TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

ABOUT THE GROUP

The Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group (formerly Threatened Waterfowl Research Group) was established in October 1990 and is co-ordinated from The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, UK, as part of the IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Waterbird Network. The TWSG and its bulletin aim to identify taxa that are threatened with extinction, to gather and exchange information on these taxa and to promote their conservation. We also cover other waterbird families not covered by other Specialist Groups (Anhimidae, Heliornithidae, non-marine Laridae). Membership is worldwide and includes 880 organisations, groups and individuals who are active or interested in threatened waterfowl research and conservation. Addresses of TWSG members, further information about the TWSG, this bulletin, and/or membership can be obtained from Baz Hughes at the address TWSG NEWS below.

The bulletin Regional Chair for North America Chair Dr. Tom Rothe of the Dr. Baz Hughes Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 333 Raspberry Road Slimbridge Anchorage THREATENED WATERFOWL SPECIALIST GROUP Glos. GL2 7BT, UK Alaska 99518-1599, USA Tel: +44 1453 8901916 Tel: +1 907 267 2206 Fax: +44 1453 890 827 Fax: +1 907 267 2433 [email protected] [email protected]

Regional Assistant Chair for Regional Chair for Africa, Oceania Eurasia, Middle-East Dr. Murray Williams Dr. Andy Green Department of Conservation Estación Biológica de Doñana P.O. Box 10-420 Avenida María Luisa s/n Wellington, New Zealand Pabellón del Perú Tel: +65 4 471 0726 41013 Sevilla, Spain Fax: +65 4 471 3279 Tel: +34 5 4232340 [email protected] Fax: +34 5 4621125 [email protected]

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

circulate a message to the Forum, send it to: . When submitting [email protected] information please note that we may include such items in future issues of TWSG News. No. 13, December 2001

TWSG Web Site: http://www.wwt.org.uk/threatsp/twsg/

This issue of TWSG News was edited by Baz Hughes with assistance from John Fullard. Illustrations from the WWT image library are by Joe Blossom, Mark Hulme, Paul Johnsgard, Libby Millington, Peter Scott and Helen Shackleton and Baz Stewart. TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

EDITORIAL THREATENED WATERFOWL SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES

Since the last issue of TWSG News 16 months ago, our membership has grown from 735 In the following list of globally threatened and near threatened Anseriformes species and contacts in 115 countries to 880 in 137 countries. This has followed two rounds of strategic subspecies, species categorisations follow the 2000 Red List (BirdLife International 2000) invitations, to known threatened waterfowl conservationists who were not already TWSG whilst sub-species were categorised during the compilation of the IUCN-SSC Anseriformes members, and to all BirdLife International Partners, Partner-Designates and Representatives. Action Plan (still in draft form but due to be completed in 2002). The TWSG would welcome During the same time, membership of the TWSG-Forum list-server has grown from 85 to comment on this list of threatened Anseriformes, especially notification of new data which 290. On the administrative front, we have finally taken the plunge and switched our may lead to re-categorisation of any taxa. databases to Microsoft software, however from the number of computer viruses I now receive (the joys of running a global list server!), we probably won’t be following suit with our e-mail client! SPECIES

We continue our efforts to provide information and assistance to threatened waterfowl conservationists worldwide, especially those in global hotspots for threatened waterfowl, such as South America, Eastern Europe, Far-east and South-east Asia. As part of the COMMON NAME LATIN NAME Wetlands International initiative to implement a target driven, objective-led approach to working, we have produced a work plan for the next three years outlining our forward strategy. This includes ongoing support for White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Ferruginous Duck, and White-winged Duck, and a major new initiative with BirdLife International to save EXTINCT SINCE A.D. 1600 the Brazilian Merganser. We will be working closely with BirdLife, Wetlands International and New Zealand Swan Cygnus sumnerensis the Ramsar Bureau on a project to identify key sites for threatened waterfowl and to provide Mauritius Sheldgoose Alopochen mauritania Ramsar Contracting Parties with guidance on designating such sites for threatened species. Réunion Island Sheldgoose Mascarenachen kervazoi We will also complete the IUCN Anseriformes Action Plan in 2002 (at last!). Chatham Island Shelduck Pachyanas chathamica Mauritius Duck Anas theodori Sincere thanks to TWSG Assistant Coordinators Andy Green, Murray Williams and Tom Amsterdam Island Duck Anas marecula Rothe who continue to provide much appreciated assistance and support. We also owe a Labrador Duck Camptorhynchus labradorius debt of gratitude to WWT volunteer Graham Lawton who has single-handedly rebuilt the Auckland Islands Merganser Mergus australis TWSG and WWT threatened species web sites (see http://www.wwt.org.uk/threatsp ). Finally, I would like to thank all contributors to this issue of TWSG News, without whom it CRITICALLY ENDANGERED simply would not exist. The participants of the workshop on White-headed Duck Crested Shelduck Tadorna cristata conservation and reintroduction held in Italy in May 2001 kindly allowed us to publish their Campbell Island Teal Anas nesiotis workshop contributions. Nancy Drilling continues her ground-breaking work on White-winged Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea Duck in Sumatra and we include important contributions on the status and distribution of Madagascar Pochard Aythya innotata threatened waterfowl from Africa, Eastern Europe, Russia and various CIS countries. Special Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus thanks to Stephen Garnett who allowed us to publish an extract from his action plan for Australian . ENDANGERED White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Very best wishes for 2002. Do get in touch if I can provide any advice or assistance. Swan Anser cygnoides White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata Baz Hughes Hawaiian Duck Anas wyvilliana Meller's Duck Anas melleri Madagascar Teal Anas bernieri Brown Teal Anas chlorotis

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SPECIES SUB-SPECIES

COMMON NAME LATIN NAME COMMON NAME LATIN NAME

VULNERABLE ENDANGERED West Indian Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arborea Madagascar White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus insularis Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus New Zealand Grey Duck Anas superciliosa superciliosa Hawaiian Goose Branta sandvicensis Tropical Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera tropica Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis Andaman Teal Anas gibberifrons albogularis Blue Duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos Galapagos Pintail Anas bahamensis galapagensis Salvadori's Duck Salvadorina waiguensis Crozet Islands Pintail Anas eatoni drygalskii Eaton's Pintail Anas eatoni Colombian Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis andina Laysan Duck Anas laysanensis Philippine Duck Anas luzonica VULNERABLE Auckland Island Teal Anas aucklandica Recherche Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea Baikal Teal Anas formosa Middendorf's Bean Goose Anser fabalis middendorffi Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris Thick-billed Bean Goose Anser fabalis serrirostris Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri Tule Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons gambelli Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus Dusky Canada Goose Branta canadensis occidentalis Peruvian Torrent Duck Merganetta armata leucogenis LOW RISK (NEAR THREATENED) Colombian Torrent Duck Merganetta armata colombiana Northern chavaria Australian Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis Emperor Goose Anser canagicus Merida Teal Anas andium altipetens Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus Kerguelen Pintail Anas eatoni eatoni Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata White-headed Steamer-duck Tachyeres leucocephalus LOW RISK (NEAR THREATENED) Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubi American Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotus sylvatica Bronze-winged Duck Anas specularis Florida Duck Anas fulvigula fulvigula Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Australian Black Duck Anas superciliosa rogersi Lesser Grey Duck Anas superciliosa pelewensis Andean Teal Anas andium andium SUB-SPECIES South Georgia Pintail Anas georgica georgica South American Pochard Netta erythropthalma EXTINCT SINCE A.D. (1600) Coue's Gadwall Anas strepera couesi Mariana Mallard Anas platyrhynchos oustaleti Rennell Island Grey Teal Anas gibberifrons remissa REFERENCES Chatham Island Teal Anas chlorotis ssp. nov. Niceforo's Pintail Anas georgica niceforo BirdLife International 2000. Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona and Cambridge, UK. CRITICALLY ENDANGERED Borrero's Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera borreroi TWSG. In prep. Global Action Plan for the Conservation of Anseriformes (Ducks, Geese, Swans and Screamers). IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

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NEWS ROUNDUP Through the Conservation Biology as critical habitat for the Steller's Eider Institute, I recently received funding from Polysticta stelleri , which have dwindled St. Louis Zoo and the World Nature substantially from an Alaska population Association to develop a two-year project that once may have numbered some 2000: A BOOM YEAR FOR REFERENCES to gather population and distribution thousands. David, R.E. & Hunter, J. 1994. Laysan THE LAYSAN DUCK information as well as basic natural Duck Anas laysanensis - population history data for Salvadori’s Duck. decline. TWSG News 6:3-4. Beginning in January 2002, we will The last wild population of Hawaii’s undertake an extensive survey of rivers in endemic Laysan Duck exists on Laysan Michelle Reynolds the central highlands of Papua New Island National Wildlife Refuge [email protected] Guinea, and a study of the basic biology (171°45’N, 25°45’E). The Laysan Duck of the species. Our results will allow us has the most restricted range of any duck to determine what impact human species, and is among the most highly SALVADORI’S DUCK activities have on the birds, and to threatened of birds. A three-year study of RESEARCH provide basic ecological data that can be the foraging behaviour, population status used in conservation and management. and the feasibility of re-establishing populations to additional Hawaiian islands Salvadori’s Duck is the sole endemic Sufficient funding for the first field is under way. Individual colour-marking, waterfowl species on the island of New season is in place and will be conducted intensive monitoring, and radio telemetry Guinea and one of only four duck species from January through May 2002. The Alaska population of the Spectacled techniques are used to monitor adapted to life on fast-flowing mountain However, additional funding is being Eider, believed to be suffering in part reproductive success. streams. Some of these rivers and the sought for the second season that will from lead poisoning, predation and over- watersheds that protect them are run from October 2002 through April hunting, was listed as threatened under Data from 2000 indicates the Laysan currently threatened by human activities, 2003. Names and contact information of the Endangered Species Act in 1993. The Duck had a very successful breeding such as mining and logging activities potential donors or other funding sources Steller's Eider was listed as threatened in season. Since the first brood sighting of known to degrade the water quality of would be greatly appreciated. 1997. The vast majority of the the year on 28 March, 111 broods were streams and lead to the loss of aquatic designated critical habitat is in areas produced. Although duckling mortality biodiversity. Salvadori’s Duck, which Nancy L. Staus already owned and managed by the was high, 76 juveniles are known to have primarily inhabits riverine habitats and [email protected] federal government. The new designation fledged. This is especially good news feeds on aquatic invertebrates, also may mandates that government actions must since the population was making such a be adversely affected by watershed not further harm the species. Conflicts slow recovery after the die-off in 1993 development activities. The species is between the protections and economic (David & Hunter 1994). In 1997, an El listed as Vulnerable by IUCN and ALASKA SEA DUCKS' activities are unlikely. There are concerns Niño drought year, the population of 288 populations may be declining. However, HABITAT GIVEN FEDERAL about the effects of marine shipping in (95% CI 232-434) ducks produced only in the absence of any comprehensive PROTECTION the area, including small oil spills or other 10 broods. Only four ducklings survived survey data, current distribution and discharges of contaminants. to fledge! The 2000 adult population population numbers are unknown. estimate was 322 (95% CI 290-354) (US Federal officials have designated Geological Survey and US Fish & Wildlife stretches of the western Alaska coastline The decision to designate critical habitat Service data). The variability in and waters as protected zones for two was prompted by lawsuits filed by the reproductive success is related to both species of sea ducks listed as threatened Southwest Center for Biological Diversity the carrying capacity of Laysan Island under the Endangered Species Act. The and Christians Caring for Creation. The and environmental factors. Food and US Fish & Wildlife Service classified designations were more modest than water availability varies with weather, about 39,000 square miles (100,000 proposals last February and March to and reproductive failure is more likely square km) as critical habitat for the include vast areas of Alaska's North during drought years on Laysan. Spectacled Eider Somateria fischeri , a Slope, site of the nation's biggest oil species that has suffered a 96% decline fields, as part of the critical habitat. since the 1970s in south-western Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta. Yereth Rosen The US Fish & Wildlife Service also classified 2,830 square miles (7,330km 2)

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(see Torres this issue p.43 ) can only urban development, pollution, seems to know if this is associated with WHITE-HEADED DUCKS IN worsen the situation. introduction of exotic fish and other global climate change, or related to SPAIN IN 2000 causes. deforestation in the mountains Jose Torres themselves. Can anybody help?

[email protected] The Spanish national White-headed Duck REFERENCES census on 13 September 2000 found Green, A.J. 2000. Threatened wetlands 4,489 birds - an increase of more than and waterbirds in Morocco: a final 2,000 birds over 1999. This included WHITE-HEADED DUCKS IN report. Available from: 3,107 birds at El Hondo Natural Park, CENTRAL KAZAKHSTAN Alicante, 1,028 in Andalucia, 298 in http://www.ebd.csic.es/~andy/ Green, A.J., El Hamzaoui, M., El Agbani, Castilla la Mancha, 44 in Castilla León, 6 M.A. & Franchimont, J. In press. in Cataluña and three in Euskadi and A survey of White-headed Ducks in the The conservation status of Baleares. Tengiz area of Central Kazakhstan in Moroccan wetlands with particular summer/autumn 1999 found more than reference to waterbirds and to Breeding was recorded at 23 sites in 11 2,000 individuals. Lars Lachmann from changes since 1978. Biological provinces and four autonomous regions. Germany has subsequently counted more Conservation. More than 1,000 young may have been than 3,000 birds, including 1,500 at one reared at El Hondo. White-headed-Ducks lake. The population in Central Asia is Andy Green were recorded for the first time in the higher than previously thought. The last Natural, freshwater wetlands most [email protected] provinces of Salamanca, Palencia, Alava official population estimate was about affected by wetland loss are of great and Navarra and at new sites in Valencia 500 individuals in the Tengiz region (Red value for threatened waterbirds, such as (Albufera) and Tarragona (Delta del Ebro). Data Book of Kazakhstan). In May 2000, Marbled Teal, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy I found a few hundred "pairs" in potential In total, White-headed Ducks have now Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea and MARBLED TEAL IN SPAIN IN breeding places. The Tengiz area is been recorded from 57 wetlands of 17 especially Crested Coot Fulica cristata . 2001 provinces belonging to eight autonomous therefore important for White-headed Most of the surviving key sites for these regions. Furthermore, accompanying the Ducks during breeding, moulting, and species are unprotected, and measures to peak count in Spain there were autumn migration. Data during spring conserve them are urgently required A LIFE project for Marbled Teal in the migration are still lacking. observations of at least 13 White-headed (Green 2000, Green et al. In press ). Valencian region was completed in early

Ducks, including nine drakes, in France 2001, allowing some major advances in Thomas Heinicke between late August and early October. Furthermore, the latest news indicates conservation measures at El Hondo [email protected] that the situation is even more serious Natural Park, the most important

than these studies suggest. By breeding site for this species in Europe.

September 2001, visits by Mohamed El Firstly, ramps were fitted to the canal HABITAT LOSS AFFECTS Agbani and Jacques Franchimont showed where a large proportion of broods used to get trapped (Navarro et al . 1995, THREATENED WATERFOWL that two more Middle Atlas lakes of enormous importance were completely Green et al . 1999), allowing them to IN MOROCCO dry: Aguelmam Afennourir, a Ramsar site climb out with ease. Many broods still holding up to 650 Ruddy Shelduck and use the canal, probably because it provides a particularly high abundance of A recent study shows that 25% of the 1,113 Crested Coot, and Dayet ’Awa which held 1,200 Marbled Teal and 878 insect food. Secondly, new habitat has area of selected Moroccan wetlands been created close to the existing studied in 1978 had been destroyed by Crested Coot in 1999. This status of the Atlas lakes could not be more worrying, wetlands, with two shallow lagoons of Ruddy Duck control continued in Spain in 1999 (Green et al. In press ). This loss 18 and 6Ha being designed specifically was concentrated in wetlands of low and detailed studies are urgently required 2000 with 16 pure individuals and 6 to establish to what extent this latest for the species. Encouragingly, a pair of hybrids shot. Most birds occurred at two salinity, with a 98% loss of seasonal birds appeared the day the first lagoon mesohaline wetlands, 41% loss of loss is “natural” due to reduced localities, El Hondo Natural Park, precipitation and to what extent was flooded in spring 2001, and up to 60 Alicante, and the Ullibarri Dam, Alava. mountain lakes and 33% loss of seasonal were present by September. Furthermore, Phragmites/Scirpus lacustris marshes. increased water extraction for agriculture The principal threat to the White-headed is responsible. Snowfall in the Middle restoration at Marjal del Moro, a separate Duck remains hybridisation with Ruddy Degradation has occurred at all wetlands wetland much further north, has led to due to hydrological impacts, overgrazing Atlas mountains is reported to have Ducks Oxyura jamaicensis . The continued reduced greatly in recent years. Nobody the establishment of a regular breeding presence of Ruddy Ducks in Morocco or excessive reed-cutting, sedimentation, population at that site (Yuste 2000, see

7 8 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 http://www.terra.es/personal3/birder ). In Navarro, J.D., Green, A.J. & Aranda, found breeding at 11 wetlands. Further addition, the hunting ban in the central J.C. 1995. Status of Marbled Teal in WHITE-HEADED DUCK AND monitoring of migrating and wintering reservoirs at El Hondo has been renewed southern Alicante, Spain. Threatened PYGMY CORMORANT IN THE populations will take place until February on an annual basis since the 1996/1997 Waterfowl Research Group BALKANS 2002 at key wetlands in all four season, a measure that has also brought Newsletter 8:7-10. countries. The results will be presented immense benefits to the White-headed Yuste, M. 2000. La Cerceta Pardilla at a meeting organized by the Hellenic Duck, which reached a national peak of (Marmaronetta angustirostris ) en el Ornithological Society and the Biology 4,489 birds in Spain in September 2000 Marjal del Moro. TWSG News School of the Aritotelian University of (see Torres this issue p.7 ). 12:66-69. , , in February 2002.

Despite these measures, numbers of Andy Green Workshops are being organised in all Marbled Teal, White-headed Duck and [email protected] countries. On 15-16 October, the other birds breeding at El Hondo have seminar “Monitoring of the White-headed declined markedly in 2001 owing to the Duck and Pygmy Cormorant - worsening water quality. Water is WHITE-HEADED DUCKS AT Methodology and Goals” was held at the pumped into the reservoirs from the River PODA Centre, Bourgas, Bulgaria. On 29 Segura (the most polluted river in Spain), LAKE VAYA, BULGARIA October, the workshop “Cooperation on and this year it has been hyper-eutrophic Wetland Conservation in the Balkans” and loaded with suspended solids, The Bourgas Wetlands Project team is was organised at Burdur, Turkey. On 1-2 preventing all growth of submerged continuing to conduct twice-monthly In March 2001, a new initiative for the December, a seminar called “Nature vegetation. Plans to install a huge reed counts of waterbirds at the Bourgas conservation of globally threatened birds Conservation Tools in EU Accession bed filter at the site urgently need to be wetlands. On 10 December 2000 at Lake began in the Balkans. The project is Countries” was held in Tulca, Romania. implemented. Vaya we counted 1,970 White-headed coordinated by the Hellenic Ornithological Printed material for the project (posters,

Ducks in five separate flocks (450, 200, Society and is carried out by BirdLife stickers, and banners) has been The Marbled Teal LIFE project was also 770, 330 and 220 birds). Other International partners in Romania distributed to all countries and related used to finance a regional workshop in waterbirds included 7,410 Pochard (Romanian Ornithological Society (ROS)), web pages are now under construction. September 2001 at Guardamar del Turkey (Society for the Protection of Aythya ferina , 1,190 Mallards Anas Segura, in which participants from Nature (DHKD)) and Bulgaria (Bulgarian Maria Panayotopoulou platyrhynchos , 1,300 Shoveler Anas Tunisia, Morocco and Spain discussed Society for the Protection of Birds clypeata and 135 Dalmatian Pelicans [email protected] ways to cooperate in the study and (BSPB)). The project aims to increase Pelecanus crispus . The first White-headed conservation of this species. Although no Ducks arrived in late November, the same populations of Pygmy Cormorant participants from Algeria could make it, as in previous years. Subsequent counts Phalacrocorax pygmaeus and White- ORINOCO GEESE IN this should be the first step to developing included 1,367 birds on 1 December headed Duck in Greece, Romania, coordinated counts and research projects. VENEZUELA 2000, 100 on 15 January 2001, and Bulgaria, and Turkey, by tackling threats The need for further surveys in the 1,700 on 15 March 2001. and taking protection measures. The breeding season to locate breeding sites project is funded by the Hellenic Ministry As part of my PhD program, I have been used by the thousands of birds wintering During the 2001/2002 winter, White- of Environment, Land Planning and Public studying three aspects of the breeding in Tunisia and Morocco was particularly headed Ducks arrived at Bourgas on 3 Works, through the “Development biology of the Orinoco Goose in south- stressed. For a copy of the conclusions November. Subsequent counts at Vaya Assistance and Cooperation Fund”. western Venezuela: 1) nesting and nest of the workshop (in French or Spanish), Lake included 393 birds on 16 availability; 2) pair and family behaviours; contact José Luis Echevarrias November, 358 on 17 November and Field work is being carried out in all four and 3) forage quality. [email protected] , the 545 birds on 18 November. Benthic countries. A complete survey of breeding joint coordinator of the national censuses samples taken from Vaya Lake on 3-4 Pygmy Cormorants was conducted in the As a cavity nesting species, it has been for the Marbled Teal in Spain. November 2001 showed a domination of Danube Delta between April and June suggested that deforestation is the 2001 and a survey of breeding White- Chironomus larvae. Disturbance from biggest factor limiting the reproductive REFERENCES fishing boats and nets, and from hunting headed Ducks was carried out in central, success of the Orinoco Goose (Gomez- Green, A.J., Navarro, J.D., Dolz, J.C. & is higher in 2001 than in previous years. north-eastern and eastern Turkey from Dallmeier and Cringan 1989). Surveys at Aragoneses, J. 1999. Brood 27 June to 17 July 2001. A total of 110 my study site have found only a few emergence patterns in a Ljubo Profirov & Milko Dimitrov sites (53 wetlands) were visited and 156 suitable cavities, with hatching success Mediterranean duck community. [email protected] species of birds were observed. Small below 15%. Artificial nest boxes Study 46:116-118. numbers of White-headed Ducks were constructed during 2000 were readily

