Siberian Crane Flyway News

SIBERIAN CRANE FLYWAY NEWS

Siberian Cranes in Momoge National Nature Reserve, China. Photo by Jiang Hongxing

# 12, 2013

Compiled by Elena Ilyashenko ICF/CMS Siberian Crane Flyway Coordinator

1 Content

Information from Breeding and Summering Sites 2011 - 2012 Western and Central Flyways Siberian Crane Sightings in West Siberia, Russia, in 2012 (Alexander Sorokin, Anastasia Shilina)...... 3 Eastern Flyway Study of the Ecological Niche of the Siberian Crane Eastern Population, Yakutia, Russia (Victor Degtyarev, Sergei Sleptsov, Anatoly Pshennikov, Alexander Stepanov, Valery Odnokurtsev) ...... 4 Siberian Crane Sightings in Southeast Transbaikalia (Russia) and Mongolia in 2011 and 2012 (Oleg Goroshko, N. Tseveenmyadag, Svetlana Balzhimayeva ...... 5

Information from Migration Sites 2011 - 2013 Western Flyway Siberian Crane Sightings in Volga Delta, Russia, in 2011 and 2012 (German Rusanov, Anatoly Kashin, Natalia Litvinova, Sergei Mitrophanov, Yuri Taranov) ...... 7 Eastern Flyway Siberian Crane Fall Migrations in Middle Indigirka River Valley, Yakutia, Russia, in 2012 (Inga Bysykatova) ...... 7 Okhotskiy Perevoz Village as the Observation Point for Siberian Crane Migration in Southeastern Yakutia, Russia (Maria Vladimirtseva, Inga Bysykatova, Raisa Zelepukhina)...... 9 Migratory Siberian Cranes at Momoge National Nature Reserve, Northeastern China, in 2012 (Jiang Honxing)..... 10

Information from Wintering Sites 2011/12 and 2012/13 Western Flyway Siberian Crane Wintering in Iran in 2011/12 and 2012/13 (Ellen Vuosalo) ...... 11 Number and Distribution of Cranes Wintering at Poyang Lake, China, During 2011–2012 (Fengshan Li, Jiandong Wu, James Harris, James Burnham) ...... 12

Captive Breeding 2011 and 2012 Crane Propagation in Oka Crane Breeding Center, Russia, in 2011 and 2012 (Tatiana Kashentseva) ...... 13

Reintroduction 2011 and 2012 Siberian Crane Reintroduction in Tyumen Region, Russia, in 2011 and 2012 (Anastasia Shilina, Alexander Sorokin, Yuri Markin) ...... 15 Implementation of Flight of Hope Project (Recovery of the Endangered Siberian Crane Population Using Ultra- light Plane) in Russia in 2012 (Alexander Sorokin, Yuri Markin, Anastasia Shilina, Alexander Ermakov) ...... 18 Return of a Siberian Crane from Kazakhstan (Kirill Postelnykh) ...... 22 Siberian Crane Release in Volga Delta, Russia, in 2011 and 2012 (Yuri Markin) ...... 23

Education 2012 Hunters’ Education Along the Siberian Crane Flyway (Elena Ilyashenko, Claire Mirande) ...... 25

2 Information from Breeding and Summering Sites 2011-2012

Western and Central Flyways

Siberian Crane Sightings in West Siberia, Russia, in 2012

Alexander Sorokin, Anastasia Shilina

All-Russia Research Institute for Nature Protection [email protected]

There were five sightings of ten Siberian Cranes in West The locale of the sighting on 19 April (the town of Uvat, Siberia in the spring and summer 2012. This information Tyumen Region) is located 60 km east from the breeding was received from a questionnaire sent to local people grounds of the Siberian Crane Western Asian flock dis- as well as information from employers of the Forest Air covered with the help of satellite tracking in 1996. Sight- Guard of Tobol and Uvat Districts of Tyumen Region and ings southeast of Tobolsk Town, Tyumen Region, may Service on Protection, Control and Regulation of Nature be considered as sightings of migratory birds as well as Use of Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous Region (YNAR). sightings at the breeding grounds. Shuryshkarskiy Dis- S. Matytsyn, the Head of the Tobol Branch of Forest Air trict of YNAR (Tyumen Region), where sightings of single Guard, took a picture of the flying Siberian Cranes during birds were recorded in late May – early June and in Au- air patrol on 15 May 2012 (Fig. 1). He sent the photo of gust, is located at the breeding grounds of the Siberian the Siberian Cranes to the All-Russia Research Institute Crane Central Asian flock known since 1981. for Nature Protection.

Table 1. Data on Siberian Crane sightings in West Siberia in 2012

Number of ## Date Siberian Place of sighting Comments Respondent cranes

19 April Cranes flew above 1 3 Uvat Settlement E.A. Kobozev, resident of Uvat 2012 Irtysh River

25 April Marshes southeast from S. Matytsyn, Head of Tobol Branch 2 5-7 In flight 2012 Tobol of Forest Air Guard

15 May Marshes southeast from 3 2 In flight (Fig.1) 2012 Tobol --“--

Late May – Marshes 30 km south from R. Tibaikin, Deputy Director of 4 early June 1 Pelvozh (Shuryshkarskiy On the ground Service for control over nature use 2012 District, YNAR) of YNAR

Marshes near Kholtselor 20 August 5 1 Lake (Shuryshkarskiy On the ground 2012 --“-- District, YNAR)

Fig. 1. Two flying Siberian Cranes southeast from the town of Tobolsk on 15 May 2012. Photo by S. Matytsyn 3 Eastern Flyway

Study of the Ecological Niche of the Siberian Crane Eastern Population, Yakutia, Russia

Victor Degtyarev, Sergei Sleptsov, Anatoly Pshennikov, Alexander Stepanov, Valery Odnokurtsev

Institute of Biological Problems of Cryolithozone NB RAS, Yakutia, Russia [email protected]

In 2010-2011 under an RFFI grant, field studies were berian Crane, they can be trophic or territorial competi- implemented in one of the core breeding areas of the tors, predators, feeding items, objects of kleptoparasit- Siberian Crane eastern population in the Indigirka River ism and so on. Through territoriality, the Siberian Crane Basin. Aims of the studies included to set up biocoenotic can minimize dependence of its breeding success on nu- connections, time budget, composition and dynamics of merous predators and polyphages. Defense of its brood habitat ecosystems. The foraging activity of individu- means not only physical protection of clutches and chicks, als and groups were followed, their feeding sites were but also securing enough food resources for chicks. To determined and surveyed carefully during the time that mitigate effect of other animals and birds feeding near the birds were absent. It is very difficult to locate the cranes nest, Siberian Cranes must establish a feeding area for feeding sites in the vast area of tundra and can be done chicks nearly 0.3 km2. only by using two observers: one helping the other find The main component of the Siberian Crane eastern pop- the feeding site through tracking his movements using ulation's diet during breeding and pre-migratory seasons binoculars and a radio. is fish, including dead fish. Breeding Siberian Cranes Data received along with existing information allowed us spent 100% of foraging time at habitats abundant with to summarize which data is important for understanding fish. They catch mostly Nine-spined Stickleback (Pun- the structure of the Siberian Crane breeding grounds. gitius pungitius) and Pike with weights of up to 3 kg. Coenotic connections in ornithological cenosis were de- Optimal habitats for Siberian Crane breeding are vast tected; and ichthyophagy of Siberian Cranes in trophic shallow swampy parts of lakes rich with fish; therefore specialization was estimated. fish is the most available resource for the cranes. They 42 breeding bird species were recorded in the territories typically catch sedentary fish which are found near the of the Siberian Crane breeding pairs. Regarding the Si- surface of the water. Such fish are usually infected with specialized cestodes. According to our observation of Si- berian Crane behavior, this species is not a specialized ichthyophag. However, spreading out the wings in a flat horizontal position allows the crane to drive the fish from deep water to the shallows. Ichthyophagy of Siberian Cranes in breeding season is a consistent component of its diet and an adaptation to conditions of the typical tundra of northeastern Asia. Increasing numbers of the Tundra Swanin the same habitats may lead to competition between two highly territorial species.

