude — Area 250,000 ha ■ Site description A partly forested flood-plain containing a system of small lakes, with ■ Site description scrub present in very wet areas. One of the largest lakes in central European Russia, with surrounding Habitats Forest and woodland (40%), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (30%; fens and meadows. standing fresh water; raised bog), Artificial landscape (10%) Habitats Forest and woodland (5%), Grassland (22%; humid grassland), Wetland (65%; Land-use Agriculture (30%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (95%), Not utilized (20%) standing fresh water; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (8%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) ■ Birds Land-use Agriculture (13%), Fisheries/aquaculture (59%), Forestry (5%), Hunting (40%), Three species of global conservation concern breed in significant Tourism/recreation (15%) numbers, including two globally threatened species.

610 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1 pair), Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1993 2 2 C A1 Gallinago media (at least 18 pairs). Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 20 30 C A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 50 150 C A1, A4i, B1i ■ Protection status National None International None

■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National None International None Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (C), Extraction industry (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) ■ Conservation issues The area was partly destroyed by the peat-mining industry, which Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Disturbance to birds (B), ceased activities in the early 1990s. The water-table at the site is now Drainage (B), Firewood collection (B), Industrialization/urbanization (A), Recreation/ rising again, and the mire has started to regenerate naturally. tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Plans for the establishment of a nature reserve (Zakaznik) have been proposed to the regional authority. Polisto-Lovatskaya A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 056 mire system Admin region Novgorod, Pskov Redrovski Nature Reserve A1 054 Coordinates 57°15’N 30°40’E Admin region Novgorod Altitude 86–190 m Area 110,000 ha Coordinates 58°32’N 35°00’E Altitude 79–196 m Area 16,850 ha ■ Site description One of the largest mire systems in Europe, located on the border ■ Site description between the Pskov and Novgorod regions. Three large lakes of glacial origin. Habitats Forest and woodland (10%), Wetland (80%; standing fresh water; raised bog; Habitats Forest and woodland (61%), Wetland (25%; standing fresh water; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%) fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (14%) Land-use Agriculture (6%), Forestry (30%), Hunting (10%), Other (20%) Land-use Agriculture (14%), Fisheries/aquaculture (16%), Forestry (70%), Not utilized (30%), Tourism/recreation (10%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Birds Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle R 1992 2 4 — B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Crex crex Corncrake B 1992 80 100 — A1 Grus grus Crane B 1992 100 150 — B1i Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1993 1 2 C A1 Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover B 1992 200 250 — B3 Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 20 50 A A1 Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel B 1992 100 150 — B3 Numenius arquata Curlew B 1992 1,400 2,500 — A4i, B1i Two globally threatened species breed in significant numbers. Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: A variety of typically mire-breeding birds occur in important numbers, Aquila pomarina (1 pair). including the globally threatened Crex crex.

■ Protection status ■ Protection status National High International None National High International None 16,850 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Redrovsky, 16,850 ha). 36,000 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Polistovskiy, 36,000 ha). 36,900 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Rdeiskiy, 36,900 ha). 27,200 ha ■ Conservation issues of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Rdeysky gydrologichesky, 27,200 ha). Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Afforestation (B), Intensified ■ Conservation issues forest management (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Threats Deforestation (commercial) (C), Drainage (B), Extraction industry (C), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C)

Sources of the River Luga A1, B1i 055 Admin region Novgorod, Leningrad Coordinates 58°53’N 30°54’E Sizemski flood-plain A1, B2 057 Altitude 53–77 m Area 49,600 ha of Sheksna reservoir Admin region Vologda Coordinates 59°20’N 38°30’E ■ Site description Altitude 110–130 m Area 60,000 ha A large wetland complex.

Habitats Forest and woodland (29%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very ■ Site description wet forest), Wetland (69%; standing fresh water; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; Reseeded grass meadows on the Sizemski flood-plain which are flooded fen/transition mire/spring) in spring. The area has a small human population and is relatively Land-use Hunting (99%) undisturbed.

Habitats Forest and woodland (35%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet ■ Birds forest), Wetland (60%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria (5%; arable land) 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 2,000 2,500 C B1i Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (35%), Forestry (35%), Hunting (90%), Anser erythropus P 1997 14 — B A1 Nature conservation/research (30%), Tourism/recreation (90%), Water management (35%) Lesser White-fronted Goose Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 18 25 C A1 ■ Birds 1. Both subspecies present; number of A. f. fabalis probably exceeds threshold. Haliaeetus albicilla breeds in significant numbers. More than 20,000 Significant numbers of two goose species occur, including the globally geese stage at the site during migration according to local people, threatened Anser erythropus. Breeding species of global conservation although further research will be required in order to confirm this.

611 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Protection status Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 2 7 B A1 National None International None Larus canus Common Gull B 1996 300 400 A B2 No recent information.

■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status No recent information. National Partial International None 16,000 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Russkiy Sever, 166,400 ha).

A1, B1i ■ Conservation issues Central Forest Biosphere Reserve 060 and adjacent areas Threats Drainage (C), Firewood collection (C), Selective logging/cutting (C), Admin region Tver Unsustainable exploitation (C) Coordinates 56°33’N 32°45’E Altitude 230–270 m Area 63,680 ha

■ Site description Rybinsk reservoir A1, B1i, B2 058 An area of marshes, raised bogs and wet forests on the watershed of the Admin region Vologda, Yaroslavl’ Rivers Volga and Zapadnaya Dvina, in the southern region of Tver. Coordinates 58°35’N 38°00’E Altitude 90–160 m Area 455,000 ha Habitats Forest and woodland (82%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland (12%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape (5%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) ■ Site description One of the largest artificial in European Russia, situated on Land-use Agriculture (5%), Forestry (13%), Hunting (61%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Not utilized (33%), Other (7%), Tourism/recreation (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) the border between the Yaroslavl’ and Vologda regions. Habitat features include shallows, pools, islands and surrounding forests. ■ Birds Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria (90%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/ Anser erythropus P 1994 20 200 B A1, B1i transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (3%; highly improved reseeded grassland; Lesser White-fronted Goose arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 40 70 A A1 Land-use Agriculture (10%), Hunting (65%), Nature conservation/research (35%), The globally threatened Anser erythropus and Crex crex occur in Tourism/recreation (10%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%), Water management (40%) important numbers.

■ Birds ■ Protection status Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria National Partial International Partial Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 7,500 7,500 A B1i 21,380 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Tsentral’nolesnoy, 21,380 ha). Anas clypeata Shoveler B 1996 700 700 A B1i 21,380 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Tsentral’nolesnoy, Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 22 28 B A1, B2 21,380 ha). Larus minutus Little Gull B 1996 150 150 B B2 Larus canus Common Gull B 1996 1,750 1,750 B B2 ■ Conservation issues Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1996 150 150 B B2 Threats Afforestation (B), Other (C) Several waterbirds breed in significant numbers, and the forests support a notably large number of breeding Haliaeetus albicilla. Significant ‘Other’ threat refers to a large variety of minor problems at the site, numbers of geese occur on passage; up to 10,000 (Anser fabalis and with little impact individually, such as firewood collection, drainage A. albifrons) were recorded in the mid-1980s. and recreation. The remainder of the site, outside the Zapovednik, is a buffer zone (42,300 ha). ■ Protection status National Partial International None 112,673 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Darvinskiy, 112,673 ha). Sources of Osuga river A1 061 Admin region Tver ■ Conservation issues Coordinates 56°05’N 33°45’E Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Altitude 200–200 m Area 5,100 ha Extraction industry (B), Firewood collection (B), Industrialization/urbanization (B), Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (A) ■ Site description A mixture of forests and agricultural land situated along the watershed of the Osuga and Ramenka rivers. Uglichskoy reservoir B1i 059 Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; mixed forest), Artificial landscape (50%; highly Admin region Tver, Yaroslavl’ improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Coordinates 58°30’N 38°00’E Land-use Agriculture (50%), Not utilized (50%) Altitude 115–125 m Area 10,000 ha ■ Birds ■ Site description Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria A large reservoir by the River Volga. Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 20 30 B A1 Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water) The globally threatened Crex crex breeds in notable numbers. Land-use Water management ■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None An important area for passage and breeding geese and ducks. The B1i criterion is applied at site-level rather than at species-level, as ■ Conservation issues recent count data are not available for any bird species. The site may also prove to fulfil the A4i criterion once systematic counts have Threats Other (C) been made. Hay-cutting activity can cause problems for Crex crex.

612 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Budnyanski mire B1i, B2 062 Habitats Grassland (25%), Wetland (50%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/ Admin region Tver transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (25%; highly improved reseeded grassland; Coordinates 55°30’N 32°30’E arable land) Altitude 100–150 m Area 3,156 ha Land-use Agriculture (50%), Hunting (100%), Not utilized (50%), Tourism/recreation (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%) ■ Site description Raised bog and forest on the watershed between the Shesnitsa and ■ Birds Chichatka rivers, two tributaries of the Mezha river. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Forest and woodland (30%), Wetland (70%; standing fresh water; raised bog; Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1990 6,000 8,000 B B1i fen/transition mire/spring) Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1990 1,000 1,000 B B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1990 50 100 C A1 Land-use Hunting (100%), Tourism/recreation (50%) Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1990 20 50 C A1 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1990 100 100 B B2 ■ Birds Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1990 100 200 C B2 Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1996 150 200 B B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria The site is an important staging area for migrating geese Anser, and Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1990 1,000 1,000 B B1i holds significant breeding numbers of several wetland birds, including Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1990 3 4 A B2 two species of global conservation concern. Breeding Aquila pomarina and staging Anser albifrons occur in significant numbers. ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Protection status 2,280 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ozero Verestovo, 2,280 ha). National Partial International None 1,060 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Boloto ‘Budnyanskiy Mokh’, ■ Conservation issues 1,060 ha). Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Other (U), Unsustainable exploitation (A) ■ Conservation issues Pollution of land and water is a problem (‘Other’ threat). Threats Unsustainable exploitation (U)

Savtsinskoye marsh B1i, B2 065 Admin region Tver Stakhovski marshes A1, B1i 063 Coordinates 57°30’N 37°10’E Admin region Tver Altitude 100–150 m Area 4,569 ha Coordinates 56°02’N 32°40’E Altitude 100–150 m Area 10,296 ha ■ Site description An extensive area of fen and mire lying within the Lake Skorbezh ■ Site description depression, including the sources of the river. An area of good quality marsh and bog in the southern part of the Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring) taiga zone, unique in central Russia. Most of the site has remained Land-use Hunting (100%), Tourism/recreation (10%) intact since the beginning of the 20th century, and is relatively unspoilt.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland ■ Birds (80%; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%; highly improved reseeded grassland) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Hunting (100%), Tourism/recreation (50%) Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1988 1,000 2,000 B B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1988 500 1,000 B B1i Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1988 100 200 B B2 ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Important numbers of breeding Chlidonias niger and staging geese Anser Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1990 1,000 1,000 C B1i occur here. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not Crex crex Corncrake B 1990 10 20 A A1 meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (10 pairs), Gallinago media (10 pairs). Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1990 10 20 A A1 ■ Protection status Two species of global conservation concern breed in the IBA, although National High International None at low density (as is typical in these habitats). Significant proportion 4,569 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Boloto Savtsinskoe, 4,569 ha). (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Aquila pomarina (1–2 pairs). ■ Conservation issues Threats Unsustainable exploitation (C) ■ Protection status National High International None 10,296 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Boloto ‘Stakhovsky Mokh’, 10,296 ha). Orshinski marshes B1i 066 Admin region Tver Coordinates 57°00’N 36°30’E Upper Mologa river A1, B1i, B2 064 Altitude 100–100 m Area 43,200 ha (Verestovo lake) Admin region Tver ■ Site description Coordinates 57°50’N 36°30’E A large area of raised bog, part of which is still in pristine condition. Altitude 100–150 m Area 17,000 ha Peat-mining is a land-use.

Habitats Forest and woodland (native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland (100%; ■ Site description standing fresh water; raised bog) An area of fens and forested mires surrounding Verestovo lake, which Land-use Hunting (100%), Tourism/recreation (20%), Urban/industrial/transport (20%) is fed by the Mologa river.

613 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1995 1,000 2,000 B B1i 1 Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 1,019 — B B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1995 500 1,000 B B1i Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 9,834 — B B1i Bucephala clangula Goldeneye P 1997 1,429 — B B1i Significant numbers of Anser albifrons and A. anser stage here on passage. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not 1. Likely to exceed threshold for A. f. rossicus. meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media (10 pairs). A minimum total of 24,500 waterbirds of about 35 species pass through the area during spring migration, including significant numbers of three ■ Protection status wildfowl. National Partial International None 30,000 ha of IBA covered by regionally protected mire (Orshinsky ■ Protection status Okhranyaemoe Boloto, 30,000 ha). National Low International None 150 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Sotinskiy, 500 ha). 2,000 ha of ■ Conservation issues IBA covered by Zakaznik (Yaroslavskiy, 17,000 ha). Threats Extraction industry (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Part of the area has been destroyed by the peat-mining industry. Smolenskoye Pohozer’ye A1, B2 069 Admin region Smolensk Coordinates 55°30’N 32°00’E Flood-plain of Kotorosl’ A1, A4i, B1i 067 Altitude 180–180 m Area 146,161 ha and Ust’e rivers Admin region Yaroslavl’ ■ Site description Coordinates 57°15’N 39°40’E An area of forest, open bogs and lakes in the Smolensk region, Altitude 165–174 m Area 4,200 ha surrounded by agricultural land.

Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland ■ Site description (6%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Unknown (4%) An area of wet forests and grasslands in the valley of the Kotorosl’ Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) river, to the south-west of the town of Gavrilov-Yam.

Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (30%; scrub), ■ Birds Grassland (15%; humid grassland), Wetland (30%; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (100%), Tourism/recreation (20%), Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 3 4 — B2 Urban/industrial/transport (5%) Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1997 1 2 — A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 50 60 — A1 ■ Birds An important site for forest-breeding raptors and Crex crex. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria media (no special counts, but a rather large number breed in the area). 1 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 15,108 — A A4i, B1i 1 Anser erythropus P 1997 43 — — A1 ■ Lesser White-fronted Goose Protection status National High International None 1. Only one count has been made. 146,161 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Smolenskoe Pohozerye, Large and important numbers of geese Anser have been recorded in 146,161 ha). the area during migration, including the globally threatened Anser erythropus.

■ Faustovo flood-plains A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 070 Protection status of Moscow river National None International None Admin region Moscow Coordinates 55°24’N 38°30’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 104–110 m Area 9,000 ha Threats Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (A), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (A) ■ Site description Only one bird count has been made at the site. The IBA encompasses the watershed of the Moskva and Nerskaya rivers. There is a network of lakes and channels, and the wet grasslands partly flood each spring. Flood-plain of Kostroma river A4iii, B1i 068 Habitats Forest and woodland (1%; mixed forest), Scrub (2%; scrub), Grassland (50%; Admin region Yaroslavl’, Kostroma humid grassland), Wetland (14%; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial landscape Coordinates 57°55’N 40°45’E (33%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Altitude 128–166 m Area 55,125 ha Land-use Agriculture (23%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (24%), Water management (2%) ■ Site description A large man-made reservoir on the border between Yaroslavl’ and ■ Birds Kostroma regions. Meadows and forest surrounding the reservoir are Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria subject to spring flooding. Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1990 10,000 15,000 B A4i, B1i 1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 320 380 A A1 Habitats Forest and woodland (65%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1985 40 50 B A1 (15%; humid grassland), Wetland (25%; standing brackish and salt water; river/stream; 2 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1995 50 120 A B2 raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring) 1. Large increase. Land-use Agriculture (12%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (65%), Hunting (100%), 2. Up to 120 pairs in 1985; 50 pairs in 1995. Nature conservation/research (100%), Not utilized (50%), Tourism/recreation (10%), Water Three species breed in important numbers in the wet grasslands. The management site holds 20,000 or more migrating waterbirds on a regular basis,

614 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

comprising mainly Anser albifrons with smaller numbers of Anas Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria penelope, Anas acuta and Anas querquedula. Grus grus Crane P 1995 1,100 — B B1i

■ Protection status greater than 1,100 since only part of the site has been surveyed. National Partial International None Gallinago media is said to breed here, and Grus grus certainly does, 2,100 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Moskvoretsky Poimenny, but no special surveys have been made. 2,100 ha). ■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National None International None Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Drainage (B), Groundwater ■ Conservation issues abstraction (A), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (B), Extraction industry (B), Industrialization/urbanization (C), Infrastructure (C), Intensified forest management (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Homeland of the Crane A1, B1i 071 (Dubna marshes and adjacent areas) Admin region Moscow Danilovskoye marshes B2 073 Coordinates 56°42’N 38°02’E Admin region Moscow Altitude 125–167 m Area 38,500 ha Coordinates 55°42’N 38°47’E Altitude 127–127 m Area 400 ha ■ Site description The site lies north of the Moscow region and comprises the flood- ■ Site description plain of the Dubna river. Habitats include bogs, wet forest, lakes, A mire which has regenerated naturally on peat-mine workings fens, arable land and reseeded grasslands. following their abandonment.

Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; mixed forest), Wetland (90%; standing fresh water; forest), Grassland (12%; mesophile grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (49%; standing water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (38%; Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (30%), Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (100%) highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Land-use Agriculture (48%), Forestry (50%), Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/ ■ Birds research (63%), Urban/industrial/transport (2%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Larus canus Common Gull B 1994 600 650 B B2 ■ Birds Significant numbers of Larus canus breed in the area. Larus Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria melanocephalus is a new breeder for the Moscow region. Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 1 3 B A1 1 Grus grus Crane P 1996 960 1,200 A B1i ■ Protection status 1. Up to 3,400 in 1987; 20 pairs breed. National High International None An important area for breeding Aquila clanga. Grus grus occurs in 378 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Danilovskoe boloto, 378 ha). large numbers on passage. ■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Drainage (B), Infrastructure (C), Unsustainable National Partial International None exploitation (B) 23,000 ha of IBA covered by five nature reserves (Nature Monuments and Zakazniks), with the following names: Zhuravlinaya Rodina; Dubnensky Levoberezhny; Zabolotsky; Konstantinivsky Chrnoolshannik; Perekhodnoe Boloto V Torgashinskom Lesnichestve. Dedinivo flood-plain A1, A4iii, B1i, B2 074 of Oka river ■ Conservation issues Admin region Moscow Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (B), Coordinates 55°10’N 39°18’E Firewood collection (B), Groundwater abstraction (A), Infrastructure (C), Unsustainable Altitude 50–120 m Area 23,120 ha exploitation (A) The area has been included on a ‘shadow list’ of potential Ramsar Sites. ■ Site description An extensive area of forest and wet grassland, located on one of the widest parts of the Oka river flood-plain. Lotoshino crane gathering B1i 072 Habitats Forest and woodland (55%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very Admin region Moscow, Tver wet forest), Grassland (30%; humid grassland), Artificial landscape (15%; highly Coordinates 56°18’N 35°30’E improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Altitude 150–182 m Area 28,200 ha Land-use Agriculture (41%), Forestry (55%), Urban/industrial/transport (4%)

■ Site description ■ Birds A complex of forests, bogs and fens. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Forest and woodland (42%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1988 5,000 10,000 — B1i (5%; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (54%; arable land; other Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1988 1,000 — — B1i urban/industrial areas) Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 3 B A1 Land-use Agriculture (52%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (95%), Tourism/recreation (95%) Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 550 600 A A1, B2 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 20 50 C A1

■ Birds The area holds one of the largest populations of breeding Crex crex Important numbers of staging Grus grus occur, feeding in surrounding at any site in Europe, as well as significant breeding numbers of two agricultural land. The total numbers are likely to be several times other species of global conservation concern. More than 20,000 wildfowl

615 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia regularly occur on passage, the most numerous species being geese ■ Birds Anser fabalis, A. albifrons and A. anser. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 4 6 A A1 Protection status Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1995 100 150 — B3 National Partial International None Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 100 150 C A1 3,600 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ozero Sosnovoe, 3,600 ha). 1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 15 20 A A1 1. Large increase. ■ Conservation issues Three species of global conservation concern breed within the Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Disturbance to birds (C), IBA, two of which are globally threatened. Significant proportion Extraction industry (C), Forest grazing (C), Infrastructure (C), Recreation/tourism (C), (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Aquila pomarina Selective logging/cutting (C) (1–2 pairs). Counts for individual species of wildfowl are incomplete, and further survey work is required. ■ Protection status National Partial International None Part of IBA covered by two National Parks and one Zapovednik (names and areas not known). Zavidovo Nature Reserve, A1, A4i, B1i, B2 075 including Lotoshinski, ■ Klinski and Diatlovo fish-ponds Conservation issues Information on the site is incomplete. Admin region Moscow, Tver Coordinates 56°22’N 36°06’E Altitude 100–150 m Area 133,800 ha Nerussa–Desna woodland A1, B2, B3 077 Admin region Bryansk ■ Site description Coordinates 52°29’N 34°10’E A large expanse of native forest interspersed with small meadows. Altitude 130–210 m Area 220,000 ha There are two large fish-ponds.