9 10 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 used in 2001. However, these same 1999 in Yiyang county on a 10km long Thus a total of 4,266 Marbled Teal and nests were also heavily parasitized, stretch of the Xinjiang River which flows 1,953 Ferruginous Duck were seen, the REINTRODUCTION OF THE resulting in one containing 29 eggs. Nest into Poyang Lake. The area is sparsely latter probably the most ever in Tunisia. CRESTED COOT IN EASTERN boxes will continue to be evaluated populated and unpolluted and has been SPAIN during the 2002 field season. made into a nature reserve, the report Hichem Azafzaf says. This would appear to be the [email protected] My project is also focused on making world's biggest known concentration of The Crested Coot became extinct in the comparisons between true geese of the wintering Scaly-sided Merganser, larger Valencian region of Spain by the 1950s. In 1999, the Valencian government Tribe Anserini and Orinoco Geese. As than the flock of up to 76 reported in MARBLED TEAL IN TUNISIA grazers, geese rely on high-quality forage Heilongjiang in September 1997. (Conselleria de Medio Ambiente, on the breeding grounds. The tropics, IN 2001 Generalitat Valenciana) obtained financial aid from the LIFE-NATURE program of however, are generally considered to Michael Rank the European Union to implement a contain plants that are nutrient-poor. As [email protected] I have recently made two visits to the project aiming to reintroduce this rallid such, it was believed that geese could main wetlands in the Cap Bon, especially into three protected wetlands (EU SPAs) not invade the tropics. Orinoco Geese, Barrage Lebna and Barrage Oued El Khatf within the boundaries of the Valencian therefore, represent a paradox. To (where 4,000 Marbled Teal were counted region: Albufera de Valencia, Marjal del address this paradox, I am evaluating the in October 1999). Although there were Moro and El Hondo. The ultimate aim of availability of, and nutrient very low water levels in the dams due to the project is to foster the recolonization concentrations of, forage consumed by the unusual dry season and intensive use of the former breeding range of the the Orinoco Geese during the breeding of water by farmers and factories, the species in the Iberian Peninsula. season. I am also conducting behavioural population of Marbled Teal remains quite observations of pairs and family groups high. Around 3,500 birds were counted Overall, 149 individuals have been to discern how these "geese" allocate during the two visits, mainly on Barrage released so far. All have been marked their time and resources. While I have O. El Khatf. This again confirms the THREATENED WATERFOWL with darvic collars which can be read just begun to evaluate the data, it is my importance of this barrage during autumn from a distance and 22 have been hope that the results of this project will IN TUNISIA IN 2001 migration. equipped with radio transmitters. These enable us to characterize the type of are providing valuable information on habitat utilized by Orinoco Geese, as well Iméd Essetti In October 2001, the Association “Les between site movements. All individuals as help us to explain how this "goose" [email protected] Amis des Oiseaux” - Groupe Tunisien released are being monitored and we evolved to survive in the tropics. d’Ornithologie (G.T.O) made the know that at least five pairs (producing

REFERENCES following observations in Tunisia: nine fledglings) have already bred in the Gomez-Dallmeier, F., & Cringan, A.T. wild. Conservation actions under way 1989. Biology, conservation and 13 October 2001 include habitat management, education management of waterfowl in Venezuela. Barrage Oued El Rmal (36°21’N, campaigns to increase the awareness of Caracas: s.n. 351pp. 10°21’E) local population (especially children and 1,613 Marbled Teal, 1,682 Ferruginous hunters), and genetic studies to ensure Ken Kriese Duck, 186 White-headed Duck. that birds from captive breeding are [email protected] genetically healthy. 13 October 2001 Barrage Jdidi (36°25’N, 10°27’E) Covadonga Viedma Gil de Vergara 2 Ferruginous Duck. [email protected] SCALY-SIDED MERGANSER IN CHINA 14 October 2001 Barrage Lebna (36°42’N, 10°56’E)

1,053 Marbled Teal. The April 2000 issue of Da Ziran (China

Nature) magazine (2000.4) reports that a 14 October 2001 wintering population of 100 Scaly-sided Barrage Oued El Hajar (36°52’N, 11°2’E) Mergansers has been discovered east of 1,600 Marbled Teal, 269 Ferruginous Poyang Lake in north-eastern Jiangxi Duck. province. The birds were found in winter

11 12 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

THREATENED WATERFOWL four languages), maps of the agreement FEATURES area and the contracting parties, species ON THE WEB fact sheets for all AEWA species, and an Interactive Map Service containing Biologists know virtually nothing about BOURGAS WETLANDS detailed distribution maps for 40 ECOLOGY AND waterbirds. the biology of White-winged Ducks in the http://www.pomonet.bg/bourgaslakes CONSERVATION OF THE wild, because the birds are secretive and

live in low numbers in dense tropical The main goal of the Bourgas Wetlands ASIA PACIFIC MIGRATORY WATERBIRD WHITE-WINGED DUCK IN forest. Until this project, no-one had the project is to establish a sustainable LIST-SERVER SUMATRA time or funding to spend months in the working structure for managing and forest to develop appropriate research protecting the Bourgas Wetlands. Project The Asia Pacific Migratory Waterbird List- techniques and gather basic biological activities include developing and server has been recently launched. The Nancy Drilling data. Lack of information on such topics implementing management plans for the aim is to provide a forum for non- as habitat preferences, distribution, Atanasovsko Lake reserve, Poda Lagoon government and government Conservation Biology Graduate Program, breeding biology, dispersal, and causes of and Vaya Lake. The latter has held over organisations and individuals with an 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford mortality have impeded efforts to protect 2,000 White-headed Ducks (TWSG News interest in sharing information and ideas Circle, University of Minnesota, St Paul the species. Therefore, the primary 11:18). to promote the conservation of migratory MN 55108, USA. [email protected] . objective of this project was to collect waterbirds in the Asia-Pacific region. It data that will contribute to the TRANSLATIONS OF RUSSIAN will also serve as a mechanism for conservation and recovery of the White- ORNITHOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS sharing information on the waterbird site The White-winged Duck is a secretive, winged Duck. The main question was: http://my.tele2.ee/birds/ networks and support implementation of rare inhabitant of tropical lowland forests what limits White-winged Duck waterbird conservation activities of the in South-east Asia. The species was once populations in the wild? Field research Jevgeni Shergalin now has a website Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird widespread throughout South-east Asia, focused on collecting basic data on the which includes an exhaustive list of titles Conservation Strategy . including India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, breeding biology, habitat use, adult and and abstracts of papers on birds of , PDR Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, juvenile survival, and dispersal of wild Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Subscription to this unmoderated Malaysia and Indonesia. In the past 50 White-winged Ducks. This information discussion group is open to all interested years, the massive destruction and then can be used by managers to develop EL MARJAL DEL MORO (THE MORO parties. The discussion group is fragmentation of the species' forest management recommendations and by MARSH) supported by Environment Australia as habitat has caused a drastic reduction of policy-makers to help guide their http://www.terra.es/personal3/birder/ part of its initiatives to promote the duck numbers. The current estimated decisions. This research involved training conservation of migratory waterbirds in world population in the wild is less than Indonesian students in environmental Marcial Yuste has produced a wonderful the Asia-Pacific region. 5,000 individuals (Green 1993) and the field research techniques. new website on El Marjal del Moro. The species is listed as globally Endangered site includes a wealth of information on To subscribe to the list-server send an e- by IUCN (BirdLife International 2000). the Moro Marsh, including detailed bird mail to: [email protected] . Leave lists, information on scientific studies, the subject line empty. In the message and many photographs of Marbled Teal. say: subscribe apmw. The latest news section reports the following breeding records for 2001: To send a message to the discussion Crested Coot - four broods (with three, group address it to: [email protected] . three, one, and one chicks); Marbled Teal - four broods (with 18, 17, 12 and 11 We look forward to your active chicks); Ferruginous Duck - one pair (with participation in this forum and in our six chicks). efforts to promote the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their wetland AFRICAN-EURASIAN MIGRATORY habitats. If you require further WATERBIRD AGREEMENT WEB SITE information about the group contact: http://www.unep-wcmc.org/AEWA [email protected] .

The AEWA web site has been upgraded. It includes the text of the Agreement (in

13 14 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

The study site, Way Kambas National home range size of breeding females was programs, the White-winged Duck Action Park in southern Sumatra, has the largest 122-144Ha. One non-breeding female PILOT NEST-BOX PROJECT Plan has recommended trying this known population of White-winged Ducks had a home range size (252Ha) similar to FOR WHITE-WINGED DUCKS method in wild populations (Ounsted et in the world, with an estimated 30-100 that of males (230, 284Ha). The range IN SUMATRA al . 1994). Erecting nest-boxes is a individuals. During three breeding from which a radio transmitter could be simple, relatively inexpensive seasons, we encountered more than 155 detected varied from 300-2,000m, management option for increasing ducklings in 26 broods (1999 – four depending on habitat. Nancy Drilling population size that, if successful, may broods, 29 ducklings; 2000 - 20 broods, pay great dividends for the White-winged 120+ ducklings; 2001 – two broods, 10 Conservation Biology Graduate Program, Duck. Thus, in April 2000, we began a ducklings). The breeding season in all 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford small-scale nest-box project in Way years began in December. In 1999, Circle, University of Minnesota, St Paul Kambas National Park, Sumatra, nesting and brood rearing extended from MN 55108, USA. [email protected] . Indonesia. The goal of this project was to early February to October, in 2000, from determine if providing artificial nest-boxes late January to August, and in 2001, in the wild is a viable option for from mid-January to June. We observed INTRODUCTION increasing the population size of White- copulations in December, and females Not only is the total number of White- winged Ducks. The specific objectives prospecting for potential nest sites in tree winged Ducks in the wild critically low, were: cavities in December and March. We but most populations are in small, found one active nest located in a large isolated patches of suitable habitat and 1. To determine methods of building cavity 13m high in the trunk of a Gluta have fewer than 25 individuals. As a rule and erecting nest-boxes. rengas tree. The nest was destroyed by of thumb, populations with fewer than 2. To identify potential nest predators an unknown predator around three weeks 50 individuals are in grave danger of by monitoring boxes containing into incubation. Usually, the female took extinction from a variety of factors, such domestic chicken eggs. Two steps are needed to ensure the care of the ducklings, but often the male as catastrophic weather events (e.g. 3. Once the potential predators were continued viability of the White-winged or other females helped. Broods spent drought), excessive human disturbance identified, to determine what Duck population at Way Kambas National daytime in flooded swamp forest and (e.g. fires, poaching), or too few method would keep them out of Park. First, known high concentration often moved to open water marshes or individuals for breeding. Assuming that nest-boxes. areas of ducks must be protected from ponds to sleep at night. The overall home conservationists will not be able to 4. To identify other species that disturbance by fishermen or poachers. A range of one brood over 12 weeks was increase this species' swamp forest may use nest-boxes for nesting or high-priority location within the park is 123.5Ha. At least some adult ducks habitat in South-east Asia anytime soon, roosting. the upper reaches of the Way Kanan underwent a complete wing moult at the the best management option is to try to 5. To determine if White-winged Ducks River which seems to be a prime breeding end of the breeding season (June-July). increase population size within remaining will use nest-boxes for nesting. area. Second, adequate amounts of good habitat patches. Any management habitat, especially swamp forest, must be Both ducklings and adult birds were most technique that can increase the size of MATERIALS, METHODS & RESULTS preserved. The major threat is frequent active (moving about and feeding in open these small populations will greatly Building and Erecting Nest Boxes forest fires which prevent early habitats) at dawn and dusk. These birds improve the chances they will persist. A total of 25 nest-boxes were built of successional forest to develop into spent the day in the swamp forest, wood from local wood shops - mostly mature forest preferred by the ducks. feeding and resting in trees or on logs in White-winged Ducks usually nest in tree wood from the durian tree. We used nails Ideally, various types of wetlands should the water. White-winged Ducks preferred cavities and in captivity these ducks lay and wood glue to attach the bottom, be protected so that the ducks can move slow-moving or still water, usually <1m their eggs in nest-boxes built by humans sides and front to each other. The top site when water levels fluctuate. deep, for swimming and feeding. They (Ounsted 1985). Managers have had was attached with hinges so that we either slept in trees or on the ground on success increasing populations of other could more easily monitor the interior. For REFERENCES the banks of open water ponds. When cavity-nesting duck species by erecting the first box, we used the measurements BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened they perched in trees, these ducks human-built nest-boxes in the wild (e.g. and shape from published reports of Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions required a sturdy, horizontal branch. Gauthier 1988, Savard 1988, McCamant boxes used in captive breeding - 60 x 52 and BirdLife International, Barcelona However, they showed no preference for & Bolen 1979). Large-scale erection of x 54/56 cm (length x width x height). We and Cambridge, UK. certain tree species or for live trees nest-boxes is credited with being the key decided that this box was unnecessarily Green, A.J. 1993. Status and habitat of versus dead snags. We captured ten factor which drove the recovery of the large and difficult to carry into the field the White-winged Duck Cairina ducks using specially-made bird nets and Wood Duck Aix sponsa in North America and erect. Therefore, we reduced the size scutulata . Bird Conserv. Intern. attached necklace-style radio transmitters (McLaughlin & Grice 1952, Doty & Kruse of the remaining boxes, basing the 3:119-143. to monitor their movements. The overall 1972). Given the success of these longest dimension (the length) on the

15 16 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 length of a female White-winged Duck. Way Kambas include snakes, squirrels, nest-boxes in the tropics probably The final dimensions were 53 x 43 x rats, civet cats, crows, elephants, and need to be fixed and replaced more 48/41cm, with an entrance hole size of primates (including humans). To discover frequently than those in temperate 20 x 17cm. We put four small holes in potential nest predators, we placed three areas. the bottom to allow water to drain out. In domestic chicken eggs in ten boxes and 3. Our observations of females entering addition, we stapled a 10 x 10cm piece monitored for predators every two days natural cavities indicate that, of hardware cloth below the hole in the over a three week period during the although they will enter holes as inside of the nest box so that the breeding season. Five of the boxes were small as those of our boxes, they ducklings would have a rough surface to in swamp forest or marsh edge habitat, seem to prefer huge holes that they climb when they left the nest. Inside, the and thus the box was surrounded by can fly straight into. Thus, a better bottom was covered with dried grass water, while five boxes were on the nest-box design may be to leave the clippings. Each box took about five hours banks of forest ponds. In the swamp upper half of the front panel open for one person to build. The first ten forest boxes, all eggs disappeared from instead of having an entrance hole. boxes cost approximately US$4.40 per one box and one egg disappeared from box to build, including cost of tools, another. There was no sign of what may CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES materials, and hauling the wood to the have taken the eggs (nesting material not Although no White-winged Ducks used Doty, H.A. & Kruse, A.D. 1972. park. An undergraduate university disturbed). Possibilities include rodents, the nest-boxes during this monitoring Techniques for establishing local student volunteered to build the first 10 snakes, primates, or humans. Other period, artificial nest-boxes may still be a breeding populations of Wood boxes. We hired two professional potential predators, such as monitor useful management tool. Managers Ducks. J. Wildl. Manage. 36:428- carpenters to build the final 15 boxes and lizards or civet cats, would have erecting nest-boxes for other duck 435. thus, the cost increased to approximately disturbed the nesting material or left species frequently note that it can take Gauthier, G. 1988. Factors affecting US$7.94 per box. some other sign. In the forest pond several years for ducks to begin to use nest-box use by Buffleheads and boxes, all eggs disappeared from one box the boxes. We only monitored for one other cavity-nesting birds. Wildl. The nest boxes were erected in swamp and one egg was broken in another, breeding season and it is entirely possible Soc. Bull. 16:132-141. forest or at the edges of small ponds in again no signs. Probably the single egg that the ducks will use the boxes in the McCamant, R.E. & Bolen, E.G. 1979. A lowland forest. All boxes were located in was broken by a small rodent. In a third future. 12-year study of nest box utilization areas where broods had been seen forest pond box, a mouse buried the eggs by Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. J. previously, or where there were high in the process of building a nest. We As a result of this pilot project, we make Wildl. Manage. 43:936-943. densities of adults. We mounted the assume that rodents would not be a the following recommendations: McLaughlin, C.L. & Grice, D. 1952. The boxes 1.5-4m above the ground on trees, factor if this were an actual duck nest. effectiveness of large-scale erection using hardwood 5 x 5cm batons to 1. A nest-box project is perfect for of Wood Duck boxes as a support the box. The basic siting Duck Nests undergraduate students, or other management procedure. Trans. N. requirements were that the box needed In the 2001 nesting season (January- volunteers, to gain hands-on field Amer. Wildl. Conf. 17:242-259. to be in shade, there had to be a clear May), no White-winged Duck nested in experience and learn about Ounsted, M.L. 1985. The captive flight path to the entrance, and the box any nest-box. We never observed a duck conservation and wildlife breeding of White-winged Wood had to be over water during the breeding enter a nest-box; typically, females management. The project can be Duck Cairina scutulata . WWF Project season. To decrease the chance of survey potential nest holes before broken up into short phases 406. Unpubl. Report, Slimbridge. human poaching, we attempted to mount choosing a nest site ( pers. obs .). (building, erecting, monitoring), each Ounsted, M.L., Soemarna, K., Ramono, the boxes in areas rarely visited by However, as females visit potential nest lasting one-four weeks so that busy W., Seal, U., Green, A., Rudyanto & poachers. However, in Way Kambas, cavities for less than two minutes, we volunteers can help. Ounsted, R. 1994. Population and there is no such thing as a site totally may have missed some visits. No other 2. Wood in tropical climes decays very habitat viability analysis report for safe from poachers; we could only put bird species utilized the boxes for rapidly. To extend the life of the the White-winged Wood Duck in the boxes in less visible areas and hope nesting. Small mice were the only nest-box, we recommend using a Sumatra. IUCN/SSC Conservation that they would not be disturbed. Each mammal species that we encountered water- and insect-resistant Breeding Specialist Group. Apple box took one to two hours to erect, and only in nest-boxes erected on trees hardwood species and coating the Valley, MN. 90 pp. depending on water depths. that were not completely surrounded by outside surface with several layers Savard, J.L. 1988. Use of nest boxes by water. Spiders, ants, small snakes, small of varnish. In addition, if the box Barrow's Goldeneyes: nesting Identification of Potential Predators lizards, and scorpions also frequently touches the tree, rapid decay occurs success and effect on the breeding The most critical factor for the success inhabited the nest-boxes. None of these because of ant and termite action as population. Wildl. Soc. Bull. 16:125- of a nest box program is to provide safe small would be a deterrent to a well as moisture and fungus. 132. nesting sites. Potential nest predators in duck that wanted to nest in a box. However, even with these actions,

17 18 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

SURVEY METHODS FOR open burned swamp forest, and open Thus, any population estimate based on There are also likely seasonal differences marsh habitat. direct surveys needs to be interpreted in detectability, although this study was WHITE-WINGED DUCKS with great caution. not able to test this. At Way Kambas, To analyse the probability of detecting adults were more vocal and more likely to ducks that we knew to be present Conditions in other areas undoubtedly use open habitats at the beginning of the Nancy Drilling (because they were wearing radio will be different from Way Kambas breeding season (beginning of rains,

transmitters), I include only those mock (habitat more or less dense, ducks more November - January); possibly this would Conservation Biology Graduate Program, surveys in which the radio-collared ducks or less wary, etc.). However, I believe be a good time to survey. Adults were 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford were within 150m of our route. Beyond that the general result obtained at Way totally silent and deep within dense Circle, University of Minnesota, St Paul 150m, it may have been difficult to see Kambas - a relatively low detection rate forest during flightless moult (end of MN 55108, USA. [email protected] . or hear a duck, especially in denser that varies by time of day, holds for most breeding, May - August); possibly this

habitat. The results are summarized in areas within the White-winged Duck's would be a poor time to survey. In

Table 1. The probability of detecting at range. Thus, to increase the chances of contrast, juveniles were quite tame and White-winged Ducks are notoriously least one duck during a survey (when we detecting ducks and more accurately tended to flock together when about 3-5 difficult to survey, either to accurately knew that ducks were present within estimate local population size, I months old (April-August) and this may determine presence in an area or to 150 meters) was higher when canoeing recommend that surveyors choose the be a good time to monitor breeding assess population size. This is because (overall - 44.4%) versus walking (33.3%) most quiet travel method possible and success. Finally, at the height of the dry they live in dense and often inhospitable and higher during early morning (48.6%) concentrate surveys in early morning and season, water can be scarce, forcing all forest habitat, occur in low densities, or evening (50.0%) versus mid-day late afternoon hours. ages to congregate, another potentially generally are solitary or in pairs, and are (30.4%). During the rainy season, good opportunity for surveys. quiet while resting or feeding. Lack of canoeing is quieter than walking; these accurate data on distribution and results may be different during the dry Table 1. Results of mock surveys along upper Way Kanan river, Way Kambas National Park. population size has been a serious season when the land is dry and we impediment to conservation efforts. To would not have to splash through water Time Method N % % % % Radio Total % date, two methods have been used to up to 1m deep. Higher detection rates See Hear Flush Moves Without Detect determine White-winged Duck presence during early morning and evening agrees Duck Duck Duck Seeing/Hearing At Least and population size - questioning local with our observation that these ducks 1 Duck* villagers and hunters, or direct survey by move about most when the sun is below morning Canoe 28 42.9 32.1 17.9 13.6 50.0 walking or boating along waterways. the horizon. mid-day Canoe 36 22.2 13.9 27.8 33.4 33.3

Between December 2000 and June evening Canoe 26 34.6 38.5 38.5 9.5 53.8 In addition to detection rate, we recorded 2001, I conducted research into methods morning Walk 7 28.6 14.3 28.6 14.3 42.9 when a radio-collared duck moved for direct surveys to detect presence and mid-day Walk 33 12.1 18.2 15.2 20.0 27.3 silently away from us, possibly due to estimate population size using a radio- evening Walk 14 28.6 14.3 14.3 7.1 42.9 our presence. Almost all of these 'silent marked population of White-winged * "Detect" = see, hear calling, or flush a duck, whether marked or unmarked. moves' were by females with broods, Ducks in Way Kambas National Park, which shows the White-winged Duck’s Sumatra. To determine the best travel sensitivity to disturbance during brood- method and time of day to conduct rearing. surveys, we conducted mock surveys at the same time that we searched for These data also illuminate the accuracy radio-collared ducks. We tested two of estimating population size from a travel methods - canoeing and walking. direct survey. In 144 surveys, we never The mock surveys were conducted during detected the entire population during one morning (0530-0800hrs), mid-day (0800- survey and thus, simply counting the 1600hrs) and evening hours (1600- ducks was not adequate for determining 1830hrs). The surveys were conducted population size. As a result of the low over 2.5-3km routes along the upper detection rates, our estimate of the section of the Way Kanan River. Habitat number of ducks along the survey route types through which we conducted the (0-4 ducks) was much lower when only surveys included dense swamp forest, based on the birds we saw or heard than the actual population size (10-12 ducks).