Fig 1. A territorial pair of the Siberian Crane. Photo by Ser- gei Sleptsov

4 Siberian Crane Sightings in Southeast Transbaikalia (Russia) and Mongolia in 2011 and 2012

Oleg Goroshko1,3, N. Tseveenmyadag2, Svetlana Balzhimayeva1

1Daurskiy State Nature Reserve, Russia 2Institute of Biology of Mongolian Academy of Science, Mongolia 3Institute of Nature Resources, Ecology, and Cryology NB RAS, Russia [email protected]

A transboundary area called Dauria, including Dauri- on Siberian Crane sightings from 2007 to 2010 are pub- an steppe in southeastern Transbaikalia in Russia and lished in CWGE Newsletter #10 and 11). northeastern Mongolia, is the place for summering of In 2011, five Siberian Crane sightings were registered in non-breeding Siberian Cranes, predominately represent- Russia in Transbaikalia (all were in Torey Hollow) with a total ed by young birds up to three years old (with brown number of 22 birds (Table). In the Mongolian steppe – eight feathers in their plumage). Siberian Cranes are sighted sightings of Siberian Cranes with a total number of 19 mostly in the transboundary Russian-Mongolian Torey birds were registered; all of the birds not in Torey Hollow. Hollow which includes the large Torey Lakes as well as In 2012, the maximal number of sighted cranes for the hundreds of small wetlands. Daurskiy State Nature Re- period of 20 years was recorded in Dauria. In Russia in serve, the federal wildlife refuges of Dzeren Valley and Transbaikalia 10 sightings were registered with a total Tsasuchei Pine Forest, as well as the provincial wildlife number of 35 cranes (without repeated sightings). In refuge of Aginskaya Steppe are located in Torey Hollow Mongolia four sightings with a total number of seven on the Russian side; and Mongol-Daguur Nature Reserve birds were recorded; one of them was registered in Torey on the Mongolian side. In Mongolia, Siberian Cranes are Hollow in Khukh Lake. sighted not only in Torey Hollow, but also quite often in the Onon and Uldza rivers basins, and sometimes in the Kerulen and Selenga rivers basins. Data on Siberian Crane sightings are received through regular waterbirds censuses in the different parts of Dauria as well as by interviews with local people. In 1989-1991, four – seven sightings of the Siberian Crane with a total number of 40 birds were registered annually; the size of some groups reached 32 cranes. In 1992–2001, the number of sighted birds decreased significantly: only two-four sightings per year were seen, totaling 10 birds; the biggest group consisted of only six birds. In 2002–2006 the number of sighted birds slightly increased: up to four sightings with a total number of 15 birds per year; the maximal size of groups was 12 Fig. 1. Siberian Cranes on Zun Soktui Lake, Russia, in 2011. cranes. In 2007, a total of 26 cranes were sighted (data Photo by Oleg Goroshko

Fig. 2, 3. Siberian Cranes on Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake, Mongolia, in 2012. Photo by Nyambayar Batbayar

5 Table. Sightings of Siberian Cranes in Transbaikalia (Russia) and Mongolia in 2011 and 2012

Number of Date Place Coordinates cranes Russia 27 May 2011 Aginskaya steppe, Khaptsagatui Lake 50°37’52”N, 114°57’49”E 2 2 June 2011 Great Ukshinda Lake near Tsasuchei pine forest 50°20’23”N, 114°51’09”E 6 15-16 June 2011 Daurskiy Nature Reserve, Torey Lakes 50°13’43”N, 115°40’10”E 12 19 June 2011 Aginskaya steppe, Zun-Soktui Lake 50°52’01”N, 114°39’50”E 1 8 July 2011 Great Ukshinda Lake near Tsasuchei pine forest 50°20’23”N, 114°51’09”E 1 Total in 2011 22 15 June 2012 Argun River Basin, near the village of Krasnyi Velikan 50°05’00”N, 117°04’58”E 2 25 June 2012 Great Ukshinda Lake near Tsasuchei pine forest 50°20’23”N, 114°51’09”E 7 26 June 2012 Aginskaya steppe, Khaptsagatui Lake 50°37’52”N, 114°57’49”E 1 26 June 2012 Aginskaya steppe, Zun-Soktui Lake 50°52’01”N, 114°39’50”E 7

19 July 2012 Aginskaya steppe, Zun-Soktui Lake 50°52’01”N, 114°39’50”E 4

23-28 July 2012 Aginskaya steppe, Swan Lake 50°40’31”N, 114°54’08”E 5 Eastern edge of Wildlife Refuge of “Dzeren Valley”, 29 июня 2012 50°19’45”N, 116°17’30”E 1 Borzya River from 3 July to 29 Daurskiy Nature Reserve, Torey Lakes 50°13’43”N, 115°40’10”E 1 August 2012

4 July 2012 Shilka River Basin, Nercha River lowlands 51°19’55”N, 116°59’30”E 1

Western edge of Wildlife Refuge of “Dzeren Valley”, 29 August 2012 50°19’55”N, 115°49’40”E 6 Borzya River Total in 2012 35 Mongolia 31 May 2011 Onon River Basin, Khyarkhany-Tsagan Lake 49°01’46”N, 111°38’24”E 2 22 June 2011 Kerulen River Basin, Gun-Galuut Lake 47°34’43”N, 108°23’28”E 3 23 June 2011 Onon River Basin, Khurkhyn-Gol River 48°20’30”N, 110°22’00”E 2 25 June 2011 Uldza River Basin, Turgenii-Tsagaan Lake 49°23’20”N, 113°15’00”E 5 7 August 2011 Onon River Basin, near the village of Binder 48°35’28”N, 110°36’54”E 1 25 August 2011 Onon River Basin, Khuiten-Gol River 48°18’33”N, 110°53’10”E 1 from 22 August to Kerulen River Basin, Gun-Galuut Lake 47°34’43”N, 108°23’28”E 2 5 September 2011 3 September 2011 Onon River Basin, Tsagaan Lake 48°35’28”N, 110°36’54”E 3 Total in 2012 19 9-10 июня 2012 Kerulen River Basin, Tsegiin-Burd Lake 47°34’48”N, 108°23’22”E 1 9 June 2012 Uldza River Basin, Turgenii-Tsagaan Lake 49°24'27”N, 113°14'24”E 3