Habitats Forest and woodland (60%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland ■ Site description (5%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition This site is situated in an interesting area from the biogeographic point mire/spring), Artificial landscape (20%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) of view (Bryanskaya), where three very different habitat-types Land-use Agriculture (25%), Fisheries/aquaculture (15%), Forestry (70%), Hunting (95%), converge: deciduous broadleaved forest, southern taiga forest, and Nature conservation/research (100%), Not utilized (30%), Tourism/recreation (70%), Urban/ wooded steppe. industrial/transport (5%) Habitats Forest and woodland (65%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (8%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; raised bog; fen/transition ■ Birds mire/spring), Artificial landscape (12%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Agriculture (7%), Forestry (50%), Hunting (83%), Nature conservation/ Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1995 500 1,000 B B1i research (5%), Tourism/recreation (68%) Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle N 1995 20 65 B A1 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1995 4 5 A A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 125 130 B A1 ■ Birds Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 20 30 B A1 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1995 50 200 B B1i, B2 Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1995 600 700 A A4i, B1i, B2 Ciconia nigra Black Stork B 1995 30 50 B B2 Ciconia ciconia White Stork B 1995 38 38 A B2 Three species of global conservation concern breed in important Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 6 14 B A1, B2 numbers. The fish-ponds attract raptors during their autumn Tetrao tetrix Black Grouse R 1994 1,000 1,500 B B2 migration, notably Haliaeetus albicilla. Significant proportion (≥1%) Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 200 300 C A1 of national population breeding at site: Aquila pomarina (1–2 pairs). Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1996 100 150 B B2 Dendrocopos medius R 1995 300 500 B B3 ■ Protection status Middle Spotted Woodpecker Lullula arborea Woodlark B 1995 100 200 B B2 National High International None Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1996 1,500 3,000 B B3 125,442 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Zavidovskiy, 125,442 ha). Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike B 1996 2,000 — — B2

■ Conservation issues Breeding birds include two globally threatened species, with Aquila clanga occurring in particularly significant numbers, as well as Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (U) important numbers of a notably wide variety of other species of forest and open country in good numbers. This area is one of only three places in Europe where as many as nine species of woodpecker are known to breed. Species of global conservation concern that do not Central Meshchera lake-system A1, B3 076 meet IBA criteria: Anser erythropus (occurs on migration), Haliaeetus Admin region Moscow, Vladimir, Ryazan’ albicilla (5–10 birds on migration). Coordinates 55°15’N 40°10’E Altitude 112–121 m Area 92,700 ha ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Site description 12,168 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Bryanskiy Les, 12,168 ha). The area is located in central Russia at the meeting point of three 24,712 ha of IBA covered by 12 regional protected areas (Zakazniks regions: Moscow, Vladimir and Ryazan’. It comprises a large system and Nature Monuments). of lakes along the valley of the Pra river, and is surrounded by wet forests and fens. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (25%; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (64%; standing Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Extraction fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Artificial landscape (8%; highly industry (C), Groundwater abstraction (C), Intensified forest management (B), improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Recreation/tourism (B) Land-use Agriculture (11%), Fisheries/aquaculture (40%), Forestry (25%), Hunting (100%), The creation of a joint Russian–Ukrainian Biosphere Reserve is Not utilized (30%), Tourism/recreation (50%) underway.

616 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

The area is situated in the zone affected by radioactive pollution Flood-plain of Iput’ river A4i, A4iii, B1i 078 in vicinity of Krutoayr from Chernobyl, and plans have been drawn up to relocate the local people. Admin region Bryansk Coordinates 53°10’N 32°38’E Altitude 142–162 m Area 4,000 ha Kletnyanski forest B2 080 Admin region Bryansk ■ Site description Coordinates 53°13’N 32°53’E A tract of fens, forested mires and wet grasslands on the flood-plain Altitude 142–192 m Area 38,100 ha of the Iput’ river, between the villages of Krutoyar and Krasnoye. The area floods in spring. ■ Site description Habitats Scrub (25%), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (77%; river/stream; A large forest with numerous clearings, which are used for fen/transition mire/spring) agriculture. Land-use Agriculture (20%), Nature conservation/research (26%), Not utilized (74%) Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest), Grassland (5%; dry siliceous grassland), Artificial landscape ■ Birds (13%; arable land) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Agriculture (18%), Forestry (80%), Nature conservation/research (100%) Egretta alba Great White Egret N 1995 200 300 — A4i, B1i Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 5,000 — C A4i, B1i ■ Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1993 15,000 20,000 C A4i, B1i Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Up to 30,000 migrating Anser fabalis and Anser albifrons congregate Ciconia ciconia White Stork B 1996 15 33 B B2 in the area, and important numbers of non-breeding Egretta alba occur. Significant numbers of Ciconia ciconia breed in the area. ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Protection status 1,050 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kletnyansky, 39,100 ha). National High International None 38,100 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kletnyansky, 39,100 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Drainage (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Threats Unsustainable exploitation (B) The area has only been surveyed during one field season so far, thus ornithological data are incomplete. The nature reserve (Zakaznik) is no longer being managed, hence its legal protection status is not being enforced on the ground. There is pressure on the IBA from illegal hunting. Flood-plain of A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 079 Iput’ river in vicinity of Kholevichami Desna flood-plain A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 081 Admin region Bryansk near Trubchevsk Coordinates 52°46’N 31°54’E Admin region Bryansk Altitude 131–140 m Area 6,800 ha Coordinates 52°30’N 33°37’E Altitude 127–134 m Area 17,200 ha ■ Site description The flood-plain of the Iput’ river between the villages of Unechi ■ Site description and Kholevichi. The area floods in spring and contains many oxbow A system of oxbow lakes situated on the wet flood-plain of the Desna lakes. river. The flood-plain is becoming wetter.

Habitats Forest and woodland (7%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (50%; scrub), Habitats Forest and woodland (6%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (68%; Grassland (60%; humid grassland), Wetland (30%; standing fresh water; river/stream; humid grassland), Wetland (25%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition fen/transition mire/spring) mire/spring) Land-use Agriculture (60%), Forestry (7%), Not utilized (30%) Land-use Agriculture (34%), Hunting (96%), Not utilized (17%), Tourism/ recreation (20%) ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Birds Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1996 3,000 — C B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 5,000 15,000 C A4i, B1i Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 500 15,000 B A4i, B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 30 50 B A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 200 — C A1 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1996 50 100 B B2 Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1996 100 150 C B2 Tringa totanus Redshank B 1996 50 100 B B2 Two species breed in the wet grasslands in significant numbers, The area holds 20,000 or more migrating waterbirds on a regular basis, including the globally threatened Crex crex. Up to 25,000 Anser fabalis in particular up to 17,000 Anser fabalis and A. albifrons congregate and A. albifrons congregate at the site during migration. here during migration. Significant numbers of three species breed in the wet grasslands, including the globally threatened Crex crex, and ■ Protection status the IBA is the main feeding area for 25 pairs of Ciconia ciconia which National Low International None breed in surrounding villages. 650 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Desnyansko-Zherenskiy, 2,621 ha). ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Conservation issues Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) ■ Conservation issues It is expected that goose congregations will be monitored over the Threats Drainage (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) 1997–1999 period.

617 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

18,533 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kaluzhskie Zaseki, Gavan’skiye oak-forest A1, B3 082 18,533 ha). Admin region Bryansk Coordinates 52°54’N 34°03’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 135–142 m Area 3,000 ha Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Firewood collection (B), Forest grazing (B), Intensified forest management (B) ■ Site description The area contains one of the largest expanses of predominantly natural oak Quercus forest in Bryansk region. Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet Oka River Valley A1 084 forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (54%; fen/ Biosphere Reserve transition mire/spring) Admin region Ryazan’ Land-use Forestry (70%), Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (17%), Not Coordinates 54°45’N 40°45’E utilized (10%), Tourism/recreation (10%) Altitude 88–125 m Area 55,731 ha

■ Birds ■ Site description The IBA is located in the south-eastern Meshchera lowlands, and is Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria covered by wet mixed forests and dry pine Pinus forests, as well as Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 — C A1 bogs and small lakes. Dendrocopos medius R 1996 100 150 B B3 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1996 500 700 B B3 scrub), Grassland (5%; humid grassland), Wetland (10%; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring) Significant numbers of three forest species breed, including the globally Land-use Nature conservation/research (95%) threatened Aquila clanga.

■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1987 5 7 A A1 Conservation issues Crex crex Corncrake B 1984 100 — — A1 Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Disturbance to birds (C), Firewood collection (C), Two globally threatened species breed in important numbers. Selective logging/cutting (B) This area should be included in the proposed Pridnesnyansky National ■ Protection status Park. National High International High 55,731 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Oksky, 55,731 ha). 55,731 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Okski, 55,731 ha). Kaluzhskiye Zaseki A1, B2, B3 083 Nature Reserve Admin region Kaluga Valley complex of A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 085 Coordinates 53°35’N 35°50’E Moksha and Oka rivers Altitude 200–275 m Area 44,613 ha Admin region Ryazan’ Coordinates 54°50’N 41°45’E Altitude 80–122 m Area 22,400 ha ■ Site description The IBA is located in the highly developed central part of Russia, on the boundary between the forest and forest-steppe habitat-zones. ■ Site description It includes mixed, wet and coniferous forests in the Zhizdra river The area is located between the Oka and Moksha rivers, far from any valley, forming one of the largest unbroken tracts of forest in human settlements. There are many lakes. central Russia. Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; mixed forest), Scrub (15%; scrub), Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Grassland (80%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (15%; scrub), Grassland (15%; river/stream) humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (4%; river/stream), Artificial landscape Land-use Agriculture (20%), Forestry (10%), Tourism/recreation (30%) (31%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; forestry plantation; urban parks/ gardens; other urban/industrial areas) ■ Birds Land-use Agriculture (25%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (50%), Nature conservation/ research (50%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 12 15,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 600 800 B B1i Birds Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 150 200 — A1 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria The site holds up to 20,000 migrating waterbirds on a regular basis, Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 4 4 A B2 with Anser albifrons being especially numerous. Crex crex breeds in Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 360 400 C A1 significant numbers, but two other breeding species of global Strix aluco Tawny Owl R 1996 150 180 C B3 Dendrocopos medius R 1996 15 20 B B3 conservation concern do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga, Aquila Middle Spotted Woodpecker heliaca. Saxicola rubetra Whinchat B 1996 6,000 8,000 C B3 ■ Sylvia borin Garden Warbler B 1996 5,000 5,200 C B3 ■ Protection status Parus caeruleus Blue Tit B 1996 800 1,000 C B3 National None International High 22,400 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Flood-plains of the Oka The IBA holds important breeding numbers of a number of forest and Pra Rivers, 161,542 ha). and grassland species, including Crex crex and Aquila pomarina. ■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) National Partial International None

618 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Shilovo flood-plain A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 086 Solotcha flood-plain A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 088 of Oka river of Oka river Admin region Ryazan’ Admin region Ryazan’ Coordinates 54°20’N 40°45’E Coordinates 54°50’N 39°45’E Altitude 90–115 m Area 22,000 ha Altitude 98–106 m Area 12,000 ha

■ Site description ■ Site description A large area of wet grassland used for agriculture (mainly for hay), The site is located on one of the widest parts of the flood-plain of the located on one of the widest stretches of the Oka river flood-plain. Oka river, and comprises wet meadowland used for agriculture (mainly hay and pasture). Habitats Grassland (54%; humid grassland), Wetland (8%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape (25%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; mixed forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland Land-useAgriculture (30%), Hunting (80%) (60%; humid grassland), Wetland (22%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/ transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land) Land-use Agriculture (35%), Forestry (5%), Hunting (60%), Tourism/recreation (15%) ■ Birds

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Birds Anser albifrons P 1996 15,000 20,000 B A4i, B1i White-fronted Goose Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 1,000 1,500 B B1i Anser albifrons P 1996 10,000 15,000 B A4i, B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 80 120 B A1 White-fronted Goose Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover P 1996 8,000 10,000 B B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 500 800 B B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 40 60 B A1 Breeding species include the globally threatened Crex crex. The area Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 60 100 B A1, A4i, B1i holds 20,000 or more migrating waterbirds on a regular basis, mainly geese Anser, and is possibly the most important staging site for Pluvialis Two species of global conservation concern breed in important apricaria in central European Russia. numbers in the wet grasslands. The site holds up to 20,000 migrating waterbirds on a regular basis, mainly geese Anser. ■ Protection status National None International High ■ Protection status 22,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Flood-plains of the Oka National None International High and Pra Rivers, 161,542 ha). 12,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Flood-plains of the Oka and Pra Rivers, 161,542 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Izhevsk flood-plain A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 087 of Oka river Admin region Ryazan’ Oka valley in vicinity A4iii, B1i 089 Coordinates 54°40’N 41°00’E of Murmino Altitude 85–105 m Area 30,000 ha Admin region Ryazan’ Coordinates 54°35’N 40°00’E Altitude 89–94 m Area 8,400 ha ■ Site description Extensive wet grasslands on the flood-plain of the Oka river, used partly for agriculture. ■ Site description A large area of wet grassland used partly for agriculture, located on Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (70%; humid one of the widest parts of the flood-plain of the Oka river. grassland), Wetland (13%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (4%; arable land), Unknown (5%) Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Land-use Agriculture (25%), Nature conservation/research (67%), Tourism/recreation (10%) Grassland (80%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; river/ stream) Land-use Agriculture (30%), Tourism/recreation (20%) ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Birds Anser albifrons P 1996 15,000 20,000 B A4i, B1i White-fronted Goose Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 1,000 1,500 — B1i Anser albifrons P 1996 10,000 12,000 B B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 200 300 B A1 White-fronted Goose Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 150 300 B A1, A4i, B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 500 800 B B1i

Two species of global conservation concern breed in important The site holds more than 20,000 waterbirds on passage in years when numbers in the wet grasslands. The site holds 20,000 or more migrating the spring water-level is high, mainly comprising Anser fabalis, waterbirds on a regular basis, mainly geese Anser. A. albifrons, A. anser, Anas penelope.

■ Protection status ■ Protection status National Partial International High National None International High 20,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ryazansky, 36,500 ha). 8,400 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Flood-plains of the Oka 30,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Flood-plains of the Oka and Pra Rivers, 161,542 ha). and Pra Rivers, 161,542 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Drainage (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) exploitation (B)

619 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds Watershed of Tsna A1 090 and Vysha rivers Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region Ryazan’ Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 30 60 C A1 Coordinates 54°00’N 42°00’E Crex crex breeds in significant numbers, although some other breeding Altitude 90–130 m Area 16,000 ha species of global conservation concern do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila clanga, Aquila heliaca. Significant ■ Site description proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Ficedula albicollis (20–50 pairs). Habitats Forest and woodland (60%; mixed forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (5%; humid grassland), Wetland (6%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/ ■ Protection status spring), Artificial landscape (20%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) National High International None Land-use Agriculture (19%), Forestry (60%) 10,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kolodetsky ‘zoological’ reserve, 10,000 ha). 8,500 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Pervomayskiy ■ Birds ‘zoological’ reserve, 8,500 ha). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 30 50 B A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 10 20 B A1 Threats Deforestation (commercial) (C) Two species of global conservation concern breed in significant numbers, but another such species does not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga. Upper Voronezh forest A1, B2 093 Admin region Lipetsk, Tambov ■ Protection status Coordinates 53°00’N 40°05’E National None International None Altitude 105–163 m Area 92,800 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Drainage (B), Forest grazing (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable One of the largest areas of forest in the forest-steppe zone of European exploitation (B) Russia.

Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (5%; fen/transition Terekhovski oak-forest A1 091 mire/spring), Artificial landscape (20%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Admin region Ryazan’ Land-use Agriculture (20%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (70%), Hunting (80%), Coordinates 54°20’N 40°55’E Military (5%), Nature conservation/research (15%), Tourism/recreation (30%), Urban/ Altitude 89–105 m Area 5,000 ha industrial/transport (10%)

■ Site description ■ Birds Oak Quercus forest on the banks of the Oka river. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 1 3 B A1 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 1 2 C A1, B2 grassland), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land) Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 3 6 B B2 Land-use Agriculture (15%), Forestry (85%) Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 50 100 B A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 10 20 C A1 Lullula arborea Woodlark B 1996 100 200 C B2 ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Two globally threatened raptors breed, as do Crex crex and Gallinago Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 — A A1 media. However, one other species of global conservation concern does not meet IBA criteria: Glareola nordmanni (1–10 non-breeding The globally threatened Aquila clanga breeds in the area. birds).

■ Protection status ■ Protection status National None International None National Partial International None 12,300 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Dobrovski ‘Landscape’ ■ Conservation issues Reserve, 12,300 ha). Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Forest grazing (C), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective ■ Conservation issues logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (U) Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Infrastructure (B), Intensified forest management (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B)

Kulikovski forest A1 092 Admin region Lipetsk Coordinates 52°17’N 39°30’E Watershed of Bityug A1, A4i, B1i 094 Altitude 97–132 m Area 18,500 ha and Tsna rivers Admin region Tambov Coordinates 52°10’N 41°15’E ■ Site description Altitude 160–186 m Area 80,000 ha The IBA includes the forested banks of the Voronezh river, which are traversed by many smaller streams and rivers. ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (85%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (5%; humid grassland), Wetland (5%; Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; wooded steppe), Grassland (10%; steppe/dry standing fresh water; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (5%; other urban/ calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (20%; standing fresh water; river/ industrial areas) stream), Artificial landscape (60%; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves) Land-use Agriculture (5%), Forestry (93%), Tourism/recreation (20%) Land-use Agriculture (80%), Forestry (10%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%)

620 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

A varied landscape of mainly agricultural land, interspersed with rivers, Habitats Forest and woodland (86%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (11%; streams, shallow lakes, and a number of small forest plantations. humid grassland), Wetland (14%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 4,000 5,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Birds Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 3,000 4,000 B B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1997 1,000 1,500 B B1i Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1997 1 100 B A1 Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 — 2,000 B B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 150 200 A A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 110 150 A A1 An important staging area for four species of goose during migration, Crex crex breeds in significant numbers, although one other breeding including the globally threatened Branta ruficollis. Crex crex breeds species of global conservation concern does not meet IBA criteria: in significant numbers, although some other breeding species of global Haliaeetus albicilla. The area is also important for staging Anser anser conservation concern do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus during migration. (5–7 pairs), Tetrax tetrax (5–7 pairs), Acrocephalus paludicola (3–5 pairs). ■ Protection status ■ Protection status National High International None National None International None 10,320 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Voroninskiy, 10,320 ha).

■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Firewood Tsninski forest A1, B1i, B2 097 collection (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Admin region Tambov Coordinates 53°00’N 41°45’E The creation of a federal nature reserve (Zakaznik) is planned Altitude 105–165 m Area 100,000 ha

■ Site description A1, A4i, B1i Zavoronezhski area 095 The largest forest in the centre of the Tambov region. Admin region Tambov Coordinates 52°44’N 40°20’E Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very Altitude 121–162 m Area 48,000 ha wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland) Land-use Forestry (100%), Hunting (100%) ■ Site description A large, flat depression surrounded by the Vorona, Palnoi Voronezh ■ Birds and Matyra rivers, with about 20 small fens and mires (totalling Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria c.1,000 ha). The land is farmed non-intensively. Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 1 3,000 C B1i Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; alluvial/very wet forest; wooded steppe), Grassland Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 3 — C A1 (30%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 2 3 C B2 water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (70%; highly Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 400 500 C A1, B2 improved reseeded grassland; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves; forestry Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit B 1996 100 150 C B2 plantation; urban parks/gardens) The site supports important breeding numbers of several raptors and Land-use Agriculture (80%), Forestry (10%), Hunting (90%), Tourism/recreation (10%) species of wet grasslands, including two globally threatened species. Two other species of global conservation concern do not meet IBA criteria: ■ Birds Haliaeetus albicilla (6–8 birds in winter), Aquila heliaca (breeding). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 5,000 7,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Protection status Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 4,000 5,000 B B1i National None International None Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1997 1,500 2,000 B B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 250 300 A A1 ■ Conservation issues Grus grus Crane P 1997 500 600 B B1i Threats Deforestation (commercial) (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Intensified forest An important staging area for Grus grus and three species of geese management (C) Anser during migration; Crex crex breeds in large numbers. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus (on passage). Flood-plain of Sura river A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 098 ■ Protection status Admin region Mordovia Republic National None International None Coordinates 54°10’N 46°10’E Altitude 91–219 m Area 40,000 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Firewood collection (C), Selective ■ Site description logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) One half of the flood-plain of the Sura river is covered in wet forest Plans have been drawn up for the creation of a Zapovednik. and fen, and the other half is used for agriculture.

Habitats Forest and woodland (60%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%), Grassland (30%; humid grassland), Wetland Voroninski Nature Reserve A1, B1i 096 (15%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape Admin region Tambov (8%; arable land) Coordinates 52°30’N 42°30’E Land-use Agriculture (34%), Forestry (60%), Hunting (28%), Nature conservation/ Altitude 108–160 m Area 10,320 ha research (25%), Not utilized (10%)

■ Site description ■ Birds The area comprises patches of forest along the banks of the Vorona A variety of forest and riverine species breed in significant numbers. river. Thousands of geese Anser stage here on migration, and the site

621 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Agriculture (73%), Forestry (20%), Hunting (95%) Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 2,000 3,000 B B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 500 1,000 B B1i A flood-plain containing many old meanders and meadows, to the Porzana porzana Spotted Crake B 1996 150 200 B B3 east of the town of Temnikov. Strix aluco Tawny Owl B 1996 100 150 B B3 Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1996 80 100 B B2 ■ Birds Jynx torquilla Wryneck B 1996 400 600 B B2 Lullula arborea Woodlark B 1996 200 300 B B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Luscinia luscinia B 1996 1,500 2,000 B B3 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 3,000 5,000 B B1i Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1996 150 200 B B3 Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 200 300 B B1i Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1996 500 1,000 C A1, A4i, B1i regularly holds up to 20,000 migrating waterbirds. Breeding species Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 150 200 B A1 of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1996 120 130 B B2 clanga (at least 1 pair). Thousands of geese stage here on passage, including the globally ■ Protection status threatened Branta ruficollis, and important numbers of Crex crex National Partial International None breed. 1,273 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kochkurovsky Hunting Reserve, 1,273 ha). 2,417 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Bolshebereznikovsky ■ Protection status Hunting Reserve, 2,417 ha). 7,243 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik National None International None (Dubensky Hunting Reserve, 7,243 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Drainage (B), Extraction Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Deforestation (commercial) (A), industry (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Drainage (A), Forest grazing (A), Intensified forest management (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Ichalkovski A1, B2 101 Mordovian P. G. Smidovich A1, B2 099 Admin region Mordovia Republic Nature Reserve Coordinates 54°45’N 45°25’E Admin region Mordovia Republic Altitude 88–150 m Area 10,000 ha Coordinates 54°48’N 43°20’E Altitude 98–191 m Area 32,200 ha ■ Site description Extensive wet grasslands linked by alluvial forests. ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very Broadleaved forests dissected by river valleys. wet forest), Scrub (17%; scrub), Grassland (60%; humid grassland), Artificial landscape Habitats Forest and woodland (100%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/ (3%; other urban/industrial areas) very wet forest) Land-use Agriculture (30%), Nature conservation/research (80%) Land-use Agriculture (6%), Nature conservation/research (100%) ■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 1 3 B A1, B2 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 3 B A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 500 1,000 C A1, B2 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 1 3 B B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 25 52 B A1 Two globally threatened species breed in important numbers.