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in the breeding grounds and suggest wet grassland, small lakes and swampy THREATS AND TRENDS STATUS OF THE BAIKAL action for its protection. sites, surrounded by reeds of Hunting TEAL IN THE LOWER Calamagrostis and Glyceria grasses. Hunting is a common and widespread INDIGIRKA BASIN, SIBERIA DISTRIBUTION Many small lakes and artificial ditches threat to all ducks and geese in Northern Miyabayashi & Mundkur (1999) give a provide ideal habitat for seven Anas duck Siberia. Places close to small settlements brief sketch of the known distribution of species, fairly common among them the are particularly vulnerable to heavy 1 Christoph Zöckler & E.E. Syroechkovski, Baikal Teal showing three distinct areas: Baikal Teal. Most of the area is still very hunting pressure. Spring hunting is very 2 Jr Southern Yakutia east to Kamtchatka, wet and includes lakes of various shapes common in Siberia and Yakutia, and most the Middle Lena basin, and the Yano- and sizes with different water depths men in northern settlements hunt. In Abij, 1 WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Indigirka-Kolyma Plain. Although interspersed with wet grassland and a small settlement of 600 people, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, UK. christoph@ Miyabayashi & Mundkur (1999) indicate small river channels. The Baikal Teal according to local people there are 150 wcmc.org.uk . that the latter area extends to the north prefers the edges of smaller lakes with hunters, but only 30 are active. The coast of Russia, we did not find any lush vegetation. It is rarely found on the official season for geese takes place in 2 Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski Baikal Teal in the Indigirka Plain further open water and most common on lakes May, and for ducks between 1 and 9 Prospect 33, Moscow 117071, Russia. north than 69ºN. However, this was highly vegetated with Phalaris , Glyceria June. Unofficially, hunting often [email protected] . somewhat unexpected as we previously and Carex tussocks. The habitat at continues into late June. On average, observed the species well into the delta Taalakhtakh was similar to Abij 1, but some 150 ducks are shot per hunter each region along the Yana River lacked shallow lakes with diverse spring, giving a total hunting bag of INTRODUCTION (Syroechkovski & Zöckler 1997). We did submerged and emergent vegetation. almost 4,500 birds. The most The Baikal Teal is the rarest dabbling not visit the upper reaches of the numerously hunted species are, in duck in Northern Asia and some regard it Indigirka River, so are unable to provide BREEDING POPULATION ESTIMATES decreasing order of importance, Long- to be the nicest duck in the Palaearctic. any information on the southern NEAR ABIJ tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis , Velvet However, we know very little about it boundary of the Baikal Teal’s distribution We encountered single males or pairs at Scoter Melanitta fusca stejnegeri and due to its restricted breeding distribution here. seven different sites along the Idigirka Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula . Baikal Teal in eastern Siberia. Its population is River between 68º20’N and 69º0’N. is the least common species hunted in estimated at around 210,000 birds One of the major breeding grounds of the Most birds were found along the river spring, comprising less than 1% of the (Miyabayashi & Mundkur 1999). The Baikal Teal in the Yana-Indigirka Plain is itself and at small lakes nearby. Pairs total bag. In autumn the proportion can Baikal Teal is listed as Vulnerable in the situated in the Abijskij Region at about were found mainly on small lakes where be higher - up to 10% of all hunted 2000 Red List of Threatened Birds 68ºN, 146ºE. The species is also found in they were displaying. The largest flock of ducks, although more detailed (BirdLife International 2000) and still the floodplains of the smaller tributaries, males consisted of 13 birds in a swampy information is not available. Generally, considered as threatened, although such as the Suturocha and Uyandyna area of a former lake at Abij 1 (Table 1) hunting activities have declined in recent numbers recently seemed to have Rivers. However, the largest population with several pairs present in the wider years due to the increased cost of increased (e.g. Lethaby et al . 2000). The in 1999 was found far from any river, in area. The population size here was cartridges. One cartridge at the time of major reason for the original decline is the plain near the village of Abij, an area estimated at 25-35 pairs. Tallatakh, a our visit cost five roubles, almost half a hunting in all range countries, but dominated by large and smaller lakes, of slightly larger site with a similar US$. The number of cartridges each particularly in China, as well as mortality which some have been drained for landscape contained 7-10 pairs. Overall, hunter can afford each year has thus from poisoned grain on the wintering agricultural purposes. we saw some 41-60 pairs although this decreased from 1,000 to only 200-300. grounds in China and Korea. represents a minimum estimate. HABITATS Degtyarev & Perfilyev (1998) described The two most important sites for Baikal Table 1. Baikal Teal encountered along the Indigirka River during summer 1999. the situation at wintering and staging Teal were Abij 1 and Taalakhtakh sites in Yakutia, but very little is known situated 120km west of the Indigirka Site Name Surface Birds Counted Population from breeding sites. In summer 1999, an River near the village of Abij (Table 1). Area (Km 2) Estimate (pairs) ornithological expedition, under the lead Abij 1 is quite unusual for the Arctic as it Djergamudnik 1 (Indigirka) 10 1-2 males/pairs 3-5 of E.E. Syroechkovski from the Russian is largely under human influence. Larger Suturocha 12 2-3 males/pairs 5-10 Academy of Science, carried out a survey lakes in the area have been converted Abij 1 12 15-18 males 25-35 of one of the few remaining unknown into farmland for cattle and horses. Vast Tallatakh 10 5-6 males 7-10 areas in terms of bird distribution in the areas of open land have been created and Cerganakh (Uyandyna) 0 0 Russian Arctic - the middle basin of the maintained in a region which is forested Djergamudnik 3 (Indigirka) > 10 1 female 1-2 Indigirka River. Our observations throw by northern boreal taiga. Huge areas of further light on the status of the species Total 25-30 41-62 former lakes have been converted into

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Trends hunting communities. Interviewed the spread of the Ruddy Duck. In order to All hunters we spoke to confirmed that hunters showed a profound knowledge of SPATIAL DYNAMICS OF THE evaluate the effectiveness of suggested Baikal Teal have increased in recent Baikal Teal, its population status, and the RUDDY DUCK AND ITS UK Ruddy Duck control strategies, a years, but the timing of increase differed causes of their past decline. Whether this IMPACT ON THE WHITE- method is needed of: between hunters, varying from 1987 to knowledge is shared by other HEADED DUCK 1995. One hunter with long-term hunting communities in the region and beyond in 1. Assessing the threat posed to the experience confirmed an increase of Northern Siberia needs verification. White-headed Duck by different Baikal Teal in the annual hunting bag Empowered local communities seem to Lucy Lovett levels of Ruddy Duck immigration. from one or two per hunter in 1987 to be able to effectively regulate hunting 2. Predicting the effect that a range of 20 since 1994. The species became very activities, as observed in the Abij region. Centre for Life Science Modelling, Porter control regimes in the UK would rare in the 1970s when the hunter Further expeditions to the Baikal Teal‘s Building, Newcastle University, have on the number of Ruddy Ducks remembered the settlement elder calling breeding grounds should aim to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK. reaching Europe. for a ban on hunting with the words investigate the duck’s status and the [email protected] “What is spring without the call of level of local knowledge of the species in The aim of this project is to address the Mordok!” - the local name of the Baikal other communities. above through a combined experimental Teal. His advice was heeded for many BACKGROUND and modelling approach. years into the 1980s. REFERENCES Native to North America, the Ruddy Duck BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened escaped from captive collections in the METHODS Asked about the causes of the Baikal Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions UK in 1953 and first bred in the wild in White-Headed Duck Genetics Model Teal’s initial decline, two hunters and BirdLife International, Barcelona 1960 (King 1976). The population has An individual-based life-history and demonstrated an impressive knowledge and Cambridge, UK. been increasing ever since and in the UK genetic model is being developed for the and mentioned hunting pressure in China Degtyarev, A.G. & Perfilyev, V.I. 1998. now numbers about 5,000 birds White-headed Duck. This will assess the and chemical poisoning. They did not Biology and present status of the (Musgrove et al . 2001). In the 1960s the impact of different levels of Ruddy Duck think that their hunting practice in spring Baikal Teal in Yakutia. Casarca Ruddy Duck's range started to spread introgression on the gene pool of the had any significant impact on the 4:271-275 beyond the UK to mainland Europe and in White-headed Duck. Two approaches are population. They were aware of the teal’s Lethaby, N., Moores, N & J.-Young Park. 1983 the first Ruddy Duck was recorded being taken to gain information on mate threatened status and jointly acted 2000. Birding in South Korea. Dutch in Spain, posing a threat to the Spanish choice rules for input into the model: among the community to prevent spring Birding 22:204-219. population of White-headed Ducks hunting extending into the breeding Miyabayashi, Y. & Mundkur, T. 1999. through hybridisation. Hybrids were first a) Mate Choice in Captive Birds season. They also monitored the Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in recorded in Spain in 1991 and it is A series of experimental pens were set population using hunting bags and the East Asian Flyway. Wetlands thought that introgression of Ruddy Duck up in 2000 and 2001 containing different personal observations, and were able to International - Japan, Tokyo, and genes into the White-headed Duck gene combinations of white-headed and Ruddy respond to declines through voluntary Wetlands International - Asia Pacific, pool may threaten the survival of the Ducks. Courtship behaviour within and hunting bans. Kuala Lumpur. White-headed Duck as a species. between the two species was recorded Syroechkovski, E.E. Jr & Zöckler, C. and eggs collected in order to investigate Small local hunting communities in 1997. Threatened waterfowl in the mating systems and mate preference in Siberia are very distant from any Lower Yana Region. TWSG Bull. the two species. governmental control. Hunted waterbird 10:26-29. species, including globally and regionally b) Parentage of Hybrids Shot in Spain threatened species, rely for their well- A series of photographs have been taken being on the self regulation of remote of 38 hybrids culled since 1991 as part of the Spanish Ruddy Duck control program. Digital image analysis of plumage colouration plus discriminant analysis of biometric data taken by Carlos Urdiales (Doñana National Park) will be AIMS used to gain information on the The UK and other EU states are obliged parentage of these hybrids. A DNA under international conventions to control analysis of the same birds, currently non-native species where they threaten being conducted by the Estación native biodiversity, and thus to reduce

23 24 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Biológica de Doñana, will provide further ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS given in Table 1. There are no data information (see Muñoz this issue p.28 ). This work is being conducted as part of a POPULATION VIABILITY available for White-headed Duck adult or CASE studentship funded by NERC and ANALYSIS FOR WHITE- juvenile mortality, so values used were Ruddy Duck Population Dynamics and WWT under the supervision of Dr. Steve HEADED DUCK those for Ruddy Duck in the UK (Hughes Dispersal Model Rushton, Dr. Marion Petrie and Dr. Baz REINTRODUCTIONS 1996). Values for fecundity represented A spatially-explicit, individual-based Hughes. the number of fledged young produced model is being developed to simulate the per female per year and were calculated spread of the Ruddy Duck in the UK and REFERENCES Lucy Lovett 1, Steve Rushton 1 & Baz as a product of nesting success, brood corresponding dispersal to Europe in Musgrove, A.J., Pollitt, M.S., Hall, C., Hughes 2 size at hatching and percentage survival relation to a range of control regimes. Hearn, R.D., Holloway, S.J., to fledging. Values for brood size at The model simulates the life history of Marshall, P.E., Robinson, J.A. & 1 Centre for Life Science Modelling, hatching and percentage survival to individual ducks from birth to death and Cranswick, P.A. 2001. The Wetland Porter Building, Newcastle University, fledging were obtained from Green & allows for movement of ducks between Bird Survey 1999-2000: wildfowl Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK. Hughes (2001). There is no detailed data sites within a GIS-based habitat map. and wader counts. BTO/WWT/RSPB/ [email protected]. available for White-headed Duck nesting Fecundity and mortality are age and sex- JNCC, Slimbridge. success, so data for Ruddy Duck was specific and are modelled stochastically King, B. 1976. Association between male 2 Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, used (Hughes 1996). Females were at the level of the individual. North American Ruddy Ducks and Gloucester, GL2 7BT, UK. baz.hughes assumed not to breed until their second stray ducklings. British Birds 69:34. @wwt.org.uk . year and an equal sex-ratio was assumed The rate of spread of Ruddy Ducks in the for each release event. UK is being quantified using Wetland Bird Survey data from 1960-2000 and INTRODUCTION SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS breeding survey data in a Geographical In preparation for a workshop on White- In order to investigate the impact of Information System. This will also headed Duck reintroduction in Italy in variation in life-history and release provide information on dispersal May 2001 (see Brunner & Andreotti this strategies, the model was run 100 times, behaviour for input into the model. issue p.33 ), we ran a population viability with each run using a different suite of analysis for the White-headed Duck to input parameters. These parameter sets determine the population parameters and were selected from the ranges in Table 1 release strategies most likely to affect using Latin Hypercube Sampling. Since the success of any reintroduction the model was stochastic, 20 replicate programme. runs were conducted for each suite of parameters. Generalized Linear Modelling MODEL STRUCTURE (GLM) was then used to relate the The model was stochastic and individual- predicted population size after 20 years based, simulating age-specific fecundity to the input parameters (Table 2). The and mortality for each animal year by predicted population was log-transformed year. Different release strategies were prior to analysis to ensure that the errors investigated in terms of frequency of in the GLM were normally distributed. release events and number of birds released per event. The model also had The results of the GLM (Table 2) indicate the capacity to include catastrophic that adult mortality, fecundity, number of events although these were not included birds released per release event and here. The model was run for 20 years release frequency all had a significant and outputted the population size at the effect on final population size, with end of this time. fecundity having the greatest effect. The effect of juvenile survival was not INPUT PARAMETERS significant. The release frequency had a Breeding was assumed to occur once per far greater effect on final population size year; juvenile mortality was modelled as than the number of birds released (T= occurring as they are recruited into the -11.29 and 2.39, respectively). adult population; and adult mortality after breeding. The input parameters used are

25 26 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Table 1. Ranges for input parameters in the White-headed Duck population viability analysis. two species hybridise and hybrids are GENETIC INTROGRESSION OF fertile, causing genetic introgression of Variable Minimum Maximum Source RUDDY DUCKS IN WILD Ruddy Duck genes in the wild population Adult mortality (%) 0.2 0.3 Hughes (1996) POPULATIONS OF WHITE- of White-headed Ducks. Juvenile mortality (%) 0.35 0.45 Hughes (1996) HEADED DUCKS Fecundity 0.98 3.8 Green & Hughes (2001) For several years now, a considerable Hughes (1996) effort has been made to locate and Release frequency (years) 1 10 Violeta Muñoz eliminate both hybrids and pure Ruddy Number released 10 20 Ducks in Spain. Up to September 2000, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Avenida 56 hybrids and 86 pure Ruddy Ducks María Luisa s/n, Pabellón del Perú, 41013 have been eliminated (Torres & Moreno- Table 2. Analysis of variance table for GLM, relating the predicted number of White-headed Sevilla, Spain. [email protected] . Arroyo 2000). Recently, control Duck in the population (log) at 20 years after initiation of release scheme against life history programmes have also started in Great variables and frequency and number of birds released. Britain and France. Genetic introgression BACKGROUND of Ruddy Ducks in White-headed Duck Source DF Seq SS Adj SS Adj MS F P The White-headed Duck is a globally populations is receiving a considerable Adult mortality 1 28.654 23.037 23.037 65.02 0.000 threatened species (“Endangered” amount of attention by both international Fecundity 1 112.952 99.235 99.235 280.10 0.000 according to IUCN criteria). Its (BirdLife International, WWF, IUCN) and national organisations (e.g. Ministerio de Number released 1 0.594 2.029 2.029 5.73 0.019 distribution is fragmented and its world Medio Ambiente, CSIC). Hybridisation Release frequency 1 44.579 44.579 44.579 125.83 0.000 population declining (Green & Anstey with the introduced North American Error 95 33.657 33.657 0.354 1992). Two main populations survive: the west Mediterranean population Ruddy Duck has been identified as the Total 99 220.435 (Spain, Tunisia, Algeria) and the most serious threat to the White-headed

population extending from the eastern Duck in the European White-headed Duck

Mediterranean (Turkey, Greece, Israel) to Action Plan (Green & Hughes 1996). Term Coef St Dev T P Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Russia, Constant 6.667 0.694 9.61 0.000 Mongolia, etc.). In Spain, the stronghold So far, research has been conducted on Adult mortality -16.846 2.089 -8.06 0.000 of the species has long been the White-headed Duck diet, threats posed to Fecundity 1.654 0.099 16.74 0.000 autonomous community of Andalusia. its habitat, habitat selection, diel activity, Number released 0.050 0.021 2.39 0.019 The population in Spain grew from an etc. (e.g. Green et al . 1996, Green et al . Release frequency -0.269 0.023 -11.22 0.000 estimated 22 birds in 1977 to 1,700 in 1999, Sánchez et al . 2000), but many 1998 and 4,500 in 2000, in response to further questions could be answered by a conservation measures implemented in genetic study: in particular, uncertainties Andalusia (especially the protection of exist regarding interspecific hybridisation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hughes, B. 1996. The feasibility of wetlands where the species is present, It is not known whether male Ruddy This work was conducted as part of a control measures for North American perhaps most importantly banning from Ducks breed with White-headed Duck CASE studentship funded by NERC and Ruddy Ducks Oxyura jamaicensis in hunting). females and vice versa; whether both WWT under the supervision of Dr. Steve the United Kingdom. Department of hybrid males and females are fertile; Rushton, Dr. Marion Petrie and Dr. Baz the Environment, Bristol, UK. 153pp. Ten years ago, the species started to whether the wild White-headed Duck Hughes. become threatened by continuous arrival population in Spain is already of Ruddy Ducks, an American species contaminated with Ruddy Duck genes; REFERENCES introduced to Great Britain in the fifties. and whether Ruddy Ducks in Spain come Green, A.J. & Hughes, B. 2001. White- In Great Britain, Ruddy Ducks comprise a from the United Kingdom or if there is headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala . population of around 5,000 individuals, another source (escapes from captive Pp. 79-90 In: BWP Update: the (Musgrove et al . 2001) and there are also collections from other countries). journal of birds of the Western small breeding populations in France, Palearctic, Vol. 3, No. 2 (D.B. Belgium and the Netherlands. Ruddy A genetic study of this type will be Parkin, Ed.). Oxford University Press, Ducks constitute a common species in extremely useful to aid the management Oxford. captive waterfowl collections from which of both wild and captive populations of several individuals may escape each year White-headed Ducks in Spain and other in countries such as the Netherlands. The countries. We aim to clarify the genetic

27 28 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 introgression rate between the two possible to identify hybrids depending on Doñana, Spain; Carlos Urdiales, Parque Green, A.J. & Hughes, B. 1996. Action species, design a molecular assay to the bands that appear on an agarose gel. Nacional de Doñana, Spain; Cati Gerique, plan for the White-headed Duck identify hybrids (see e.g. Negro et al . More or less bands typically belonging to Generalitat Valenciana, Spain; Baz Oxyura leucocephala , Pp.119-146 2001) and determine the best strategy to each pure species will appear, depending Hughes, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, In: Heredia, B., Rose, L., & Painter, maintain a captive White-headed Duck on which species has been involved more Slimbridge, UK; Esther Signer, University M. (Eds.). Globally threatened birds population free of Ruddy Duck genes, but in the matings. Therefore, it is possible to of Leicester, UK; Iain Henderson, Central in Europe. Council of Europe with enough genetic variability in the long identify hybrids and distinguish between Science Laboratory, UK; Maria Publishing, Strasbourg. term. first and second generation hybrids. Panayotopoulou, Ornithological Hellenic Negro, J.J., Torres, M.J. & Godoy, J.A. Society, Greece; Kevin McCracken, 2001. RAPD analysis for detection OBJECTIVES Control Region of Mitochondrial DNA University of Alaska, USA; Luc Barbier, of hybrid partridges ( Alectoris rufa x 1. Develop molecular markers to The control region will be sequenced and Office National de la Chasse et de la A. graeca ) in Spain. Biological discriminate hybrids from pure sequences compared among individuals. Faune Sauvage, France. Conservation 98:19-24. White-headed Ducks. In this way, it is possible to: Randi, E. 2000. Mitochondrial DNA. 2. Identify maternal line, i.e. species of REFERENCES Pp.133-167 In: Baker, A.J. (Ed.). the hybrid’s mother and compare to 1. Identify the maternal line, as Green, A.J. & Anstey, S. 1992. The Molecular methods in ecology. parentage suggested by plumage mitochondrial DNA is clonally and status of the White-headed Duck Blackwell Science. characteristics (Urdiales & Pereira usually maternally inherited (Randi Oxyura leucocephala . Bird Sánchez, M.I., Green, A.D. & Dolz, J.C. 1993). 2000). Conservation International 2:185- 2000. The diets of the White-headed 3. Compare genetic variability of Ruddy 2. Determine genetic distances among 200. Duck Oxyura leucocephala , Ruddy Ducks in Spain, France and Great different populations of White- Green, A.J., Fox, A.D., Hilton, G., Duck O. jamaicensis and their Britain with those from North headed Ducks. Hughes, B., Yarar, M. & Salathé, T. hybrids from Spain. Bird Study America and thus determine the 3. Determine genetic distances to 1996. Threats to Burdur Lake 47:275-284. origin of Ruddy Ducks in Spain. identify unique or multiple origin of ecosystem, Turkey and its Torres, J.A. & Moreno-Arroyo, B. 2000. 4. Determine the effect of the Ruddy Ducks in Spain. waterbirds, particularly the White- Presencia de la Malvasía Cabeciblanca bottleneck in the Spanish population headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala . (Oxyura jamaicensis ) en España. of White-headed Ducks: comparing Microsatellites Biological Conservation 76:241-252. Oxyura 10:69-78. genetic variability in samples prior The objective is to find microsatellites Green, A.J., Fox, A.D., Hughes, B. & Urdiales, C. & Pereira, P. 1993. Claves and after the bottleneck. that work for White-headed Ducks and Hilton, G.M. 1999. Time-activity de identificación de O. jamaicensis , 5. Determine whether western and Ruddy Ducks. The use of microsatellites budgets and site selection of White- O. leucocephala y sus híbridos. eastern White-headed Duck in hybridisation cases is receiving headed Ducks Oxyura leucocephala Instituto Nacional para la populations are different subspecies growing interest, especially to detect the at Burdur Lake, Turkey in late Conservación de la Naturaleza (genetic distance measurements). extent, dynamics, direction and level of winter. Bird Study 46:62-73. (ICONA) 6. Study genetic variability of captive introgression among species. White-headed Duck populations and assess whether they are viable and Work plan (first phase 2001-02) healthy for reintroduction projects. 1. Obtain and organise samples. 2. DNA extraction. METHODOLOGY 3. Apply molecular methods: identify Samples from pure White-headed Ducks RAPD markers, sequence Control Region will be obtained from Spain and Greece, (mitochondrial DNA), apply RAPD plus skins from zoological collections. markers to hybrids, phylogeographic Pure Ruddy Ducks will be obtained from analysis of Control Region. the UK, USA, France and Spain. Hybrids will be sourced from Spain, England and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Italy. This work was conducted as part of a PhD studentship under the supervision of Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Dr. Andy Green and Dr. Juan Jose Negro. (RAPDs) Thanks to La Junta de Andalucía, for The objective is to find species specific sponsoring this study, and to the markers, i.e. present in one species but following people for providing samples: absent in the other. In this way, it is Celia Sánchez, Parque Nacional de