5-10 June 2012 Selenga River Basin, Terkhiin-Tsagaan Lake 48°07’58”N, 99°36’45”E 4 10 July 2012 Selenga River Basin, Terkhiin-Tsagaan Lake 48°07’58”N, 99°36’45”E 1 16 July 2012 Mongol-Daguur Nature Reserve, Khukh Lake 49°32’40”N, 115°31’13”E 1 Total in 2012 10

6 Information from Migration Sites 2011-2013

Western Flyway

Siberian Crane Sightings in Volga Delta, Russia, in 2011 and 2012

German Rusanov, Anatoly Kashin, Natalia Litvinova, Sergei Mitrophanov, Yuri Taranov

Astrakhan State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia [email protected]

Volga Delta is a traditional migration stopover of the ed in Obzhorovo site (the eastern part of the delta) near Western Asian flock of the Siberian Crane. In 2011 and the sea edge of the delta. A. Kashin, the Astrakhan SNBR 2012 wild Siberian Cranes were sighted in Astrakhan staff, discovered them in the afternoon in shallow zone State Nature Biosphere Reserve (SNBR) located in the of the delta, where a huge number of geese, ducks and Volga Delta. gulls stayed on sand bars. Both cranes hid themselves in On 22 September 2011 at 6:15 p.m. A. Kashin, N. Lit- lotus thickets which are abundant in shallow water spits. vinova, and S. Mitrofanov saw a flock of 15 Siberian A little latert on the same day, six captive-reared young Cranes, which flew to the west above Obzhorovo site lo- Siberian Cranes were released near Kutum channel (see cated in the reed belt in the eastern part of Volga Delta. article by Y. Markin in this issue). After that there was no Such flocks of more than 10 birds were not seen in Volga information about wild cranes from this area. Delta during the last four decades. The sighting of 15 On 21 October D. Levchenko noted one adult Siberian Siberian Crane indicates the success of a reintroduction Crane in Damchik site (the western part of the delta). The program implemented by Oka State Nature Reserve and bird fed in shallow water at Postovoi site, then flew near 0.5 All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection and km and landed at Rakushechny Kultuk site. strengthens our hope on recovering the Western/Central We have also information from local people, that need to Asian population of this rarest species. be confirmed. A hunter, resident of the village of Mitro- Another sighting was recorded on 20 October 2011 at fanovo, sighted six flying Siberian Cranes at Kabani site, 5:30 p.m. near the sea coast. Yuri Taranov saw one adult east of Obzhorovo site, on 5 October 2012. In early No- Siberian Crane in Damchik site of Astrakhan SNBR locat- vember E. Polonsky, a photographer, saw five flying Si- ed in the western part of Volga Delta. The Siberian Crane berian Cranes of different age (adults and young birds) took off a sandy spit and flew in the eastern direction. In in Ikryaninskiy District (the western part of the delta). It the following days no cranes were found there. should be noted that three of six captive-reared Siberian In 2012 two reliable sightings were recorded, as well as Cranes released on 18 October still stayed at Obzhorovo two sightings which need to be confirmed. On 18 October site so they could not be at the site, where E. Polonsky two Siberian Cranes (adult and young bird) were record- saw six flying Siberian Cranes.

Eastern Flyway

Siberian Crane Fall Migrations in Middle Indigirka River Valley, Yakutia, Russia, in 2012

Inga Bysykatova

Institute of Biological Problems of Cryolithozone NB RAS, Russia [email protected]

Marked Siberian Crane migrations have been observed 2004 on Indigirka River at Kubalaakh site E. Sleptsov along almost entire Indigirka River Valley. In the spring counted up to 300 Siberian Cranes including 50 chicks. cranes fly to the valley near the Moma River mouth (the According to interviews with local people, at this site right tributary of Indigirka River). In the fall the most fewer Siberian Crane are sighted during spring migra- intensive migration occurs in September and early Oc- tion compared to numbers of autumn migration, while at tober with an average flock size of 10-20, sometimes Kumakh Sysy site the migration is quite intensive both 50-60 birds. In the autumn of 2000 nearly 500 Siberian in spring and autumn. The first Siberian Cranes appear Cranes migrated during a week through the site located here on 5-6 May, usually in small groups (from 2-5 to 10 near Khastaak River (a tributary of Indigirka River), with individuals). Larger flocks of 20-30 birds migrate later. chicks in almost all flocks (O. Danilov, pers. com.). In On 18-19 May 2006, 31 birds were counted in Kumakh 7 Fig 1. Siberian Crane migration. Photo by Inga Bysykatova

Sysy, and 8 to 20 May 2007 – 53 cranes (Osipov 2007). in the two largest flocks of 24 and 61 individuals. The Siberian Cranes can form congregations with numbers last flock seen was on 2 October with 242 birds counted up to 300 birds during short resting periods; and more (6% of world population). The main direction of autumn than a total of 500 birds can be counted at migration migration was to the southwest. stopovers. Some groups stay to rest for several days. According to interviews with local people, Siberian Regular and mass migration of the Siberian Crane is re- Cranes stop for a short rest during their migration near corded in Middle Indigirka Valley at a site between the the sites of Betyuesya, Aly-Kel, and Berezino. On 2 and 3 Moma River mouth and the village of Kulun Elbyut. The October cranes were recorded near the sites of Betyue- migration lasts for a week as an average, with cranes sya and Red River flying at a low altitude (50 m), prob- typically flying north. In 2005 Siberian Cranes flying east ably ascending after having rested on the islands near were noted by L. Khabarov, but this is the only data re- Betyuesya or on the site of Aly-Kel located northeast of porting east direction of spring migration. Betyuesya, or on the marshes near Berezino. More often In the autumn of 2012 we counted Siberian Cranes in local people noted resting cranes at the site of Aly-Kel the Middle Indigirka River Valley between 22 September (groups of tens and hundreds individuals, in 2011 – up and 6 October. 28 flocks with a total of 377 individuals to 1,000) as well as on sand bars and spits of Indigirka (9.4% of world population) were recorded. The average River in the area between the village of Druzhina and the number of birds in each flock was 12. Chicks were noted Zazhiversk ranger post.

Fig. 2. Habitats along Indigirka River Valley where Siberian Cranes rest before crossing over the Moma Mountain Range. Photo by Inga Bysykatova

8 Okhotskiy Perevoz Village as the Observation Point for Siberian Crane Migration in Southeastern Yakutia, Russia

Maria Vladimirtseva1, Inga Bysykatova1, Raisa Zelepukhina2

1Institute of Biological Problems of Cryolithozone NB RAS, Russia 2GAO «Centres Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)», Russia [email protected]