An important site for two forest raptors and Crex crex. Two species ■ Protection status of global conservation concern, Aquila heliaca and Gallinago media, National Low International None have been recorded, but their status needs to be clarified. 800 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Smolniy, 36,482 ha).

■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National High International None Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable 32,200 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Mordovskiy, 32,200 ha). exploitation (C) ■ Conservation issues Ornithological data are incomplete for the site as survey work only began in 1996, and further research is required. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Disturbance to birds (U), Drainage (B), Groundwater abstraction (A), Unsustainable exploitation (U) All bird species are monitored in accordance with the Zapovednik laws. Flood-plain of Vad river A1, B2, B3 102 Admin region Mordovia Republic Coordinates 54°13’N 42°42’E Moksha valley A1, A4i, B1i, B2 100 Altitude 95–161 m Area 65,600 ha in vicinity of Temnikov Admin region Mordovia Republic ■ Site description Coordinates 54°40’N 43°32’E The flood-plain of the Vad river is covered by forest in the south and Altitude 105–165 m Area 28,000 ha by wet grasslands in the north.

Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous ■ Site description forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland), Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Wetland (2%), Artificial landscape (23%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (25%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing land; other urban/industrial areas) fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (35%; arable Land-use Agriculture (17%), Forestry (70%), Hunting (80%), Nature conservation/ land; other urban/industrial areas) research (20%), Not utilized (15%), Urban/industrial/transport (6%)

622 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds Land-use Agriculture (10%), Forestry (60%), Nature conservation/research (80%), Not Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria utilized (20%) Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 1 2 B A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 20 40 B A1 An area of river flood-plain including both forest and agricultural Columba oenas Stock Dove B 1996 200 250 B B3 land meadows, with many oxbow lakes. Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1996 80 100 B B2 Picoides tridactylus R 1996 90 110 B B2 ■ Birds Three-toed Woodpecker Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush R 1996 200 300 B B3 Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher R 1996 400 500 B B3 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 5,000 15,000 C A4i, B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 300 500 B B1i Aquila clanga and Gallinago media breed in significant numbers, Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1996 500 1,000 B A1, A4i, B1i although another breeding species of global conservation concern does Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 100 200 C A1 not meet IBA criteria: Aquila heliaca. A number of forest species also Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting B 1996 100 150 B B2 breed in significant numbers. Two globally threatened species occur in significant numbers: Crex crex breeds and Branta ruficollis passes through on migration. Two ■ Protection status other goose species also stage at the site in important numbers. National Partial International None 8,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Zubovo–Polyansky Hunting ■ Protection status Reserve, 11,824 ha). National Partial International None 6,500 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Krasnoslobodsky, 6,500 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Drainage (B), Firewood collection (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Drainage (A), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B)

Insaro-Kovylkinski B2, B3 103 Admin region Mordovia Republic Flood-plain of Alatyr’ river A1, B2 105 Coordinates 53°50’N 44°02’E in vicinity of Ardatov Altitude 192–259 m Area 22,800 ha Admin region Mordovia Republic Coordinates 54°50’N 46°05’E Altitude 82–186 m Area 38,000 ha ■ Site description An area of hilly pasture, partly covered in scrub and small woods. ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; broadleaved deciduous forest), Grassland (15%; An extensive area of the Alatyr’ river flood-plain, with large areas of wet humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Artificial landscape (75%; arable land; other grassland which flood in spring. Higher, unflooded areas are forested. urban/industrial areas) Land-use Agriculture (80%), Forestry (10%), Hunting (95%), Urban/industrial/transport (8%) Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (37%; humid grassland), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape ■ Birds (30%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Agriculture (28%), Forestry (25%), Hunting (50%), Nature conservation/ Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel B 1996 1 3 — B2 research (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) Coturnix coturnix Quail B 1996 2,000 3,000 B B2 Saxicola rubetra Whinchat B 1996 1,000 1,500 B B3 ■ Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting B 1996 400 600 B B2 Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Significant numbers of several species breed in the area, notably the Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 3 4 A A1, B2 globally threatened Falco naumanni. Breeding species of global Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel B 1996 5 10 B A1, B2 conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 20 40 B A1 (1–2 pairs). Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting B 1996 150 200 B B2

■ Protection status Three globally threatened species breed in significant numbers, while National None International None two other breeding species of global conservation concern do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus (3–5 pairs), Aquila clanga (at least 1 pair). ■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/expansion National Low International None (A), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Firewood collection (B), Selective logging/cutting (B) 500 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ardatovsky, 5,016 ha).

■ Conservation issues Moksha flood-plain in A1, A4i, B1i, B2 104 Threats Afforestation (A), Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Deforestation vicinity of Krasnoslobodsk (commercial) (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Admin region Mordovia Republic Coordinates 54°23’N 43°50’E Altitude 116–187 m Area 32,400 ha Surski reservoir A1, B1i 106 Admin region Penza ■ Site description Coordinates 53°02’N 45°17’E Habitats Forest and woodland (17%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Altitude 140–160 m Area 11,000 ha forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (20%; scrub), Grassland (25%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition ■ Site description mire/spring), Artificial landscape (40%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable One of the largest artificial reservoirs in central European Russia, land; other urban/industrial areas) located in the middle of the Penza region.

623 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Protection status Habitats Wetland (100%; mudflat/sandflat; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog) National None International None Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (65%), Hunting (30%), Not utilized (40%), Tourism/ Not known. recreation (100%), Water management ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Intensified forest management (C) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anas penelope Wigeon P 1995 5,000 6,000 A B1i Anas platyrhynchos Mallard P 1995 15,000 25,000 A B1i Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1995 5 14 A A1 Sengileyevskiye mountain A1 109 Admin region Ul’yanovsk Significant numbers of three waterbirds stage at the site during Coordinates 53°57’N 48°37’E migration, including one species of global conservation concern. Altitude 53–330 m Area 22,400 ha ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Site description An area of forest on the shores of Kuybyshev reservoir. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (84%; mixed forest), Grassland (9%; steppe/dry Threats Disturbance to birds (A) calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (7%; arable land) Land-use Agriculture (14%), Forestry (84%), Hunting (62%), Nature conservation/ research (40%), Tourism/recreation (25%)

Bekovskoye forest A1 107 ■ Birds Admin region Penza Coordinates 52°25’N 43°45’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 125–150 m Area 8,000 ha Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 1 — C A1 Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: ■ Site description Aquila chrysaetos (1–2 pairs). Hieraaetus pennatus also breeds. One of the largest blocks of forest in the Penza region. ■ Protection status Habitats Forest and woodland (100%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous National Partial International None forest; alluvial/very wet forest) About 9,110 ha of IBA covered by eight regional protected areas Land-use Forestry (100%) (Zakazniks and Nature Monuments).

■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Agricultural intensification/ Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 1 2 C A1 expansion (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Selective logging/cutting (A) A significant number of the globally threatened Aquila clanga breeds There are plans to establish a National Park here. in the area, but another breeding species of global conservation concern does not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla. Information from local hunters and relevant literature shows that Aquila clanga has been Watershed of Sura A1, B1i, B2 110 present in the area for many years. and Barysh rivers Admin region Ul’yanovsk ■ Protection status Coordinates 54°32’N 46°52’E National None International None Altitude 86–155 m Area 16,500 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Intensified forest management (B) Wet forest with open areas of mire and several lakes. Only a few days of ornithological survey were possible, thus bird data Habitats Forest and woodland (85%), Grassland (7%; humid grassland; mesophile are incomplete. grassland), Wetland (5%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog), Artificial landscape (7%; arable land) Land-use Agriculture (16%), Forestry (85%), Hunting (40%), Nature conservation/ Kuznetski forest A1, B2 108 research (57%) Admin region Penza Coordinates 52°55’N 46°40’E ■ Birds Altitude 250–350 m Area 40,000 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Site description Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 — B A1 Falco cherrug Saker B 1985 1 1 A B2 The largest tract of forest in the south-east of the Penza region. Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 4 20 C A1 Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very Grus grus Crane P 1996 200 600 A B1i wet forest), Grassland (20%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), An important area for species of open forest. Breeding species of global Artificial landscape (10%; arable land) conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila heliaca Land-use Agriculture (30%), Forestry (70%) (1 pair).

■ Birds ■ Protection status National Partial International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 6 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Boloto Konskoe, 6 ha). Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 3 10 C A1, B2 17 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Boloto Mokhovoe, Important numbers of the globally threatened Aquila heliaca breed in 17 ha). 50 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Boloto the area. Mokhovoe Dolgoe, 50 ha). 43 ha of IBA covered by Natural

624 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Monument (Boloto Mokhovoe-8, 43 ha). 234 ha of IBA covered by ■ Protection status Natural Monument (Ozero Picherskoe, 234 ha). 9,200 ha of IBA National Low International None covered by Zakaznik (Surskiy, 22,200 ha). 3,150 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Cheremshansky ‘fishery’ reserve, 3,150 ha). 19 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ostrov Borok, 19 ha). ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Firewood collection (C), Intensified forest management (A), Selective logging/ cutting (A), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Disturbance to birds (A), Forest grazing (C), Infrastructure (B), Intensified forest management (B), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) The areas surrounding eagles’ nest-sites are managed. Privolzhskaya forest-steppe A1, B2 111 Admin region Ul’yanovsk Coordinates — Altitude 146–363 m Area 15,000 ha Khoper Nature Reserve A1 113 Admin region Voronezh Coordinates 50°42’N 42°00’E ■ Site description Altitude 104–150 m Area 16,178 ha An unbroken stretch of forest surrounded by steppe and pasture. Marmots Marmota and other rodents (the main prey of Aquila heliaca) are diverse and abundant on the steppe and agricultural land. ■ Site description Alluvial forests and meadows situated along the most unspoilt stretch Habitats Forest and woodland (72%; mixed forest), Grassland (7%; steppe/dry of the Khoper valley, where there is little disturbance from human calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (21%; arable land) activity. Land-use Agriculture (27%), Forestry (72%), Nature conservation/research (2%), Tourism/recreation (7%) Habitats Forest and woodland (84%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (4%; humid grassland), Wetland (10%; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial landscape (5%; forestry plantation) ■ Birds Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 3 7 A A1, B2 ■ Birds The area holds one of the largest local populations of Aquila heliaca Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria in Russia. Another globally threatened eagle species also breeds but Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1996 3 5 A A1 does not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga (at least 1 pair). Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle W 1994 10 — — A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 30 — B A1 ■ Protection status National Low International None Three species of global conservation concern occur in significant 334 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Zimina Gora, 334 ha). numbers, while another one breeds within the Zapovednik but does not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga (1 pair; about 6 pairs breed around ■ Conservation issues the IBA). In total about 100 species breed in the Zapovednik. Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Deforestation (commercial) (C), ■ Protection status Disturbance to birds (A), Forest grazing (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective logging/ National High International None cutting (B) 16,178 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Khoperskiy, 16,178 ha).

■ Conservation issues Cheremshanski Bay A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 112 Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Forest grazing (C), Recreation/tourism (C), of Kuybyshev reservoir Unsustainable exploitation (C) Admin region Ul’yanovsk A complex ecological monitoring programme is underway within the Coordinates 54°02’N 49°20’E Zapovednik. Altitude 46–140 m Area 63,000 ha

■ Site description Flood-plain of Khoper river A1 114 A shallow bay on the edge of Kuybyshev reservoir, which is situated in a highly developed part of the south-east Ul’yanovsk region. There near Lake Ilmen’ Admin region Voronezh are a number of fish-ponds. Coordinates 51°20’N 42°30’E Habitats Forest and woodland (9%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest), Altitude 108–161 m Area 4,000 ha Wetland (73%; mudflat/sandflat; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land) ■ Site description Land-use Agriculture (5%), Fisheries/aquaculture (68%), Forestry (8%), Hunting (10%), A small lake surrounded by meadows and wet forest, situated on the Tourism/recreation (90%), Water management flood-plain of the Khoper river in the vicinity of Lake Ilmen’.

Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very ■ Birds wet forest), Grassland (39%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; standing fresh water; Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (6%; arable land; forestry Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1993 100,000 — B A4i, B1i plantation; other urban/industrial areas) Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1993 100,000 — — A4i, B1i Land-use Agriculture (15%), Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Forestry (40%), Not utilized (25%), Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1995 4 14 B A1, B2 Tourism/recreation (5%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) Important numbers of Haliaeetus albicilla, a raptor of global conservation concern, breed in the area. Huge numbers of waterbirds ■ Birds occur on passage, with Anser fabalis and A. albifrons the most Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria numerous, together with thousands of ducks and up to 10,000 waders Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1997 10 30 B A1 (Calidris and Tringa). The fish-ponds attract feeding Haliaeetus albicilla Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 50 100 B A1 and other waterbirds.

625 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Two species of global conservation concern occur in significant ■ Protection status numbers, while three others breed but do not meet IBA criteria: National None International None Haliaeetus albicilla (1–3 pairs), Glareola nordmanni (1–2 pairs), Gallinago media (1–2 pairs). ■ Conservation issues Threats Afforestation (B), Firewood collection (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), ■ Protection status Unsustainable exploitation (C) National None International None

■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance Voronezhski Nature Reserve A1, B2 117 to birds (C), Firewood collection (C), Forest grazing (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Admin region Voronezh, Lipetsk Selective logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Coordinates 51°55’N 39°30’E Altitude 90–169 m Area 31,053 ha Before 1998 there was a temporary nature reserve (Zakaznik) in the area. ■ Site description Large tracts of broadleaved and pine Pinus forest, located near to Usman on the border between the Lipetsk and Voronezh regions. Khrenovskoy forest A1, B2 115 Admin region Voronezh Habitats Forest and woodland (94%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Coordinates 51°25’N 40°20’E forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (2%; humid grassland), Wetland (3%; river/ Altitude 95–140 m Area 35,000 ha stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (2%) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) ■ Site description A large area of forest located in the central Voronezh region. ■ Birds Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria forest; mixed forest), Grassland (10%; humid grassland), Wetland (10%) Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 1 2 A A1 Land-use Agriculture (20%), Forestry (80%), Hunting (100%) Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 1 2 A A1, B2 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 3 5 B B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 100 130 C A1 ■ Birds An important breeding area for three globally threatened species: Crex Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria crex and two raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 2 4 A A1 not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (3–5 birds in winter). In total Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 2 — C A1, B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 100 200 C A1 about 125 species breed within the site.

Three globally threatened species breed in significant numbers in the ■ Protection status area, while another species of global conservation concern does not National High International High meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1–5 birds in winter). 31,053 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Voronezhskiy, 31,053 ha). 31,053 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Voronezhskiy, ■ Protection status 31,053 ha). National Low International None Part of IBA covered by more than 20 small Nature Monuments (total ■ Conservation issues area not known). Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) ■ Conservation issues Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Vorono-Khoperski area A1, A4i, B1i 118 Admin region Voronezh, Tambov, Saratov A proposal has been put forward to establish a nature reserve Coordinates 51°40’N 42°35’E (Zapovednik) or nature park. Altitude 110–160 m Area 22,000 ha

■ Site description A1 Bereznyakovski forest 116 A low-lying area delimited by the Voronezh, Pal’noi Voronezh and Admin region Voronezh Matyra rivers, and situated at the point where three regions of central Coordinates 49°45’N 41°00’E European Russia meet. The area is relatively undeveloped, and access Altitude 90–110 m Area 13,200 ha is difficult.

Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; alluvial/very wet forest; wooded steppe), Grassland ■ Site description (10%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (10%; standing fresh A relatively large area of forest on the banks of the River Don, near water; river/stream), Artificial landscape (70%; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves) to the village of Monastyrschina. Land-use Agriculture (80%), Forestry (10%), Hunting (90%), Urban/industrial/ Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), transport (10%) Grassland (10%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land) ■ Birds Land-use Agriculture (20%), Forestry (80%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser fabalis Bean Goose P 1997 5,000 6,000 A A4i, B1i ■ Birds Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1997 4,000 5,000 A B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1997 800 1,000 A B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 30 50 C A1 Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1997 800 1,000 A A1, A4i, B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 150 200 A A1 Crex crex breeds in significant numbers, although other breeding species 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1997 10 10 A A1 of global conservation concern do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus 1. Breeding individuals. albicilla, Tetrax tetrax, Otis tarda (at least 3 displaying males).

626 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Two globally threatened species breed in significant numbers, in Novokvasnikovski liman A1 121 particular up to 32 individuals of Otis tarda were counted over only Admin region Volgograd one-sixth of the area in spring 1997, suggesting that a comprehensive Coordinates 50°32’N 46°30’E survey may reveal larger numbers. The area is also an important staging Altitude 20–40 m Area 300 ha site for four species of geese during migration, especially for the globally threatened Branta ruficollis. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga. ■ Site description A small wetland surrounded by sandy steppes. ■ Protection status Habitats Grassland (60%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (40%; standing fresh water) National None International None Land-use Agriculture (50%), Hunting (100%), Not utilized (50%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Afforestation (U), Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Firewood collection (C), Forest grazing (C), Selective logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Glareola nordmanni B 1997 5 20 A A1 The creation of a federal nature reserve is planned. Black-winged Pratincole

An important site for breeding Glareola nordmanni, which is thought to have undergone a large decrease over the last 10 years, although Levo-Dobrinskaya valley A1, B2 119 large natural fluctuations have not been ruled out. Other species of Admin region Volgograd global conservation concern occur but do not meet IBA criteria: Coordinates 48°45’N 43°00’E Aythya nyroca (at least 30 on passage), Oxyura leucocephala (1–2 on Altitude 100–120 m Area 3,000 ha passage), Haliaeetus albicilla (at least 1 non-breeding bird).

■ Site description ■ Protection status Extensive native grasslands (steppe and meadows) in a predominantly National None International None agricultural landscape to the west of the town of Volgograd. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (2%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (50%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; mesophile grassland), Artificial landscape (45%; arable land; other Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (C), Unsustainable exploitation (A) urban/industrial areas) Land-use Agriculture (95%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%)

Kalachinskaya loop of River Don A1, B2 122 ■ Birds Admin region Volgograd Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 49°05’N 43°45’E Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle R 1997 1 2 B A1, B2 Altitude 50–250 m Area 60,000 ha An important site for breeding Aquila heliaca. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus ■ Site description albicilla (1 pair), Tetrax tetrax (5–15 pairs). Forest and steppic habitats bordering the River Don.

Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), ■ Protection status Grassland (70%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (20%; arable land) National None International None Land-use Agriculture (40%), Forestry (10%), Hunting (100%), Not utilized (50%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (C) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1996 1 5 — A1 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1996 5 25 C B2 Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 3 10 C A1, B2 Lake El’ton A1, A4i, B1i 120 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 1 10 — B2 Admin region Volgograd Significant numbers of four raptors breed in the area, including two Coordinates 49°10’N 46°50’E of global conservation concern. Altitude 0–69 m Area 30,000 ha ■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None A large salt-lake surrounded by steppe and dry grassland. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Grassland (steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (99%; mudflat/sandflat; standing brackish and salt water; river/stream) Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B) Land-use Unknown (100%) A short ornithological survey was carried out in 1996 but data remain incomplete. ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Grus grus Crane P 1997 15,000 20,000 A A4i, B1i Danilovski forest A1, B2 123 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1996 30 — A A1 Admin region Volgograd Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover P 1997 300 — B B1i Coordinates 50°25’N 44°15’E 1. Breeding individuals. Altitude 25–125 m Area 10,000 ha Grus grus stages in the area in huge numbers during migration, and Tetrax tetrax (of global conservation concern) breeds in significant ■ Site description numbers. Forested river valleys, surrounded by an agricultural landscape.

Habitats Forest and woodland (95%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous ■ Protection status forest), Wetland (5%; standing fresh water) National None International None

627 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds Land-use Forestry (100%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1998 24 30 A A1, B2 Birds Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1998 16 — A B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Many pairs of Haliaeetus albicilla, a raptor of global conservation Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 1 2 B A1, B2 concern, breed in the area, as do at least 21,500 pairs of duck and at Significant numbers of the globally threatened Aquila heliaca breed in least 25,000 pairs of wader (Charadrii) and gull. In total, 82 species the area, but two other breeding eagles of global conservation concern are known to breed in the area, most of which are included in various do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1 pair), Aquila clanga national or regional Red Data Books. The site is also an important (1 pair). staging post for migrating waders, wildfowl and raptors, with two bustards of global conservation concern, Tetrax tetrax and Otis tarda, ■ Protection status also passing through. However, further survey work is needed in order National None International None to confirm numbers of migratory birds. Not known. ■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National Low International None 12,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Lescheevsky Hunting Reserve, Threats Selective logging/cutting (B) 12,000 ha). One short ornithological survey was carried out in 1996, but available information on the site remains incomplete. ■ Conservation issues Threats Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (B), Disturbance to birds (A), Drainage (A), Extraction industry (U), Forest grazing (B), Industrialization/urbanization (A), Infrastructure (B), Rubezhnoye forest A1, B2 124 Intensified forest management (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Admin region Volgograd As the potentially contains large oil reserves, oil Coordinates 49°25’N 42°55’E exploration poses a very real threat to the area. There is an ongoing Altitude 50–100 m Area 5,000 ha project aimed at establishing a Nature Park. As the area is located close to the large industrial centre of Volgograd, it could easily be used ■ Site description for educational purposes, and there are already plans in place for this. An area of forest surrounded by steppe.

Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest), Grassland (60%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland) Vicinity of Borisoglebovka A1, A3, A4i, 126 Land-use Agriculture (45%), Forestry (40%), Hunting (100%), Not utilized (15%) (Saratovski [Semenovski] B1i, B2 Zakaznik) Admin region Saratov ■ Birds Coordinates 51°00’N 46°45’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 0–100 m Area 35,000 ha Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle N 1996 30 50 B A1 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1996 6 15 B B2 ■ Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 3 5 B B2 Site description Former arable land that has reverted to steppe over the last 10–12 years, At least four raptors breed within the IBA, two of them in significant after the abandonment of cultivation. ‘Forestry plantations’ are narrow numbers. The other two, both species of global conservation belts of trees. concern, do not meet IBA criteria as breeders: Haliaeetus albicilla Habitats Wetland, Artificial landscape (91%; arable land; forestry plantation) (2–4 pairs), Aquila clanga (at least 1 pair). However, important Land-use Agriculture (86%), Forestry (5%) numbers of H. albicilla occur as non-breeders.

■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1996 1 3 A A3 ■ Conservation issues Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1996 10 20 B A3, B2 Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon B 1996 100 200 B B2 Threats Selective logging/cutting (C) Anthropoides virgo Demoiselle Crane B 1996 3 5 B A3 A short ornithological survey was carried out in 1996, but information 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1996 225 — A A1, B2 on the site remains incomplete. Glareola nordmanni B 1996 30 50 A A1, A3, A4i, B1i Black-winged Pratincole 1. Breeding individuals. A very important site for species restricted (when breeding) to the Akhtubinsk wetland A1, A4iii, B2 125 biome, including species of global conservation Admin region Volgograd concern such as Circus macrourus, Otis tarda and Glareola nordmanni. Coordinates 48°35’N 45°00’E Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA Altitude (-10)–3 m Area 138,000 ha criteria: Tetrax tetrax (at least 5 pairs).

■ Site description ■ Protection status Located close to the centre of the Volgograd region, this site includes National None International None the northern part of the Volga– watershed, and extends from Volgograd to the Volga delta and Caspian Sea in the south. The area ■ Conservation issues is surrounded by steppe and semi-desert. Threats Extraction industry (A) Habitats Forest and woodland (14%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (30%; humid The Saratov region is potentially one of the most important producers grassland), Wetland (40%; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial landscape (16%) of oil in the lower Volga area of Russia, and exploratory drilling in the Land-use Agriculture (13%), Fisheries/aquaculture (11%), Forestry (14%), Hunting (100%), IBA has commenced. If large reserves are discovered, as seems likely, Nature conservation/research (8%), Not utilized (40%), Tourism/recreation (30%), Water the IBA will be gravely threatened by the large-scale development of management (100%) oil-extraction infrastructure and associated settlements, etc.

628 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Valley of Safarovka river A1 127 Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; mixed forest), Grassland (32%; steppe/dry Admin region Saratov calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (48%; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/ Coordinates 51°00’N 48°45’E groves; forestry plantation) Altitude 50–79 m Area 2,500 ha Land-use Agriculture (48%), Forestry (52%), Nature conservation/research (50%)

■ Site description ■ Birds Meadows and steppe-grasslands on the flood-plain of the Safarovka Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria river, used mainly as pasture land. Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 2 2 A B2 1 Habitats Forest and woodland (2%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (50%; steppe/dry Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1997 70 90 B A1 calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (7%; standing fresh water; river/ 1. Breeding individuals. stream), Artificial landscape (40%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Breeding species of global conservation concern include Tetrax tetrax, Land-use Agriculture (93%), Not utilized (7%), Tourism/recreation (10%) while two others do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (at least 1 pair), Otis tarda (7–12 individuals). ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Protection status 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1997 40 60 — A1 National Partial International None 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1997 50 70 — A1 10,400 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (D’yakovsky, 16,000 ha). Glareola nordmanni B 1997 30 40 — A1 Black-winged Pratincole ■ Conservation issues 1. Breeding individuals. Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Deforestation (commercial) (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Forest grazing (B), Selective logging/cutting (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Three species of global conservation concern breed in the steppic habitats in important numbers.

■ Protection status A1, A4i, B1i National None International None Varfolomeyevskiye 130 saltmarshes Admin region Saratov ■ Conservation issues Coordinates 50°00’N 48°12’E Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Firewood Altitude 20–25 m Area 2,800 ha collection (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) ■ Site description Meadows, steppes and dry grasslands with a low level of agricultural activity (grazing). Siniye mountains A1, B2 128 Admin region Saratov Habitats Grassland (80%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland) Coordinates 51°05’N 49°29’E Land-use Hunting (100%) Altitude 100–200 m Area 15,000 ha ■ Birds ■ Site description Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria A range of hills covered by primary steppe, some parts of which have Glareola nordmanni B 1997 46 46 A A1, A4i, B1i been turned over to arable farming. Black-winged Pratincole Habitats Scrub (4%; scrub), Grassland (60%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Artificial Glareola nordmanni breeds here in important numbers. Some other landscape (30%; arable land) species of global conservation concern pass through during migration Land-use Agriculture (30%), Unknown (70%) but do not meet IBA criteria: Anser erythropus (7–10 birds), Aythya nyroca (10–30 birds), Oxyura leucocephala (1–2 birds), Haliaeetus ■ Birds albicilla (5–7 birds). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1997 10 12 B A1, B2 Protection status Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 2 3 A A1, B2 National None International None 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1997 50 1,000 B A1, B2 ■ 1. Breeding individuals. Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (C), Three species of global conservation concern breed in important Unsustainable exploitation (A) numbers.

■ Protection status National None International None North part of A1, A4i, B1i, B2 131 Volgogradski reservoir ■ Conservation issues Admin region Saratov region Threats Firewood collection (A) Coordinates 51°39’N 46°30’E Altitude 30–50 m Area 74,250 ha

■ Site description Priyeruslanskiye sands A1, B2 129 The upper part of Volgogradski reservoir, with adjacent lakes and Admin region Saratov old river-meanders. Coordinates 50°42’N 46°43’E Altitude 50–70 m Area 20,000 ha Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (35%; humid grassland), Wetland (50%; mudflat/sandflat; standing fresh water; river/stream) Land-use Hunting (100%), Nature conservation/research (5%), Not utilized (75%), ■ Site description Tourism/recreation (20%), Water management Primary steppe and agricultural land, adjacent to a forested area.

629 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds ■ Conservation issues Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Bird data are incomplete as only a few days of surveying have been carried out. Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1997 13 16 A A1, B2 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1997 43 90 A A1 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1997 15 — B B2 Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1997 3 5 B B2 Almazovski area B2 134 Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 250 700 B A1, B2 Admin region Saratov Gallinago media Great Snipe P 1997 500 1,000 B A1, A4i, B1i Coordinates 51°30’N 42°30’E Altitude 100–200 m Area 4,500 ha An important site for breeding raptors and for species of global conservation concern. ■ Site description ■ Protection status The IBA is situated in the Khoper river valley, in the forest-steppe National Low International None zone of the Saratov region. 3,600 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Chernye vody, 3,600 ha). Habitats Forest and woodland (50%), Grassland (40%; humid grassland), Wetland (2%), Artificial landscape (9%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) ■ Conservation issues Land-use Agriculture (45%), Forestry (50%) Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (A), Filling-in of wetlands (B), Firewood collection (B), Industrialization/ ■ Birds urbanization (C), Recreation/tourism (A), Selective logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 4 — A B2

One of the few areas in Russia in recent years where Aquila pomarina was found to breed. Vicinity of Voznesenka village A1 132 Admin region Saratov ■ Protection status Coordinates 51°31’N 47°25’E National None International None Altitude 50–70 m Area 1,200 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Bird data are incomplete. Extensive arable land.

Habitats Artificial landscape (100%; arable land) Land-use Agriculture (100%) Algaiski A1, A3, B2 135 Admin region Saratov Coordinates 50°08’N 48°34’E ■ Birds Altitude 19–19 m Area 13,000 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1997 36 36 A A1 ■ Site description 1. Breeding individuals. Flood-plain and steppe adjacent to a small river (Bol’shoi Uzen’). Otis tarda breeds in important numbers. Habitats Grassland (54%; humid grassland), Artificial landscape (87%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) ■ Protection status Land-use Agriculture (85%), Other (15%) National None International None

■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Unsustainable exploitation (B) Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1996 10 15 B A1, A3, B2 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1996 100 150 B A1 Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Black Lark B 1996 100 200 B A3, B2 1. Breeding individuals. Sokino A1 133 Birds breeding in important numbers include two species of global Admin region Saratov conservation concern and two of the nine species in Europe that are Coordinates 51°00’N 45°00’E restricted to the Eurasian steppe biome (when breeding). Altitude 100–250 m Area 30,330 ha ■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None An area of mixed forest surrounded by agricultural land. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (31%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest), Data on bird species is incomplete and further survey work is required. Wetland (3%), Artificial landscape (66%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Land-use Agriculture (62%), Forestry (31%) Khvalynski National Park A1, B2 136 Admin region Saratov ■ Birds Coordinates 52°25’N 48°00’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 200–370 m Area 25,514 ha Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 3 — A A1 The globally threatened Aquila clanga breeds in important ■ Site description numbers. A large area of forest in the north of the Saratov region.

Habitats Forest and woodland (77%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous ■ Protection status forest), Artificial landscape (22%; arable land) National None International None

630 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Conservation issues Land-use Agriculture (21%), Forestry (77%) Bird data are incomplete.

■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Rzhestyanka A1, A3 139 1 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1996 15 30 A A1 Admin region Saratov Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 3 — — A1, B2 Coordinates 51°00’N 48°00’E 1. Min. 3 pairs also breed. Altitude 100–150 m Area 8,000 ha The area is important for two raptors of global conservation concern. ■ Site description ■ Protection status An area of agricultural land on the flood-plain of the Rzhestyanke river. National High International None Habitats Artificial landscape (98%; highly improved reseeded grassland; arable land) 25,514 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Khvalynskiy, 25,514 ha). Land-use Agriculture (99%) ■ Conservation issues ■ Birds Threats Unknown Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria No special ornithological research has been carried out at the site, Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1996 2 3 B A3 thus data are incomplete. 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1996 15 30 B A1 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1996 40 60 B A1 Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Black Lark B 1996 20 30 B A3 Rovno area A1 137 1. Breeding individuals. Admin region Saratov An important area for breeding Tetrax tetrax and Otis tarda, and for Coordinates 51°00’N 47°00’E two of the nine species in Europe that are restricted to the Eurasian Altitude 50–100 m Area 8,220 ha steppe biome (when breeding).

■ Site description ■ Protection status The site includes both grassland and cultivated land. National None International None

Habitats Forest and woodland (12%; wooded steppe), Artificial landscape (86%; highly ■ Conservation issues improved reseeded grassland; arable land) Only a short ornithological survey of the area was carried out during Land-use Agriculture (84%), Forestry (12%) a single field season, and further work is therefore needed.

■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Veselovskoye reservoir A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 140 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1996 25 50 B A1 Admin region Rostov 1 Otis tarda Great Bustard B 1996 10 15 B A1 Coordinates 47°00’N 41°30’E Otis tarda Great Bustard P 1996 80 150 B A1 Altitude 4–10 m Area 230,000 ha 1. Breeding individuals. An important area for breeding Tetrax tetrax and Otis tarda, the latter ■ Site description also occurring in good numbers on passage. Breeding species of global Salt-lakes partly covered by fringing vegetation. conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt water; water- (1–3 pairs). fringe vegetation) Land-use Agriculture, Fisheries/aquaculture, Hunting (100%), Water management ■ Protection status National None International None ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Stepan Rasin rock A1, B2 138 Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron B 1990 250 300 — B2 Admin region Saratov Egretta garzetta Little Egret B 1990 500 600 — A4i, B1i Coordinates 51°00’N 45°35’E Egretta alba Great White Egret B 1990 400 500 — A4i, B1i Altitude 100–250 m Area 35,050 ha Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1990 300 300 — A4i, B1i, B2 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1990 200 200 — A4i, B1i, B2 Cygnus olor Mute Swan P 1990 1,500 1,500 — B1i ■ Site description Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1990 2,000 3,000 — A4i, B1i The IBA covers the high, forested valley-sides of the River Volga. Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1995 800 900 — B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose W 1990 — 9,000 — A4i, B1i Habitats Forest and woodland (22%), Artificial landscape (68%) Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1995 1,000 100,000 — A4i, B1i Land-use Agriculture (68%), Forestry (22%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) 1 Anser anser Greylag Goose N 1995 7,000 10,000 — A4i, B1i Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1990 100 25,000 A A1, A4i, B1i Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose W 1990 400 600 — A1 ■ ■ Birds Anas platyrhynchos Mallard W 1990 30,000 30,000 — B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1990 30 40 — A1 Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1996 15 30 B B2 1. Feeding on rice-fields during May–June. Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 1 2 B A1, B2 The wetland supports huge numbers of waterfowl at all times of the There is a high diversity of breeding raptors, including two species in year. Up to 240,000 stage here during spring migration, with up to significant numbers. Breeding species of global conservation concern 1,500,000–3,000,000 during autumn migration, and up to 50,000 in that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1–2 pairs). winter. Up to 30,000 pairs of 50 species of waterbird breed in summer, including important numbers of colonial species. ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Protection status Part of IBA covered by regional Zakaznik (name and area not known). National None International High

631 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

230,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Veselovskoye reservoir, summer but do not breed. Hundreds of thousands of migrating 309,000 ha). waterbirds use the area as a staging post, with ducks, gulls and terns comprising most of the total. The site is a notable migratory bottleneck ■ Conservation issues for raptors with more than 3,000 passing regularly in a season, including Buteo buteo (2,000–4,000 per season) and Falco vespertinus Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (U) (1,000–1,600).

■ Protection status National Partial International None A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B1iv, B2 Delta of the 141 26,300 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Donskoiy rybniy ‘fishery River Don reserve’, 68,000 ha). IBA overlaps with Zakaznik (Azovski Uchastok Admin region Rostov Opytnogo Okhotkhozayistva, 6,000 ha). IBA overlaps with Zakaznik Coordinates 47°10’N 39°25’E (Girlovskyiy, 5,000 ha). Altitude 0–6 m Area 53,800 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Disturbance to birds (B), The mouth and lower reaches of the River Don and surrounding wet Drainage (B), Industrialization/urbanization (B), Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (B), grasslands, located to the west of the town of Rostov-on-Don and to Unsustainable exploitation (A) the north of the town of Azov.

Habitats Grassland (30%; humid grassland), Wetland (40%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/ sand beach; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (9%; open sea), Artificial landscape (24%; perennial crops/orchards/groves; urban parks/gardens) Beglitskaya sand-spit A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i 142 Land-use Agriculture (17%), Fisheries/aquaculture (14%), Hunting (20%), Nature Admin region Rostov conservation/research (49%), Not utilized (37%), Tourism/recreation (5%) Coordinates 47°06’N 38°34’E Altitude 0–5 m Area 1,414 ha ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Site description Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe B 1997 2,000 4,000 B A4i, B1i A narrow sand-spit on the north coast of the Sea of Azov, to the south- Podiceps grisegena Red-necked Grebe B 1997 1,000 1,500 B A4i, B1i west of Taganrog. Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe B 1997 500 800 B A4i, B1i Habitats Grassland (14%; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/ Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant B 1997 1,000 1,200 A B1i Egretta garzetta Little Egret N 1997 6,000 8,000 B A4i, B1i sand beach), Marine areas (71%; open sea; sea inlet/coastal features) Egretta alba Great White Egret N 1997 500 1,000 B A4i, B1i Land-use Nature conservation/research (72%), Not utilized (99%) Ardea cinerea Grey Heron P 1997 6,000 8,000 B A4i, B1i Cygnus olor Mute Swan N 1997 4,000 6,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Birds Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1997 500 1,500 B A4i, B1i Anser erythropus P 1997 30 50 C A1 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Lesser White-fronted Goose Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel P 1997 40 60 B A1 Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1997 80 100 B B1i Glareola nordmanni P 1997 50 80 B A1 Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1997 10,000 20,000 B A4i, B1i Black-winged Pratincole Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1997 — 500 C A1 Larus ichthyaetus P 1997 5,000 7,000 B A4i, B1i Anas platyrhynchos Mallard P 1997 30,000 40,000 B B1i Great Black-headed Gull Anas querquedula Garganey P 1997 20,000 30,000 B A4i, B1i Larus minutus Little Gull P 1997 1,200 1,600 B A4i, B1i Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard P 1997 6,000 8,000 B A4i, B1i Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull P 1997 40,000 60,000 B A4i, B1i Aythya ferina Pochard P 1997 50,000 100,000 B A4i, B1i Larus genei Slender-billed Gull P 1997 800 1,200 B A4i, B1i Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1997 25 30 C A1, B2 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull P 1997 20,000 40,000 B A4i, B1i Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck P 1997 100 150 C A1 Sterna hirundo Common Tern P 1997 15,000 20,000 C A4i, B1i 1 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1997 10 12 A A1, B2 Sterna albifrons Little Tern P 1997 600 1,200 C A4i, B1i Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel P 1997 150 200 B A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 700 800 B A1, B2 During migration, two species of global conservation concern pass Himantopus himantopus B 1997 100 120 B B1i through in significant numbers, and more than 80,000 gulls and terns Black-winged Stilt stage in the area. Himantopus himantopus P 1997 1,500 3,000 B A4i, B1i Black-winged Stilt ■ Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole P 1997 80 100 B B1i Protection status Glareola nordmanni P 1997 200 500 B A1, A4i, B1i National Partial International None Black-winged Pratincole 1,014 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Beglitskaya Kosa, Gallinago media Great Snipe P 1997 1,000 2,000 C A1, A4i, B1i 1,014 ha). Larus ichthyaetus P 1997 5,000 10,000 C A4i, B1i Great Black-headed Gull ■ Conservation issues Larus minutus Little Gull P 1997 1,200 1,600 C A4i, B1i Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull P 1997 250,000 500,000 C A4i, B1i Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Extraction industry (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Larus genei Slender-billed Gull P 1997 3,500 4,000 C A4i, B1i Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull P 1997 150,000 250,000 C A4i, B1i Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern N 1997 100 200 C B1i Sterna caspia Caspian Tern N 1997 50 100 C B1i Islands in the western part A1, A4i, A4iii, 143 Sterna hirundo Common Tern P 1997 100,000 250,000 C A4i, B1i B1i, B2, B3 Sterna albifrons Little Tern P 1997 10,000 20,000 C A4i, B1i of Lake Manych-Gudilo Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B 1997 100 120 C B2 Admin region Rostov Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern P 1997 80,000 100,000 C A4i, B1i Coordinates 46°30’N 42°33’E Chlidonias niger Black Tern P 1997 60,000 90,000 C A4i, B1i Altitude 13–49 m Area 19,200 ha Chlidonias leucopterus P 1997 100,000 150,000 C A4i, B1i White-winged Black Tern ■ Site description 1. Large increase. A complex of salt-lakes, river meanders and patches of primary steppe. Breeding species include three species of global conservation concern, Habitats Grassland (44%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland including two globally threatened species in significant numbers, as (54%; mudflat/sandflat; coastal lagoon; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt well as important numbers of three grebes among other waterbirds. water; water-fringe vegetation) Other waterbirds congregate to feed in important numbers in

632 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Land-use Agriculture (32%), Hunting (5%), Nature conservation/research (24%), Not utilized (64%) Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (30%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land) ■ Birds Land-use Agriculture (40%), Forestry (60%), Hunting (100%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican B 1997 50 60 B B2 ■ Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1997 30 50 B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 ■ Birds Egretta garzetta Little Egret B 1997 80 90 A B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1997 120 120 A A4i, B1i, B2 1 Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1997 6,000 10,000 C A4i, B1i Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk B 1996 1 5 C B2 2 Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1997 1,000 4,000 C A1, A4i, B1i Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 1 — — B2 Himantopus himantopus B 1997 100 140 B B1i 1. Below threshold but few sites identified nationally. Black-winged Stilt 2. Near threshold. Glareola nordmanni N 1997 50 100 B A1, A4i, B1i Black-winged Pratincole The site supports a high density and species-richness of breeding Tringa totanus Redshank B 1997 60 100 B B2 raptors for its rather small area. Breeding species of global conservation Larus melanocephalus B 1997 300 500 B B3 concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila heliaca (1 pair). Mediterranean Gull Larus genei Slender-billed Gull B 1997 400 500 C A4i, B1i ■ Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern B 1997 70 100 C A4i, B1i, B2 Protection status Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1997 60 90 C B2 National None International None

A wide variety of waterbirds breed in important numbers, most notably ■ Conservation issues Pelecanus crispus. Other species of global conservation concern which Threats Disturbance to birds (C) also occur in very significant numbers are Branta ruficollis, which stages in the area with other goose species during migration, and Glareola A short ornithological survey was carried out in 1996 over several nordmanni, which feeds in the area during the breeding season. days.

■ Protection status National Partial International High Kalitvenski forest B2 146 4,591 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Rostovskiy, 9,465 ha). 19,200 ha Admin region Rostov of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Lake Manych-Gudilo, 112,600 ha). Coordinates 49°05’N 40°40’E Altitude 25–75 m Area 1,200 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) ■ Site description Forest surrounded by steppic habitats.

Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Karaichevski forest B2 144 forest), Grassland (15%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland Admin region Rostov (5%; standing fresh water) Coordinates 48°42’N 42°15’E Land-use Forestry (100%), Hunting (100%), Tourism/recreation (100%) Altitude 50–100 m Area 5,000 ha ■ Birds ■ Site description Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Mainly pine Pinus forest, in the north-eastern part of the Rostov region. Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 2 3 B B2 Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous An important site for breeding Hieraaetus pennatus. Breeding species forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (10%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila Artificial landscape (18%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) heliaca. Land-use Agriculture (25%), Forestry (70%), Urban/industrial/transport (3%) ■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1997 5 10 A B2 Threats Recreation/tourism (B) Significant numbers of Hieraaetus pennatus breed. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Tetrax tetrax (1–10 pairs). Gorodishchenski forest B2 147 ■ Protection status Admin region Rostov National High International None Coordinates 48°50’N 40°50’E 5,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ozero El’ton, 18,700 ha). Altitude 25–125 m Area 3,000 ha ■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Threats Consequences of animal/plant introductions (B), Selective logging/cutting (B) An expanse of forest surrounded by steppe.