29 30 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

headed Duck from those places holding local scale, may limit White-headed Duck Green, A.J.& Hughes, B. 2001. White- COMPETITION WITH CARP Carp populations (Almaraz 2000). populations especially when habitat is headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala . MAY LIMIT WHITE-HEADED limiting, such as during drought periods Pp. 79-90. In: BWP Update: the DUCK POPULATIONS IN Such a disappearance took place three (Almaraz 2000), or when large local journal of birds of the Western SPAIN years ago in a wetland of south-western assemblages of White-headed Ducks Palearctic, Vol. 3, No. 2 (D.B. Spain, the Laguna Salada del Puerto occur, as in El Hondo Natural Park in Parkin, Ed.). Oxford University Press, (33.6Ha, 36º39’N, 6º14’W). This site 2000 (Torres & Moreno-Arroyo 2000). Oxford. Pablo Almaraz García was designated as a Ramsar site in 1990 Torres, J.A. & Moreno-Arroyo, B. 2000. La owing to its breeding populations of REFERENCES recuperación de la Malvasía C/ Cuatro Pinos, 50, Nr. 4. El Puerto de White-headed Duck, Crested Coot and Almaraz, P. 2000. Efecto de las Cabeciblanca ( Oxyura leucocephala ) Santa María 11500 Cádiz, Spain. Marbled Teal, among others. In precipitaciones y problemas de en España durante el último decenio [email protected] . November 1997, a few Carp entered the conservación en el complejo del siglo XX. Oxyura 10:5-51. wetland presumably from an irrigation endorreico de El Puerto de Santa channel near the lagoon. Local María (Cádiz, SO de España): The Spanish population of the globally populations of White-headed Duck then incidencia funcional en su población threatened White-headed Duck is now slowly decreased until January 1998, de Malvasía Cabeciblanca ( Oxyura showing a notable increase both in size when the last observation of two leucocephala G.). III Iberian and range after a minimum population individuals was made. From this date to Congress of Environmental size of 22 individuals in 1977 (Torres & November 2000, the lagoon lost its Biologists, 24-26 de Febrero de Moreno-Arroyo 2000). In spite of this diving duck community, caused by Carp 2000, Salamanca, España. Colegios fact, negative impacts still operate at over-population, cloudy water (minimum de Biólogos & Ordem dos Biologos. local scales that prevent the species from Secchi depth 16cms in August 1999 establishing in some places. One example pers. obs .), and probably a depletion in of this is the interspecific interaction Chironomid larvae. In August 2000, the between the White-headed Duck and the water level in the lagoon dropped to only Carp ( Cyprinus carpio ), a conservation 50cm. producing highly anoxic conditions problem scarcely mentioned in the which resulted in a large Carp mortality. literature though common in some places A survey of the shore of the lagoon during the last 20 years (Almaraz 2000). collected a minimum of 35,000 dead Carp, and a similar number remained The Carp, an invasive fish from the Black uncollected (R.G. Costales pers. obs .). and Caspian Seas, has been introduced This would equate to a population by humans in some wetlands in Spain in density of 2,000 Carp per hectare. order to support fishing activities. This fish, which can reach high population One month after the mass Carp mortality densities (see below), feeds primarily on at Laguna Salada, 11 White-headed benthic fauna such as Chironomidae Ducks were observed at the site along larvae. The Carp’s feeding behaviour also with six pairs of Red-crested Pochard stirs up bottom sediments, causing Netta rufina . Few Carp have been dramatic increases in water turbidity and observed after that date, and by April thus decreases in the amount of light 2001, 46 White-headed Ducks (22 adult reaching the benthos resulting in a much males) were observed in Laguna Salada reduced macrophyte community (review displaying courtship behaviour. They are in Almaraz 2000). Since benthic expected to breed again at the site after Chironomid larvae are the major an absence of three years. component of the diet of the White- headed Duck, and diving constitutes its Competition between White-headed primary feeding behaviour (Green & Ducks and Carp has taken place in many Hughes 2001), both processes lead to Spanish wetlands during the last 20 the local disappearance of the White- years (review in Almaraz 2000). Such competition, although operating on a

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WHITE-HEADED DUCK conservation. Ongoing reintroduction Table 1. Participants of the White-headed Duck reintroduction workshop, Gargano National projects, and the Puglia project in Park, Puglia region, SE Italy, 23-24 May 2001. REINTRODUCTION IN EUROPE particular, as well as habitat enhancement aimed at increasing the Name Organisation Ariel Brunner 1 & Alessandro Andreotti 2 carrying capacity of breeding sites, were Alejandro De La Vega P Conselleria de Medio Ambiente, acknowledged as useful and effective Generalitat Valenciana, Spain 1 Dipartimento Conservazione, LIPU - conservation measures. Urgent research Alessandro Andreotti Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, Italy BirdLife International, Via Trento 49, needs were also identified. Antonio Bernardoni LIPU - BirdLife Italy 43100 Parma, Italy. [email protected] . Ariel Brunner LIPU - BirdLife Italy WORKSHOP RECOMMENDATIONS Baldomero Moreno Arroyo Junta de Andalucía 2 Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Baz Hughes WWT, UK Selvatica, Via Ca Fornacetta 9, 40064 RUDDY DUCK Fulvio Fraticelli Bioparco di Roma, Italy • The spread of Ruddy Duck Ozzano Emilia, Italy. Gabriella Vaschetti Centro Cicogne e Anatidi di Racconigi, Italy represents, at present, the main Hichem Azafzaf AAO – BL Tunisia threat to the conservation of the Iain Henderson Central Science Laboratory, UK White-headed Duck in Europe. The workshop “White-headed Duck John Clorley Dept of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, UK • Ruddy Duck eradication in the UK, conservation and reintroduction projects Jose Antonio Torres- Esquivias Junta de Andalucía, Spain and their role in the conservation of the where the species’ main population is concentrated and from where Jose Luis Echevarrias Escuder Conselleria de Medio Ambiente, species”, held from 23-24 May in the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain Gargano National Park in Puglia region, birds disperse into continental Lucy Lovett Newcastle University, UK South East Italy, was attended by 23 Europe, represents the most Mar Gallego LIPU - BirdLife Italy participants from five countries and 13 important short-term priority. Mauro Canziani LIPU - BirdLife Italy organisations (see Table 1). • Ruddy Duck control and eradication are important also in other European Michela Ingaramo LIPU - BirdLife Italy The first day began with presentations on and North African countries, in Michele Bux LIPU - BirdLife Italy national and international conservation particular in those where important Sergio Fasano Centro Cicogne e Anatidi di Racconigi, Italy initiatives, including the status and nuclei of Ruddy Duck are already Simone Montonati LIPU - BirdLife Italy conservation of White-headed Duck in forming (Netherlands, Belgium, Umberto Gallo- Orsi BirdLife International, Holland Spain (see Torres this issue p.7 ) and Germany) and in those that possess Vincenzo Rizzi LIPU - BirdLife Italy Tunisia (see Azafzaf this issue p.37 ); White-headed Duck populations Violeta Muñoz Estación Biológica de Doñana, Sevilla, Spain DNA analysis of White-headed Ducks to (Spain, Morocco, Tunisia). Special investigate introgression of Ruddy Duck attention is requested from those genes (see Muñoz this issue p.28 ); countries where reintroduction • On the other hand, it must be thus increasing the probability of White-headed Duck conservation at El projects are ongoing or planned guaranteed that hybridisation does success of reintroduction efforts. Hondo, Valencia; Western Palearctic (France, Italy). not increase with the expansion of Ruddy Duck eradication strategy; Ruddy • Large captive populations and free the species’ range. To this end, any HABITAT ENHANCEMENT Duck control in the UK). Reintroduction trade in Ruddy Ducks also represent Ruddy Duck that appear in the • Over-hunting and poaching represent techniques relating to the Italian an important threat to the White- countries where reintroductions are major factors leading to the decline reintroduction programme were then headed Duck. A ban on trade in the being carried out should be of the White-headed Duck and still discussed before the production of a species in the European Union and a eradicated (France, Italy). constitute important limiting factors series of workshop recommendations regulation on keeping existing • The Majorca experience suggests in many areas. The species recovery (reproduced below). The second day was specimens are thus needed. that the best reintroduction method in Spain has been attributed to the spent visiting Lesina Lagoon, the involves captive breeding (possibly conservation of key sites and to the Capitanata wetlands (Margherita di REINTRODUCTIONS on site) and release after total protection of the species. It is Savoia saltpans) and the release site and • Reintroduction can be a useful acclimatisation in a fenced area. thus of primary importance to project facilities at Daunia Risi - Lago conservation tool in the recovery of • The recovery of the Spanish guarantee adequate protection and Salso wetland. Ten White-headed Ducks the White-headed Duck and for the population would allow modest effective surveillance of actual and had been released by May 2000. The restoration of continuity between taking (principally of eggs) from the potential sites used by the species. need to eradicate the Ruddy Duck was fragmented populations still present wild in order to enhance the genetic • Densities in breeding sites can be highlighted as the most important in the Mediterranean. variability of captive bred nuclei, increased significantly by modifying objective for White-headed Duck the structure of reed beds (creating

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pools of free water, diversifying • Standardising census methods is a In the light of the above considerations, where the problem is already present vegetation) and adequately basic requirement for time-series the participants invite: and where no countermeasures have managing water levels. monitoring of Mediterranean White- been taken so far, as well as to Italy • Nest predation by rats, which can headed Duck populations and for 1. The European Union to ban and France - in order to guarantee substantially reduce White-headed identification of key sites for the commerce in Ruddy Ducks and to the success of current reintroduction Duck reproductive success, can be species. To this end, the creation of take actions to reduce the number of projects. reduced by the creation of islands a specialist working group is birds held in captive collections. To 4. The organisations in charge of the and the use of artificial nesting recommended for the production of this end it is requested that the ongoing reintroduction projects platforms. The latter can also solve a common methodological protocol Ruddy Duck be added to Annex B of (Majorca, Corsica, Puglia) to put in the problem of sudden water based on existing experience. the Regulation implementing CITES place the above mentioned habitat fluctuations during nesting. • The correct management of White- in Europe, as requested by the UK enhancement activities in order to • In Spain, a strong negative headed Duck needs a better genetic government. increase the chances of success. relationship has been observed characterisation of the species, 2. The UK government to proceed 5. The Italian government to create the between the presence of Carp and taking into account genetic quickly to eradicate the Ruddy Duck, legal framework necessary to tackle White-headed Duck, including the bottleneck effects, hybridisation thus building on the excellent results the problem of invasive alien total abandonment of sites (see with Ruddy Duck and the obtained so far during the control species. Almarez this issue p.31 ). Further differentiation between the various trial. 6. The Puglia Region and the Gargano research into the number and effect (now disjunct) populations. One 3. The governments of other European National Park to produce a of Carp at the release site is thus question that must be addressed is and North African countries to management plan for the region’s needed as well as precautionary the possibility of using individuals pursue an active Ruddy Duck control wetlands, taking into consideration measures of integrated control of from the Asian and Spanish policy. A pressing invitation is the conservation needs of the White- this and possibly other fish species. populations in order to increase addressed to Belgium, the headed Duck. • In order to reduce mortality from genetic variability of captive stock Netherlands, Germany and Morocco lead poisoning, the use of lead shot used in reintroduction projects. A should be phased out at all key sites useful instrument for the genetic throughout the White-headed Duck’s studies is the inventory of skins range. This could include voluntary preserved in museum collections. bans where necessary. • The origin of the Tunisian wintering Contaminated sediments should also population must be determined, as be removed from key sites after well as the real size of the North identification of the most heavily African breeding population. contaminated areas. • Ecological studies on White-headed • Fishing installations and power lines Duck, vital for its correct can increase the accidental mortality management, should be carried out rate. Actions mitigating these at sites of major importance for the threats should be evaluated. species. • A correct management policy for the RESEARCH ACTIVITIES species must include an effective • A good knowledge of optimal trophic awareness and education campaign conditions during the breeding period aimed at creating, among the public (structure and biomass of of the species’ range countries, a submerged vegetation, invertebrate strong sense of ownership in relation availability, turbidity and water to the White-headed Duck. It is nutrient charge) is needed for equally important to raise public optimal management of key sites. awareness of the problem posed by • Habitat use and survival of released the Ruddy Duck in Europe, thus birds should be studied using facilitating understanding and, appropriate means, such as internal consequently, acceptance of control satellite transmitters and nasal and eradication operations. saddles.

35 36 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

WHITE-HEADED DUCKS IN main causes of wetland loss are Table 1. Tunisian wetlands with White-headed Duck records (see Figure 1 for geographical drainage, urbanization and dam building location of sites). TUNISIA on rivers (Hughes et al . 1997). Table 1 shows that the White-headed Duck is Site Name Type of Map Protected Max No. of Birds Breeding Breeding Hichem Azafzaf adapting to this changing situation and (Region) Wetland No. Status (Year) Confirmed Period that most large freshwater reservoirs are (IBA Reference (Year Last Records Association “Les Amis des Oiseaux” regularly visited by wintering White- No.) Recorded) headed Ducks. From four confirmed Garaet Ichkeul Large (A.A.O.), 11, Rue Abou El Alla El Maari, 600 (1977) breeding sites, three are artificial (Nord) permanent Cité El Houda, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia. 015 National Smart (1977) wetlands and it seems that the breeding freshwater - Y [email protected] . (002) Park cited in Hughes population may increase due to the - brackish et al . (1997) increased availability of artificial lake wetlands. Barrage Large water 3 (1984) INTRODUCTION 030 Y Besbassia storage - Hughes et al. Y The White-headed Duck winters regularly (-) (1987) in Tunisia. The peak count of 1,550 birds THREATS (Nord) reservoir (1997) Although the White-headed Duck is fully Sebkhet Ariana Permanent was at Lac de Tunis in February 1969 073 2 (1986) protected in Tunisia, the species is (Nord) brackish to - (M. Smart in litt. 1989). In recent times, (-) Gaultier (1986) significant wintering concentrations have indirectly threatened by habitat saline lake occurred at Barrage Oued El Kebir (450 degradation and loss, and other human Lac de Tunis Hunting activities, like hunting and reed cutting. (Nord) Reserve birds), Barrage El Haouareb (334 birds), Large 1,550 (1969) Degradation by pollution is another (including Barrage Oued El Khatf (122 birds), and permanent 074 Smart (1989) important problem: 27% of Tunisia’s Île de - - Barrage Mornaguia (58 birds) (Table 1, brackish (009) cited in Green lakes and marshes, and 21% of rivers are Chikly Figure 1). The species breeds irregularly lake (1996) and only in small numbers with the first polluted. This is undoubtedly an Nature breeding record in 1957 (Castan 1958). underestimate, as much information Reserve) White-headed Ducks have occurred on at regarding water pollution is not Barrage Gdir El Large water 107 (1988) 075 least 24 sites in Tunisia (Table 1, Figure documented or is unavailable (Hughes et Goulla (Nord) storage - Gaultier & G.T.O. - Y (-) 1) with breeding season records at 12 al . 1997). Reed cutting affects White- reservoir (1989) and confirmed breeding at three. headed Duck breeding success, both Barrage Large water 58 (1999) 076 through disturbance and transformation Mornaguia storage - Azafzaf pers. - - (007) Tunisia has an extraordinary diversity of of breeding habitat. Most Tunisian (Nord) reservoir comm . (1999) wetlands and a long history of reliance wetlands suffer high hunting pressure. Barrage Oued Permanent upon water resources and water This affects the White-headed Duck El Kebir (Nord) river/large 450 (1999) 080 management (Hughes et al . 1997). indirectly through disturbance and water - Amari pers. - - (-) During the last 40 years, increasing directly through poaching and through storage comm . (1999) agricultural production and demand has birds being shot by mistake. reservoir necessitated the development of water Garaet El Permanent At least 1 (1977) Tunisian wetlands are inadequately 085 supply schemes, such as reservoirs and Kebira freshwater - Hughes et al . - - (-) irrigation channels, and the drainage of protected. Although the country is a (Nord) lake (1997) contracting party of the Ramsar wetlands for agricultural land. Lagune de Brackish to Convention, only one wetland, Garaet 093 16 (1986) Consequently many of Tunisia’s wetlands Soliman (Nord) saline - Ichkeul, has been designated as a Ramsar (011) Gaultier (1986) have been degraded or have disappeared lagoon Site. Few wetlands are protected as and others, like water storage reservoirs, Barrage Masri Large water 2 (1998) nature reserves: for example, Sebkha 094 have been created. Since 1881, 28% of (Nord) storage - Azafzaf pers. - - Kelbia, one of the White-headed Duck’s (015) Tunisian wetlands have disappeared, reservoir comm . (1998) breeding sites is unprotected. Some sites representing a reduction in wetland area Barrage Chiba Large water 25 (1980) are partly and temporarily protected 097 of 15%. Conversely, 22,400Ha of (Nord) storage - Hughes et al . - Y through designation as reserves from (-) reservoirs have been created since 1945, reservoir (1997) and the trend has therefore been from hunting (Hughes et al . 1997). productive shallow marshes to unproductive deep-water habitats. The

37 38 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Site Name Type of Map Protected Max No. of Birds Breeding Breeding Figure 1. Tunisian wetlands with White-headed Duck records. (Region) Wetland No. Status (Year) Confirmed Period (IBA Reference (Year Last Records No.) Recorded) Barrage Lebna Large water At least 2 (1988) 098 Y (Nord) storage - Gaultier & G.T.O. Y (012) (2001) reservoir (1989) Barrage Sidi Large water 33 (1994) 100 Djedidi (Nord) storage - Hughes et al . - Y (-) reservoir (1997) Barrage Mlaabi Large water 18 (1989) 114 Hunting (Nord) storage Hughes et al . - Y (006) Reserve reservoir (1997) Barrage Sidi Large water 25 (1983) 115 Hunting Abdelmonaâm storage Hughes et al . - Y (008) Reserve (Nord) reservoir (1997) Barrage Sidi Large water 20 (1998) 131 Saad (Center) storage - Mighri p ers. - Y (-) reservoir comm . (2000) Sebkha Sidi El Seasonal - 55 (1975) Hani (Center) permanent 140 - Hughes et al . - - brackish to (024) (1997) saline lake Sebkha Kelbia Seasonal - 10 (1989) (Center) permanent 141 Nature Azafzaf p ers. - Y brackish to (020) Reserve comm . (1989) saline lake Oued Sed Seasonal / 14 (1977) 143 (Center) irregular - Hughes et al . - - (018) river (1997) Gareat El Seasonal - 5 (1975) Fertass permanent 157 - Hughes et al . - - (Center) brackish to (-) (1997) saline lake Barrage El Large water 334 (2000) 162 Y Haouareb storage - Azafzaf pers. Y (023) (1990) (Center) reservoir comm . (2000) Sebkha Sidi Seasonal - 600 (1971) Mansour permanent 184 - Hughes et al . - - (Center) brackish to (033) (1997) saline lake Garaet Zograta Seasonal At least 2 (1957) 185 (Center) freshwater - Hughes et al . Y Y (-) lake (1997) Barrage Oued Large water 122 (2000) - El Khatf (Nord) storage - Amari & Azafzaf - - (-) reservoir (2000)