The village of Okhotskiy Perevoz is located on both banks of the Aldan River, the right tributary of Lena River in southeastern Yakutia. The Siberian Crane migration route follows the main northern rivers (Yana, Indigirka, and Kolyma), becomes narrower entering the Aldan Plateau from the Verkhoyansky mountain range, after which the cranes continue migration along the Aldan River and its tributaries. Therefore, this village is the most convenient observation point to count Siberian Cranes during seasonal migrations. The largest flocks fly just above the village or within a radius of 1.5 km. Cranes very often fly over the local school so its students are allowed and even encouraged to leave the classroom to observe and count the cranes. Regular Siberian Crane counts during autumn migration over the village of Okhotskiy Perevoz and its outskirts indicated that the number of migrating birds is relatively stable (1,199 in 2008; 2,475 in 2009; 1,740 in 2010; 1,561 in 2011; and 1,462 in 2012). In 2012, the most intensive migration was observed from 1 to 9 October. During this count it was observed that some flocks flew with a pull to the east, which was not identified in previous observations. In 2012 huge forest fires in Middle Aldan River started in mid-May. The village of Okhotsky Perevoz, located in the middle of taiga, where the Aldan River is the only way to connect with other settlements, was nearly destroyed. Local people extinguished the taiga fire with their own efforts and means. Fires in the middle of May happened during the intensive Siberian Crane migration of mostly young and non-breeding birds to the north. By that time the majority of breeding birds had already reached their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra. According to information from V. Prokopiev, resident of Ust-Maya Village, the staff of the Ministry of Emergencies discovered a flock of near 1,000 Siberian Cranes in the marsh between the villages of Ezhantsy and Ust-Maya. The birds were nervous, did not feed, and probably could not Fig. 1. Migrating Siberian Cranes. Photo by Vasiliy Okonesh- continue migration because of poor visibility and unfa- nikov vorable air thermals caused by fires. Perhaps the spring fires provoked the cranes to deviate eastward during their autumn migration over the Okhotskiy Perevoz. .

9 Migratory Siberian Cranes at Momoge National Nature Reserve, Northeastern China, in 2012

Jiang Hongxing

National Bird Banding Center of China, Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, China [email protected]

In spring 2012, the Siberian Cranes mainly used the level in the Etoupao wetland. The majority of cranes be- Etoupao wetland of Momoge NNR. The staging last- gan using of the surrounding areas such as Minggatun, ed for 63 days, from 16 March to 18 May. Due to low Taolahao, and Yuanbaotu. The new stopover sites were temperatures at the beginning of spring migration, the formed due to the abundant precipitation in summer and crane numbers were quite variable from 16 to 27 March, partially due to artificial water supply. The main food of ranging from zero to less than 20 individuals. After 27 Siberian Cranes at Momoge NNR are the tubers of Scir- March, the crane numbers increased steadily. There were pus planiculmis and S. nipponicus, which are typically 30 days with daily counts of over 1,000 cranes. During transition plants in the seasonal pools of this area. The this time, daily numbers of over 2,000 and 3,000 cranes water level is a determining factor to ensure the tuber were recorded during 25 and 17 days, respectively. The growth and plant transition. maximum daily count of adult cranes was 3,269 on 3 May, It is worthwhile to mention that the new stop-over sites and of chicks – 388 on 12 May. The maximum daily count belong to the same water system, which is different from of all cranes was 3,590 on 3 May. that of the Etoupao wetland. Though both water sources Taking into account the maximum count of adult and mainly originate from rainfall, releasing water from the young cranes, the minimum population estimate would irrigation canal, and potentially from the channel of Nen- be 3,657 Siberian Cranes in the eastern flyway. jiang River, the engineering of the irrigation canal was not In the fall 2012, the staging lasted for 66 days, from 13 completed for the Minggatun wetland. Therefore, the wa- September to 17 November. Daily counts of over 1000 ter conditions are quite changeable at the new stopover cranes lasted for 22 days. During that time, daily num- sites. These are potential important alternative stopover bers over 2000 and 3000 cranes were recorded during sites for this endangered species, especially when the 20 and 7 days, respectively. The maximum daily count water level and food availability are not at an acceptable was 3,639 cranes on 25 October, when adults and ju- level at the Etoupao wetland. Furthermore, the new sites veniles also reached the largest number (3,060 adults have fewer external threats to the cranes in comparison and 579 juveniles). The juveniles/adults ratio is approxi- with the Etoupao wetland, where there is a potential risk mately 19% based on the maximum numbers. by contaminated water from the oil operation. However, the distribution of Siberian Cranes has expe- rienced a great change in the fall due to the high water

Fig. 1. Siberian Crane migration stopover in Momoge National Nature Reserve. Photo by Jiang Honxing

10 Information from Wintering Sites 2011/12 and 2012/13 Western Flyway

Siberian Crane Wintering in Iran in 2011/12 and 2012/13

Ellen Vuosalo

Mazandaran Crane Conservation Association, I.R. Iran [email protected]

Since 2008 only one Siberian Crane arrived annually (ex- local damgah-keepers argued with this hunter and called cluding winter of 2009/10) in the wintering grounds of the local DoE to come and handle legally this trouble- the Western Asian flock on the Caspian littoral, in Fere- some case. On the next day the Siberian Crane did not idoonkenar (FDK), Mazandaran Province, I.R.Iran. reappear in the field anymore, but was again seen feed- In the autumn 2011 a single Siberian Crane, that had de- ing during the day inside the FDK Damgah, where the parted FDK on 4 March 2011, returned again to FDK on waters were receding, while the weather had turned very o 24 October at 4 p.m. The local people were so happy that cold (+4 C) with heavy snow in the mountains. they named the single Siberian Crane “Omid” (Nadezhda, Around the same date of this fateful event, a good pro- Hope). According to information from local damgah-keep- gram about this amazing Siberian Crane “Omid”, featur- ers, Omid’s first stop, as usual, was at Ezbaran Damgah, ing a report of the crane’s arrival, was broadcast by the and the next day it was sighted at 6 a.m. by observers Persian BBC channel, as part of the film taken in 2005 from the Department of Environment (DoE) in the main of MCCA’s Damgah project, along with an interview with FDK Damgah. At the arrival time, three days after a big Ellen Vuosalo. storm in the region, the weather was sunny and partly In spring 2012, Omid was easily sighted until 1st March o cloudy with a temperature of 19-23 C. near Sorkhrud Damgah and west of Ezbaran (parts of As usual during the first days of the wintering season, Fereidoonkenar complex) among a big flock (~4,000) of the Siberian Crane flew every day at sunrise from Ezba- Whooper Swans. Soon after 1st March, when Seyed Mah- ran to the FDK Damgah, spending days in safety in the moud Ghasempouri of Tarbiat Moddares University took middle of a field in the southern end of the FDK Damgah, wondeful photos of Omid, the crane circled three times returning to Ezbaran at dusk. Then in the second week, above the swans and left the site, after which no one saw after long and heavy rains, before flying inside the Ez- this bird for two days. On 3 March, the crane was seen baran Damgah for roosting, it began feeding in the field again near Sorkhrud Damgah by local trappers and NGO outside the damgahs, where during high water it was members who were feeding the swans. At 9.30 a.m. they hard to feed. There in the field between FDK and Ezbaran saw it circling over the Sorkhrud Damgah and leaving the damgahs, on 5 November about 4 p.m., a hunter aimed wintering grounds flying towards Siberia. a shot at the Siberian Crane, but fortunately missed. The In autumn 2012, on 28 October, a Siberian Crane from the