Habitats Forest and woodland (75%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/ very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (20%; steppe/dry calcareous Secretevskiye sands (Oblivski forest) B2 145 grassland) Admin region Rostov Land-use Agriculture (20%), Forestry (80%), Hunting (100%) Coordinates 48°35’N 42°40’E Altitude 50–100 m Area 3,000 ha ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Site description Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle B 1996 2 3 A B2 An area of steppe interspersed with patches of forest.

633 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Important for breeding Hieraaetus pennatus. Breeding species of global ■ Conservation issues conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila heliaca. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) ■ Protection status National None International None

■ Conservation issues Salt-lakes in the A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 150 Threats Recreation/tourism (C) Primorsko-Akhtarsk area Admin region Krasnodarski kray A short ornithological survey was carried out during the 1996 field Coordinates 46°00’N 38°10’E season, although bird data remain incomplete. Altitude 0–100 m Area 40,000 ha

■ Site description Chistaya Banka and A4i, A4iii, B1i 148 Shallow salt-lakes near the coast of the Sea of Azov, connected by a Ivan-Karaul islands network of channels, with extensive beds of both emergent and Admin region Kalmykiya Republic submerged vegetation. Coordinates 45°10’N 48°00’E Altitude — Area — Habitats Grassland (40%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (50%; coastal lagoon; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt water), Artificial landscape (10%) Land-use Agriculture (40%), Fisheries/aquaculture (20%), Hunting (20%), Not utilized (10%), ■ Site description Tourism/recreation (5%) Bare islands, and shallows, in the northern Caspian Sea.

Habitats Marine areas (sea inlet/coastal features) ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Birds Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1987 24 24 C A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Egretta alba Great White Egret B 1987 75 75 C A4i, B1i Larus ichthyaetus B 1989 8,500 8,500 — A4i, B1i Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1987 75 75 C A4i, B1i, B2 Great Black-headed Gull Himantopus himantopus B 1989 430 430 C A4i, B1i Black-winged Stilt Based on data in the previous European IBA inventory (Grimmett and Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet B 1989 550 550 C A4i, B1i, B3 Jones 1989), the site is important for breeding Laridae, and for staging Glareola pratincola B 1989 10 50 C B1i, B2 waterbirds (up to 750,000) including swans Cygnus (up to 14,000). The Collared Pratincole area is also important for wintering waterbirds, when conditions are Glareola nordmanni B 1989 10 20 C A1 Black-winged Pratincole favourable. No updated information. Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover B 1994 30 30 C B2 ■ Tringa totanus Redshank B 1989 3,000 3,000 C A4i, B1i, B2 Protection status Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1994 200 300 C A4i, B1i, B2 National None International None Important numbers of a wide variety of waterbirds breed, including ■ Conservation issues two species of global conservation concern. No recent information. ■ Protection status National None International None Uttinskaya area A1, B2 149 ■ Conservation issues Admin region Kalmykiya Republic Coordinates 46°14’N 46°06’E Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/ Altitude (-18)–3 m Area 98,000 ha barrage (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) The size of the overlap between the IBA and the Ramsar Site is not ■ Site description known. The area is located inland in a semi-desert region of Kalmykiya Republic, and includes a few lakes and seasonally wet depressions. Habitats Desert (100%; semi-desert) Eastern coast A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 151 Land-use Agriculture (100%) of the Sea of Azov Admin region Krasnodarski kray Coordinates 45°46’N 38°05’E ■ Birds Altitude 0–159 m Area 457,300 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1996 9 250 A A1 Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture U 1996 — 16 — A1 ■ Site description 1 Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard B 1996 12 45 B B2 The IBA comprises the lower reaches and delta of the Kuban river, as 2 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard P 1992 5,000 12,000 B A1 well as adjacent coastal shallows of the Sea of Azov, including both 1. Variation in numbers during 1970–1996. open and closed bays and lagoons (salt-lakes). 2. Breeding individuals. Habitats Wetland (coastal lagoon; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt The site is important for its high numbers of wintering and breeding water), Marine areas), Artificial landscape (arable land) raptors, as well as being a key staging area for very large numbers of Land-use Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting, Tourism/recreation Tetrax tetrax on both spring and autumn passage. Tetrax tetrax also breeds (no data, further research required), as does Anthropoides virgo (255–270 pairs). ■ Birds

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Protection status National Partial International Partial Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1995 50 74 — A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1995 1,300 1,300 — A4i, B1i, B2 11,000 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Chernyje Zemli, 125,000 ha). Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1995 235 235 — A4i, B1i, B2 11,000 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Chernyje Zemli, Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan P 1995 1,000 3,000 — A4i, B1i 125,000 ha).

634 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Lower Urushtek river B2, B3 153 Oxyura leucocephala B— 1 ——B2 Admin region Krasnodarski kray White-headed Duck Coordinates 43°57’N 40°40’E Himantopus himantopus B 1995 880 880 — A4i, B1i Altitude 800–1,900 m Area 1,764 ha Black-winged Stilt Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet B 1995 670 670 — A4i, B1i, B3 Larus ichthyaetus B 1995 1,100 1,100 — A4i, B1i ■ Site description Great Black-headed Gull This site is located in the mountainous part of the Krasnodarski region. A good variety of waterbirds breed in important numbers, most Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous notably the globally threatened Pelecanus crispus. Between 300,000 forest), Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (35%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), Rocky and 800,000 waterbirds winter in the area, while the total number of areas (35%; scree/boulders) waterbirds which stage here during autumn migration is even larger, Land-use Agriculture (100%), Nature conservation/research (100%) fluctuating between 2 million and 3 million. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (no counts have been carried out). ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Protection status Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier R 1996 1 1 — B2 National Partial International Partial Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture R 1996 21 24 A B2 45,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Priazovskiy, 45,000 ha). Strix aluco Tawny Owl R 1996 100 100 A B3 30,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Tamano-Zaporozhskiy, Dendrocopos medius R 1996 20 20 B B3 30,000 ha). 84,600 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Kuban Delta: Middle Spotted Woodpecker Akhtaro-Grivenskaya Group of Limans, 84,600 ha). 88,400 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Kuban Delta: Group of Limans between Rivers Two vultures and two forest species breed in significant numbers. Species Kuban and Protoka, 88,400 ha). of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (on passage), Tetrao mlokosiewiczi (up to 10 breeding pairs). ■ Conservation issues ■ Protection status Threats Natural events (U) National High International None More regular monitoring is needed as the site is very important and 1,764 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Pseboiskiy, 33,410 ha). lies in a highly developed area.

Akhmet–Skala ridge B2 154 Kiziltash limans A4i, B1i, B2, B3 152 Admin region Krasnodarski kray Admin region Krasnodarski kray Coordinates 44°06’N 40°58’E Coordinates 45°10’N 37°05’E Altitude 500–1,000 m Area 2,300 ha Altitude 0–100 m Area 28,000 ha ■ Site description ■ Site description A narrow gorge with pastures in the mountainous part of the A closed bay with shallow water, islands and coastal inlets. Krasnodarski region.

Habitats Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (5%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; broadleaved deciduous forest; wooded steppe), (70%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; shingle/stony beach; coastal lagoon), Scrub (8%; scrub), Grassland (30%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Rocky areas (10%; Artificial landscape (20%; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves; urban parks/ scree/boulders) gardens) Land-use Agriculture (20%), Forestry (80%) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (100%), Tourism/recreation (10%) ■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Neophron percnopterus B 1996 3 — A B2 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant R 1994 970 1,200 B B1i Egyptian Vulture Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1992 5,000 5,000 — A4i, B1i Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture R 1996 20 40 A B2 Himantopus himantopus B 1993 80 100 B B1i Black-winged Stilt The area holds one of the largest breeding colonies of Gyps fulvus in Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet B 1993 400 400 A A4i, B1i, B3 the Caucasus mountains, as well as significant breeding numbers of Larus ichthyaetus B 1994 700 700 — A4i, B1i another vulture, Neophron percnopterus. Species of global conservation Great Black-headed Gull concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (1–2 non- Larus melanocephalus B 1994 40 — C B3 breeding birds). Mediterranean Gull Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 1994 6,000 7,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Protection status Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern B 1994 50 — A B1i, B2 National None International None Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 1989 70 300 A A4i, B1i, B2 Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern R 1990 200 1,200 A A4i, B1i, B2 ■ Conservation issues Sterna hirundo Common Tern B 1994 2,400 2,400 B B1i Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1994 200 250 A B1i, B2 Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Deforestation (commercial) (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) A wide variety of gulls and terns breed in important numbers, as do three other waterbird species.

■ Protection status Kurdzhips river valley B2 155 National None International None Admin region Krasnodarski kray Coordinates 44°10’N 39°59’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 1,000–2,090 m Area 10,230 ha Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Filling-in of wetlands (U), Infrastructure (B), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (U) ■ Site description There is an ongoing initiative to establish a nature reserve (Zakaznik). The area is located in the mountains of the Krasnodarski region.

635 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Habitats Forest and woodland (83%; mixed forest; wooded steppe), Scrub (10%; Habitats Wetland (100%; saltmarsh; shingle/stony beach), Marine areas (sea inlet/ scrub; sclerophyllous scrub/garrigue/maquis), Rocky areas (5%; scree/boulders) coastal features) Land-use Agriculture (10%), Forestry (70%), Hunting (80%), Nature conservation/ Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Tourism/recreation (20%), Unknown (75%) research (1%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) ■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Larus melanocephalus B 1994 — 1,000 — B3 Neophron percnopterus B 1996 1 2 A B2 Mediterranean Gull Egyptian Vulture Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 1994 4,500 4,500 B A4i, B1i Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture R 1996 6 14 A B2 Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern B 1994 500 500 B B1i, B2 Sterna hirundo Common Tern B 1994 2,000 2,000 B B1i Significant numbers of two vultures breed in the area. Species of global Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1994 150 150 B B2 conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (wintering), Falco naumanni (passage). Important numbers of gulls and terns breed. One thousand pairs of Larus melanocephalus were recorded in 1989, but in 1994 none were ■ Protection status found—although the situation is unclear, it seems likely that this is National High International High due to natural fluctuation rather than to extinction. 25 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kamyshovaya Polyana, 25 ha). ■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National None International None Threats Deforestation (commercial) (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Forest grazing (C), ■ Conservation issues Intensified forest management (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Selective logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Disturbance to birds (U), Filling-in of wetlands (U), Recreation/tourism (U)

Lake Khanskoye A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 156 Admin region Krasnodarski kray Surroundings of A4i, B1i, B2 158 Coordinates 46°30’N 38°25’E Black Forest Altitude 0–50 m Area 8,000 ha Admin region Krasnodarski kray Coordinates 45°05’N 38°25’E Altitude 0–50 m Area 20 ha ■ Site description A large, shallow lake with many islands, near the Black Sea coast and fringed with vegetation. ■ Site description A number of lakes to the north-east of the village of Ekaterininski. Habitats Wetland (100%; mudflat/sandflat; saltmarsh; shingle/stony beach; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt water; water-fringe vegetation) Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water) Land-use Forestry (10%), Military (10%), Not utilized (80%) Land-use Unknown (100%)

■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant B 1994 900 — B B1i Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron B 1996 300 300 B B2 Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1994 56 — B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Egretta garzetta Little Egret B 1996 100 100 B B1i Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet B 1994 50 — B B3 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1996 500 500 B A4i, B1i, B2 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 1994 2,500 — C A4i, B1i Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern B 1994 20 25 B B2 Significant numbers of colonial waterbirds breed in the vicinity of the Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 1994 250 — B A4i, B1i, B2 lakes. Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern B 1994 410 — B B2 Sterna hirundo Common Tern B 1994 2,500 — B B1i ■ Protection status Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1994 84 — C B2 National None International None Large and important numbers of waterbirds breed at the site, mainly gulls and terns, but including the globally threatened Pelecanus ■ Conservation issues crispus. Threats Afforestation (U) ■ Protection status National None International None Kalininski Plavny A4i, B1i, B2 159 ■ Conservation issues Admin region Krasnodarski kray Threats Dredging/canalization (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) Coordinates 45°25’N 38°30’E Altitude 0–100 m Area 3,000 ha

■ Site description Yeyski salt-lakes A4i, B1i, B2, B3 157 The flood-plain of the Ponura river, partly covered by water-fringe Admin region Krasnodarski kray vegetation. Coordinates 46°45’N 38°20’E Altitude 0–100 m Area 24,000 ha Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Hunting (90%) ■ Site description A system of salt-lakes with water-fringe vegetation, open to the Sea ■ Birds of Azov, in the western part of the Krasnodarski region, comprising Large and important numbers of several colonial waterbirds breed in one part of a much larger system of fresh- and saltwater bodies in this the area. Available information suggests that breeding colonies move region. location from year to year.

636 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Conservation issues Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron B 1992 2,500 3,000 B A4i, B1i, B2 Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Egretta garzetta Little Egret B 1992 2,000 2,000 B A4i, B1i Industrialization/urbanization (A), Infrastructure (A) Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1992 4,000 4,000 B A4i, B1i, B2 Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1992 250 250 B B2

Valley of Urup river B2, B3 162 ■ Protection status Admin region Krasnodarski kray, National None International None Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya Republic Coordinates 44°03’N 41°18’E ■ Conservation issues Altitude 500–1,000 m Area 8,132 ha Threats Disturbance to birds (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) Only part of the IBA was surveyed and additional surveys are needed, ■ Site description as bird data are incomplete. A narrow gorge on the border between the Krasnodarski region and the Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya Republic.

Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; broadleaved deciduous forest; wooded steppe), Mouth of Yeya river A1, A4i, B1i, B2 160 Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (15%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (5%; Admin region Krasnodarski kray river/stream), Rocky areas (15%; scree/boulders), Artificial landscape (10%; highly Coordinates 46°40’N 38°45’E improved reseeded grassland; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Altitude 0–50 m Area 9,600 ha Land-use Agriculture (25%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Nature conservation/research (35%), Not utilized (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%) ■ Site description The mouth of the Yeya river, including a number of lakes used in part ■ Birds as fish-ponds. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Wetland (100%; mudflat/sandflat; standing fresh water; river/stream; fen/ Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier R 1996 1 — A B2 transition mire/spring) Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture B 1996 3 — A B2 Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (90%), Hunting (10%) 1 Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture R 1996 22 55 A B2 Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle B 1996 1 5 B B2 Turdus merula Blackbird B 1996 200 200 B B3 ■ Birds 1. Large decrease. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Four species of raptor, three of them vultures, breed in significant Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1996 80 80 C B2 numbers. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard B 1996 250 250 C A4i, B1i, B2 IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (up to 3 non-breeding birds). Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole B 1996 50 50 C B1i, B2 Glareola nordmanni B 1996 11 11 C A1 ■ Black-winged Pratincole Protection status Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B 1996 350 350 C A4i, B1i, B2 National Partial International None 3,360 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik ( Skala ‘Ornithological’ Glareola nordmanni, of global conservation concern, breeds in the area, Reserve, 3,360 ha). as do important numbers of four other waterbirds, notably Netta rufina and Chlidonias hybridus. ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Deforestation (commercial) (C), Forest ■ Protection status grazing (C) National None International None It is necessary to increase the extent of Belaya Skala Zakaznik. ■ Conservation issues Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Aquaculture/fisheries (U), Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (U), Disturbance to birds (U) Caucasus A1, A2, A3, B1iv, B2 163 Biosphere Reserve Admin region Krasnodarski kray, Stavropolski kray, Adygeya Republic Imeretinskaya lowland A1 161 Coordinates 43°52’N 40°19’E Admin region Krasnodarski kray Altitude 200–3,346 m Area 280,338 ha Coordinates 43°21’N 40°03’E Altitude — Area 1,500 ha ■ Site description The reserve is located at the western end of the Greater Caucasus ■ Site description mountains. An agricultural landscape surrounded by many towns and villages. Habitats Forest and woodland (62%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Habitats Scrub (10%; scrub), Wetland (10%), Artificial landscape (80%; highly improved forest), Grassland (21%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), Wetland (1%; river/stream), reseeded grassland; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves; urban parks/gardens) Rocky areas (16%; scree/boulders) Land-use Agriculture (90%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%)

■ Birds ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Crex crex Corncrake P 1995 700 800 — A1 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1995 30 40 A A1 Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier R 1995 8 8 A B2 An important staging area for Crex crex on migration, with up to Gyps fulvus Griffon Vulture R 1995 55 60 A B2 10,000 Coturnix coturnix as well. Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture R 1995 2 3 A B2 Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle R 1995 4 4 A B2 1 ■ Protection status Tetrao mlokosiewiczi R 1995 1,500 1,500 A A1, A2, A3, B2 Caucasian Black Grouse National None International None

637 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria A very important site for breeding species of the Eurasian steppe biome and for wetland birds, and for globally threatened species in particular. 1 Tetraogallus caucasicus R 1995 600 600 A A2, A3 Caucasian Snowcock Among numerous species that breed in significant numbers are six Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 50 70 A A1 species of global conservation concern. Three globally threatened 1 Prunella collaris Alpine Accentor B 1995 800 800 A A3 wildfowl species occur in important numbers outside the breeding 2 Sitta krueperi Krüper’s Nuthatch R 1995 20,000 20,000 A A3 season. Significant proportion (≥1%) of national population breeding 1 Tichodroma muraria Wallcreeper R 1995 20 30 A A3 at site: Recurvirostra avosetta (at least 10 pairs). 1 Pyrrhocorax graculus Alpine Chough R 1995 1,000 1,000 A A3 1 Carpodacus rubicilla Great Rosefinch R 1995 20 30 A A3 ■ Protection status 1. Eurasian high-montane biome. National None International None 2. Mediterranean biome. Breeding birds include several species of global conservation ■ Conservation issues concern, and seven of the 31 species in Europe that are restricted Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Infrastructure (C), Unsustainable exploitation (A) (when breeding) either to the Eurasian high-montane biome or to the Mediterranean biome, as well as important numbers of several Research work is planned. large raptors. The site is also a migratory bottleneck site, where (among other raptors) more than 10,000 Buteo buteo regularly pass in a season. Lake Manych-Gudilo A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 165 Admin region Stavropolski kray, Kalmykiya Republic ■ Protection status Coordinates 46°11’N 43°00’E National High International High Altitude 12–14 m Area 50,000 ha 263,277 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kavkazskiy, 263,277 ha). 263,277 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Kavkazskiy, 263,277 ha). ■ Site description This large lake is situated in a deep depression on the border between ■ Conservation issues the Stavropolski region and Kalmykiya Republic. There are extensive shallows and reedbeds (Phragmites). Threats Firewood collection (C), Forest grazing (C), Recreation/tourism (C) Habitats Wetland (100%; standing brackish and salt water) Land-use Hunting (40%), Nature conservation/research (60%)

Dadynskiye lake A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 164 ■ Birds Admin region Stavropolski kray Coordinates 45°16’N 45°04’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 9–37 m Area 45,000 ha Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican B 1995 253 — B B2 Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1990 38 — B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1995 524 649 A A4i, B1i, B2 ■ Site description Cygnus olor Mute Swan N 1995 2,600 — B A4i, B1i A system of salt-lakes and adjoining steppe-grassland in the north of Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1995 240,000 — A A4i, B1i Stavropolski region, on the border with Kalmykiya Republic. Anser erythropus P 1995 13,800 — B A1, A4i, B1i Lesser White-fronted Goose Habitats Grassland (48%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (52%; standing Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1995 42,000 80,000 A A1, A4i, B1i 1 brackish and salt water; fen/transition mire/spring) Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck N 1995 30,000 — A A4i, B1i, B2 2 Tadorna tadorna Shelduck N 1989 22,000 22,000 — A4i, B1i Land-use Agriculture (87%), Fisheries/aquaculture (11%), Other (2%) Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet B 1980 43 128 A B3 Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole B 1980 4 38 — B1i, B2 ■ Birds Larus ichthyaetus B 1990 150 1,460 A A4i, B1i Great Black-headed Gull Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 3 Larus melanocephalus B 1995 1,500 — A B3 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant N 1996 5,000 — B A4i, B1i Mediterranean Gull Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican N 1996 10,000 10,000 B A4i, B1i Larus genei Slender-billed Gull B 1995 1,000 6,060 A A4i, B1i Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1996 10 12 A A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 1980 1,580 3,272 A A4i, B1i Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1996 80 90 A B2 Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern B 1995 200 1,105 A A4i, B1i, B2 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1996 45 100 A A4i, B1i, B2 Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B 1980 — 425 A A4i, B1i, B2 Cygnus olor Mute Swan R 1996 50 500 B B1i 1. Between 1,300 and 25,000 pairs during 1973–1976. Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 — 10,000 B B1i 2. Moulting. Anser erythropus P 1996 10 300 B A1, B1i 3. Up to 13,625 pairs during 1970–1980. Lesser White-fronted Goose All available data relates to the parts of the IBA falling within the Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1996 500 4,000 B A1, A4i, B1i 1 Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck N 1996 30,000 30,000 — A4i, B1i Kalmykiya Republic and Stavropolski region. Hundreds of thousands 1,2 Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck N 1996 70 — — A1 of waterfowl, consisting mainly of geese and ducks, pass through the Oxyura leucocephala B 1996 3 5 B A1, B2 area at night during migration. In particular, most of the world White-headed Duck population of the globally threatened Branta ruficollis migrates through Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel B 1996 12 20 A A1, B2 the site. The lake also supports large and important numbers of many 3 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard R 1996 50 — B A1 breeding or moulting waterbirds, notably the globally threatened 3 Otis tarda Great Bustard R 1996 — 200 B A1, B2 Pelecanus crispus. Himantopus himantopus B 1996 180 200 A B1i Black-winged Stilt ■ Protection status Glareola nordmanni B 1996 80 300 B A1, A3, A4i, National Partial International High Black-winged Pratincole B1i, B2 Larus ichthyaetus B 1996 1,000 1,500 A A3, A4i, B1i 30,600 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Chernye Zemli, 125,000 ha). Great Black-headed Gull 30,600 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Chernye Zemli, Larus melanocephalus B 1996 200 — B B3 125,000 ha). 50,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Lake Manych- Mediterranean Gull Gudilo, 112,600 ha). Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 1996 2,000 — B A4i, B1i Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern B 1996 50 60 A B1i, B2 ■ Conservation issues Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1996 50 60 B B2 Threats Filling-in of wetlands (C) 1. Moulting. 2. Also breeds but no counts have been made. It is possible that another IBA will be identified in the future, covering 3. Breeding individuals. the western part of the Manych lake system (Rostov region). Certain