39 40 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

THE TUNISIAN IBA-PROJECT AND THE Publishing, Strasbourg. Septembre 2000, Relatif a Tamisier, A. 1988. Suivi scientifique et NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THREE Hughes, J.M.R. & Maamouri, F. 1997. A l’organisation de la chasse pendant aménagement, développement des THREATENED WATERBIRD SPECIES preliminary inventory of Tunisian la saison 2000-2001. recherches sur le lac Ichkeul, Tunisie Forty-five Important Bird Areas (IBA) Wetlands. University College Rigaux, T. 1989. Suivi scientifique et 1987-1988, Rapport de Convention have been identified for Tunisia following London, Wetland Research Unit. aménagement du Parc National de SRETIE n° 87 111. 22pp. the BirdLife International IBA criteria: 38 566pp. l'Ichkeul (Tunisie), Suivi des oiseaux Thomsen, P. & Jacobsen, P. 1979. The sites are wetlands and 13 of them have d'eau et actions de formation au Birds of Tunisia. Copenhagen. held White-headed Ducks (Amari & OTHER RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS cours de l'hiver 1988/1989, rapport 176pp. Azafzaf 2000). Since the beginning of Dalensi, H. 1998. Observation intermédiaire réalisé dans le cadre du Van Dijk, A.J., Van Dijk, K., Dijksen, L.J., the Tunisian IBA-project, the number of ornithologique effectuées dans le contrat C.C.E, DG XII Van Spanje, T.M. & Wymenga, E.Y. temporary protected wetlands (hunting centre et le Sud Tunisiens du 31/ n°EV4V1/01166. 52pp. 1984. Wintering waders and reserves) has increased thanks to project 10/1998 au 07/11/1998. Smart, M. 1976. Recensement des waterfowl in the gulf of Gabes, activities. The Association “Les Amis des Association “ Les Amis des oiseaux d’eau en Tunisie janvier Tunisia. WIWO rep. pp.11-206. Oiseaux” (A.A.O.) is currently producing Oiseaux“, Section de Sfax. 16pp. 1975. Bull. Soc. Sc. Nat. Tunisie a national action plan for three Gaultier, T. 1987. Recensement des 1976:3-20. threatened water bird species: White- oiseaux d’eau en Tunisie en Janvier headed Duck, Marbled Teal and 1987. Report publ. I.N.R.S.T., Ferruginous Duck. This action plan Centre de Biologie et de Ressources includes awareness raising, promotion of Génétiques. 16pp. habitat protection, prevention of further Gaultier, T. 1988. Compte rendu habitat degradation and loss, and a d'Ornithologie Tunisienne, Groupe program aiming to increase breeding Tunisien d'Ornithologie & Unité success in a sub-set of already known d'Ornithologie de l'INRST. 151pp. and potential breeding sites of the three Groupe Internationale pour Recherche des species. Oiseaux d’eaux et des Zones Humides. 1994. Projet Limicoles REFERENCES Tunisie. Fondation WIWO. 20pp. Amari, F. & Azafzaf, H. 2000. Rapports Heim de Balsac, H. & Mayaud, N. 1962. de suivi des ZICOs en Tunisie, Oiseaux du Nord - Ouest de in : Rapport d’activité du projet FEM- l’Afrique. 486pp. BirdLife en Tunisie - Annexes. Hollis, G.E. 1986. The modelling and Castan, R. 1958. Notes de Tunisie. management of the internationally Alauda 25:56-62. important wetland at garet el Gaultier, T. 1986. Recensement des Ichkeul, Tunisie. IWRB Special oiseaux d’eau en Tunisie janvier Publication 4. 121pp. 1986. Ministere de l’Enseignement Minister de l’Agriculture Direction Superieur et de la Recherche Générale des Forêts. 1998. Arrête Scientifique. Institut de Recherche du Ministre de l’Agriculture du 2 Scientifique et Technique. Unité septembre 1998, Relatif a d’Ornithologie. 12pp. l’organisation de la chasse pendant Gaultier, T. & GTO. 1989. Compte rendu la saison 1998-1999. d’Ornithologie Tunisienne, Groupe Minister de l’Agriculture Direction Tunisien d’Ornithologie & Unité Générale des Forêts. 1999. Arrête d’Ornithologie de l’INRST. 151pp. du Ministre de l’Agriculture du 27 Green, A.J. (Compiler). 1996. septembre 1999, Relatif a International action plan for the l’organisation de la chasse pendant Marbled Teal Marmaronetta la saison 1999-2000. angustirostris . Pp. 99-117 In: Minister de l’Agriculture Direction Heredia, B., Rose, L. & Painter, M. Générale des Forêts. 2000. Arrête (Eds.). Globally threatened birds in du Ministre de l’Agriculture du 12 Europe. Council of Europe

41 42 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

both pure birds and hybrids have been STATUS OF WHITE-HEADED during bad weather at Red Lake. NEW RECORDS OF WHITE- recorded at Douyìet (Franchimont pers. Numbers at Sarysu and Red Lake may HEADED DUCK FROM comm .). Up to six Ruddy Duck (four DUCKS IN have been much higher. MOROCCO males and two females on 21 June 2000) and six hybrids (three males and Elchin H. Sultanov . As a rule, birds arrive in Azerbaijan in

three females on 13 July 1999) have October and leave in March with Jose Torres been seen (Franchimont pers. comm .). As Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan maximum counts at Hajigabul, Red Lake

there are currently no plans to control Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan Center and Agzybir in November-December and Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Ruddy Ducks in Morocco, they present a for the Protection of Birds, Passage February-March during migration. Andalucía, Apdo. No. 3059, 14080 further source of birds which can 1128, Block 504, 370073, Córdoba, Spain. [email protected] . hybridise with the White-headed Duck Azerbaijan. . Although few data are available, White- [email protected] and thus threaten its future existence, headed Duck numbers and distribution in

not only in Morocco but in key Azerbaijan appear to vary from year to A small population of White-headed populations elsewhere in North Africa, in There are historical records of White- year. Some new sites have been Ducks is now present in Morocco after an Spain and in Asia. headed Ducks wintering in Azerbaijan in discovered, while the species may now absence of 25 years. White-headed the Lankeran valley (Radde 1885, Loudon be absent from historic sites, such as Ducks were first recorded in Morocco by REFERENCES 1909, Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkaryova Lake Aggel and the Kura Estuary. In Favier (Irby 1895) who suggested that Bruhn, J.F.W. & Jeffrey, B. 1958. Nota 1938) and on the lakes of the Mugan 1991, M. Patrikeev counted >3,500 the species was common in the north of sobre aves de Murcia y Cádiz, valley (Satunin 1912). There are more birds on only two sites - Aggel and Kyzyl the country. Vaucher considered the observaciones de fin de verano. recent records of individuals and small Agach, whilst between 1996 and 1999, White-headed Duck a regular breeder in Ardeola 4:1. groups of birds at Sarysu and Shilyan most of 1,200-1,300 birds counted were wetlands near Tánger. Phillips (1923), Castro, J.C., Torres, J.A. & García, D. Lakes, Agzybir Lake, passing the Kura on Lake Hajigabul. Bruhn & Jeffrey (1958) and Torres- 1997. Presencia de la Malvasía River estuary and along the Caspian Esquivias (1996) noted the species in Cabeciblanca ( Oxyura leucocephala ) shore (Tuayev 1965, 1975). At Kyzyl We estimate that some 3-5,000 White- various areas before Louette (1973) en Marruecos. Oxyura 9:147-148. Agach, two birds were reported in mid- headed Ducks probably winter in made the last sighting in July 1971 at Finlayson, J.C. 1992. Birds of the Strait October (Vinogradov & Chernyavskaya Azerbaijan, mainly at Lakes Aggel, Sidi Bou Rhaba, near Kenitra. Many of Gibraltar. Academic Press Inc. 1965) and another two at Mahmudchala Hajigabul, and Sarysu, and in the Kyzyl authors then recorded the White-headed London. in winter 1989 (Babayev 1991). Agach State Reserve. Several hundred Duck as being extinct in Morocco, Irby, L. 1895. The ornithology of the birds may also be present along the including Pineau & Giraud-Audine (1979), strait of Gibraltar. Taylor & Francis, In January 1991, 3,000 White-headed Caspian coast, including the lakes closest Mayaud (1982), Finlayson (1992) and London. Ducks were counted at Lake Aggel and to sea (Red Lake and others). Schollaert & Franchimont (1996). Louette, M. 1973. Ornithological another 520 at Kyzyl Agach (Patrikeev

observations near fresh and brackish 1991). In 1996, only one bird was seen Unfortunately, the White-headed Duck is In 1997, the species was rediscovered - water in Morocco during summer at Sarysu Lake (Paynter . 1996a, still not included in the Azerbaijan Red on 30 May and 28 June we observed a et al 1971. Gerfaut 63:121-132. 1996b), but the number present could Data Book and may still be an occasional male White-headed Duck on Mergha Mayaud, N. 1982. Les oiseaux du nord- have been higher amongst the 300,000 victim of hunters. Bargha (Catro et al . 1997). Subsequently, ouest de l’Afrique. Notes waterfowl there. Other observations up to 12 males and 12 females have complementaires. Alauda 50:114- during 1990s include: 960 birds at Lake REFERENCES been seen annually at Douyièt, near Fez, 145. Hajigabul in February 1998; 320 there in Babayev, I.R. 1991. Number of rare and and breeding was confirmed in July 2000 Phillips, J.C. 1923. A natural history of November 1999 (Sultanov . 1999); disappearing waterbird species at with the observation of a brood of five et al ducks. Vol. I. Houghton Mifflin. ten birds at the Babur-Gutan Island the Kura-Araz lowland. p.143 In: ducklings (Franchimont pers. comm .). Boston. system in February 1997 (Musayev & Actual questions of ecology and The small dam of Douyièt is within the Sultanov 1999); 135 birds at Red Lake protection of nature of Stavropol private property of the King of Morocco, Pineau, J.Y. & Giraud-Audine, M. 1979. (on the outskirts of Baku city) in January country and bordered territories, thus access is extremely limited. The Les oiseaux de la oeninsule 1996; 200 birds there in February 1997; Proceedings of sci.-practice conf., subsequent lack of disturbance may have tingitane. Public. Inst. Scientifique. and 140 in March 1998. Stavropol (in Rus.). allowed the White-headed Duck to re- Schollaert, V. & Franchimont, J. 1996. Loudon, H. 1909. Mein vierte Reise nach establish itself in Morocco. Chronique Ornitologique du GOMAC During winter 1999/2000, we counted Zentral-Asien und Taalysh Ganur- pour 1995. Porphyrio 8:94-147. 257 White-headed Ducks at Hajigabul; in Mazz, 1908. Berliiht. Uber den Unfortunately, the North American Ruddy Torres-Esquivias, J.A. 1996. Presencia February 2000, 39 at Lake Sarysu; and vintern: Ornith. Kongr. Berlin (in Duck has also colonised Morocco, and remota de Oxyura leucocephala en Marruecos. Oxyura 7:117. on 15 January 2000, at least 38 birds Germ.).

43 44 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Musayev, M.A. & Sultanov, E.H. 1999. Sultanov, E., Gavashelishvili, A., been wintering on Lake Aydarkul Ornithological resources of the Kerimov, T., Javakhi, Z., Agayeva, STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION (Nazarov unpubl. data ). Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian N. & Humbatova, S. 1999. OF THE WHITE-HEADED Sea. VOLGA (Official publication of Ecological monitoring with public DUCK IN UZBEKISTAN Few breeding season records exist - an MIOGE'99 - The 5th International Oil participation at sites noted for high adult female was found at Lake Rogatoye and Gas Exhibition. biodiversity and vulnerability of in the central Kyzylkum Desert near the Paynter, D., Aarvak, T. & Sultanov, E. ecosystems along the Baku - Supsa Elena Kreuzberg-Mukhina, Yevgeniya town of Uchkuduk on 17 August 1982 1996a. Winter counts of threatened oil pipeline, Baku - Tbilisi. 124pp. (in Lanovenko, Alexander Filatov & Sergey (Minaev 1987). species in Azerbaijan. TWSG News Azery, Georgian, Engl., Rus.). Zagrebin 9:39-42. Tuayev, D.G. 1965. Materials on fauna In the Uzbek SSR Red Data Book (1983), Paynter, D.B., Aarvak, T. & Sultanov, and ecology of waterfowl and marsh Institute of Zoology, Uzbek Academy of the White-headed Duck was recognized E.Y. 1996b. Conservation of birds of the Samur-Divichi valley of Sciences, NPEC "Ecotex". Niyasov Str. - as "rare and insufficiently known, wetland reserves in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan. Pp. 69-97 In: Fauna and 1, Tashkent 700095, Uzbekistan. kreuz perhaps disappearing in Middle Asia and Report by The Wildfowl & Wetlands ecology of terrestrial vertebrates of @uzsci.net . Kazakhstan". In the Red Data Book of Trust and Norwegian Ornithological Azerbaijan. Acad. Sci. Azerb. SSR Kazakhstan (1996), it is included in Society to Fauna & Flora Publishers, Baku (in Rus.). Threat Category I: a species with International. 56pp. Tuayev, D.G. 1975. Materials on the Historically, the White-headed Duck has “sharply reduced numbers and mosaic- been recorded in Uzbekistan on Patrikeev, M.V. 1991. White-headed fauna and ecology of waterfowl and like distribution". Assessments of total migration, whilst breeding was thought Duck and other rare birds on lake marsh birds at the Kura-Araz number are unavailable in both Red Data to occur on several water areas Aggyol in January 1991. p. 143. In: lowland in modern conditions. Books. (Kashkarov 1987). The species was Actual questions of ecology and Pp.151-188 In: Materials on the common in the neighbouring areas of protection of a nature of Stavropol fauna and ecology terrestrial In autumn 1999, a GEF project was Turkmenistan, on the lakes of the Country and border territories. vertebrates of Azerbaijan. Elm, Baku initiated at Lake Sudochie with the aim of Murgab, and nesting in the Amudarya Proceedings of sci.-practice conf., (in Rus.). restoring the lake’s natural ecosystems. River basin, near Chardjou (Yaschenko Stavropol (in Rus.). Tugarinov, A.Y. & Kozlova-Pushkaryova, This has included detailed ecological 1891, Zarudny 1896). In the Syrdarya Radde, G. 1885. Ornithological fauna of Y.V. 1938. Life of birds in the monitoring, including an expedition to the River basin in Kazakhstan, White-headed Caucasus. Caucasian Museum Kyzylagach reserve. Proc. Azerbaijan lake between 12 and 30 October 1999 Ducks were recorded migrating and Publishers (in Rus.). Branch, USSR Acad. Sci., Vol. which located previously unknown breeding between the Aral Sea and the Satunin, K.A. 1912. Systematic XXXIV (in Rus.). migratory flocks of White-headed Duck. town of Turkestan (Dolgushin 1960). catalogue of birds of Caucasia. Proc. Vinogradov, V.V. & Chernyavskaya, S.I. On 17 October, a flock of 40 feeding

Caucasian Dept. Russian Geog. 1965. Materials about the White-headed Ducks was observed off In Uzbekistan, during spring migration Soc.. Vol. XXIII, Part 2 (in Rus.). ornithofauna of the Kyzylagach the shore of Lake Akushpa, one of four White-headed Ducks were recorded in reserve. Pp. 22-52 In: Proc. water reservoirs of the Sudochie March on the Syrdarya River, near Reserves Azerbaijan. Lesnaya wetland. On 20 October, during a boat Chinaz, and in April in the Zeravshan Promyshlennost, Moscow (in Rus.). census of waterfowl in the eastern part River basin and the Fergana valley (Figure of Lake Akushpa, more than 450 White- 1). During autumn migration, it was headed Ducks were recorded gathered in observed in October on lakes near small flocks of 7-30 individuals. On the Khoresm, in the middle reaches of the next day, 21 October, during a complete Syrdarya River and in the Golodnaya boat census of the lake, about 4,300 Steppe (Kashkarov 1987). White-headed Ducks were found in the centre of the lake. Small flocks and There is only one historic wintering groups of 7-30 individuals were recorded record of White-headed Duck in in small, inner, reed-fringed bays in the Uzbekistan - a bird shot in the middle east of the lake, but large flocks of 800- reaches of the Syrdarya River near 1,500 birds were observed in more open, Dalverzin whose skin is preserved in the highly saline western and eastern parts. scientific collection of the Tashkent State University. However, in recent years, small flocks of White-headed Duck have

45 46 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Figure 1. Wetlands of historic and current importance for White-headed Ducks in Uzbekistan. aerial survey of Lake Dengizkul on 11 Lake, has increased. New reservoirs built January 2000, 1,137 White-headed during the last few decades in the central Ducks were found on the lake, in groups and southern Amudarya and Syrdarya of 575, 200 and 107 in one bay, and Basins, including the Tudakul and Aydar- 175 and 85 in another. Within each Arnasai water systems, now attract larger aggregation, birds were distributed many migratory, wintering and breeding in small groups of 12-50 ducks. On 3 waterfowl species. These sites could February, a second aerial census located now hold significant numbers of White- 185 White-headed Ducks, most of which headed Ducks and surveys are urgently were found in one bay in small groups of needed. 48, 35, 30, 24, 30, 12 and six). REFERENCES The ecology of the sites where White- Dolgushin I.A. 1960. Birds of headed Duck were found at Lake Kazakhstan. Volume 1. Almaty, Dengizkul differed significantly from Kazakhstan. 470pp. those at Lake Akushpa. The birds at Kashkarov, D.Yu. 1987. Order Dengizkul were found in areas entirely Anseriformes. Pp. 57-121 In: Birds lacking in emergent vegetation at a of Uzbekistan, Vol. 1. “FAN”, distance of 50-100 m from steep banks. Tashkent. Although White-headed Ducks were Minaev, N.A. 1987. Several rare bird observed at Lake Dengizkul for the first species of Central Kyzylkum. Pp. 92- time in 2000, the species may well have 93 In Mammals and birds of occurred there in the past. It is located Uzbekistan. “FAN”, Tashkent. close to Sultandag Lake in Turkmenistan Red Data Book of Uzbek SSR. 1983. where White-headed Ducks have been Vol.1, Vertebrate Animals. “FAN”, observed during migration and breeding Tashkent. 128pp. During a survey in April 2000, the White- The Sudochie wetland appears to be a (Shirekov & Poslavsky 1990. Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. 1996. headed Duck was again recorded on key staging area for White-headed Ducks, V.1, Animals, Part 1. Vertebrates. Akushpa Lake. All 1,166 ducks counted although more information is needed on Lake Akushpa is located on the main “Konzhik”, Almaty, Kazakhstan. were observed from boats in the inner the bird’s status and distribution. This Siberian-Caspian-North-African flyway 325pp. isolated bays of the lake. Alongside the will be provided during the remaining two whilst Dengizkul Lake is located on the Shirekov, R.Sh. & Poslavsky, A.N. 1990. 2km road from the channel to the camp, years of the current GEF project. Lake Siberian-Indo-Pakistan flyway. Thus birds Rare and insufficiently known 145 birds were counted on 16 April, 37 Akushpa qualifies as a Ramsar site for from two different populations may be species of Anseriformes of Eastern on 19 April, and 118 on 19 April. All White-headed Duck and should therefore using Uzbekistan. Overall, our research Turkmenia. Pp. 40-43 In: Rare and were in small groups, and sometimes in be specially protected. On 7-8 April has shown that the White-headed Duck is insufficiently known birds of Central pairs. Important breeding concentrations 2000, three White-headed Ducks (one a breeding, migratory and wintering Asia. Theses of III Republican also occur at Lake Akushpa - in July male and two females) were observed at species in Uzbekistan. But its status Ornithol. Conference, Bukhara. 2000, we counted more than 35 White- Lakes Aidar and Tudakul on small needs further clarification. Wintering Yaschenko, A. 1891. Ornithological headed Duck broods and 2,835 birds in filtrated pools along the edge of the main birds occur mainly in the wetlands of survey on the middle course of the total. During autumn 2000 fewer birds waterbodies (S. Busuttil, E. Kreuzberg- southern Uzbekistan whilst breeding sites Amudarya River in the region of (1,370) were counted, due both to the Mukhina pers. obs .). are located in the Amudarya River delta, Chardjou and Kelif. Works of nature wetland drying up, and to the onset of near to the Aral Sea. The current researchers society, department of autumn migration. Wintering flocks of White-headed Ducks distribution and number of breeding zoology and physiology. V. XXII. have also been found recently at ducks within this area is unknown. Zarudny, N.A. 1896. Ornithological fauna Of the four lakes of the Sudochie Dengizkul Lake, a water-reservoir in the of the Caspian area (Northern wetland, White-headed Ducks occur only Bukhara region which was designated as Before its demise, the Aral Sea acted as Persian, Caspian region, Khiva oasis on Lake Akushpa. Only this lake has vast Uzbekstan’s first Ramsar Site in 1998. an important staging post for waterbirds and Bukhara). - Materials on the shallow bays with reed islands and scrub. Lake Dengizkul is one of the oldest lakes migrating from Western Siberia and knowledge of fauna and flora. Issue The water mineralization fluctuates in the plains of southern Uzbekistan, but Kazakhstan to winter in the Caspian and II. Africa. Subsequently, the importance of within 6.4-29.2 g/l. lately its hydrology has become dependent on human activities. During an nearby wetlands, including Sudochie

47 48 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

STUDY SITE Figure 1. Geographical location of Durankulak Lake, North-Eastern Bulgaria. FERRUGINOUS DUCKS AT Durankulak Lake is a natural wetland DURANKULAK LAKE situated in North-Eastern Bulgaria close COMPLEX, BULGARIA, to the border with Romania (Figure 1). 1995 - 2001 The lake is about 0.5m a.s.l. with a surface area of about 350Ha, of which about 250Ha is open water. The lake Nikolai Petkov 1 & Daniel Mittev 2 represents about 4% of the surface area of natural wetlands in Bulgaria. The lake 1Central Laboratory of General Ecology. has a closed basin hydrology, the water Gagrin Str., BG - 1111 Sofia, Bulgaria. level regime relying mostly on [email protected] . underground waters, as surface inflow is very low. The mean salinity is 0.2‰ 2Bulgarian Society for the Protection of (ranging from 0.2-0.4‰) due to Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria, P.O. Box 50, BG - infiltration of seawater. The average 1111 Sofia, Bulgaria. depth of the wetland is 1.4m with a [email protected] . maximum depth of 6m (Ivanov 1994).