Fig. 1. Single Siberian Crane at wintering grounds in Fereidoonkenar in spring 2012 г. Photo by Seyed Mahmoud Ghasempouri 11 Western Asian flock returned again to the Caspian coast wintering ground at Fereidoonkenar and after circling above the wintering ground, landed at 2.30 p.m. in Ezba- ran Damgah, according to observations by some Ezbaran damgah-keepers. The next day, at 7.30 in the morning, it was sighted in the Fereidoonkenar Damgah, according to information from Mr. A. Sadeghi, Head of the Department of Environment of Babolsar, whose office oversees the Fe- reidoonkenar area. The weather was cloudy and mild (near 19oC), and “Omid” landed safely in the afternoon, a while before a heavy rain storm came through the area. Damgah keepers observed the crane foraging several times during the winter in the main FDK Damgah, some- Fig. 2. Single Siberian Crane among Whooper Swans in spring 2012. Photo by Seyed Mahmoud Ghasempouri times outside the Damgah limits near the vacant building planned by DoE/SCWP as “research/education center”, trained waterfowl counter), and perhaps due to rather and also near the new detour road in the old northern- warm weather occurring earlier this year. This may also be most territorial grounds of the flock. No other reports of the reason for the huge flocks of swans (DoE counted up sighting Omid elsewhere this winter were received ex- to 10,000 this winter) to leave the area in late February. cept those of Omid‘s arrival and departure via the Ezba- Omid was observed circling the Ezbaran Damgah and flying ran Damgah. “towards the sea” around 11 a.m. on 27 February, in warm sunny weather, while colder and rainy weather set in again The spring of 2013 saw the Siberian Crane starting its mi- a few days later. gration quite early, on 27 February (usually on 2-5 March), as reported from Ezbaran by damgah-keeper Arfaei (MCCA

Number and Distribution of Cranes Wintering at Poyang Lake, China, During 2011–2012 Fengshan Li1, Jiandong Wu2, James Harris1, James Burnham1,3

1International Crane Foundation 2Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve 3University of Wisconsin-Madison [email protected]

(Adapted from Chinese Birds, 2012, т. 3(3), p. 180-190)

Two crane surveys were conducted at Poyang Lake dur- rian Cranes enumerated in December was 1,000 more ing the 2011/12 winter, the first on 18-19 December than the second count in February 2012. It is not possi- 2011 and the second on 18-19 February 2012. The sur- ble to rule out double counting due to the close proximity vey covered the entire Poyang Lake basin, as well as two of the main sites of the Siberian Cranes. During winters main lakes in Jiujiang (Saicheng Hu and Chi Hu), i.e., a from 1,998 to 2009, the average of the highest counts total of 85 sub-lakes were surveyed. The first survey on each winter was 3,091, ranging from 2,345 in 1996 to 18-19 December 2011 recorded 4,577 Siberian Cranes, 4,004 in 2002. By comparison with counts taken at other mostly in Bang Hu, Sha Hu and Dahu Chi. The second times, we therefore estimate a wintering population of survey on 18-19 February 2012 recorded 3,335 Siberian Siberian Cranes of ~3,800-4,000 at Poyang Lake. Addi- Cranes (mostly in Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve tional evidence will be needed to raise the world popula- (PLNR) and its surrounding areas). The number of Sibe- tion estimate.

Fig 1. Siberian Cranes on Poyang Lake, China. Photo by Jia Yifeu 12 Fig. 2, 3, 4. Siberian Cranes on Poyang Lake, China. Photos by Jia Yifeu

Captive Breeding 2011 and 2012

Crane Propagation in Oka Crane Breeding Center, Russia, in 2011 and 2012

Tatiana Kashentseva

Oka Crane Breeding Center, Russia [email protected]

As of 1 January 2013, the Oka Crane Breeding Center (the using hay and laid their first clutches. After the snow OCBC) of Oka State Nature Biosphere Reserve (SNBR) is started to melt, the nests remained on top of compacted a host to 31 Siberian Cranes (18 males and 13 females). snow piles that did not melt under the nests, and the 12 pairs bred at the OCBC in 2011 and 2012. Results of breeding birds had to climb up incubate. Because there Siberian Crane captive breeding are given in the table. was a risk that the eggs would roll away from the nests, we tried to move the nests with eggs to the ground free In both 2011 and 2012, the average start of breeding from snow, but our attempt was unsuccessful with one was in the middle of April, which is the norm for cranes of of the nests, where the birds broke their eggs. Then the OCBC. In 2011, one pair of Siberian Cranes began breed- eggs from the two other nests were removed for artificial ing one month earlier than the other cranes. The winter incubation and the original nests were destroyed. After of 2012 was snowy and prolonged, and into the middle that these two pairs build new nests on the ground free of April there was high snow cover in crane outdoor pens. from snow and laid their second clutches. Three Siberian Crane pairs built nests on the snow cover Second clutches, after the full incubation of first clutches, 13 Table. Results of Siberian Crane breeding in OCBC in 2011 and 2012

Number of laid Number of Number of Number of Year eggs (number of Raising success, % fertilized eggs hatched chicks raised chicks broken eggs) 2011 27 (2) 15 11 9 81,8 2012 32 (7) 22 18 11 61,6 were recorded for two Siberian Crane pairs in 2011 and four-month-old chicks and one one-year old bird) and in 2012. To produce offspring from birds incapable of copu- 2012 six (four four-month-old chicks and two one-year- lation, artificial insemination was used for six and seven old birds) were transported to Astrakhan State Nature Siberian Crane females in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Reserve in Volga Delta for release into the wild at the tra- Artificial incubation was not used. All chicks hatched in ditional migration stopover site for wild Siberian Cranes crane nests and most of them - in their parent’s nests. Si- (see article by Yu. Markin in this issue). berian Crane pairs, which laid unfertile eggs in both years In 2012, the OCBC staff participated in the Flight of Hope as well as the two Red-crowned Cranes and one White- Project (see article by A. Sorokin in this issue). Ten Si- naped Crane pair in 2012, were used as adoptive parents berian Crane chicks from early clutches were reared us- for incubation of the second eggs of Siberian Cranes from ing isolation (costume) techniques. Each chick was kept full clutches that consisted of two eggs. in separate enclosure but in visual contact with other In 2011 Siberian Crane chicks were reared by surrogate chicks. Also, a hybrid of Siberian and Eurasian Cranes parents of other crane species. In 2012, chicks were was kept near them for imprinting. Training using ultra- reared by isolated (costume) technique for the Flight of light plane in combination with feeding was conducted Hope Project, as well as by parents (seven chicks). individually for each chick one-two times a day. On 18 Every year the OCBC participates in the program of Sibe- July, chicks were moved to the Lipovaya Gora site in- rian Crane reintroduction into the wild. On 31 May 2011, side the Oka SNBR for a month of continuing training two eggs were transferred to the Uvat District of Tyu- using the ultralight plane. On 16 August, seven of the ten chicks were transported to a field camp near the village men Province and placed into the nests of wild Eurasian of Kushevat in Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous Region, Cranes for cross-foster rearing: and on 7 June 2012 two West Siberia, near the breeding grounds of wild cranes. one-year-old Siberian Cranes were transferred to the same area for the release into the wild. In 2011 six (five

Fig. 1. Small Siberian Crane chicks were reared using Sibe- Fig. 2. “Costume” technique for chick rearing. Photo by rian Crane mockup. Photo by Galina Nosachenko Galina Nosachenko