638 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

bird species are monitored as part of the work being carried out within Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria the Zapovednik. 1 Tetraogallus caucasicus R 1996 900 1,200 A A2, A3 Caucasian Snowcock 1 Prunella collaris Alpine Accentor B 1996 500 1,000 A A3 2 Sitta krueperi Krüper’s Nuthatch B 1996 2,500 4,000 B A3 Burukshunskiye limans A1, A4i, B1i, B2 166 1 Tichodroma muraria Wallcreeper B 1996 40 60 C A3 Admin region Stavropolski kray, Kalmykiya Republic 1 Carpodacus rubicilla Great Rosefinch B 1996 50 100 C A3 Coordinates 45°59’N 42°25’E 2 Emberiza melanocephala U 1996 — — — A3 Altitude 57–61 m Area 6,000 ha Black-headed Bunting 1. Eurasian high-montane biome. ■ Site description 2. Mediterranean biome. A network of saline, brackish and freshwater bodies with fringing reedbeds (Phragmites), situated on the border between the Stavropolski ■ Protection status region and the Kalmykiya Republic. National High International None 84,996 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Teberdinskiy, 84,996 ha). Habitats Grassland (50%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (50%; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt water; river/stream) Land-use Agriculture (50%), Hunting (50%) Kabardino-Balkarski B2 168 Nature Reserve ■ Birds Admin region Kabardino-Balkarskaya Republic Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 43°39’N 42°30’E Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican N 1989 30 — B A1, A4i, B1i Altitude — Area 74,099 ha Egretta alba Great White Egret P 1973 350 400 B A4i, B1i Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1995 150 — — A4i, B1i, B2 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1988 50 — A B1i, B2 ■ Site description Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1995 2,500 5,000 — A4i, B1i The upper reaches of the Rivers Cherek Balkarski, Cherek Bizengiyski, Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1994 5,000 — A A4i, B1i and Chegem, with forests and meadows (mainly high mountain zones; Anas crecca Teal P 1973 45,000 50,000 B A4i, B1i several 5,000 m peaks in the Bokovoy range) in a rugged landscape Anas platyrhynchos Mallard P 1994 10,000 65,000 A B1i with deep ravines. Aythya ferina Pochard P 1973 10,000 12,000 B B1i Fulica atra Coot P 1973 35,000 40,000 B A4i, B1i Habitats Forest and woodland, Grassland (alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), Rocky Philomachus pugnax Ruff P 1973 50,000 — B A4i, B1i areas (scree/boulders; inland cliff) Large and important numbers of waterbirds stage at the area during migration (mainly waterfowl), and the globally threatened Pelecanus ■ Birds crispus is present but does not breed. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 ■ Tetrao mlokosiewiczi R 1989 — — — B2 Protection status Caucasian Black Grouse National Partial International None 1. No recent counts. 3,500 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Burukshunsky, 3,500 ha). Based on data in the previous European IBA inventory (Grimmett ■ Conservation issues and Jones 1989), the site is important for Tetrao mlokosiewiczi. Other breeding species include snowcock Tetraogallus and Alectoris chukar. Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Agricultural intensification/ No updated information. expansion (C), Disturbance to birds (B) ■ Protection status National High International None 74,099 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kabardino-Balkarsky, Teberdinski A1, A2, A3, B1iv, B2 167 74,099 ha). Nature Reserve Admin region Karachaevo-Cherkesskaya Republic ■ Conservation issues Coordinates 43°30’N 41°34’E No recent information. Altitude 1,260–4,077 m Area 84,996 ha

■ Site description B2 Large glaciers, alpine meadows and mountain forests, situated in the Severo-Osetinski (North Osetin) 169 Nature Reserve upper reaches of the Teberda river, on the northern slopes of the Admin region Severnaya Osetiya Republic Greater Caucasus mountains. Coordinates 42°49’N 44°00’E Habitats Forest and woodland (34%), Grassland (65%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland) Altitude — Area 28,999 ha Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) ■ Site description ■ Birds A mountainous area including forest, subalpine and alpine zones, Breeding species include seven of the 31 species in Europe that are glaciers, snow-fields, crags and screes on the northern slopes of the restricted (when breeding) either to the Eurasian high montane biome main ridge of the Caucasus range in the Ardon/Fiagdon basin or to the Mediterranean biome. The area is a migratory bottleneck (tributaries of the River Terek). for many raptors, notably the globally threatened Aquila heliaca— Habitats Forest and woodland, Grassland (alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland), Rocky certainly more than 3,000 raptors pass in total per season, but no areas (scree/boulders; inland cliff) special counts have been made.

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Birds Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle P 1996 40 60 B A1 Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle R 1996 5 — A B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 Falco peregrinus Peregrine R 1996 5 7 A B2 Tetrao mlokosiewiczi R 1989 — — — B2 1 Tetrao mlokosiewiczi R 1996 1,000 1,270 A A1, A2, A3, B2 Caucasian Black Grouse Caucasian Black Grouse 1. No recent counts.

639 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Based on data in the previous European IBA inventory (Grimmett Calidris alpina, C. alba and Tringa totanus, but no detailed counts and Jones 1989), the site is important for Tetrao mlokosiewiczi. A total have been made. of 157 species have been recorded, including Gypaetus barbatus, snowcock Tetraogallus and Alectoris chukar. No updated information. ■ Protection status National Partial International None ■ Protection status Part of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Agrakhansky, 39,000 ha). National High International None 28,999 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Severo-Osetinsky, ■ Conservation issues 28,999 ha). Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) ■ Conservation issues No recent information. Rising water-levels in the Caspian Sea may improve the site further for waders.

Budary lakes B1i 170 Admin region Chechenskaya Republic Kizlyar Bay A1, A4i, B1i 172 Coordinates 43°30’N 46°04’E Admin region Dagestan Republic Altitude — Area 1,000 ha Coordinates 44°30’N 46°45’E Altitude (-27)–(-23) m Area 19,061 ha ■ Site description Steppe lakes with Phragmites and Typha beds. ■ Site description Extensive reedbeds (Phragmites) cover large expanses of shallow Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) coastal waters of the Caspian Sea, at the border between the Dagestan and Kalmykiya Republics. ■ Birds Habitats Grassland (20%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Desert A site for breeding grebes and ducks, and staging and wintering grebes, (10%; semi-desert), Wetland (30%; mudflat/sandflat; shingle/stony beach; standing fresh herons, swans and ducks. The B1i criterion is applied at site-level rather water; standing brackish and salt water; water-fringe vegetation), Marine areas (50%; than at species-level, as recent count data are not available for any open sea) bird species. The site may also prove to fulfil the A4i criterion once Land-use Agriculture, Fisheries/aquaculture, Hunting systematic counts have been made.

■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant P 1996 1,700 — — B1i 1 Phalacrocorax pygmeus P 1996 195 — — A1 No recent information. Pygmy Cormorant 1 Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican P 1996 45 — — A1, A4i, B1i Egretta alba Great White Egret P 1996 280 — — A4i, B1i Agrakhanski Bay A1, A4i, B1i, B2 171 Anas strepera Gadwall P 1996 1,105 — — B1i Admin region Dagestan Republic Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard P 1996 300 500 B B1i Coordinates 43°30’N 47°50’E 1. Data incomplete; census planned in 1997. Altitude (-27)–(-27) m Area 39,000 ha Important numbers of several waterbirds stage in the area during migration (notably the globally threatened Pelecanus crispus). ■ Site description The IBA includes Agrakhanski Bay, as well as coastal lakes on the ■ Protection status western shore of the Caspian Sea, north of Makhachkala. A long National High International None peninsula, jutting into the Caspian Sea, borders the Bay. A channel 19,061 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Dagestansky, 19,061 ha). was excavated in 1972, which resulted in the flooding and destruction of a main dyke, and a consequent drop in the water-level of ■ Conservation issues Agrakhanski Bay (in previous years the bay was above sea-level). Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Natural events (A), Recreation/tourism (C), Today all that remains is a small expanse of open water in the southern Unsustainable exploitation (B) part of the bay. Sand beaches and meadows provide good feeding habitat for migrating waders. The main threat is from the rising level of the Caspian Sea.

Habitats Scrub (20%; scrub; sclerophyllous scrub/garrigue/maquis), Wetland (80%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; standing brackish and salt water; river/stream) Mouth of Samur river A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 173 Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (50%), Hunting (50%), Tourism/recreation (10%), Urban/ Admin region Dagestan Republic industrial/transport (5%) Coordinates 41°52’N 48°30’E Altitude (-27)–60 m Area 7,000 ha ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Site description The mouth of the Samur river, in the south of the Dagestan Republic 1 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant P 1996 1,000 — — B1i 1 Phalacrocorax pygmeus B 1996 10 — B A1, B2 near to the border with . The site contains the largest Pygmy Cormorant expanse of dry subtropical forest remaining along the Caspian Sea Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1996 119 — B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 coast. Reedbeds (Phragmites) are present in the river mouth and Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1988 20 65 — B2 associated channels. 1. Data incomplete; census planned in 1997. Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; broadleaved deciduous forest), Wetland (5%; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial Breeding species include two species of global conservation concern. landscape (5%; arable land; forestry plantation; urban parks/gardens; ruderal land) About 300,000 duck winter in the IBA and many other migrating Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (2%), Forestry (95%), Nature conservation/research waterbird species stage here. It is a particularly important site for (100%) waders, with tens of thousands stopping to feed on passage, especially

640 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds Water-loss in summer due to evaporation poses a threat to nesting Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria birds. A large conservation project was carried out in 1998, involving Phalacrocorax pygmeus P 1997 17 40 A A1 bird monitoring and educational activities for school children, with a Pygmy Cormorant grant from BP Amoco. Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican P 1996 100 150 A A1, A4i, B1i Egretta alba Great White Egret P 1997 86 1,000 B A4i, B1i Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill P 1996 12 300 B A4i, B1i 1 Anser erythropus P 1996 30 40 B A1 Sources of Mazachai A1, A3, B2 175 Lesser White-fronted Goose and Mullarchai rivers Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck P 1989 10 100 B A1 Admin region Dagestan Republic Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier P 1989 1 50 C A1 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle P 1997 7 14 A A1 Coordinates 41°15’N 47°42’E 2 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard P 1985 1,500 2,000 A A1 Altitude 1,000–3,500 m Area 10,000 ha Larus minutus Little Gull P 1989 10 1,000 C A4i, B1i, B2 Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern P 1989 10 300 C A4i, B1i ■ Chlidonias leucopterus P 1989 100 3,000 C A4i, B1i Site description White-winged Black Tern A forested area in the Caucasus mountains, near to the border with Dendrocopos medius R 1989 70 300 B B3 Azerbaijan, along the middle reaches of the Samur river. Middle Spotted Woodpecker Parus caeruleus Blue Tit R 1989 400 1,000 B B3 Habitats Forest and woodland (broadleaved deciduous forest), Grassland, Rocky areas 1. Most pass through without stopping. Land-use Agriculture (70%), Not utilized (30%) 2. Breeding individuals; do not occur every year. Seven species of global conservation concern pass through the area ■ Birds on migration, including four globally threatened species, most notably Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Pelecanus crispus. Several other waterbirds also occur in important Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeier R 1996 2 3 A B2 numbers on passage. Species of global conservation concern that do 1 Aegypius monachus Cinereous Vulture N 1997 — 20 — A1 not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (2–3 pairs are resident). Tetrao mlokosiewiczi R 1997 15 20 A A1 Caucasian Black Grouse ■ Protection status Tetraogallus caucasicus R 1997 40 50 A A3 National High International None Caucasian Snowcock 7,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Samursky, 11,200 ha). 2 Prunella collaris Alpine Accentor R 1996 8 10 B A3 2 Pyrrhocorax graculus Alpine Chough R 1996 40 50 B A3 2 ■ Conservation issues Montifringilla nivalis Snowfinch R 1996 5 10 B A3 1. Breeding occurs but number of pairs unknown. Threats Deforestation (commercial) (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Firewood collection (A), 2. Number of pairs may be higher. Groundwater abstraction (C), Industrialization/urbanization (C), Infrastructure (C), Breeding birds that occur in significant numbers include two species Intensified forest management (B), Natural events (B), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective of global conservation concern, as well as four of the 10 species in logging/cutting (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high The site is threatened by the sea-level rise that is occurring naturally montane biome. in the Caspian Sea. ■ Protection status National None International None Lake Adzhi A1, A4i, B1i, B2 174 ■ Conservation issues Admin region Dagestan Republic Coordinates 42°19’N 48°05’E Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Firewood collection (A), Forest grazing (A), Altitude (-27)–(-8) m Area 2,000 ha Unsustainable exploitation (B)

■ Site description A large salt-lake to the north-west of Derbent, not far from the coast A1, A4i, B1i, B2 of the Caspian Sea. Karakol’skiye lakes 176 Admin region Dagestan Republic Habitats Desert (20%; semi-desert), Wetland (80%; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing Coordinates 44°15’N 46°50’E brackish and salt water) Altitude (-27)–(-23) m Area 10,000 ha Land-use Agriculture (20%), Hunting (100%) ■ Site description ■ Birds A system of several freshwater lakes located near to the Caspian Sea Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria coast, to the south of Kizlyarski Bay. Phalacrocorax pygmeus P 1997 150 200 A A1, A4i, B1i Habitats Wetland (95%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Pygmy Cormorant Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Hunting (100%) Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican P 1997 24 40 A A1, A4i, B1i Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1997 17 25 A A1 Fulica atra Coot P 1997 40,000 50,000 A A4i, B1i ■ Birds 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard P 1996 — 5,000 A A1 Glareola pratincola Collared Pratincole R 1997 10 15 A B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 1 1. Breeding individuals. Phalacrocorax pygmeus B 1997 20 25 B A1, B2 Pygmy Cormorant Four species of global conservation occur in significant numbers, Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1997 30 — B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 including two globally threatened species. Large numbers of Fulica 1. Up to 500 pairs in 1972. atra stage in the area during migration. Breeding species include two species of global conservation concern. ■ Protection status A wide variety of other waterbirds breed, including Platalea leucorodia, National None International None Plegadis falcinellus, seven species of heron, Anthropoides virgo, and Himantopus himantopus, but their numbers have not yet been ■ Conservation issues counted. Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Extraction industry (C), Natural events (A), Recreation/ ■ Protection status tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) National None International None

641 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Conservation issues Occasional research work is carried out within Dagestanski Zapovednik. Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Unsustainable exploitation (A)

Volga delta A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 179 Achikol’skiye lakes A1, A4i, B1i, B2 177 Admin region Astrakhan Admin region Dagestan Republic Coordinates 46°00’N 48°30’E Coordinates 43°47’N 47°10’E Altitude (-28)–(-25) m Area 1,150,000 ha Altitude (-20)–(-17) m Area 20,000 ha ■ Site description ■ Site description The largest delta in Europe, on the north coast of the Caspian Sea, in A system of freshwater lakes to the west and inland of Agrakhanski the south of the Astrakhan region, comprising freshwater channels Bay of the Caspian Sea. and lakes, extensive coastal shallows, alluvial islands and spits, with much water-fringe vegetation. Habitats Wetland (100%; standing fresh water; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (100%), Hunting (100%) Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (75%; tidal river/enclosed tidal water; mudflat/sandflat; sand-dunes/ sand beach; coastal lagoon; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation), ■ Birds Marine areas (sea inlet/coastal features), Artificial landscape (arable land) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Agriculture (10%), Fisheries/aquaculture (75%), Forestry (10%), Hunting (95%), Phalacrocorax pygmeus B 1988 — 20 C A1, B2 Nature conservation/research (5%), Tourism/recreation (20%) Pygmy Cormorant Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican R 1997 30 40 B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Egretta alba Great White Egret R 1970 50 — A A4i, B1i ■ Birds Anser anser Greylag Goose R 1982 70 90 A B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard B 1982 1,200 1,300 A A4i, B1i, B2 Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant B 1996 60,000 60,000 B A4i, B1i Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1982 250 300 A A1, B2 Phalacrocorax pygmeus B 1995 300 — A A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1997 10 15 A A1 Pygmy Cormorant Fulica atra Coot R 1982 9,000 10,000 A B1i Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1995 50 240 A A1, A4i, B1i, B2 A variety of waterbirds breed in important numbers, including three Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron B 1995 2,360 4,230 A A4i, B1i, B2 species of global conservation concern, notably Pelecanus crispus and 1 Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron B 1995 1,315 4,050 A A4i, B1i, B2 Aythya nyroca. Egretta garzetta Little Egret B 1995 2,600 3,630 A A4i, B1i Egretta alba Great White Egret B 1995 4,640 5,250 A A4i, B1i ■ Ardea cinerea Grey Heron B 1995 3,140 3,850 A A4i, B1i Protection status Ardea purpurea Purple Heron B 1988 2,060 2,450 A B2 National None International None Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis B 1995 3,685 4,530 A A4i, B1i, B2 Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1995 250 350 A A4i, B1i, B2 ■ Conservation issues Cygnus olor Mute Swan B 1995 5,000 6,000 A A4i, B1i Cygnus cygnus Whooper Swan W 1995 30,000 30,000 B A4i, B1i, B3 Threats Aquaculture/fisheries (C), Disturbance to birds (B), Natural events (A), 1 Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1995 5,000 13,000 A A4i, B1i Unsustainable exploitation (B) Anas platyrhynchos Mallard B 1995 7,000 12,000 A B1i Overgrowth of the lakes by reed Phragmites is reducing the area of Netta rufina Red-crested Pochard B 1995 2,000 4,000 A A4i, B1i, B2 open water (‘Natural events’, above). Aythya nyroca Ferruginous Duck B 1996 — 1,000 — A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1995 150 160 A A1, B2 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 3 10 — A1, B2 Pandion haliaetus Osprey B 1995 20 25 A B2 Morskoy Biryuchek island A4i, B1i 178 Fulica atra Coot B 1995 130,000 170,000 A A4i, B1i Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern B 1995 40 40 B B2 Admin region Dagestan Republic, Kalmykiya Republic 2 Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern B — 100 — B B2 Coordinates 44°44’N 47°03’E Chlidonias niger Black Tern B 1995 200 — B B2 Altitude (-26)–(-25) m Area 30,000 ha Alcedo atthis Kingfisher B 1995 100 — B B2 Parus caeruleus Blue Tit R 1995 1,000 — B B3 ■ Site description Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike B 1995 100 — B B2 Morskoy Biryuchek island lies close to the western shoreline of the 1. Large decrease. 2. Numerous. Caspian Sea. It has recently been submerged by the continuing rise in sea-level, and now forms an area of shallower water in the open sea. Immense numbers of waterbirds breed in the delta, including 56,800 pairs of herons, cormorants Phalacrocorax, Plegadis falcinellus Habitats Marine areas (100%; open sea) and Platalea leucorodia alone, although this total has decreased Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (69%), Nature conservation/research (31%) in recent years. During migration, a total of 7 million waterbirds pass through the area in spring, and 5–10 million in the autumn. The ■ Birds number of waterfowl overwintering in the delta depends on the Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria severity of the weather, but can include important numbers of Cygnus cygnus. 1 Cygnus olor Mute Swan P 1975 3,000 4,000 B A4i, B1i Anas acuta Pintail W 1975 32,600 — B A4i, B1i ■ Protection status 1. Birds also overwinter. National Low International Partial Large numbers of waterfowl occur in winter and on migration. 66,816 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Astrakhanskiy, 66,816 ha). 66,816 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (Astrakhanskiy, ■ Protection status 66,816 ha). 800,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Volga delta, National Partial International None 800,000 ha). Part (not more than 5%) of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Dagestanski, 18,900 ha). 30,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ostrov Morskoy ■ Conservation issues Biryuchek, 50,000 ha). Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (U), Natural events (U), Unsustainable exploitation (U) ■ Conservation issues The rising level of the Caspian Sea poses a threat to some habitats and Threats Filling-in of wetlands (C) bird species. There are many ongoing scientific monitoring projects.