Hydrological and hydrobiological studies INTRODUCTION in recent years define the wetland as The Ferruginous Duck has been recently eutrophic to hypereutrophic, caused lowered from globally threatened largely by anthropogenic activities over “Vulnerable” status (Collar et al . 1994) to the last 30 years, especially the inflow of Low risk/Near threatened (BirdLife polluted underground and surface water International 2000). Nevertheless many from surrounding agricultural fields and of the threats, especially for its European villages. The marsh vegetation at the site population, remain. In Bulgaria, the is composed of about 80% Common Ferruginous Duck is a breeding and Reed Phragmites australis , either in migratory species listed in the Red Data monoculture or co-dominated with Book. During the breeding season, it is Reedmace Typha angustifolia . concentrated mainly along the Danube Typical are Ph. australis-Bolboschoenus Rannunculus aquatilis, mixed and pure River with smaller numbers along the Three more or less separate waterbodies maritimus , Typha angustifolia-Ph. associations of Potamogeton natans , P. Black Sea coast and in inland areas form the Durankulak wetland complex australis , B. maritimus -Schoenoplectus pectinatus and P. crispus . (Petkov 1997, 1998a). Durankulak Lake (Figure 2): Durankulak Lake (DL), Eagle lacustris -Juncus gerardii and is a protected area declared as a Natural Marsh (EM) and the marshland in the Schoenoplectus lacustris (one of the Past studies of the zoobenthos at Monument since 1980. Previous studies south-eastern part of the lake (SEM). largest in the country) with B. maritimus Durankulak Lake found an overall Durankulak Lake, which covers most of have identified it as the most important and Butomus umbellatus . Water depth in biomass density of 23g/m ² dominated by breeding site for Ferruginous Duck along the wetland complex, has steep banks Eagle Marsh is 1-1.5m and some dry Chironomidae larvae - about 78% (Ivanov the Black Sea coast (Petkov 1998b). At and sparse lakeshore vegetation. The areas and floating reed beds occur as 1994). A more recent study reported a present, a project funded by the largest hygrophyte stands are in the lake well. lower mean biomass density of Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation tail ends (TE) with large stands of 18.4g/m², with Chironomidae still Programme (BSBCP) has developed a Phragmites australis and Typha The third wetland body, SEM, is covered dominating. The average biomass of the Management Plan for the site and some angustifolia . Eagle Marsh is separated by , Ph. australis -T. angustifolia Ph. zoobenthic community in Eagle Marsh is management activities are being from the lake by an old dike (now broken , australis-Bolboschoenus maritimus much lower at 5.4g/m². The zoobenthic implemented. This wetland is a and allowing water exchange) and most , , Schoenoplectus lacustris B. maritimus community is more diverse in shallower significant staging site for migrating and mixed hygrophyte associations are and other mixed plant associations. It is lake shore areas and on macrophytes wintering birds, being famous for its present. very shallow - about 0.5-1m deep. which provide good feeding areas for wintering concentrations of White-fronted Hydrophytes are found mostly in Eagle birds and fish (Georgiev 2001). Geese Anser albifrons and Red-breasted Marsh, and include large stands of

Geese. , Utricularia vulgaris Ceratophyllum demersum , Myriophyllum spicatum ,

49 50 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Figure 2. Durankulak wetland complex (© BSBCP Dobrudga Project). Figure 3. Numbers of Ferruginous Ducks at Durankulak Lake, 1995-2001.

100 1995-97 1998 80 2000 60 2001 40 20 No. of Ducks No. 0 March April May June July

BREEDING STATUS the species does not moult here, Ferruginous Ducks were first recorded although ducks are very secretive at this breeding at Durankulak in the 1950s time of year. Observations at other (Petrov & Zlatanov 1955). Subsequent wetlands in Bulgaria show that moulting information is scarce - Donchev (1967) Ferruginous Ducks spend most of the day saw 20 birds on 10 June 1965, whilst resting, either in secluded pools Robel et al . (1978) noted the species surrounded by reeds, or in large flocks in presence. During the 1990s, Ferruginous open water. No such moulting Ducks have been regularly registered at concentrations have been recorded at Durankulak, though there has been no Durankulak. confirmation of breeding for over 34 years (Ivanov 1994). HABITAT SELECTION Ferruginous Ducks occur mainly in the Systematic studies on the species started marshy parts of the Durankulak complex, in 1995 as part of the BSBCP Dobrudga in Eagle Marsh and nearby areas of the project (formerly the Northern Coastal lake, the SEM, and the Lake Tail Ends. Wetlands Project). Further research These areas hold a diverse mosaic of conducted by BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria has microhabitats, including vegetated water led to a much better understanding of the bodies with mixed hygrophyte status of Ferruginous Ducks at vegetation, open water, dry reed beds, Durankulak. From 1995 to 1997, there dense reed beds with patches of shallow was an increase in breeding pairs - from or deep open water, shallow banks with 3-5 in 1995 to 10-12 in 1996 and 25 vegetated mudflats, and shallow waters pairs in 1997 (Petkov 1997). Only 5-7 with floating and submerged vegetation. pairs were present in 1998 (Petkov Eagle Marsh offers the most appropriate 2000), 10 pairs in 2000 (Mittev unpubl. ) conditions for nesting - its thick mixed or and 13 pairs in 2001. It therefore monoculture reed beds along the old METHODS characteristics has been produced by the appears that 10-15 pairs of Ferruginous dike, as well as the eastern bank and This paper is based on data collected BSBCP Dobrudga Project. Breeding Duck usually breed at Durankulak. northern part, offer good concealment for from April to July, 1995 to 2001. The population estimates were expressed as nests for up to 5-6 pairs. Some patches study was conducted using 10x and 8- the total number of females (pairs plus Ferruginous Ducks appear in March, of vegetation along the western and 20x binoculars and 15-45x and 27x individual females) and breeding success numbers peak in April before gradually northwest part of Eagle Marsh also telescopes. In 2000 and 2001, Eagle is discussed in terms of the number of declining through June and July (Figure provide good conditions for 1-3 pairs. Marsh was surveyed on foot and from breeding pairs and number of broods. 3). An absence of Ferruginous Ducks at Unfortunately, most of Eagle Marsh is boats. Much of the data on ecological Durankulak in July probably means that disturbed by poachers.

51 52 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

The SEM includes only a small nesting BREEDING SUCCESS limited to Eagle Marsh and the north part and Stanislav Stoyanov for their help and area suitable for 1-3 pairs. It is extremely Searching for Ferruginous Duck nests in of the lake south of the old dike. support. exposed to disturbance by anglers and the dense reed beds of Durankulak Lake grazing cattle. In 1996-1998 it was, is a difficult and time-consuming activity. CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES however, a favoured area for feeding and Since 1995, we have never recorded Ferruginous Ducks at Durankulak Lake BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened courtship activity for up to half of the more than 4-5 broods in the area, even in complex are found mainly in the marshy birds of the world. Lynx Edicions Ferruginous Duck present in the wetland. 1997 when 22-25 pairs were present. In parts of the wetland, especially Eagle and BirdLife International. Barcelona Unfortunately, the SEM is now almost 2000, a detailed study found no broods Marsh and the South-eastern Marshland. and Cambridge, UK. entirely covered by vegetation, so no or juveniles. This could be because These areas have mixed and mosaic Collar, N.J., Crosby, M.J. & Stattersfield, longer attracts such big numbers of broods remained concealed in small pools vegetation that offers a diversity of A.J. 1994. Birds to Watch 2 - The feeding ducks. The north and east of in the reed beds, but may also be due to habitat. In recent years, the wetland has World List of Threatened Birds. Durankulak Lake, between SEM and a lack of suitable nest sites (Mittev been affected by an inflow of bioorganic BirdLife Conservation Series No. 4. Eagle Marsh, probably consists of similar unpubl .), or to disturbance from (fish) elements and by water level fluctuations BirdLife International, Cambridge, habitat to Eagle Marsh, and could hold 3- poachers and holidaymakers. Despite a which have suppressed zoobenthic and UK. 4 pairs of Ferruginous Ducks; however wardening scheme in the area, poachers plankton communities and reduced the Donchev, S. 1967. Contribution to this has not yet been confirmed due to still enter the wetland in late evenings suitability of the site for Ferruginous knowledge on waterfowl in Bulgaria. access difficulties to the centre of the between April and June, especially when Ducks. During 2000-2001, reduced Papers of Zoological Institute with reed beds where the pools are located. fish are spawning. Such disturbance may water levels meant that Ferruginous Duck Museum - BAS, Sofia. (in Bulgarian). result in poor physical condition in were only found in the north of Georgiev, D. 2001. Management Plan for females such that they do not breed, or Durankulak Lake and in Eagle Marsh. Durankulak Lake Complex. BSBCP may cause direct nest abandonment and MoEW, Sofia. (Korschgen & Dahlgren 1992). Annual monitoring for the past seven Ivanov, B. 1994. Shabla Complex - years suggests a breeding population of Durankulak Lake. In: National Plan In 2001, during exhaustive surveys of 10-15 pairs with a peak of 25 pairs in for Priority Conservation Actions for nesting habitat taking 4-5 days we found 1997. In 2001, five broods hatched from Wetlands in Bulgaria (Michev, T, only one Ferruginous Duck nest. This 13 pairs present, whilst none hatched in Ed.). Bulvest 2000 Publishing was located in a reed bed in Eagle Marsh 2000. Ferruginous Ducks are thought not House, Sofia (in Bulgarian). and contained 8 eggs. From an estimated to moult at Durankulak as most birds Johnson, D.H., Nichols, J.D. & Schwartz, 13 breeding pairs, only five broods were leave the site in July. A wardening M. 1992. In: Batt, B.D.J., Afton, recorded. This result may not be scheme has reduced disturbance from A.D., Anderson, M.G., Ankney, unexpected taking into account that over holidaymakers and anglers, but the area C.D., Johnson, D.H., Kadlec, J.A. 10% of diving duck pairs may not breed still faces significant disturbance from and Krapu, G.L. (Eds.). Ecology and (Johnson et al . 1992); that mortality in local poachers of fish. management of breeding waterfowl. The Tail Ends of Durankulak Lake have the first week may approach 60% (Street Univ. Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. similar habitat to Eagle Marsh and SEM. 1977); and that 20-50% of broods may Durankulak Lake complex is still the Korschgen, C.E & Dahlgren, R.B. 1992. They are heavily vegetated with be lost entirely before fledging major breeding site for Ferruginous Ducks Human disturbances of waterfowl: and but offer only Phragmites Typha (Ringelman 1992). Low food availability along the Black Sea coast. causes, effects and management. In: small pools of open water. The Tail End of benthic invertebrates in Eagle Marsh Improvement/restoration of wetland Waterfowl Management Handbook. at Vaklino village, which has three open (biomass 5.4g/m²) may have contributed conditions (as planned by the BSBCP Fish and Wildlife Leaflet 13, USFWS, water patches, held one pair of to the low breeding success in 2001. Dobrudga project) which could increase Washington. Ferruginous Ducks in 1997 and 1999, This may be supported by the fact that the Ferruginous Duck population should Mittev, D. unpubl . Evaluation of the but it is overpopulated with Coypus Ferruginous Ducks unusually chose to take place during implementation of the Ferruginous Duck population ( Aythya Myocastor coypus which cause feed on water fleas spp.. management plan for the site. Daphnia nyroca ) at Durankulak Lake and disturbance to the birds. The Tail End at However, it is more likely that poor Shabla Lake Complex in 2000 Durankulak village did hold 1-2 pairs of breeding success was caused by a low ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Internal project report. 6pp. Ferruginous Duck, but is presently availability of nesting habitat. Low water We would like to thank the BSBCP Nankinov, D., Simeonov, S., Michev, T. overgrown with vegetation. In July 2001, levels in 2001, especially in the Tail Ends Dobrudga Project and the BSPB/BirdLife & Ivanov, B. 1997. Fauna of this area was completely dry. Breeding and the SEM, caused by a lack of rainfall Bulgaria Conservation Programme which Bulgaria. V.26. Aves - part II. Ferruginous Ducks at Durankulak rarely from late May to the end of July 2001, have funded most of these studies. Academic Press “Proff. M. Drinov”, use the open water areas, preferring meant that suitable nesting habitat was Special thanks to Mr. Dimitar Georgiev, Sofia (in Bulgarian). instead the shallower marshy sections. Ms. Temenuga Racheva, Christo Christov Petkov, N. 1997. Current status of the

53 54 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Ferruginous Duck ( Aythya nyroca ) in Petrov, B.M. & Zlatanov, S.I. 1955. In the Inner Niger delta, 7,800 Bulgaria. MSc thesis, Faculty of Materials on the Fauna of Dobrudga. RECORD COUNTS OF Ferruginous Ducks were estimated in Biology, Sofia University “St. Kl. - Magazine of the Research Institute FERRUGINOUS DUCK IN 1998-1999, more than 13,000 in 1999- Ochridski”, Sofia. at the Ministry of Agriculture, No1. SAHELIAN AFRICA 2000 and 14,300 in 2000-2001. In Petkov, N. 1998a. Current status of the Ringelman, J. 1992. Identifying the January 2000 and 2001, all birds were Ferruginous Duck ( Aythya nyroca ) in factors that limit duck production. recorded in dry areas north of 15°30’N Bulgaria. Partimadar 1997-1998, In: Waterfowl Management B. Trolliet & O. Girard on large shallow lakes with extensive MME/BirdLife Hungary. Handbook. Fish and Wildlife Leaflet emergent vegetation. Petkov, N. 1998b. Studies on the 13, USFWS, Washington. Office National de la Chasse, Dir. de la Ferruginous Duck in Bulgaria. TWSG Robel, D., Konigstedt, D., & Muller, H. Recherche et du Dev., Reserve de In January 2000, 3,900 birds were News 11:14-19. 1978. Zur Kenntnis der Avifauna Chanteloup, 85340 L'ile D'Olonne, counted on Lake Horo (or Oro), France. . Petkov, N. 2000. Population trends of Bulgariens - Beitr. Vogelkd, 24 (4). [email protected] previously thought to be the most

breeding Ferruginous Duck in Street, M. 1977. The food of Mallard important site in West Africa for

Bulgaria. TWSG News 12:44-48. ducklings in a wet gravel quarry, and Ferruginous Ducks (del Hoyo et al. Aerial counts of waterbirds were carried its relation to duckling survival. 1992). We found the largest out in the Inner Niger Delta (Mali) in Wildfowl 28:113-125. concentrations north-west of Niafounké January 1999, 2000 and 2001, and in town, with 7,250 birds in January 1999 the Lake Chad basin (Chad, Cameroon, and ca . 8,000 in January 2000. In Nigeria, Niger) in February and December January 2001, only 275 birds were on 1999. The previous complete aerial Lake Horo, and again the biggest groups counts in the Inner Niger delta were in (5,130, 3,650 and 2,000) were north of the late 1970s/early 1980s. Since the the Niger River. Such concentrations, mid-1980s, midwinter waterbird counts exceeding a few hundred birds, seem have been conducted almost annually, exceptional (Madge & Burn 1988). In but many have been partial. Most years Senegal and Mauritania, counts do not no Ferruginous Ducks were counted and exceed some tens of birds (Schricke et the maximum number was 6,400 in al. 1999, V. Schricke pers. comm .). 1985 (Monval & Pirot 1989), which corresponds to the maximum number The total number of Ferruginous Ducks counted in tropical Africa (6,450 in counted in 1999-2000 in West and 1985). In the Lake Chad basin, the only Central Africa neared 17,000 birds. This previous aerial counts were in 1984, number, and the January 2001 count of 1986 and 1987, with peak counts of 14,300 birds in Mali, exceed previous Ferruginous Ducks of 500 in 1987 on peak numbers, as well as the current Lake Fitri (Chad) and 2,200 in 1969 at population estimate. These results the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands (Nigeria) emphasize the importance of Inner Niger (Perennou 1991). The current estimated delta and Lake Fitri for this previously wintering population in the West vulnerable species and suggest the Mediterranean and West and Central population estimate should be increased Africa is 10,000 birds (Scott & Rose to at least 15,000 birds. 1996). REFERENCES In the Lake Chad basin, we observed only del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. one Ferruginous Duck during the 1998- (Eds). 1992. Handbook of the birds 1999 winter, on Lake Fitri. During 1999- of the world. Vol. 1. Lynx Editions, 2000, 3,830 birds were counted, Barcelona. 696pp. including a single concentration of 3,800 Madge, S. & Burn, H. 1988. Wildfowl: birds in a flooded wooded area west of An identification guide to the ducks, Lake Fitri. geese and swans of the world. Helm, Bromley, Kent. 298pp.

55 56 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Monval J.Y. & Pirot, J.Y. (Eds). 1989. Schricke V., Benmergui M., Diouf S., ACTION PLAN FOR INFRASPECIFIC TAXA Results of the International Ould Messaoud B. & Triplet P. 1999. None described. Waterfowl Census 1967-1986. Oiseaux d’eau dans le delta du AUSTRALIAN BIRDS IWRB Spec. Publ. 8. Slimbridge, Sénégal et ses zones humides PAST RANGE AND ABUNDANCE 145pp. environnantes en Janvier 1999. Bull. Stephen Garnett & G.M. Crowley Across northern Australia and throughout Perennou, C. 1991. Les recensements Mens. ONC 247:22-33. eastern Australia, including parts of internationaux d'oiseaux d'eau en Scott, D.A. & Rose, P.M. 1996. Atlas of Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, PO. western New South Wales (Smith et al . Afrique tropicale. Publ. Spec. du Anatidae Populations in Africa and Box 2066, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia. 1995), southern and western Victoria BIROE 15. Slimbridge, 140pp. Western Eurasia. Wetlands [email protected]. au . (Emison et al . 1987) and south-east International Publication 41. South Australia. Vagrant to south-west Wetlands International, Wageningen. Australia and Tasmania (Marchant & The following text is reproduced from the Higgins 1990). Also present in southern action plan for Australian birds published New Guinea and regularly crosses Torres by Environment Australia with kind Strait (Draffan et al . 1983). permission of the authors (Garnett, S.T. & Crowley, G.M. 2000. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Environment Australia, Canberra.).

MAGPIE GOOSE Anseranas semipalmata (Latham 1798) Conservation status: Least Concern

REASONS FOR LISTING A range contraction to about a half of the species’ historical extent could justify a listing of Near Threatened (criterion a). However, movement of birds between Australia and New Guinea is substantial, with the Australian population probably the larger, so national status and global status are linked (as per Gärdenfors et al . 1999). Furthermore, despite significant threats, there is no evidence of a current

decline, and so the species is Least Concern.

Australian Population Estimate Reliability Extent of occurrence 2,500,000km 2 Medium Trend Stable High Area of occupancy 100,000km 2 Low Trend Stable Medium No. of breeding birds 4,000,000 Low Trend Fluctuating Medium No. of sub-populations 1 Medium Generation time 5 years Low Global pop. share >80 % Medium Level of genetic exchange Medium High

57 58 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

PRESENT RANGE AND ABUNDANCE ECOLOGY REFERENCES Smith, P.J., Smith, J.E , Pressey, R.L. & Magpie Geese live in shallow swamps Bayliss, P. 1989. Population dynamics of Whish, G.L. 1995. Birds of Particular and associated grassland, feeding on Magpie Geese in relation to rainfall Conservation Concern in the seeds or tubers and green grass (Frith & and density implications for harvest Western Division of New South Davies 1961, Whitehead & Tschirner models in a fluctuating environment. Wales: Distributions, Habitats and 1992, Wilson 1997). During the wet J. Appl. Ecol. 26:913-920. Threats. National Parks and Wildlife season, the geese usually nest in Bayliss, P. & Yeomans, K.M. 1990. Service Occasional Paper 20. New extensive colonies. They move hundreds Seasonal distribution and abundance South Wales National Parks & of kilometres to perennial swamps in the of Magpie Geese, Anseranas Wildlife Service, Hurstville. dry season (Frith & Davies 1961, Bayliss semipalmata Latham, in the Northern Whitehead, P.J. & Saalfeld, K. In press . 1989, Bayliss & Yeomans 1990). Territory, and their relationship to Nesting phenology of the Magpie habitat 1983-86. Aust. Wildl. Res. Goose Anseranas semipalmata in THREATS 17:15-38. monsoonal northern Australia The initial decline in Magpie Goose Draffan, R.D.W., Garnett, S.T. & Malone, responses to antecedent rainfall. J. numbers was probably the result of G.J. 1983. Bird of the Torres Strait Zool .

swamp drainage and hunting (Marchant An annotated list and biogeographic Whitehead, P.J. & Tschirner, K. 1991 Natural populations extirpated from & Higgins 1990). The main threat now is analysis. Emu 83:207-234. Lead shot ingestion and lead southern Australia by about 1920. Now invasion of breeding habitat by Emison, W.B., Beardsell, C.M., Norman, poisoning of Magpie Geese confined to northern Australia, principally environmental weeds, principally Para F.I., Loyn, R.H. & Bennett, S.C. Anseranas semipalmata foraging in a the Fitzroy R. and east Kimberley, W.A., Grass Brachiaria mutica and Giant 1987. Atlas of Victorian Birds northern Australian hunting reserve. northern Northern Territory, coastal Cape . Sensitive Weed Mimosa pigra and Department of Conservation Forests Biol. Conserv. 58:99-108. York Peninsula and patchily through introduced ponded pasture plants, such and Lands and RAOU, Melbourne. Whitehead, P.J. & Tschirner, K. 1992. eastern Queensland. Small numbers have as the now-declared weed Hymenachne Sex and age related variation in returned to north-east New South Wales, Frith, H.J. & Davies, S.J.J.F. 1961. amplexicaulis (Marchant & Higgins 1990, foraging strategies of Magpie Geese and reintroduced successfully to Victoria, Ecology of the Magpie Goose, Wilson 1997), which replace the principal . Emu 92:28- where populations are expanding in Anseranas semipalmata Latham Anseranas semipalmata food plants. Hunting continues in the 36. south-west and on the Gippsland Plain, (Anatidae). CSIRO Wildl. Res. 69:1- Northern Territory, on Cape York and South Australia (Marchant & Higgins 141. Whitehead, P.J. & Turner, S. 1998. Peninsula and, probably, the Kimberley. 1990, P. Menkhorst). Abundance in Gärdenfors, U., Rodríguez, J.P., Hilton- Using the presence and condition of However, in the Northern Territory, central eastern Queensland increased in Taylor, C., Hyslop, C., Mace, G., eggshells to determine nest success where monitoring has been undertaken, the last decade (Wilson 1992, 1997). Molur, S. & Poss, S. 1999. Draft in the Magpie Goose Anseranas there is no evidence of a decline (Bayliss The largest population, in the Northern guidelines for the Application of semipalmata . Wildl. Res. 25: & Yeomans 1990). Some Magpie Geese Territory, fluctuates greatly, probably in IUCN Red List Criteria at National 603-609. have died after the ingestion of lead shot response to rainfall patterns (Whitehead and Regional Levels. Species (Harper & Hindmarsh 1990, Whitehead & . 1992, Whitehead and Saalfeld 31-32:58-70. et al In Tschirner 1991). Breeding success on ), but there is no evidence of an Harper, M.J. & Hindmarsh, M. 1990. press pastoral properties can be affected by underlying decline (P. Whitehead). At Lead poisoning in Magpie Geese. fencing, but the scale of this effect is Kakadu, it reaches 500,000 in dry Anseranas semipalmata , from unknown (Whitehead & Turner 1998). season (Morton . 1990), and total ingested lead pellet at Bool Lagoon et al population may sometimes exceed Game Reserve (South Australia). RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 4,000,000 (Bayliss & Yeomans 1990). Aust. Wildl. Res. 17:141-145. 1. Monitor hunted populations to Up to 3,000 near Rockhampton in late Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). 1990. ensure exploitation is sustainable. 1980s (Wilson 1992), but no other Handbook of Australian, New 2. Encourage adoption of ANZECC published counts from Queensland. The Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 1. policy on use of non-toxic shot for Gulf of Carpentaria may separate the Oxford University Press, Melbourne. lead shot. Queensland and Northern Territory Morton, S.R., Brennan, K.G. & 3. Support weed control programs in populations, but there are anecdotal Armstrong, M.D. 1990. Distribution Magpie Goose habitat. reports of birds banded in the Northern and abundance of Magpie Geese, 4. Examine the effect of pastoralism on Territory being recovered on western Anseranas semipalmata , in the Magpie Goose habitat, particularly in Cape York Peninsula (P. Whitehead). Alligator Rivers Region, Northern relation to weed abundance. Territory. Aust. J. Ecol. 15:307- 320.