14 Fig. 3. Walking with chicks on marshes for adapting to natu- Fig. 4. Trainings with ultralight plane in Lipovaya Gora site ral food. Photo by Galina Nosachenko in Oka Nature Reserve. Photo by Galina Nosachenko

Reintroduction 2011 and 2012

Siberian Crane Reintroduction in Tyumen Region, Russia, in 2011 and 2012

Anastasia Shilina1, Alexander Sorokin1, Yuri Markin2

1All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection 2Оka State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia [email protected]

According to the Action Plan for the period of 2010-2012 A portable incubator was used for ship the eggs. Trans- accepted by the Siberian Crane Range States under Mem- portation from OCBC (Oka State Nature Biosphere Re- orandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Mea- serve, Ryazan Region) via Moscow and Tyumen to the sures for the Siberian Crane under the Convention of Mi- town of Uvat was conducted by cars and plane took 16 gratory Species, works on recovering of the Siberian Crane hours. Western/Central Asian population have been continued in The eggs arrived to Uvat on 1 June 2011. On the day of different parts of its area using different techniques. arrival and the next day, an air survey was conducted us- In 2011 and 2012 reintroduction of Siberian Cranes was ing air boat “Orion” in order to discover Eurasian Crane implemented in breeding grounds of this species in Tobol nests for placing Siberian Crane eggs (Fig. 1). Two eggs and Uvat districts in the north of Tyumen Region with were placed in two Eurasian Crane nests with a one egg support of oil and gas companies ITERA and TNK-BP. clutch (Fig. 2, 3). Water tests indicated that the pro- In 2011, a cross-fostering technique was used. Siberian jected hatching dates for the Siberian Crane eggs were Crane eggs from Oka Crane Breeding Center (OCBC) the same as for the Eurasian Crane eggs. Further obser- (Table 1) were placed in nests of wild Eurasian Cranes in vations showed that the Eurasian Cranes of both pairs the forest-tundra zone on the border between Tobol and accepted the placed eggs and continued to incubate the Uvat districts. This area has been known as the breed- clutches. ing grounds of the Siberian Crane Western Asian flock We obtained no information regarding the Siberian Cranes since 1996, when they were discovered here for the first during an air survey of this region in the beginning of time. It is also know as breeding grounds of the Eurasian September as well as interviews with the pilots involved Crane with very high density of nests. in forest fire detecting and monitoring duringthe summer.

Table 1. Information about eggs placed in Eurasian Crane nests in 2011

## Supposed date of hatching Father (# МПК)* Mother (# МПК)* Generation

1 08.06.2011 Nazar # 37 Yulya # 42 F1

2 17.06.2011 Ukhta # 646 Kama # 502 F2

* ISB – International Studbook 15 Таблица 2. Происхождение стерхов, выпущенных в природу Ямало-Ненецком АО Тюменской области в 2012 г.

Fig. 1. Breeding grounds of Eurasian and Siberian Cranes in the north of Tyumen Region. Photo by Alexander Sorokin

Fig. 2. Eurasian Crane nest #1 on the border between Uvat Fig. 3. Eurasian Crane nest #2 on the border between Uvat and Tobol Districts of Tyumen Region where an egg of the and Tobol Districts of Tyumen Region where an egg of the Siberian Cranes was placed (laid by Nazar and Yulya in Siberian Cranes was placed (laid by Ukhta and Kama in OCBC). Photo by Anastasia Shilina OCBC). Photo by Anastasia Shilina

Table 2. Origination of Siberian Cranes released into the wild in Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous District of Tyumen Region in 2012

Location and number of the band Father Mother №№ Name Gender Generation Right thigh Left thigh # ISB # ISB

Standard Kunovat Walsrode 1 Tunguska female F1 Green metal band metal АА 2019 # 85 # 97

Standard Uchur Samgym 2 Okkervil female F1 Red metal band metal АА 2020 # 15 # 219

In 2012 OCBC provided two one-year-old Siberian Cranes in a temporary enclosure built in the marshes (Fig. 4). reared by their parents for reintroduction purposes (Table For three days the cranes rested in the enclosure (Fig. 2). The cranes were transported in special boxes to the 5) and adapted to the natural conditions and food. The same area where eggs were placed in the Eurasian Crane cranes exhibited an aggressive attitude towards people nests in June 2011. On 7 June a helicopter delivered through their postures and direct attacks when people cranes into the site for release. The cranes were released visited them for feeding. 16 On 10 June one of the enclosure walls was lifted, and the The next day during an air survey using a helicopter, we cranes went out (Fig. 6). After the release, they looked did not find the released cranes as they continued to stay around for some time, then flew in southwest direction in the birch forest and it was difficult to see them from for a distance of 800 m (Fig. 7) and landed in a patch above. During the next ten days crane observations were of birch forest. Further observations indicated that the conducted on the ground as well as from the helicopter cranes continued to stay in this area, slowly moving in and the air boat “Orion”. Observations indicated that the southwest direction. cranes adapted to natural conditions successfully, fed on

Fig. 4. Temporary enclosure built for Siberian Cranes. Photo by Alexander Sorokin

Fig. 5. ТSiberian Crans named Tunguska and Okkervil in the Fig. 6. Tunguska and Okkervil departing the temporary en- temporary enclosure at the site of release. Photo by Anasta- closure. Photo by Anastasia Shilina sia Shilina

Fig. 7. The first flight of Okkervil. Photo by Anastasia Shilina Fig. 8. Siberian Cranes have adapted to natural conditions. Photo by Alexander Sorokin 17 natural food (they did not eat the familiar food (pellets) aptation, including territorial behavior and contacts with left at the release site), and their behavior was the same neighboring Eurasian Crane pairs (Fig. 11), who can lead as behavior of wild birds (Fig. 8-10). Taking into account the cranes along migration routes, the release can be the good physical condition of the birds, adequate ad- considered as successful.

Fig. 9. Tunguska demonstrated a dan- Fig. 10. Two Siberian Cranes in flight a week after their release. Photo by Anasta- ger posture as a reaction to the arrival sia Shilina of the air boat “Orion”. Photo by Alex- ander Sorokin

Fig. 11. Pair of Eurasian Cranes with chicks are neighbors of the released Siberian Cranes. Photo by Alexander Sorokin

Implementation of Flight of Hope Project (Recovery of the Endangered Siberian Crane Population Using Ultralight Plane) in Russia in 2012

Alexander Sorokin1, Yuri Markin2, Anastasia Shilina1, Alexander Ermakov3

1All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection 2Оka State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia 3”Sterkh” Foundation, Yamalo-Nenetskiy AR, Russia [email protected]

The Western/Central Asian population of the Siberi- tion which need urgent conservation measures. At the end an Crane bred in West Siberia is the most endangered of 20th century its numbers had decreased to nearly 20 among rare species of the fauna of the Russian Federa- birds, bringing the population to the brink of extinction.