642 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

The island holds large and important breeding colonies of Western Ilmen area A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 180 Phalacrocorax carbo and of four species of gull and tern; the latter Admin region Astrakhan have all undergone a large decrease during 1985–1995. Coordinates 46°00’N 47°30’E Altitude (-24)–0 m Area 590,000 ha ■ Protection status National High International None ■ Site description 35 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Maliy Zhemchuzhny A wetland on the border between Astrakhan region and Kalmykiya Island, 35 ha). Republic, in the south-eastern part of the east European plain. The site extends west of the River Volga and stretches south to the coast ■ Conservation issues of the Caspian Sea, following the natural boundary between the lake Threats Natural events (A) system and semi-desert areas. Sea-level rise is causing flooding. Ornithologists from Astrakhan Habitats Desert (57%; semi-desert), Wetland (13%; standing fresh water; standing Zapovednik/Biosphere Reserve monitor the breeding colonies. brackish and salt water), Artificial landscape (30%; arable land) Land-use Agriculture (85%), Fisheries/aquaculture (18%), Hunting (90%), Tourism/ recreation (3%) Bogdinsko-Baskunchakski A1, A3, B2 182 Admin region Astrakhan ■ Birds Coordinates 48°10’N 47°00’E Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Altitude 10–10 m Area 70,000 ha Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron B 1995 100 100 A B2 Egretta alba Great White Egret B 1995 1,260 1,260 A A4i, B1i ■ Ardea purpurea Purple Heron B 1995 1,500 1,500 A B2 Site description Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill B 1995 70 70 A A4i, B1i, B2 The area is located in the north-western part of the Astrakhan region, Cygnus olor Mute Swan B 1995 1,000 1,500 A A4i, B1i near the boundary with Kazakhstan. Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1995 1,000 1,000 A B1i 1 Anser anser Greylag Goose N 1995 9,000 9,000 B A4i, B1i Habitats Grassland (99%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Wetland (1%) Tadorna ferruginea Ruddy Shelduck B 1995 1,500 1,500 C A4i, B1i, B2 Land-use Agriculture (99%) Tadorna tadorna Shelduck B 1995 1,500 2,000 A A4i, B1i 1 Anas crecca Teal N 1995 40,000 40,000 A A4i, B1i ■ Birds Fulica atra Coot B 1995 25,000 25,000 A A4i, B1i 1. Moulting. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle R 1994 5 10 B A1, B2 Breeding species include a wide variety of colonial waterbirds and Buteo rufinus Long-legged Buzzard R 1994 5 20 C B2 wildfowl in important numbers. The area supports a total of 1,000,000– Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1994 5 30 C A1, A3, B2 1,500,000 waterbirds during migration, among which the most Anthropoides virgo Demoiselle Crane B 1994 — 300 C A3 numerous species are wildfowl such as Cygnus olor, C. columbianus, C. cygnus, Anser anser, Tadorna tadorna, Anas strepera, A. crecca, A. An important breeding area for the globally threatened Aquila heliaca, platyrhynchos, A. acuta, A. querquedula, Netta rufina and Aythya ferina. and for two other raptors which breed in significant numbers, as well Tens of thousands of wildfowl congregate to moult, notably Anser as Anthropoides virgo (restricted to the Eurasian steppe biome when anser and Anas crecca. Breeding species of global conservation concern breeding). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet that do not meet IBA criteria (no counts): Tetrax tetrax, Otis tarda. IBA criteria: Circus macrourus (on passage), Otis tarda (on passage), Tetrax tetrax (breeding). ■ Protection status National Low International None ■ Protection status 6,700 ha of IBA is covered by Zakaznik (Ilmeno-Bugrobiy, 6,700 ha). National Partial International None 53,700 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky, ■ Conservation issues 53,700 ha). Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (B), Agricultural intensification/ ■ Conservation issues expansion (B), Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (C), Natural events (B), Recreation/ tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (C) Threats Extraction industry (C), Recreation/tourism (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) The area has been included on a ‘shadow list’ of potential Ramsar Sites.

Flood-plain of River Vetluga B1i 183 Maly Zhemchuzhny island A4i, B1i, B2 181 Admin region Kostroma Admin region Astrakhan Coordinates 57°30’N 45°10’E Coordinates 45°00’N 48°18’E Altitude — Area — Altitude (-27)–(-25) m Area 35 ha ■ Site description ■ Site description Flood-plain of the River Vetluga from Sharya to Krasnyye Baki. A small island in the Caspian Sea, to the south of the Volga delta. Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water; river/stream) Habitats Wetland (100%; sand-dunes/sand beach; shingle/stony beach) Land-use Nature conservation/research (30%), Unknown (70%) ■ Birds A breeding and passage site for geese and ducks. The B1i criterion is ■ Birds applied at site-level rather than at species-level, as recent count data Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria are not available for any bird species. The site may also prove to fulfil Phalacrocorax carbo Cormorant N 1996 6,000 10,000 B A4i, B1i the A4i criterion once systematic counts have been made. 1 Larus ichthyaetus B 1995 4,000 42,000 A A4i, B1i Great Black-headed Gull ■ Protection status 1 Larus cachinnans Yellow-legged Gull B 1995 1,000 1,500 A A4i, B1i National None International None 1 Sterna caspia Caspian Tern B 1995 1,000 2,500 A A4i, B1i, B2 1 Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern B 1995 600 600 A B1i, B2 ■ Conservation issues 1. Large decrease. No recent information.

643 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Kamsko-Bakaldinskiye B1i 184 Habitats Wetland (standing fresh water; river/stream) marshes Land-use Water management Admin region Nizhni Novgorod Coordinates 56°15’N 45°05’E ■ Birds Altitude 72–118 m Area 120,000 ha An important area for staging and breeding ducks. The B1i criterion is applied at site-level rather than at species-level, as recent count data ■ Site description are not available for any bird species. The site may also prove to fulfil One of the largest peatlands in European Russia, consisting of wet the A4i criterion once systematic counts have been made. forest and open fen and mire. ■ Protection status Habitats Forest and woodland (65%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), National None International None Grassland (15%; humid grassland), Wetland (85%; standing fresh water; river/stream; raised bog; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (5%) ■ Conservation issues Land-use Forestry (70%), Nature conservation/research (25%), Other No recent information.

■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Flood-plain of Algashka river A1, A4iii, B1i 187 Grus grus Crane B 1990 140 140 A B1i Admin region Chuvashskaya Republic Coordinates 55°30’N 46°30’E Even though available bird data are rather old and very incomplete, Altitude 78–79 m Area 400 ha the area is one of the most important for birds in European Russia and still in a natural condition. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila clanga ■ Site description (1 pair), Gallinago media (at least 10 pairs). Significant proportion The flood-plain of the Algashka river lies in the south of the Chuvash (≥1%) of national population breeding at site: Aquila chrysaetos Republic. There are extensive wet grasslands. (2 pairs). Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub (5%; scrub), Grassland (80%; humid grassland), Wetland (5%; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial ■ Protection status landscape (10%; arable land) National Partial International High Land-use Agriculture (90%), Forestry (5%), Hunting (100%), Not utilized (5%) 46,940 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Kerzhenskiy, 46,940 ha). There are also about 10 Nature Monuments which, together with the Zapovednik, cover 25% of the IBA. 120,000 ha of IBA covered by ■ Birds Ramsar Site (-Bakaldino mires, 226,500 ha). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1995 120 400 B B1i ■ Conservation issues Anas penelope Wigeon P 1995 1,000 13,000 B B1i Threats Deforestation (commercial) (A), Drainage (A), Extraction industry (B) Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck P 1995 1,000 11,000 B B1i Crex crex Corncrake R 1996 40 — A A1

Despite its rather small extent, the site is important for breeding Crex crex and as a staging area for migrating waterfowl, holding Sitnikovski Nature Reserve A4i, B1i, B2 185 20,000 or more on a regular basis. Apart from Anas penelope and Admin region Nizhni Novgorod Aythya fuligula, this total is otherwise comprised mainly of Anas Coordinates 57°50’N 44°10’E platyrhynchos, Anas acuta, Anas querquedula and Aythya ferina. Altitude 146–163 m Area 2,117 ha ■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None An area of peat-bogs and disused, flooded peat-mine workings which are reverting naturally to bogs. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Wetland (85%; standing fresh water; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation) Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Disturbance to birds (C), Land-use Other, Tourism/recreation (5%) Unsustainable exploitation (C) Plans have been put forward for the establishment of a federal nature ■ Birds reserve (Zakaznik). Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull R 1990 20,700 — A A4i, B1i Larus canus Common Gull R 1990 7,200 — A A4i, B1i, B2 Sura environs A1, B1i, B2 188 Admin region Chuvashskaya Republic The largest inland breeding colony of gulls and terns in Europe, Coordinates 55°03’N 46°32’E totalling a minimum of c.28,000 pairs. Altitude 75–205 m Area 44,000 ha ■ Protection status National High International None ■ Site description 2,117 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Sitnikovsky, 2,117 ha). The flood-plain of the Sura river between the towns of Ardatov and Poretskoye. Habitats include a number of old meanders and lakes.

Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; Gorki reservoir B1i 186 mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (8%; standing and the lower Unzha river fresh water; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (20%; highly improved Admin region Ivanovo, Nizhni Novgorod, Kostroma reseeded grassland; arable land; forestry plantation; other urban/industrial areas) Coordinates 57°19’N 43°04’E Land-use Agriculture (45%), Forestry (50%), Nature conservation/research (5%) Altitude — Area 72,100 ha ■ Birds ■ Site description Breeding birds in significant numbers include two globally threatened A large reservoir. species and Riparia riparia. Species of global conservation concern

644 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

that do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus (at least 1 pair), Aquila Species ... continued Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria clanga (at least 1 pair). Anas crecca Teal P 1989 5,500 27,000 A A4i, B1i Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anas platyrhynchos Mallard B 1989 15,000 100,000 A A4i, B1i Anas platyrhynchos Mallard P 1989 30,000 200,000 A A4i, B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1997 300 1,000 B B1i Anas querquedula Garganey P 1989 500 50,000 A A4i, B1i Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 1 2 A A1, B2 Anas clypeata Shoveler B 1989 500 1,500 A B1i Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 100 300 C A1 Anas clypeata Shoveler P 1989 1,400 31,000 A A4i, B1i Riparia riparia Sand Martin B 1997 20,000 — B B2 Aythya ferina Pochard B 1989 150 5,000 A A4i, B1i, B3 Aythya ferina Pochard P 1989 300 16,000 A A4i, B1i Aythya marila Scaup P 1989 — 8,000 B A4i, B1i ■ Protection status Sterna hirundo Common Tern P 1995 500 10,000 A A4i, B1i National Low International None Sterna albifrons Little Tern P 1988 20 1,000 B A4i, B1i 2,000 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Prisurskiy, 19,000 ha). Very large numbers of wildfowl breed and migrate through the area. ■ Conservation issues Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (occurs, but status uncertain). Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (C), Deforestation (commercial) (C), Forest grazing (C), Recreation/tourism (B), Selective logging/cutting (C) ■ Protection status National Partial International None 18,600 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Kamsko-Iksky, 18,600 ha). Arski fish-ponds A1, B1i 189 ■ Conservation issues Admin region Tatarstan Republic Coordinates 56°05’N 49°50’E Threats Construction/impact of dyke/dam/barrage (A), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Altitude 60–80 m Area 1,000 ha

■ Site description Bulgarski A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 191 A system of man-made fish-ponds located to the east of the town of Admin region Tatarstan Republic Arsk. Coordinates 55°00’N 49°10’E Habitats Scrub (10%; scrub), Grassland (20%; humid grassland), Wetland (55%; Altitude 76–100 m Area 25,000 ha standing fresh water), Artificial landscape (15%; highly improved reseeded grassland) Land-use Agriculture (45%), Fisheries/aquaculture (55%) ■ Site description A shallow part of Kuybyshev reservoir and its islands, near the village ■ Birds of Bulgar. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Forest and woodland (20%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Anser erythropus P 1995 200 300 A A1, B1i Scrub (10%), Grassland (45%; humid grassland), Wetland (25%; standing fresh water) Lesser White-fronted Goose Land-use Agriculture (60%), Forestry (20%), Military (3%), Tourism/recreation (17%), Water Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1994 300 500 A B1i management Although the site is of rather small extent, geese Anser stage in the area during migration in significant numbers, especially the globally ■ Birds threatened Anser erythropus, and 4,700–11,600 ducks also congregate Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria here on spring migration. Anser erythropus P 1990 10 20,000 B A1, A4i, B1i Lesser White-fronted Goose ■ Protection status Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1995 500 3,000 A B1i National None International None Anas penelope Wigeon P 1989 10,000 70,000 A A4i, B1i Anas crecca Teal P 1989 4,000 10,000 A B1i ■ Conservation issues Aythya marila Scaup P 1989 1,000 40,000 A A4i, B1i Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle P 1991 10 15 A A1 Threats Unsustainable exploitation (C) Gallinago media Great Snipe P 1994 100 150 B A1 Bird counts take place on a regular basis. Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1990 50 150 A B2 Sterna albifrons Little Tern P 1990 500 1,000 A A4i, B1i An important stop-over site for migrating waterbirds, holding 20,000 or more on a regular basis, especially wildfowl. Kamsko-Ikski area A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 190 Admin region Tatarstan Republic ■ Protection status Coordinates 55°40’N 53°50’E National Low International None Altitude 62–62 m Area 100,000 ha 50 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Ostrov Spassk, 50 ha).

■ Site description ■ Conservation issues Large areas of flood-plain with many lakes and meanders, covered by Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (B), Disturbance to birds (C), aquatic vegetation and wet forest. Unsustainable exploitation (C) Habitats Forest and woodland (native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Scrub The Bulgarsky Historical-Natural Complex lies adjacent to the site. (20%; scrub), Grassland (41%; humid grassland), Wetland (39%; standing fresh water) Land-use Agriculture (60%), Fisheries/aquaculture (39%), Nature conservation/research (5%)

Cheremshanski forest A1, B2 192 ■ Birds Admin region Tatarstan Republic, Ul’yanovsk Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 54°30’N 50°05’E Anser erythropus P 1988 10 20 A A1 Altitude 50–150 m Area 100,000 ha Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1988 100 300 B B1i Anas strepera Gadwall B 1989 1,000 5,000 A A4i, B1i, B2 ■ Site description Anas strepera Gadwall P 1989 1,000 10,000 A A4i, B1i A large tract of forest surrounded by cultivated land and permanent Anas crecca Teal B 1989 2,000 10,000 A A4i, B1i pasture.

645 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Protection status Habitats Forest and woodland (65%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous National None International None forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (20%; humid grassland; There is no up-to-date information. mesophile grassland), Artificial landscape (15%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Land-use Agriculture (30%), Forestry (65%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) ■ Conservation issues Threats Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C) ■ Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 5 10 B A1, B2 Racheyski forest A1, B2, B3 195 An important site for breeding Aquila heliaca. Admin region Samara Coordinates 53°25’N 48°15’E ■ Protection status Altitude 200–315 m Area 40,100 ha National None International None There is no up-to-date information. ■ Site description ■ Conservation issues Forested hills surrounded by agricultural land, on the boundary between the Samara and Ul’yanovsk regions. Threats Disturbance to birds (C), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Wetland (3%; river/stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (47%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Zhigulevsk Nature Reserve A1, B2, B3 193 Land-use Agriculture (40%), Forestry (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (10%) Admin region Samara Coordinates 53°15’N 49°45’E ■ Birds Altitude 28–375 m Area 23,140 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 400 600 B A1, B2 ■ Site description Columba oenas Stock Dove B 1997 40 100 B B3 The site is located on the shore of the River Volga, and is dissected by Jynx torquilla Wryneck B 1997 800 1,000 B B2 gorges and ravines. Lullula arborea Woodlark B 1997 100 200 B B2 Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart B 1997 400 1,000 B B2 Habitats Forest and woodland (94%) Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush B 1997 1,200 1,800 B B3 Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher B 1997 3,000 10,000 B B2 Carduelis chloris Greenfinch B 1997 800 1,800 B B3 ■ Birds Important numbers of Crex crex breed, and several species of forest/ woodland are particularly common. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1996 10 15 A A1 ■ Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 40 40 — A1 Protection status Jynx torquilla Wryneck B 1996 200 500 — B2 National High International None Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale B 1996 1,600 1,600 A B3 40,100 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Staro-Racheiskiy, Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart B 1996 700 1,600 — B2 40,100 ha). Turdus philomelos Song Thrush B 1996 6,000 6,000 — B3 Sylvia borin Garden Warbler B 1996 2,500 5,000 — B3 ■ Conservation issues Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher B 1996 5,000 10,000 — B3 Parus caeruleus Blue Tit B 1996 3,000 3,000 — B3 Threats Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B), Other (B) Carduelis chloris Greenfinch B 1996 400 2,000 — B3 Damage is caused to tree-trunks by the collection of sap (‘Other’ Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting B 1996 100 100 — B2 threat). The area supports significant numbers of breeding birds of forest and forest-steppe habitats. Haliaeetus albicilla winters in important numbers, but also breeds in the area (3–4 pairs). Suskanski Nature Reserve A1, A4i, B1i 196 Admin region Samara ■ Protection status Coordinates 53°45’N 49°15’E National High International None Altitude 48–89 m Area 40,500 ha 23,140 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Zhigulevskiy, 23,140 ha).

■ Site description The area includes stretches of shallow water along the shore of the A1, B2 Tashlinski forest 194 Kuybyshev reservoir. Admin region Samara Coordinates 53°47’N 49°40’E Habitats Forest and woodland (5%; broadleaved deciduous forest), Wetland (28%; Altitude 100–150 m Area 1,000 ha mudflat/sandflat; standing fresh water), Artificial landscape (66%; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves) Land-use Agriculture (65%), Fisheries/aquaculture (27%), Forestry (5%), Hunting (70%), ■ Site description Nature conservation/research (19%) A small forest surrounded by primary steppe, in the north-west of the Samara region. ■ Birds Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest), Grassland (10%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Land-use Agriculture (10%), Forestry (90%) Anser anser Greylag Goose P 1996 15 2,000 — B1i Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle W 1996 42 42 — A1 Vanellus vanellus Lapwing P 1996 180,000 — — A4i, B1i ■ Birds Haliaeetus albicilla, of global conservation concern, winters in Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria significant numbers, with 1–2 pairs also breeding. Several species Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 2 2 A A1, B2 occur in large numbers on passage, most importantly Vanellus An important site for breeding Aquila heliaca. vanellus.

646 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Protection status ■ Birds National High International None Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria 40,500 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Suskansky, 40,500 ha). Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1994 5 — A A1 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1994 1 3 A A1 ■ Conservation issues Crex crex Corncrake B 1994 24 — A A1 Threats Dredging/canalization (A) Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1994 30 — A A1 Acrocephalus paludicola Aquatic Warbler B 1994 9 — A A1, B2

Five species of global conservation concern breed, including three globally threatened species. Buzulukski forest A1, B2, B3 197 Admin region Samara, Orenburg ■ Protection status Coordinates 53°00’N 52°00’E National Partial International None Altitude 48–219 m Area 111,210 ha 10,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Bereznikovskiy, 13,000 ha).

■ Site description ■ Conservation issues One of the largest tracts of pine Pinus forest in the steppe zone of Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable southern European Russia, located on the border between the Samara exploitation (A) and Orenburg regions.

Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Wetland (10%; river/ stream; fen/transition mire/spring), Artificial landscape (10%; arable land; other Verkhnevisherski A3, B2, B3 199 urban/industrial areas) mountain Land-use Agriculture (4%), Forestry (90%), Not utilized (4%), Urban/industrial/ Admin region Perm transport (3%) Coordinates 61°10’N 59°00’E Altitude 252–1,469 m Area 180,000 ha ■ Birds ■ Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Site description Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 2 5 C A1, B2 A forested mountain with alpine grassland and tundra-like habitat on Crex crex Corncrake B 1997 100 200 B A1 the summit. Columba oenas Stock Dove B 1997 100 200 B B3 Habitats Forest and woodland (70%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland Columba palumbus Woodpigeon B 1997 800 1,000 B B3 Otus scops Scops Owl B 1997 50 100 C B2 (25%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland) Strix aluco Tawny Owl R 1997 100 200 B B3 Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) Lullula arborea Woodlark B 1997 450 500 B B2 Luscinia luscinia Thrush Nightingale B 1997 1,500 2,000 B B3 ■ Turdus philomelos Song Thrush B 1997 2,500 3,000 B B3 Birds Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush B 1997 2,500 2,700 B B3 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler B 1997 1,500 1,700 B B3 Mergus albellus Smew B 1990 10 — A A3 Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler B 1997 1,500 1,800 B B3 Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover B 1990 200 — A B3 Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler B 1997 9,000 10,000 B B3 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1990 200 — A A3 Sylvia borin Garden Warbler B 1997 17,000 18,000 B B3 Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1990 20 — A A3 Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher B 1997 20,000 21,000 B B2 Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1990 30 — A A3 Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher B 1997 20,000 22,000 B B3 Prunella atrogularis B 1990 50 — A B2 Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike B 1997 300 1,000 C B2 Black-throated Accentor Carduelis chloris Greenfinch B 1997 5,000 6,000 B B3 Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1990 100 — — A3 Emberiza hortulana Ortolan Bunting B 1997 50 100 C B2 Parus cinctus Siberian Tit B 1990 Abundant — A3 Breeding birds include two globally threatened species and many Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1990 Abundant — A3 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1990 Abundant — A3 species of European conservation concern, in significant numbers. Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1990 Abundant — A3 Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak B 1990 100 — A A3 ■ Protection status National High International None Breeding species include 10 of the 15 species in Europe that are 111,210 ha of IBA covered by unknown type of protected area restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding). (Buzulukskiy Bor, 111,210 ha). ■ Protection status ■ Conservation issues National High International Partial 180,000 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Visherskiy, 241,200 ha). Threats Groundwater abstraction (A), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C)

Kumikushski wetland A1, A3, A4iii 200 Admin region Perm Kamsko-Yayvenski wetland A1, B2 198 Coordinates 60°20’N 55°15’E Admin region Perm Altitude 124–131 m Area 80,000 ha Coordinates 59°10’N 56°20’E Altitude 108–122 m Area 35,000 ha ■ Site description Open bogs and mires with a system of lakes. ■ Site description Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; mixed forest), Wetland (83%; standing fresh water; An area of bogs and very wet forest along the eastern shore of the river/stream; raised bog; water-fringe vegetation; fen/transition mire/spring) Kamskoye reservoir. Land-use Forestry Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland (2%; humid grassland), Wetland (58%; standing fresh water; raised bog) ■ Birds Land-use Fisheries/aquaculture (10%), Hunting (10%), Nature conservation/research (30%), Breeding species include three species of global conservation Water management (50%) concern, as well as 10 of the 15 species in Europe that are restricted to