59 60 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

Whitehead, P.J., Wilson, B.A. & Saalfeld, distinct decline. However, status should PRESENT RANGE AND ABUNDANCE ECOLOGY K. 1992. Managing the Magpie be reassessed should further water be In inland eastern Australia, the largest Goose in the Northern Territory extracted from inland rivers. This could numbers of Freckled Ducks occur in approaches to conservation of result in a significant decline in habitat brackish to hyposaline wetlands that are mobile fauna in a patchy quality (c), and a population decrease of densely vegetated with Lignum environment. Pp. 90-104 In: 20% over the next three generations (15 Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii , within Conservation and Development years: Vulnerable: A2). which the birds build their nests Issues in Northern Australia. (Braithwaite 1976, R. Jaensch). In south- (Moffatt, I. & Webb, A., Eds.). North INFRASPECIFIC TAXA western Australia, they breed primarily in Australian Research Unit, Australian None described. seasonally flooded paperbark Melaleuca National University, Darwin. swamps (Jaensch & Vervest 1988), as Wilson, R.F. 1992. Censuses and PAST RANGE AND ABUNDANCE well as in lignum and casuarina- breeding records of the Magpie Recorded across southern and central dominated swamps of the wheatbelt (R. Goose Anseranas semipalmata on Australia with largest concentrations Jaensch). They may breed prolifically the coastal wetlands of central recorded in Paroo-Warrego catchment after exceptionally wet years, then

Queensland. Corella 16:119-123. (Currawinya Lakes, Qld), Eyre-Georgina- disperse widely, largely towards the Distribution as above, with occupancy Wilson, R.F. 1997. Temporal and spatial Mulligan catchment (Lake Torquinie, Qld) coast, but, in most years, they appear to determined by river flows and extent of variation in the distribution and and possibly at Lake Galilee, Qld. Other be nomadic between ephemeral inland monsoonal rainfall on river catchments abundance of the Magpie Goose inland sites where substantial numbers wetlands (R. Jaensch). In the driest (Marchant & Higgins 1990, R. Jaensch). Anseranas semipalmata in the recorded include Cooper Creek and Bulloo years, they congregate on permanent Abundance correlated with Southern Rockhampton region of the R. catchments, Barkly Tablelands, Qld, wetlands. Oscillation Index (Kingsford et al . 1999a), Queensland coast. Wildl. Res. and Lake Gregory, W.A. Outside this with maximum estimate at 19,000 after 24:347-358. area, breeding also recorded throughout national ground survey for the eastern Murray-Darling catchment, notably along sub-population (Martindale 1986). COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM Lachlan R., and within Millicent Basin of Barry Baker, John Blyth, Peter South Australia and Victoria. During Menkhorst, Peter Whitehead, Robyn extensive inland droughts, apparently Wilson. seeking refuge in Murray R. Basin, south- eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales and southern South Australia, but FRECKLED DUCK usually some inland refuges remain Stictonetta naevosa (Gould 1841) (Jaensch & Vervest 1990, Marchant & Conservation status: Least Concern Higgins 1990, Jaensch & Bellchambers 1997). Separate, small sub-population REASONS FOR LISTING breeds in south-west Western Australia Although scarce, the species is subject to (Jaensch & Vervest 1988). wide natural fluctuations, rather than a

Estimate Reliability Extent of occurrence 5,000,000km 2 High Trend Stable High Area of occupancy 1,500,000km 2 Low Trend Fluctuating High No. of breeding birds 20,000 Low Trend Fluctuating High No. of sub-populations 2 Medium Largest sub-population 19,000 Low Generation time 5 years Low

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THREATS REFERENCES Kingsford, R.T., Wong, P.S., Braithwaite, May 1991 (J. Dell) and 232 in February In the past, much of the wetland habitat Braithwaite, L.W. 1976. Notes on the L.W. & Maher, M.T. 1999a. 1992 (Shaughnessy & Haberley 1994). in the south-east and south-west was breeding of the Freckled Duck in the Waterbird abundance in eastern drained. The biggest potential threat is Lachlan River Valley. Emu 76:127- Australia 1983-1992. Wildl. Res. PRESENT RANGE AND ABUNDANCE the currently-shelved proposal to use 132. 26:351-366. water from the Paroo R. and Cooper Ck Fullagar, P. 1992. Freckled Duck. Pp. 38- Loyn, R.H. 1991. Assessing and for irrigation, which would affect flooding 40 in Threatened and Extinct Birds managing the impact of duck of critical inland swamps (Kingsford of Australia. RAOU Report 82. S.T. hunting in Victoria - a new 1999, 2000; Kingsford et al . 1998, Garnett (Ed.). Royal Australasian approach. Wildfowl 42:155-161. 1999b). Also, during times of inland Ornithologists Union, Melbourne, Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (Eds.). drought, when Freckled Duck are found and Australian National Parks and 1990. The Handbook of Australian, near the coast, they are at risk of being Wildlife Service, Canberra. New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. misidentified as game species and shot Jaensch, R. & Bellchambers, K. 1997. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. during duck-hunting seasons (Martindale Waterbird conservation values of Martindale, J. 1986. The Freckled Duck - 1986, Loyn 1991), though no correlation ephemeral wetlands of the Barkly RAOU Conservation Statement. between Freckled Duck abundance and Tableland, Northern Territory. Report RAOU Report 22. hunting effort has been identified to Australian Heritage Commission (Kingsford et al . 1999a), and several and Parks & Wildlife Commission of TEXT ADAPTED FROM effective measures have been taken to the Northern Territory. Fullagar (1992). Single comprehensive survey in 1993: improve hunter’s identification skills and Jaensch, R.P. & Vervest, R.M. 1988. 631 birds, 612 being found on 79 of the reduce accidental kill (Loyn 1991). Ducks, swans and coots in south- COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM 232 islands and rocks surveyed in the western Australia: the 1986 and Barry Baker, Allan Burbidge, Andrew Archipelago of the Recherche, 15 birds in 1987 counts. RAOU Report 31. Burbidge, Gary Backhouse, Roger two flocks on the mainland opposite and Royal Australasian Ornithologists Jaensch, Richard Kingsford, John four on Red I. 200km to the west (Halse Union, Melbourne. Martindale, Peter Menkhorst. et al . 1995). Jaensch, R.P. & Vervest, R.M. 1990.

Waterbirds at remote wetlands in ECOLOGY Western Australia 1986-88. RAOU CAPE BARREN GOOSE (SOUTH- In Western Australia, Cape Barren Geese Report 32. WESTERN) live primarily in grassland on rocky Kingsford, R.T. (Ed.) 1999. A free- Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea (Storr islands. They are apparently mostly flowing river: the ecology of the 1980) sedentary, but occasionally visit pastures Paroo River. N.S.W. National Parks Conservation status: Vulnerable: D1 and beaches on the mainland (Halse et al . & Wildlife Service, Sydney. 1995). They lay 4-5 eggs in nests among Kingsford, R.T. 2000. Ecological impacts REASONS FOR LISTING grass tussocks (Marchant & Higgins RECOMMENDED ACTIONS of dams, water diversions and river The total population of this subspecies 1990). 1. Determine water flows necessary to management on floodplain wetlands probably never contained more than maintain health of breeding habitat, in Australia. Aus. Ecol. 25:109-127. 1,000 mature individuals (Vulnerable: based on comparative analysis of Kingsford, R.T., Boulton, A.J. & D1). exploited and unexploited rivers. Puckridge, J.T. 1998. Challenges in 2. Develop techniques to monitor long- managing dryland rivers crossing INFRASPECIFIC TAXA term trends in abundance, political boundaries: lessons from C.n.novaehollandiae (south-eastern particularly at sites where large Cooper Creek and the Paroo River, Australia, Tasmania, Kangaroo I. and numbers recorded. central Australia. Aquatic Conserv. Bass Strait Is) is Least Concern. 3. Maintain adequate water flows in Mar. Freshw. Ecosyst. 8:361-378. Cooper Creek, Bulloo River and Kingsford, R.T., Curtin, A.L. & Porter, J. PAST RANGE AND ABUNDANCE Paroo River. 1999b. Water flows on Cooper Southern Western Australia, centred on 4. Protect and manage principal Creek in arid Australia determine the Archipelago of the Recherche, but wetlands. ‘boom’ and ‘bust’ periods for found in small numbers on the mainland 5. Monitor population on refuge waterbirds. Biol. Conserv. 88:231- from Busselton to the Nullarbor Plain. wetlands during times of widespread 248. Early measures of abundance all based on inland drought. incomplete surveys including 60 seen

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Estimate Reliability RADJAH SHELDUCK (AUSTRALIAN) PAST RANGE AND ABUNDANCE Extent of occurrence 6,500km 2 High Tadorna radjah rufitergum (Hartert 1905) Fitzroy River, Kimberley, W.A., across Conservation status: Least Concern near coastal northern Australia and along Trend Stable High east coast as far south as north-east Area of occupancy 100km 2 High New South Wales (Frith 1982, Blakers et Trend Stable High al . 1984, Marchant & Higgins 1990). No. of breeding birds 650 Medium PRESENT RANGE AND ABUNDANCE Trend Fluctuating High No. of sub-populations 1 High Generation time 15 years Low

THREATS REFERENCES The small population is vulnerable to Garnett, S.T. (Ed.). 1992. Threatened extremes of weather, particularly hot and Extinct Birds of Australia. RAOU summers (Garnett 1992, Halse et al . Report 82. RAOU, Melbourne & 1995). Large numbers of birds were ANPWS, Canberra. hunted for food before 1937, when this Halse, S.A., Burbidge, A.A., Lane, REASONS FOR LISTING was prohibited (Garnett 1992). In 1991, J.A.K., Haberley, B., Pearson, G.B. Although it has disappeared from parts of many geese died of starvation or heat- & Clarke, A. 1995. Size of the Cape Queensland, the subspecies remains common over more than half its historical stress during a drought and exceptionally Barren Goose population in Western range. There is limited genetic exchange high temperatures (Shaughnessy & Australia. Emu 95:77-83. In Kimberley, now confined to the east across Torres Strait and a high proportion Haberley 1994, Halse et al . 1995). Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). 1990. (Johnstone & Storr 1998), where of the population is in Australia. Thus, Should the climate in south-western The Handbook of Australian, New abundant on Lake Argyle. In Queensland, the Australian status is assessed Australia become hotter and drier, the Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford scarce south of Cape York Peninsula and independently of the global status Archipelago may become less suitable for University Press, Melbourne. no longer present south of Maryborough. (Gärdenfors et al . 1999), though both are Cape Barren Geese. Shaughnessy, P.D. & Haberley, B. 1994. Elsewhere, remains common with no Least Concern. Surveys of Cape Barren Geese evidence of decline (Frith 1982, Blakers

INFORMATION REQUIRED Cereopsis novaehollandiae in et al . 1984, Marchant & Higgins 1990). INFRASPECIFIC TAXA None. Western Australia 1987-1992. T. radjah radjah of New Guinea, Corella 18: 8-13. Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands is RECOVERY OBJECTIVES also Least Concern. Presumably 1. Maintain population. COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM intergrades with T.r.rufitergum in Torres Barry Baker, Andrew Burbidge. Strait. The species is Least Concern. ACTIONS COMPLETED OR UNDER WAY 1. Population surveyed in 1993. Australian Population Estimate Reliability MANAGEMENT ACTIONS REQUIRED Extent of occurrence 8,000,000km 2 Medium 1. Survey to monitor population once Trend Stable High every ten years unless downward trend Area of occupancy 4,000,000km 2 Low apparent. Trend Stable Medium ORGANISATIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR No. of breeding birds 100,000 Low CONSERVATION Trend Stable Medium Western Australian Department of Conservation. No. of sub-populations 1 High Generation time 5 years Low OTHER ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED Global population share 80% Low None. Level of genetic exchange Low High

65 66 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

ECOLOGY COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM Largest recent counts: 300 on Ross R. detrimental, control ponded-pasture Radjah Shelduck occupies terrestrial Barry Baker, John Woinarski. Dam near Townsville (Garnett & Cox in prime Cotton Pygmy-Goose wetlands, estuaries and the littoral zone 1987) and 350 at Lake Powlathanga near habitat. of monsoonal regions. It nests in tree Charters Towers in 1990 (P. Britton). No hollows in the wet season, forming flocks COTTON PYGMY-GOOSE (AUSTRALIAN) recent estimates of total population size. near the coast during the dry season. It Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis Frequency of sightings near feeds on small invertebrates and a few (Gould 1842) Rockhampton has apparently declined seeds, taken from shallow wetland edges Conservation status: Near Threatened: C (Longmore 1978, M. Crawford). (Marchant & Higgins 1990, Morton et al . 1990). REASONS FOR LISTING ECOLOGY The population of this subspecies seems Cotton Pygmy-Geese are found on THREATS small, and appears to have declined in freshwater lakes, swamps and large Although sub-populations have declined density over at least the southern half of water impoundments. They congregate in near settlements (Marchant & Higgins its historical range (Near Threatened: C). flocks on permanent water-bodies during 1990), this has not been to the extent the dry season. They lay 6-9 eggs in the that the subspecies is threatened. INFRASPECIFIC TAXA hollows of trees that stand in or beside REFERENCES N.c. coromandelianus (south-east Asia) water (Beruldsen 1977, G. Beruldsen). Beruldsen, G. 1977. The nest and eggs RECOMMENDED ACTIONS does not occur in Australia and has a Principal foods are Pondweed of the White Pygmy-Goose. Sunbird 1. Monitor numbers on major wetlands status of Least Concern. Potamogeton seeds and other aquatic 8:65-69. such as Lake Argyle, Kakadu and vegetation (Frith 1982). Blakers, M., Davies, S.J.J.F. & Reilly, Lakefield National Park. PAST RANGE AND ABUNDANCE P.N. 1984. The Atlas of Australian Princess Charlotte Bay, Qld, to Hunter R., THREATS Birds. RAOU and Melbourne REFERENCES N.S.W., inland in the headwaters of the The species has been adversely affected University Press, Melbourne. Blakers, M., Davies, S.J.J.F. & Reilly, Dawson, Fitzroy and Burdekin Rivers by drainage of wetlands or their invasion P.N. 1984. The Atlas of Australian (Frith 1982, Marchant & Higgins 1990). by introduced weeds, particularly Water Frith, H.J. 1982. Waterfowl in Australia. Angus & Robertson, Sydney. Birds. RAOU and Melbourne From limited data, the population was Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Beruldsen University Press, Melbourne. estimated at 1,500 individuals in the 1977) and the exotic ponded-pastures Garnett, S.T. & Cox, J.B. 1987. Birds of Frith, H.J. 1982. Waterfowl in Australia. early 1960s (Lavery 1966). Echinochloa polystachya and the Townsville Town Common. The Angus & Robertson, Sydney. Hymenachne amplexicaulis (A. Taplin). Authors, Townsville. Gärdenfors, U., Rodríguez, J.P., Hilton- PRESENT RANGE AND ABUNDANCE However, it has benefitted from the Lavery, H.J. 1966. Pygmy-Geese in Taylor, C., Hyslop, C., Mace, G., creation of new wetlands, such as Ross Australia. Qld Agric. J. 92:294-299. Molur, S. & Poss, S. 1999. Draft R. Dam and Tinaroo Dam. Longmore, N.W. 1978. Avifauna of the guidelines for the Application of Rockhampton area, Queensland. IUCN Red List Criteria at National RECOMMENDED ACTIONS Sunbird 9:25-53. and Regional Levels. Species 1. Survey to determine the size and Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). 1990. 31-32:58-70. status of the population and the The Handbook of Australian, New Johnstone, R.E. & Storr, G.M. 1998. favoured breeding habitat. Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford Handbook of Western Australian 2. Monitor spread of introduced University Press, Melbourne. Birds. Vol. 1. Non-passerines (Emu ponded-pasture species and, if to Dollarbird). W.A. Museum, Perth. Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). 1990. Estimate Reliability The Handbook of Australian, New Extent of occurrence 400,000km 2 High Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Oxford Trend Stable High University Press, Melbourne. Area of occupancy 1,500km 2 Low Morton, S.R., Brennan, K.G. & Major centres of population: Dawson, Trend Stable Medium Armstrong, M.D. 1990. Distribution Fitzroy, Burdekin and Barron R. No. of breeding birds 5,000 Low and abundance of ducks in the catchments (Blakers et al . 1984). Locally Trend Stable Medium Alligator Rivers region, Northern common in suitable habitat near Brisbane Territory. Aust. Wildl. Res. 17:573- (G. Beruldsen). Now vagrant outside No. of sub-populations 1 High 590. Queensland (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Generation time 5 years Low

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these were in Area “C” of the southern Figure 1. Sites holding Marbled Teal, White-headed Ducks, and Ferruginous Ducks in STATUS OF THREATENED Caspian coast (Figure 1) and on the lower Turkmenstan. WATERFOWL IN THE SOUTH- reaches of the Etrek River, and 20% EAST CASPIAN REGION OF were in Area “B”. The absence of TURKMENISTAN Marbled Teal from Area “A” suggests that they migrate from Uzbekistan to the Caspian coast via the Saricamish Vladislav I. Vasiliev & Myrrhy Gauzer Reservoir and the Western Uzboy river valley. No Marbled Teal bred along the Chasarskiy State Reserve, 42 Bahry Etrek River in 2000 and 2001, due to its Hasar Street, Turkmenbashy, extremely low water levels. Turkmenistan. Southern Caspian Station, 19 Bahry Hasar Street, Turkmenbashy, FERRUGINOUS DUCK 745000 Turkmenistan. [email protected] . On inland water-bodies of south-east Turkmenistan, Ferruginous Duck breed and migrate along the Tedjen and Murgab MARBLED TEAL Rivers and the Caracum Canal (Tashliev Marbled Teal are listed in the first (1985) 1973). During the 1930s, the species and second (1999) Turkmenistan Red occurred along the south-east Caspian Data Books as uncommon species, coast (Isakov & Vorobjov 1940), although they were previously common. especially in Krasnovodsky and Severo- Over 17,000 birds were counted on the Chelekensky Bays. Etrek river in 1932 (Laptev et al . 1934). Until the 1940s, Marbled Teal occurred During 30 years of waterfowl surveys during winter and on migration on coastal (1971-2001) of the South-eastern pools in the south-east Caspian (Isacov & Caspian (Mangishlacsky Bay to the lower Etrek River), groups of 6-15 Ferruginous Vorobjov 1940). Breeding occurred on Ducks have been observed amongst coastal pools, filtration pools and lakes migratory and wintering flocks of Tufted along the Tedjen and Murgab Rivers WHITE-HEADED DUCK half of 20 th century, White-headed Ducks Duck, Pochard and Coot Fulica atra . (Tashliev 1973). The White-headed Duck is listed in the were one of the most numerous

first (1985) and second editions (1999) wintering waterfowl in coastal waters During late October/early November Disturbance, chemical pollution, and of the Turkmenistan Red Data Book as an with Laptev et al . (1934) reporting a 1998-2000, we counted a total of 551 reduction in breeding habitat, have uncommon species. count of 47,000 birds. Subsequently Ferruginous Ducks in 43 flocks (8-24 reduced the numbers of Marbled Teal their numbers have fallen sharply. In flocks per year). In spring 1999 and migrating and wintering in coastal and Prior to the 1980s, White-headed Ducks autumn-winter 1972-1978, peak annual 2000, we counted 22 flocks (15 in 1999 inland areas of the south-east Caspian. bred on small pools in the deltas of the counts were 170-600 birds (Ataev . and 7 in 2000) containing a total of 317 et al Annual counts since 1971 show they larger rivers in Turkmenistan (Tashliev 1978). From 1988 onwards, peak counts ducks. About 30% were recorded at the now only occur sporadically during 1973, Ataev et al . 1978). More recently, have been similar at 19-820 birds. Most coast and 65% along the Western Uzboy winter, spring and autumn migration. Shirekov & Poslavsky (1990) found 13 birds have been found in Area “B” in the river valley. Simultaneous counts of 32 During winter surveys of 32 pools in pairs of White-headed Duck breeding on Krasnovodsky and Severo-Chelekensky pools along the south-east Caspian coast November 1998, January 1999 and Sultandag Lake along the Caracum Canal. Bays (86-100% of birds). in January 1998 and 1999 found 384 January 2000, we did not record any The main factors which have reduced the Ferruginous Ducks in 27 flocks (83% in Marbled Teal. On spring migration in the numbers of White-headed Ducks breeding Autumn migration along the coast of Area “B”, 5% in Area “A” and 12% in Western Uzboy (see Figure 1), we in Turkmenistan are increased Turkmenistan and the Western Uzboy Area “C”). During the warm winters of recorded only 21 birds in 1999 and 13 disturbance and poaching. river valley starts in October as birds 2000 and 2001, no Ferruginous Ducks birds in 2000. During autumn migration move south from more northerly breeding were recorded in these areas. Ferruginous on the south Caspian coast, in 1999 we White-headed Ducks are commoner in areas. Key staging sites include Ducks are reported to be common saw 37 birds in three flocks, and in 2000 Turkmenistan in winter and during Krasnovodsky and Severo-Chelekensky migrants along the north-east Caspian a total of 96 birds. During especially migration, both on inland lakes, and on Bays and Lake Becovich, where up to coast (Molodovsky 1977). warm weather in January 2001, we the south-east Caspian shore. In the first 74% of birds are found. counted 64 Marbled Teal. Some 80% of