18 In this situation traditional conservation measures are In 2012, in OCBC a group of ten Siberian Cranes chicks ineffective. Therefore the development and implementa- was reared for the Flight of Hope Project using isolated tion of a reintroduction program of captive-bred Siberian rearing (costume) techniques (see article by T. Kashent- Cranes have been given special consideration during the seva in this issue). They were trained to follow the mo- last few decades. Since the beginning of the 1990s near- todeltaplan (Fig. 2, 3). ly 160 Siberian Cranes were released into the wild using In mid-August Siberian Crane juveniles were transferred various techniques, and as a result the population num- to YaNAR (field camp “Kushevat”, 200 km south from ber is close to stabilization (Fig. 1). However, it is not Salekhard), where they adapted to natural conditions enough as the adaptation of juveniles without parents to and continued their training with a motodeltaplan until the natural conditions is quite difficult. early September (Fig. 4, 5). The decision to use the technique of teaching a chick In the beginning of September V.V. Putin, the President to follow ultralight plane along the traditional flyways of of the Russian Federation visited the field camp of Ku- wild birds seems to be the best way to recover the en- shevat and was introduced to the Flight of Hope Proj- dangered population. This technique has been success- ect goals and made a few training flights with Siberian fully used in the USA for the recovery of the endangered Cranes (Fig. 6, 7). Whooping Crane. Through special training, the chicks became imprinted on the ultralight plane, recognize it as their leader and follow it to wintering grounds. Next 50 spring nearly 90% of the young cranes returned to the nesting grounds on their own after wintering.

Taking into account the success of this technique, Rus- 40 sian specialists have developed the Flight of Hope Proj- ect, to lead Siberian Crane juveniles reared in the Oka Crane Breeding Center (OCBC) from the species breed- 30 ing grounds in Yamalo-Nenetskiy Autonomous Region (YNAR) through West Siberia and Kazakhstan to the south of Uzbekistan (near the town of Termez), where an alternative Siberian Crane wintering site is hoped to be 20 established. It will reduce significantly the length of the migration route and exclude most dangerous part of the flyway to traditional wintering grounds in India through 10 Afghanistan and Pakistan, where unlimited crane hunting still occurs. The Flight of Hope Project was implemented as pat of the Siberian Crane Conservation Plan of Memorandum 0

of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2011 the Siberian Crane under the Convention of Migratory Fig. 1. Dynamics of Siberian Crane sightings at key sites of Species. the Western/Central Asian population

Fig. 2. Preparation for training flights at the Oka Nature Reserve. Photo by Yuri Markin

19 On 8 September six Siberian Crane juveniles began their stopover and then fly along to their wintering grounds journey south on a boat up the Ob River from the vil- (Fig. 10). Such releases of captive-bred Siberian Cranes lage of Gorki to Khanty-Mansisk, and then up the Irtysh were conducted frequently in previous years. Also it is River to the settlement of Uvat. Stops during this trip planned that two Siberian Cranes would be caught in or- were used to continue motodeltaplan training sessions, der to return them to OCBC after the whole group had to help the birds better memorize each stretch of the adapted and joined the wild Eurasian Cranes. These two way and strengthen their physical state and flight skills Siberian Cranes were to be transferred by a commer- (Fig. 8, 9). From the town of Uvat birds were transported cial flight to Termez Town (Uzbekistan) for release at the by car. As planned, the route of near 2,000 km was com- alternative wintering ground with the goal to test their pleted on 19 September at the Belozerskiy Wildlife Ref- adaptation to winter conditions. uge (Armizon District, Tyumen Region) located near the However our plans were destroyed by weather. On 3 Oc- border with Kazakhstan. tober (2-3 weeks earlier than usual) a heavy snowfall Our further plans were that the Siberian Cranes would occurred, and the Eurasian Cranes left Belozersky Wild- join the wild Eurasian Crane flocks at their migration life Refuge for their migration south. Up to that time,

Fig. 3. First flights at the Lipovaya Gora site in the Oka Nature Reserve. Photo by Yuri Markin

Fig. 4, 5. Training flights in Kushevat. Photos by Alexander Sorokin and Anastasia Shilina

Fig. 6. Training flight of President V.V. Putin with juvenile Fig. 7. Presentation of the Flight of Hope Project to Vladimir Siberian Cranes. Photo by Alexander Sorokin Putin, the President of the Russian Federation. Photo by Alexander Sorokin 20 Fig. 8. Siberian Crane juveniles following the motodeltaplan during a stop on the migration route. Photo by Alexander Sorokin

hind the Eurasian Crane flocks and was found in a field by a resident of the village of Kumai (Esilskiy District of Akmola Region) in Kazakhstan. After the Forestry and Hunting Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan received information about the discovery of the Siberian Crane, its leaders undertook necessary measures for the proper care of the Siberian Crane in the Burbai National Park until its return to OCBC (see article by K.A. Postelnykh in this issue). The remaining five Siberian Cranes were returned to OCBC after the departure of the last Eurasian Cranes from Beloozerskiy Wildlife Refuge. It is planned to release these birds at the breeding grounds in the Kunovat Fig. 9. Siberian Crane juveniles following the motodeltaplan during stopping on the migration route. Photo by Anastasia River Basin in 2013. Shilina In February-March 2013 our team, along with Uzbeki- since 23 September, the process of Siberian Crane so- stan colleagues, conducted additional surveys for Sibe- cialization with the Eurasian Cranes took only one week rian Crane alternative wintering grounds. These surveys (normally three weeks are needed). Nevertheless, one confirmed the availability of using the Eurasian Crane Siberian Crane juvenile started migration along with wintering ground located in the Amudaria River Valley the wild Eurasian Cranes and flew nearly 500 km with on the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan near them. However it was not ready for such a long migra- Termez, where there are more than 30,000 birds. We tion (probably not because of its physical condition, but plan to release captive-bred Siberian Cranes here with in due to unfinished socialization). This crane dropped be- the frame of the Flight of Hope Project in future.

Fig. 10. Eurasian Cranes in Beloozersky Federal Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Yuri Markinн

21 Return of a Siberian Crane from Kazakhstan

Kirill Postelnykh

Oka Crane Breeding Center, Оka State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia [email protected]