647 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia the boreal biome when breeding (no counts of abundance have been ≥ Khvarkush and A1, A4i, B1i, B2, B3 202 made). Significant proportion ( 1%) of national population breeding Zolotoy Kamen’ ridges at site: Aquila chrysaetos (2 pairs). A good variety of waterbirds either Admin region Perm breed or occur on passage, with more than 20,000 staging in the area Coordinates 60°15’N 58°35’E during migration. Altitude 332–1,066 m Area 130,000 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1995 5 — A A1 ■ Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 30 50 B A1 Site description Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe B 1995 — — — A3 Two forested ridges in the mountainous part of the Perm region. Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 50 — A A1 Typical boreal montane habitats with spruce Picea forests at lower Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1995 — — — A3 altitudes and treeline ecotone, alpine grassland and tundra-like habitat Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1995 — — — A3 on the ridge-tops. Human activities include reindeer-herding. Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1995 Common — A3 Parus cinctus Siberian Tit B 1995 Common — A3 Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; treeline Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1995 Common — A3 ecotone), Grassland (60%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland) Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1995 Common — A3 Land-use Agriculture (60%), Forestry (40%) Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1995 — — — A3 Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak B 1995 — — — A3 ■ Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1995 — — — A3 Birds Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Protection status Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1995 2 2 — A1 Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover B 1995 — 200 — B3 National High International None Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 — 100 — A1, A4i, B1i 78,400 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Pernaty, 78,400 ha). Picoides tridactylus R 1995 — 100 — B2 Three-toed Woodpecker ■ Conservation issues Two species of global conservation concern breed here in important Threats Drainage (A), Extraction industry (A), Filling-in of wetlands (A), Intensified forest numbers, but data on species and numbers for the site as a whole are management (A), Recreation/tourism (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) incomplete, and further surveys are needed. Data on individual bird species are incomplete, and further surveys are required. ■ Protection status National Partial International None 23,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Khrebet Kvarkush, 23,000 ha). Adovo-Chugrumski A1, A3, B2 201 wetland Admin region Perm Nizhnekamskaya A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 203 Coordinates 60°15’N 53°05’E flood-plain Altitude 158–204 m Area 21,000 ha Admin region Perm, Udmurtia Republic Coordinates 56°45’N 53°50’E Altitude 77–100 m Area 8,000 ha ■ Site description Two extensive raised bogs with a large lake, Adovo, in the southern part of the area. ■ Site description A narrow strip of wet forest along the Kama river, situated on the Habitats Forest and woodland (10%; native coniferous forest), Wetland (90%; standing border between the Udmurtia Republic and the Perm region. fresh water; raised bog) Land-use Forestry (10%), Nature conservation/research (90%) Habitats Forest and woodland (60%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (30%; humid grassland), Wetland (10%; fen/transition mire/spring) ■ Birds Land-use Forestry Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Podiceps auritus Slavonian Grebe B 1995 5 10 — A3 ■ Birds Mergus albellus Smew B 1995 — — — A3 Aquila chrysaetos Golden Eagle R 1993 4 6 A B2 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Lymnocryptes minimus Jack Snipe B 1995 100 200 — A3 Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Eagle B 1991 5 — — A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1995 40 60 — A1 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 95 — — A1 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1995 80 85 — A3 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 75 — — A1 Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1995 1 2 — A3 Larus minutus Little Gull B 1996 450 — — A4i, B1i, B2 Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1995 2 5 — A3 Sterna albifrons Little Tern B 1991 200 — — A4i, B1i Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1995 2,000 — — A3 Chlidonias leucopterus B 1996 800 — — A4i, B1i Parus cinctus Siberian Tit R 1995 100 800 — A3 White-winged Black Tern Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay R 1995 10 20 — A3 1 Acrocephalus paludicola B 1996 10 — — A1, B2 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1995 400 500 — A3 Aquatic Warbler Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill R 1995 — 10 — A3 1. Singing males. Loxia pytyopsittacus Parrot Crossbill R 1995 — — — A3 Pinicola enucleator Pine Grosbeak R 1995 — — — A3 Four species of global conservation concern breed within the IBA, Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1995 1,500 1,500 — A3 two of which are globally threatened, as well as three species of gull/ tern in important numbers. The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds Breeding species include 14 of the 15 species in Europe that are during spring migration, on a regular basis. restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding). ■ Protection status ■ Protection status National None International None National High International None 21,000 ha of IBA covered by Zakaznik (Ozero Adovo, 111,000 ha). ■ Conservation issues Threats Deforestation (commercial) (A), Disturbance to birds (A), Drainage (A), ■ Conservation issues Extraction industry (A), Forest grazing (A), Intensified forest management (A), Recreation/ Threats Intensified forest management (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) tourism (A)

648 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds Bashkirski Nature Reserve A1, B2 204 Admin region Bashkortostan Republic Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 53°22’N 57°52’E Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 4 5 B A1, B2 Altitude — Area 49,609 ha An important area for breeding Aquila heliaca.

■ Site description ■ Protection status A forested massif in the southern . The forest is National None International None dominated by Pinus, Larix and Betula, and there are also some areas There is no up-to-date information. of forest-steppe. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (76%; native coniferous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (23%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland) Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Disturbance to birds (C) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%)

■ Birds Nikiforovski forest A1, B2 207 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region Bashkortostan Republic Crex crex Corncrake B 1995 100 150 — A1 Coordinates 53°53’N 54°45’E Picoides tridactylus B 1995 100 100 — B2 Altitude 100–300 m Area 20,000 ha Three-toed Woodpecker

Important numbers of Crex crex breed in the forest-steppe zone. ■ Site description Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA An extensive area of unbroken forest, located north-west from the criteria: Aquila heliaca (1 pair). Significant proportion (≥1%) of town of Sterlitamak in the forest-steppe zone. national population breeding at site: Aquila chrysaetos (2–3 pairs). Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (30%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Artificial ■ Protection status landscape (20%; arable land; other urban/industrial areas) National High International None Land-use Agriculture (45%), Forestry (50%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) 49,609 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Bashkirsky, 49,609 ha).

■ Birds Octyabr’ski forest A1, B2 205 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region Bashkortostan Republic Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 2 3 B A1, B2 Coordinates 54°23’N 53°40’E An important area for breeding Aquila heliaca. Altitude 100–350 m Area 50,000 ha ■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None A large forest in the forest-steppe zone, located in the extensive agricultural lands in the south-west of the Bashkortostan Republic. ■ Conservation issues Habitats Forest and woodland (65%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable exploitation (C) forest; mixed forest), Grassland (20%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland; mesophile grassland), Artificial landscape (15%; arable land; urban parks/gardens) Land-use Agriculture (30%), Forestry (65%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) Watershed of Bel’skaya A1, B2 208 and Nugush rivers ■ Birds Admin region Bashkortostan Republic Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Coordinates 53°05’N 57°00’E Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 2 5 C A1, B2 Altitude 297–1,040 m Area 150,000 ha An important area for breeding Aquila heliaca. ■ Site description ■ Protection status The IBA covers the watershed between the Bel’skaya and Nugush National None International None rivers. Habitats include mountain ridges and rocky river-shores.

Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; broadleaved deciduous forest; native coniferous ■ Conservation issues forest; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest; wooded steppe), Grassland (7%; humid Threats Selective logging/cutting (C), Unsustainable exploitation (B) grassland; mesophile grassland), Wetland (3%) Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) There is no precise information regarding the protection status of the area. ■ Birds

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Mountain valley of Sakmara river A1, B2 206 Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1996 3 — A A1 Admin region Bashkortostan Republic Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 2 — A A1, B2 Coordinates 51°55’N 57°37’E Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 500 600 A A1, B2 Altitude 250–500 m Area 5,000 ha Otus scops Scops Owl B 1996 10,000 — A B2 Two globally threatened eagles Aquila breed in important numbers, ■ Site description as does Crex crex locally in wet grassland along the two rivers. Areas of broadleaved forest with patches of steppe and scrub, within the valley of the Sakmara river. ■ Protection status National High International None Habitats Forest and woodland (40%; broadleaved deciduous forest; mixed forest), Scrub (20%; Part of IBA covered by National Park (Bashkiriya, 98,000 ha). Part scrub), Grassland (35%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (5%; arable land) of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Shulgan Tash, 22,531 ha). Part of Land-use Agriculture (40%), Forestry (60%) IBA covered by regional Zakaznik (Altyn-Solok).

649 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Conservation issues Breeding species include three species of global conservation concern (two of which are globally threatened), as well as eight of the 15 species Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (C), Deforestation (commercial) (A), in Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding). The Disturbance to birds (B), Forest grazing (B) avifauna contains west Siberian species, of biogeographical interest, Bird data are incomplete, and further surveys are required. e.g. Prunella atrogularis.

■ Protection status National Partial International None Bel’skaya flood-plain A1, A4i, B1i, B2 209 100,000 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Yuzhno–Uralskiy, Admin region Bashkortostan Republic 254,914 ha). Coordinates 55°05’N 55°45’E Altitude 80–203 m Area 42,800 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Infrastructure (A) ■ Site description The valley flood-plain of the Bel’skaya river, to the north-west of the town of Ufa. Habitats consists primarily of wet grasslands, wet forest and numerous oxbow lakes. Iremel’ski mountain A1, A3, B2 211 Habitats Forest and woodland (50%; mixed forest; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland Admin region Bashkortostan Republic, Chelyabinsk (10%; humid grassland), Wetland (25%; standing fresh water; fen/transition mire/spring), Coordinates 54°30’N 59°00’E Artificial landscape (15%; arable land; perennial crops/orchards/groves) Altitude 612–1,582 m Area 90,000 ha Land-use Agriculture, Forestry ■ Site description ■ Birds The IBA is located in a mountainous part of the Bashkortostan Republic, Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria to the south-east of the village of Meseda, near to the border with the Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1994 14 — A A1, B2 Chelyabinsk region. Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle B 1994 6 — A A1 Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland Crex crex Corncrake B 1994 100 — A A1 (10%; alpine/subalpine/boreal grassland) Grus grus Crane P 1994 1,000 2,000 A A4i, B1i Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1994 50 — A A1 Land-use Forestry (20%), Tourism/recreation (80%) Acrocephalus paludicola B 1994 12 — A A1, B2 Aquatic Warbler ■ Birds Five species of global conservation concern breed, including three Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria globally threatened species. The area attracts large numbers of Grus Mergus albellus Smew B 1996 5 — — A3 grus on passage. Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 2 — A A1, B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 20 — A A1 ■ Protection status Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 20 — A A1 National None International None Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1996 18 — — A3 Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1996 2 — — A3 ■ Conservation issues Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1996 5 — — A3 Prunella atrogularis B 1996 20 — — B2 Threats Disturbance to birds (B), Drainage (A), Extraction industry (A), Industrialization/ Black-throated Accentor urbanization (A), Infrastructure (A), Recreation/tourism (B), Unsustainable exploitation (B) Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1996 Common — A3 Conservation measures should be taken to protect the site. Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1996 Common — A3 Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B 1996 Common — A3 Loxia leucoptera Two-barred Crossbill B 1996 Common — A3 Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B 1996 Common — A3 Yamantau mountain A1, A3, B2 210 Breeding species include three species of global conservation concern Admin region Bashkortostan Republic (two of which are globally threatened), and nine of the 15 species in Coordinates 54°20’N 58°15’E Europe that are restricted to the boreal biome (when breeding). Altitude 554–1,640 m Area 120,000 ha ■ Protection status ■ Site description National None International None A typical example of taiga forest, covering several high mountain- ridges dissected by the upper reaches of various rivers, located to the ■ Conservation issues north-east of the town of Inzer. Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Infrastructure (A), Recreation/tourism (A) Habitats Forest and woodland (90%; native coniferous forest; mixed forest), Grassland A project is underway to establish a National Park here. Available (10%; dry siliceous grassland) bird data are incomplete and more survey work is required. Land-use Nature conservation/research (90%), Unknown (10%)

■ Birds Irendyk ridge A1, A4i, A4iv, B1i, B1iv, B2 212 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Admin region Bashkortostan Republic Mergus albellus Smew B 1996 4 — A A3 Coordinates 53°20’N 58°30’E Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1996 2 — A A1, B2 Altitude 416–1,118 m Area 150,000 ha Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 20 — A A1 Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 20 — A A1 Tringa nebularia Greenshank B 1996 25 — A A3 ■ Site description Surnia ulula Hawk Owl R 1996 5 — A A3 Strix nebulosa Great Grey Owl R 1996 10 — A A3 A narrow forested mountain ridge, 10–20 km in length and surrounded Prunella atrogularis B 1996 30 — A B2 by steppe. Black-throated Accentor Habitats Forest and woodland (80%), Grassland (20%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; Phylloscopus borealis Arctic Warbler B 1996 150 — A A3 Perisoreus infaustus Siberian Jay B 1996 25 — A A3 humid grassland) Fringilla montifringilla Brambling B — — — — A3 Land-use Agriculture (60%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (40%), Urban/ Emberiza rustica Rustic Bunting B — — — — A3 industrial/transport (5%)

650 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

■ Birds ■ Protection status Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria National None International None Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1996 50 100 A A1, B2 There is no up-to-date information. Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel B 1996 2 10 B A1, B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 300 — A A1 ■ Conservation issues Glareola nordmanni B 1996 12 — A A1 Black-winged Pratincole Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Unsustainable Gallinago media Great Snipe B 1996 100 — A A1, A4i, B1i exploitation (B) Otus scops Scops Owl B 1996 7,000 7,000 A B2 Five species of global conservation concern breed within the IBA. The ridge is a major migratory bottleneck site for more than 20,000 raptors, Kupy area A4iii, B1i 215 which breed mainly in western . Admin region Orenburg Coordinates 51°14’N 53°46’E ■ Protection status Altitude 70–85 m Area 2,000 ha National None International None

■ Conservation issues ■ Site description Meadows on the flood-plain of the Ilek river, in the south-east of the Threats Agricultural intensification/expansion (A), Disturbance to birds (B), Intensified Orenburg region near the border with Kazakhstan. forest management (A) Habitats Forest and woodland (6%; alluvial/very wet forest), Grassland (79%; steppe/dry A nature park is in the process of being established at the site. calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (15%; sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; river/stream; water-fringe vegetation) Land-use Agriculture (80%), Fisheries/aquaculture (5%), Forestry (6%), Water Maly Nakas ridge A1, B2 213 management (8%) Admin region Bashkortostan Republic, Orenburg Coordinates 52°35’N 56°15’E ■ Birds Altitude 335–667 m Area 50,000 ha Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Anas penelope Wigeon P 1997 8,000 10,000 B B1i ■ Site description The IBA is situated on the border between the Bashkortostan Republic The site supports 20,000 or more migrating waterbirds on a regular and the Orenburg region, and contains oak-pine (Quercus-Pinus) forests. basis, involving more than 50 species, with Anas penelope occurring in important numbers. Breeding species of global conservation concern Habitats Forest and woodland (80%; broadleaved deciduous forest), Grassland (20%; that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1–2 pairs), Circus steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland) macrourus (4–5 pairs). Land-use Agriculture (35%), Forestry (60%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) ■ Protection status ■ Birds National None International None

Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria ■ Conservation issues Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1996 15 — A A1, B2 Crex crex Corncrake B 1996 40 40 — A1 Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Firewood collection (B), Selective logging/cutting (B), Otus scops Scops Owl B 1996 3,000 — A B2 Unsustainable exploitation (A) Significant numbers of two species of global conservation concern breed in the area. Kulaksay lowland A1, A3, A4i, B1i, B2 216 ■ Protection status Admin region Orenburg National None International None Coordinates 50°44’N 55°50’E Altitude 140–150 m Area 5,000 ha ■ Conservation issues Threats Forest grazing (A), Infrastructure (A), Intensified forest management (A) ■ Site description It has been suggested that a regional Zakaznik be created here. This area lies on a flyway used by geese Anser/Branta on spring migration, a route known about for more than 100 years, lying to the south-east of the town of Akbulak. Steppe valley of Sakmara river A1, B2 214 Habitats Forest and woodland (3%; broadleaved deciduous forest), Scrub (1%; scrub), Admin region Orenburg Grassland (75%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (20%; Coordinates 51°32’N 56°55’E sand-dunes/sand beach; standing fresh water; river/stream), Artificial landscape (1%) Altitude 200–300 m Area 75,000 ha Land-use Agriculture (75%), Fisheries/aquaculture (7%), Forestry (3%), Hunting (90%), Nature conservation/research (3%) ■ Site description A forest-steppe landscape, about half of which remains relatively ■ Birds natural, the other half having been converted to cultivated land. Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Habitats Forest and woodland (15%; broadleaved deciduous forest; alluvial/very wet Anser erythropus P 1997 200 350 C A1, B1i Lesser White-fronted Goose forest), Grassland (35%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland), Artificial landscape (50%; Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1997 2,430 — B A1, A4i, B1i arable land; other urban/industrial areas) Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1997 — 10 A A1, A3, B2 Land-use Agriculture (80%), Forestry (15%), Urban/industrial/transport (5%) Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel P 1997 60 100 B A1 Chettusia gregaria Sociable Plover B 1997 — 5 C A3 ■ Birds Five species of global conservation concern occur in important numbers. Three of the four are globally threatened, staging in the area Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria during migration, while Chettusia gregaria and Circus macrourus breed Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1997 4 10 B A1, B2 (both restricted to the Eurasian steppe biome when breeding). Breeding An important site for breeding Aquila heliaca. species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:

651 Important Bird Areas in Europe – Russia

Haliaeetus albicilla, Crex crex (10–15 pairs), Tetrax tetrax (8–10 pairs), all in highly significant numbers. Vast numbers of Anser albifrons and Otis tarda (no data). (more than 200,000) also occur on passage. Further research on the spring and autumn migrations is required. ■ Protection status National Low International None ■ Protection status Some of the forest is protected, but no more information is available National None International None currently. ■ Conservation issues ■ Conservation issues Threats Abandonment/reduction of land management (A), Aquaculture/fisheries (B), Threats Disturbance to birds (A), Selective logging/cutting (B), Unsustainable Disturbance to birds (A), Unsustainable exploitation (A) exploitation (A) There is a special limitation on spring hunting. Orenburgski Nature Reserve A1, A3, B2 218 Admin region Orenburg Shalkaro–Zhetykolski A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2 217 Coordinates 51°15’N 57°20’E lake system Altitude 90–200 m Area 21,600 ha Admin region Orenburg Coordinates 50°55’N 60°50’E ■ Site description Altitude 320–370 m Area 81,250 ha The area consists of several isolated expanses of undulating steppe, including four sections of the Orenburgski Nature Reserve which ■ Site description contain large patches of primary grassland steppe. A large system of lakes in the steppe zone of the eastern Orenburg Habitats Grassland (90%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland) region, near to the border with Kazakhstan. Land-use Nature conservation/research (100%) Habitats Grassland (80%; steppe/dry calcareous grassland; humid grassland), Wetland (20%; standing fresh water), Artificial landscape (30%; arable land) ■ Birds Land-use Agriculture (65%), Not utilized (9%), Other (25%) Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle B 1990 — 6 C A1, A3, B2 ■ Birds 1 Tetrax tetrax Little Bustard B 1990 — 43 C A1 Species Season Year Pop min Pop max Acc Criteria Melanocorypha yeltoniensis B 1990 4,000 12,000 C A3, B2 Black Lark Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelican B 1996 — 13 — A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Calandrella brachydactyla B 1990 2,000 7,000 C B2 Anser albifrons White-fronted Goose P 1996 200,000 300,000 B A4i, B1i Short-toed Lark Anser erythropus P 1996 500 1,500 B A1, A4i, B1i Alauda arvensis Skylark B 1990 11,000 30,000 C B2 Lesser White-fronted Goose 1. Breeding individuals. Anser anser Greylag Goose B 1996 100 — — B1i Anser anser Greylag Goose N 1996 1,000 1,500 — B1i An important breeding area for two globally threatened species, with Branta ruficollis Red-breasted Goose P 1996 10,000 15,000 A A1, A4i, B1i significant numbers of three lark species also present (including one Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier B 1996 10 100 B A1, B2 that is restricted to the Eurasian steppe biome when breeding). Glareola nordmanni B 1996 100 150 B A1, A4i, B1i, B2 Black-winged Pratincole ■ Protection status A very important area for species of global conservation concern. National High International None Three such species breed while two others stage here during migration, 21,600 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Orenburgskiy, 21,653 ha).

REFERENCES

BLAGOVIDOV, A., CHEBAKOVA, I. AND WILLIAMS, M. (1995) Immediate action KRIVENKO, V. G., ED. (1998) [Wetlands in Russia, Vol. 1 (Wetlands of plan for the protected-area system of Russia (priorities for investment). international importance)]. Moscow: Wetlands International (Publication Washington, DC: World Bank/GEF. No. 47). (In Russian.) GALUSHIN, V. M. AND ZUBAKIN, V. A. (1998) Research priorities for bird LANGEVELD, M. J. AND GRIMMETT, R. F. A. (1990) Important Bird Areas in conservation in Russia. Pp. 355–366 in J. M. Marzluff and R. Sallabanks, Europe: wetlands for the shadow list of Ramsar sites. Cambridge, UK: eds. Avian conservation. Research and management. Washington, DC: Island International Council for Bird Preservation/Slimbridge, UK: International Press. Wildfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau. GANUSEVYCH, S. A. (1983) [On the composition and distribution of raptors SKOKOVA, N. N. AND VINOGRADOV, V. G., EDS. (1988) [Conservation of on the Kola Peninsula.] Ecology of raptors. Moscow. (In Russian.) waterbird sites.] Moscow. (In Russian.) GANUSEVYCH, S. A. (1988) [Raptors of the Kola Peninsula.] Ornithology Res. SOBOLEV, N. A., SHVARTS, E. A., KREINDLIN, M. L., MOKIEVSKI. V. O. AND 23: 73–80. (In Russian). ZUBAKIN, V. A. (1995) Russia’s protected areas: a survey and identification GRIMMETT, R. F. A. AND JONES, T. A., EDS. (1989) Important bird areas in of development problems. Biodiversity and Conservation 4: 964–983. Europe. Cambridge, UK: International Council for Bird Preservation STATTERSFIELD, A. J., CROSBY, M. J., LONG, A. J. AND WEGE, D. C. (1998) (Techn. Publ. no. 3). Endemic Bird Areas of the World: priorities for biodiversity conservation. HEATH, M. F. AND BORGGREVE, C. (2000) BirdLife International/EBCC Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series European Bird Database 1998. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. no. 7). IUCN (1994) Guidelines for protected area management categories. Gland, TUCKER, G. M. AND HEATH, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK: International Union for the status. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Series no. 3). KALABIN, G. V., ED. (1992) [Special protected areas in the Murmansk region.] VOLKOV, A. E., ED. (1996) Strict Nature Reserves (Zapovedniki) of Russia. Apatity. (In Russian.) Collection of ‘Chronicle of Nature’ data for 1991–1992. Moscow: KRIVENKO, V. G. (1995) Inventory of wetlands of international importance in Sabashnikov. the Russian Federation. Final report 1994–1995. Ministry of Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Russian Federation. Centre for International Projects. (Unpublished.)

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