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Spring migration takes place mainly Laptev, M.K., Suluma, V.I., & Freyberg, Unfavourable climatic conditions have between 11 February and 18 March. L.V. 1934. Proc. Turkmenish STATUS OF WATERBIRDS IN contributed to reduced waterbird Peak counts in spring 1997-2001 have Committee on nature protection and THE CASPIAN REGION OF numbers in the south-east Caspian. been about half those in autumn. development of natural resources. TURKMENISTAN, 1970-2000. Between 1971 and 1990, about one third All-Union Ornithological Congress, of winters were unsuitable for wintering In winter White-headed Ducks have been Gassan-Culi, Turkmenistan. waterbirds, and between 1991 and found in single species flocks of up to Ashkhabad. Vladislav I. Vasiliev & Myrrhy Gauser 2000, favourable conditions were only 704 birds or in smaller groups of 6-17 Molodovsky, A.V. 1977. Features of present in one year (Vasiliev & Gauzer birds amongst feeding flocks of Coot, waterfowl migration in the Southern Chasarskiy State Reserve. 42 Bahry 1999). The negative effects of many Pochard and Tufted Duck. Mangishlac. In: Huntable waterfowl Hasar Street, Turkmenbashy, anthropogenic factors have also resources of the Caspian coast and Turkmenistan. Southern Caspian Station, increased, such as pollution and REFERENCES surrounding regions. Astrakhan. 19 Bahry Hasar Street, Turkmenbashy, disturbance, whilst the activities of Ataev, C.A., Vasiliev, V.I., Gorelova, Shirekov, R.Ch. & Poslavsky, A.Y. 1990. 745000 Turkmenistan. [email protected] . nature protection agencies and their staff R.N. & others. 1978. Studies of Rare and little studied species of have declined. infrequent and endangered species Anseriformes in Eastern of birds of Turkmenistan. Academy Turkmenistan. Rare and little studied During the last 30 years, there have been Over 30 years, monitoring has shown of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Series birds of Central Asia. Tashkent. various natural and anthropogenic factors that 36 species of waterbirds affecting the availability of wetlands in of Biological Sciences 4. Ashkhabad. Tashliev, A.O. 1973. Ornitological (representing 14% of Turkmenistan’s bird the south-east Caspian (Vasiliev & Isakov, J.A. & Vorobjov, C.A. 1940. complexes of a Southeast species) are either extinct or threatened Gauzer 1998, 1999). By 1979, the water Wintering and migrating auks in the Turkmenistan. Ashkhabad. (Table 1): seven are completely extinct, level of the Caspian Sea had receded by Southern Caspian. Transactions All- 14 in danger of extinction, eight no at least 29.06m a.s.l. Many coastal Union Ornithological Congress, [NB. A previous paper on the status of longer breed, and nine have seriously wetlands were destroyed, including the Gassan-Culi. Moscow. waterfowl in Turkmenistan by Eldar endangered breeding populations. A Turkmenish, Balhan and Mihailovscy Rustamov was published in WWT’s national action plan has already been Bays, and many shallow marine waters Wildfowl journal in 1994 (Rustamov, E.A. produced for the Lesser White-fronted from Cape a Tarta to the Carabogazgol 1994. The wintering waterfowl of Goose (Vasiliev & Gauzer 2001). Similar Bay. Between 1979 and 1996, the water Turkmenistan. Wildfowl 45:242-247)] action plans need to be developed for level in the Caspian then rose by 2.4m, other threatened waterbirds and the increasing the coastal wetland area of the wetland habitats on which they depend. south-east coast of Turkmenistan by 70% (Vasiliev & Gauzer 1997).

Table 1. Waterbirds in Turkmenistan threatened with extinction in the year 2000.

Extinct Nearly extinct Extinct breeder Nearly extinct breeder Bewick’s Swan Buff-backed Heron Bittern Purple Heron Red-breasted Goose L. White-fronted Goose Greater Flamingo Great White Egret Red Kite White-fronted Goose Ruddy Shelduck Night Heron Demoiselle Crane Marbled Teal Saker Falcon Squacco Heron Great Bustard Ferruginous Duck Avocet White-tailed Eagle Little Bustard White-headed Duck Common Gull Black-winged Stilt Whimbrel Velvet Scoter Gt B-headed Gull Whiskered Tern Red-breasted Merg. Eagle Owl White-w Black Tern Pallas’s Sea Eagle Sandwich Tern Grey Francolin Common Crane Purple Gallinule Gt Black-headed Gull Sandwich Tern

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REFERENCES Vasiliev, V.I. & Gauzer, M.E. 1999. The programme, which is being led by Nikolay Vasiliev, V.I. & Gauzer, M.E. 1997. ecological situation and conservation RUSSIAN-JAPANESE SWAN D. Poyarkov (Russia) and Masayuki There, where wintered a flamingo. prospects for wintering and GOOSE CONSERVATION Kurechi (Japan), will involve: coordinating Caspian" (Official publication of migrating waterfowl and waterbirds PROGRAMME national research and conservation Tioge-97), London. in the south-east Caspian. Unpubl. programs; founding an international Vasiliev, V.I. & Gauzer, M.E. 1998. An Vasiliev, V.I. & Gauzer, M.E. 2001. working group; determining the Swan 1 inventory of valuable wetlands of Status of the Lesser White-fronted Nikolay D. Poyarkov & Masayuki Goose’s status and distribution; 2 the south-east Caspian. Unpubl. Goose ( Anser erythropus ) in Kurechi identifying differences in biology between Turkmenistan: a regional action plan different geographical populations; 1 for the protection of the Lesser Department of Vertebrate Zoology, creating protected areas; developing White-fronted Goose ( Anser Biological Faculty of Moscow State measures to prevent occasional shooting; erythropus ). Hameenlinna, Finland. University, Moscow 119899, Russia. and developing and implementing a [email protected] . reintroduction programme.

2 Japanese Association for Wild Geese The following action plan for 2001-2003 Protection, Minamimachi 16, has been developed: Wakayanagi, Miyagi 989-5502, Japan. • To conduct census and studies of [email protected] . the biology of Swan Geese; • To discover new breeding areas Kabukurinuma Homepage: http://www2. through a GIS analysis of known odn.ne.jp/kgwa/kabukuri/ . Anatidae Site breeding areas followed by surveys Network in the East Asian Flyway of potential sites; Homepage: http://www.jawgp.org/anet . • To mark geese from different geographical populations with coloured collars and satellite INTRODUCTION transmitters; th By the end of the 20 century, the • To create an international database numbers of Swan Geese in Russia containing information about marked dropped to less than 1,000 birds in only birds; two breeding areas: 50 pairs on the • To establish new protected sites in Toreyskie Lakes in Transbaikalia, and 200 areas inhabited by the geese; pairs in the Lower Amur region. Published • To coordinate special hunting data and preliminary research suggest regulations in key breeding and that the Swan Goose declined due to its staging areas; habits of nesting in the densely populated • To inform local people about the and easily accessible flood plains, and of need to protect the Swan Goose; wintering in China, where it suffers from • To develop measures to protect the intensive and uncontrolled hunting. These Transbaikalia and Lower Amur problems were exacerbated by the Swan populations using experience gained Goose’s approachable nature. from Russian-American cooperation

on the conservation of Snow Geese. CONSERVATION PROGRAMME The measures should include: In 2000, the Russian Goose and Swan prohibition or control of hunting, Study Group (RGSSG) and the Japanese particularly on the wintering grounds Association for Wild Geese Protection and along flyways; establishment of (JAWGP) launched a Swan Goose no-hunting zones, nature reserves; conservation programme that aims to • To develop procedures and prevent the species extinction by investigate the prospects of identifying “critical points” in the biology reintroduction programmes; of the species and developing measures • To create pedigree books of the for its restoration and conservation. The Swan Goose stock in captivity;

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SURVEY RESULTS also nested along other small rivers, Detailed surveys of the Toreyskie Lakes Such high numbers could be explained by During an expedition to the Lower Amur streams and canals running into Nikolaya in Transbaikalia (50 °05'N, 115 °38'E) improvement of conditions for breeding region in 2000, Swan Geese were found Bay and the more northerly Ulbanskiy were carried out simultaneously with at the Toreyskie Lakes, or to poorer in three places: the Kholan Canal, Lake Bay. fieldwork in the Lower Amur region. The conditions on the adjacent Mongolian Udyl’ and Lake Chertovo (Table 1). numbers of the Swan Geese appeared to territories. Reintroduction programmes for According to interview data, more pairs Aerial surveys of the vast Lower Amur be unusually high there, with an Swan Geese have began in the Irkutsk (maybe even a few dozen) nested in the region were carried out from 27-29 July estimated 1,200 individuals (both adults Oblast, in Kamchatka and in the Udyl’-Kizi Depression along the east bank 2001 with Prof. Higuchi (Tokyo and young) in late July. Muraviovskiy National Park (Amur of the Amur River. In addition, a number University) and ornithologists from Oblast). of birds were reported from the coast of Khabarovsk and Vladivostok. Ten young the Sea of Okhotsk. No Swan Geese birds were ringed and satellite nested at Lake Chertovo in 2001, and transmitters put on two adult geese. We numbers in the Amur River valley were also printed and distributed a poster slightly lower than in 2000 (Table 2). In depicting a Swan Goose and delivered a July and August 2001 we surveyed the number of lectures. In 2001, a new coast of Nikolaya Bay, and found a small protected territory “Kholan” was number of new Swan Goose nest sites established in Swan Goose breeding near the mouths of some small rivers. areas. Local hunters reported that Swan Geese

Table 1. Observations of Swan Geese in the Lower Amur region in 2000.

Place Date Number of Birds Comments Lake Udyl 12.07 2 ad + 3 juv Swimming in SW direction Pil’da River mouth (1/3 of adult size) Lake Udyl 3.08 5 ad flying Probably non-breeding Pil’da River mouth Lake Udyl 14.07 48 ad + 72 juv Group observed to 6 August Bichi River delta (1/3 of adult size) Kholan Canal 20.07 Up to 30 birds Footprints, droppings and feathers Lake Chertovo 11.08 15 ad + 15 juv Maybe not all geese in the (2/3 of adult size) group were counted

Table 2. Observations of Swan Geese in Nikolaya Bay in July and August 2001.

Date Lat + Long Number of Birds Comments 09.07, 53 o28'N, 138 o 14'E 10 ad + ~15 juv In Usalgin River mouth 13.07 14.07 53 o37'N, 138 o 19'E 6 ad + 8 juv One flock with 10 ad+~15 Bean Geese in a small river mouth 15.07 53 o30'N, 138 o 19'E 10 ad + 15 juv Small river mouth. May be same birds observed on 9-13.07 on Usalgin River 15.07 53 o37'N, 138 o 21'E 2 ad + 1(?) juv On small river, 2km from mouth. Probably more than one gosling.

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SATELLITE TELEMETRY OF evaluate potential threats and to develop 1). There were six coastal locations in Based on their locations during early to recovery strategies pertinent to the non- Chukotka that were used by at least one mid-September, we believe that five birds STELLER’S EIDER IN ALASKA breeding season. bird for at least one week. Residency at moulted in the Kuskokwim Shoals area, these sites ranged from ten days to over one at Cape Mendenhall on the south Philip Martin A pilot study was initiated in 2000, with 50 days, depending on the individual. side of Nunivak Island, three in the Port transmitters implanted in three males and The sites used by the most birds included Moller/Nelson Lagoon complex, and one U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 101 12 th one female at Barrow. Three of the four the mouth of Kolyuchin Bay (particularly at Izembek Lagoon. As of 5 November, Avenue, Box 19, Rm. 110, Fairbanks, AK birds survived approximately one year, in the vicinity of the Islands of Serykh five of the six birds that moulted at 99701, USA. [email protected] . after which all of the transmitters Guzy; used by three birds this year and Nunivak Island or Kuskokwim Shoals depleted their batteries. Based on this one bird last year), and the area north of have moved a substantial distance south initial success, a total of 10 PTT’s were Cape Nanyagmo in the Bering Strait, (to Hagemeister Strait, Chignik Lagoon, Large numbers of Steller’s Eiders moult implanted from 9-15 June 2001 at west of the Diomede Islands (used by Nelson Lagoon, and Izembek Lagoon). and winter in southwest Alaska. Most of Barrow. Pairs were captured as a unit in four birds this year). Birds that moulted at Nelson Lagoon and these birds presumably belong to the all cases (in one case, two pairs were Izembek Lagoon remain in those same population breeding in the Russian Far captured simultaneously), thus the sex- regions. East, but Alaska-breeding Steller’s Eiders ratio of captured birds was even (five of are also present. Steller’s Eiders banded each gender). Although Steller’s Eiders at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, between arrived at Barrow in 2001, we have no 1957 and 1962 were recovered mostly in evidence that they attempted to breed. Russia, but one bird was also recovered Pairs did not disperse into known nesting at Barrow; three other birds, captured at areas, and pair counts were dramatically Izembek or Nelson lagoons, were lower than in 1999 and 2000. The observed at Barrow between 1991 and capture event appeared to disrupt pair 1999. Prior to 2000, these records bonds, as we observed birds separated provided the only clues to the from their mates after release, and the movements of the Alaska-breeding telemetry locations indicated disparate population in fall and winter. It was not movement patterns for formerly paired known whether the Alaska-breeding birds. population intermixed extensively with the more numerous Russian population, Although we cannot be certain that birds or if individuals exhibited strong fidelity recovering from surgery behave similarly to specific, limited locations. to undisturbed birds, the results provide some intriguing insight into the The Alaska-breeding population movements of “Barrow birds” in a non- historically occupied the western and breeding year. Most birds remained on central portions of the Arctic Coastal the ACP or adjacent nearshore marine Plain (ACP) and the coastal fringe of the waters for several weeks (range 11-63 Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Several nests days). Females tended to remain longer were found on the Yukon-Kuskokwim on the ACP than males, although the first Delta in the late 1990’s, but the region bird to leave (on 23 June) was a female. near Barrow is the only place in Alaska During this period, there was regularly used by substantial numbers of considerable movement of birds within an nesting Steller’s Eiders in recent decades. area extending from the village of The Alaska-breeding population of Wainwright to Dease Inlet. Several birds Steller’s Eiders was listed in 1997 as a moved south or east, away from Barrow threatened species under the Endangered and then back toward Barrow, before Species Act. In 2000, the U.S. Fish & departing the ACP altogether. Wildlife Service initiated a satellite telemetry study to document movements There was extensive summer use of and habitat use outside the breeding Russian coastal waters. At least eight season. This information is needed to individuals used Russian waters (Figure

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Figure 1. Locations of Steller’s Eider satellite-tracked from Barrow, Alaska, from June, 2001. INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS The lines on the map are conceptual only, and are not meant to represent actual routes of movement. The marked locations represent the “best” location per duty cycle, with transmitters programmed to transmit six hours out of every three days. Circles and dashed lines indicate females, squares and solid lines indicate males. These results are preliminary, TWSG News publishes articles on globally threatened and near threatened Anseriforme taxa and should not be cited without permission of the author. (listed earlier), and families of waterbirds not covered by other IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Specialist Groups. We welcome reports on the status of taxa on a global or local scale, short papers with original data, progress reports of conservation projects, news items, requests for information etc. They should be in English, French or Spanish and no longer than 1,500 words, including references. If appropriate please include a map of the geographical area referred to in each article. Wherever possible, please send files by e-mail (UUENCODE or MIME encoded), or on disk preferably as MS Word files, accompanied by a hard copy printout. Figures should be sent as Windows metafiles and be of quality suitable for direct reproduction. Any black and white images/photographs to accompany the text should be sent as tif, gif or jpg. Authors with an e-mail address are requested to provide it. Opinions expressed in articles in this bulletin are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the TWSG, WWT, Wetlands International or IUCN-SSC. The Chair reserves the right to make minor changes to articles without consulting the authors. We welcome letters or notes from readers with comments on articles in the bulletin as well as copies of recent publications on threatened waterfowl for citation within the bulletin.

INSTRUCTIONS POUR AUTEURS

TWSG News publie des articles sur Anseriforme taxa qui sont menacés dans le monde ou presque menacés (listé plus haut), et des autre familles des oiseaux d'eau qui ne sont pas couverts par autre groupes specialisées comme IUCN-SSC ou Wetlands International. Des rapports sur la situation de taxa à l'échelle mondiale ou locale sont les bienvenues, ainsi que des articles courts avec des données originales, des rapports sur le progrès des projets de conservation, des nouvelles, des demandes pour information, et caetera. Ils devraient être écrit en français, en anglais ou en espagnol et ne devraient pas excéder 1,500 mots y compris des reférences. Veuillez fournir une carte de la région géographique à laquelle vous faites référence dans chaque article si cela en est applicable. Si possible, vous devriez les envoyer par e-mail (UUENCODE ou MIME encodé) ou sur disque comme des fichiers MS Word, avec un listage. Des figues doivent étre envoyées dans le format Windows metafiles et doivent étre d’une qualité qui est appropriée à la reproduction directe. Toutes images/photographies qui accompagnent le texte doivent étre envoyées comme un tif, gif ou jpg. Nous demandiez à des auteurs de nous fournir leur adresse de e-mail. Les opinions exprimées dans les articles de ce communiqué sont celles des auteurs, et ne représentent pas nécessairement celles des TWSG, WWT, Wetlands International ou IUCN-SSC. Les co- ordinateurs réservent le droit de faire des changements mineurs aux articles soumis sans

consulter des auteurs. Des lettres ou des notes de la part des lecteurs avec des observations sur des articles dans le communiqué sont les bienvenues, ainsi que des copies des nouvelles publications sur des oiseaux d'eau menacés pour citation dans le communiqué.

79 80 TWSG News No. 13, December 2001

INSTRUCCIONES PARA AUTORES TWSG NEWS

No. 13, December 2001 TWSG News publica artículos sobre taxones de anátidas que son amenazados o casi CONTENTS amenazados (listados arriba) a nivel mundial, así como sobre otras familias de aves acuáticas no estudiadas por otros grupos especializados del UICN-CSE/Wetlands International. Serán EDITORIAL ...... 1 bien recibidos los artículos sobre el estatus de taxones a nivel mundial o local, trabajos cortos con datos originales, informes sobre el éxito de proyectos de conservación, noticias, THREATENED WATERFOWL SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES...... 2 peticiones de información etc. Estos deben estar escritos en Español, Inglés o Francés en no más de 1,500 palabras, referencias incluidas. Cuando sea posible, mandenoslo por e-mail NEWS ROUNDUP ...... 5 (UUENCODE or MIME encodificado), o en disquete en MS Word, acompañados por una copia 2000: A boom year for the Laysan Duck...... 5 imprimida. Las figuras deben ser en tinta negra y de una calidad adecuada para su Salvadori’s Duck research ...... 5 reproducción directa. Solicitamos las direcciones de e-mail de los autores que lo tengan. Las Alaska sea ducks' habitat given federal protection ...... 6 opiniones expresadas en los artículos de este boletín son las de sus autores, y no White-headed Ducks in Spain in 2000 ...... 7 necesariamente coinciden con las de TWSG, Wetlands International o UICN-CSE. Los co- White-headed Ducks in central Kazakhstan...... 7 ordinadores se reservan el derecho de hacer pequeños cambios en los artículos enviados sin Habitat loss affects threatened waterfowl in Morocco ...... 7 consultarlo con los autores. Serán bien recibidas cartas o notas de lectores con comentarios Marbled Teal in Spain in 2001 ...... 8 sobre artículos publicados en el boletín, así como copias de publicaciones recientes sobre White-headed Ducks at Lake Vaya, Bulgaria ...... 9 aves acuáticas amenazadas que podríamos citar en el boletín. White-headed Duck and Pygmy Cormorant in the Balkans ...... 10 Orinoco Geese in Venezuela ...... 10 TWSG (c/o Baz Hughes) Scaly-sided Merganser in China...... 11 The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Threatened waterfowl in Tunisia in 2001 ...... 11 Slimbridge Marbled Teal in Tunisia in 2001 ...... 12 Glos. GL2 7BT, UK Reintroduction of the Crested Coot in eastern Spain...... 12 Threatened waterfowl on the web...... 13

FEATURES ...... 14 Ecology and conservation of the White-winged Duck in Sumatra ...... 14 Pilot nest-box project for White-winged Ducks in Sumatra...... 16 Survey methods for White-winged Ducks...... 19 Status of the Baikal Teal in the Lower Indigirka Basin, Siberia...... 21 Spatial dynamics of the Ruddy Duck and its impact on the White-headed Duck ...... 24 Population viability analysis for White-headed Duck reintroductions...... 26 Genetic introgression of Ruddy Ducks in wild populations of White-headed Ducks ...... 28 Competition with Carp may limit White-headed Duck populations in Spain ...... 31 White-headed Duck reintroduction in Europe...... 33 White-headed Ducks in Tunisia ...... 37 New records of White-headed Duck from Morocco...... 43 Status of White-headed Ducks in Azerbaijan...... 44 Status and distribution of the White-headed Duck in Uzbekistan ...... 46 Ferruginous Ducks at Durankulak Lake Complex, Bulgaria, 1995 - 2001 ...... 49 Record counts of Ferruginous Duck in Sahelian Africa ...... 56 Action plan for Australian birds...... 58 Status of threatened waterfowl in the South-east Caspian region of Turkmenistan...... 69 Status of waterbirds in the Caspian region of Turkmenistan, 1970-2000...... 72 Russian-Japanese Swan Goose conservation programme ...... 74 Satellite telemetry of Steller’s Eider in Alaska ...... 77

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS...... 80

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