In September of 2012, within the frame of the imple- While the necessary documents were being prepared to mentation of the Flight of Hope Project (see article by ship the Siberian Crane from Kazakhstan to Russia, the Sorokin et al, in this issue), six Siberian Crane juveniles winter came and snow fell. Para was moved to a warm reared in the Oka Crane Breeding Center (OCBC) by iso- room in the Museum of Nature in the national park. By lation (“costume”) technique and imprinted on the ultra- mid-November the documents for the return of the crane light plane arrived at Beloozerskiy Wildlife Refuge in the to OCBC were ready, and on 21 November the crane was south of Tyumen Region. Beloye Lake is the staging area successfully transferred to OCBC. and migration stopover of Eurasian Cranes where near After an examination at OCBC, no injuries were found. 3,000 individuals gather every autumn. However his weight (5,450 g) was nearly one kilogram Participants of the Flight of Hope Project released Sibe- less than the weight of the Siberian Cranes juveniles rian Crane juveniles on an island of Beloye Lake and ob- (6,200 – 6,700 g) at the time they returned to OCBC served their adaptation to natural conditions and social- from Belozerskiy WR in October. During the following ization with Eurasian Cranes. month the weight of Para increased by 1,970 g and be- On the night of 3rd October due to a sudden drop of air came 7,420, almost the same as other cranes of the temperature and snow, most of the Eurasian Cranes de- same age. parted Belozerskiy Wildlife Refuge for south-bound mi- In spite of the Siberian Crane reintroduction during the gration. One of the released Siberian Cranes, the male past 20 years, there is almost no reliable data about the named Para, flew along with the Eurasian Cranes. This survival of the released birds. The case with Para allows crane was banded with three color plastic bands (blue, us to analyze some aspects of released crane behavior. red, and white). After a short period of socialization with Eurasian Cranes, On 7 October the OCBC employees received informa- Para would join their flocks and migrate along with them tion from Khairbek Mussabayev, the Deputy Head of the to the south. The distance of his flight from Beloozer- State Forest and Hunting Committee (FHC) of Kazakh- skiy WR in Russia to Kumai Village in Akmala Province stan, about finding a Siberian Crane with three color in Kazakhstan was nearly 450 km. But this incident in- plastic bands in Akmola Region. The bird was found by dicates that the released juvenile did not have enough Almas Almanganbetov, a resident of the village of Kumai. strength to migrate a long distance. Before the release According to his communication, the crane was lying in Para’s weight was 6,800 g, more than the weight of the a field not far from the village. He was calm and did not other five released cranes (from 5,600 to 6,700 g). Dur- try to stand up while the man was walking towards him. ing migration Para lost more than one kilogram. Almas helped the crane to stand up. After that the bird Observations confirmed once again that cranes reared tried to fly, but in 20 m landed again near Almas’ house. with isolation techniques become tame very soon after The Siberian Crane stayed in Almas’s yard along with contact with people. It is not a big risk, if the public is domestic birds, feeding on their food. informed about the project on crane reintroduction, sym- After Almas informed the FHC about the saved crane, pathize with it, and know who to inform when cranes are it was decided to transfer it to Burbai National Park. At sighted. Obviously the Flight of Hope Project needs a this time it was learned that the saved crane was a par- wide public awareness campaign. ticipant of the Flight of Hope Project named Para. It was Undoubtedly, participation of the President of the Russian lodged in a large enclosure and supplied with appropri- Federation in one of the Siberian Crane training flights ate food and good care by the national park employees. in West Siberia, where the project route starts, gave the Because a lot of people and journalists came to see the Flight of Hope Project an ability to publicize information crane, it became very tame. about the project and increased public awareness about the released birds.

22 Siberian Crane Release in Volga Delta, Russia, in 2011 and 2012

Yuri Markin

Оka State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia [email protected]

In 2011 and 2012 the reintroduction of Siberian Cranes 21 September. Before their release into the enclosure, the reared at Oka Crane Breeding Center (OCBC) was con- cranes were banded with standard metal bands (chicks – tinued in the Astrakhan State Nature Biosphere Reserve on the right thigh, and one-year old bird – on the left (SNBR) in the Volga Delta with support of the oil and gas thigh). Two days after our arrival, when we came to the company “Petroresurs”. enclosure to mark the cranes with satellite transmitters The transportation of Siberian Cranes from Oka SNBR (PTT) and release into the wild, five cranes broke through (Ryazan Region) to the Obzhorovo site of Astrakhan the net and flew away. Therefore we could mark only one SNBR was conducted in transport boxes placed on a spe- chick with a PTT Telonics #635292. It was attached to a cially equipped car (the length of the route was 1,414 plastic band (one half green and one half red) with white km). After arrival in Obzhorovo, boxes with cranes were number 14 printed from top to bottom. The marked chick transferred by motorboats to reach the site of the re- was released, and it joined the five other cranes which lease located between two small Kutum and Poldnevaya remained near the enclosure after their escape. The next channels (Fig. 1). Before the release the cranes were day one of the chicks was caught when it was sleeping. kept in a special enclosure to rest after the long trip. The It was marked with a backpack PTT #15417 and on the enclosure was built in an open area that provided better right thigh we put a white plastic band with black number viewing and an approach to water (Fig. 2) 217 on three sides. Further observations of the marked chicks indicated that the transmitters did not disturb the In 2011, six Siberian Cranes (five chicks and one one- birds. year old bird) were transported to the Obzhorovo site on In 2012, six Siberian Cranes (the same number as in 2011), (four chicks and two one-year old birds) were transported to the Obzhorovo site of Astrakhan SNBR on 18 October by Oka SNBR staff, accompanied by a TV

Fig. 1. Boxes with cranes were transferred by motoboats Fig. 2. Before release chicks were kept in special enclosure to reach release Obzhorovo site in Astrakhan State Nature with access to water. Photo by Yuri Markin Reserve. Photo by Yuri Markin

Table 1. Marking of Siberian Cranes released in Astrakhan State Nature Reserve in 2011

Location and number of the band Name Date of birth № Gender Right thigh Left thigh

1 Agan male 19.05.2011 Standard metal АА 2011 -

Satellite transmitter #62024 attached to green- 2 Vyatka female 19.05.2011 Standard metal АА 2012 red plastic ring, with white number 14 on the red half of the band 3 Narva female 19.05.2011 - Standard metal АА 2013 Backpack satellite transmitter #15417; white 4 Parabel female 22.05.2011 Standard metal АА 2014 plastic ring with black number 217 from bottom up

5 Kiya male 22.05.2011 Standard metal АА 2015 -

6 Polui male 06.07.2010 - Standard metal АА 2016

23 Fig. 3. Attachment of backpack satellite transmitters to Fig. 4. In 2011 chicks adapted to attached satellite trans- Siberian Crane chick named Parabel in 2011. Photo by Yuri mitters very fast. Photo by Yuri Markin Markin crew for “My Planet” show. After resting the birds for a enclosure and fed on the placed food. Shortly after their day and a night, they were released into the wild. Before release the cranes started to actively search for natural the release the cranes were banded with standard metal food on dry islands, in shallow water and channels nearly bands on the right thigh for chicks and on the left thigh one meter deep. Watching their behavior we could as- for one-year old birds, as well as with plastic bands with sume that they picked up mollusks and various insects, various colors on the opposite thigh (Table 2). dug out grass roots, and caught small fish. Observing the released Siberian Cranes was very diffi- In 2011, two of the released Siberian Cranes were cult because of high and dense reeds and a willow bed tracked through satellite transmiiters. The cranes move- as well as numerous deep channels in the area. For the ments during migration are shown in Fig.7. According most part, we observed the cranes from the motorboat to received PTT data, the cranes started migration on when they stayed in open shallow water. Our observa- October 1. On the same day they crossed the Caspian tions allowed to monitor adaptation of cranes to natural Sea and landed on an island in the Kazakhstan side of conditions including such behavior as feeding on natu- the sea at 16:22. They flew a total of 180 km. On 2 ral food, flying, adequate responses to various factors of October, a PTT signal came from another island located environment. All released birds, although they could not nearly 30 km from the first one. On 3 October, cranes fly in OCBC enclosures, indicated quite good flying skills, moved for 160 km along the eastern coast and stopped which became better day by day. Soon they learned to on the gulf coast. On 4 October, the cranes flew 235 km form a flock flying by a line or a wedge. Every day the to the south and rested on the shore of the salt lake Siberian Cranes flew around the release site and often in Kazakhstan near the border with Turkmenistan. On flew outside the nature reserve and its buffer zone. 5 October, the cranes moved 10 km to the south shore During the first days after the release, the cranes were of the same lake. After that the PTT signals stopped. fed with familiar food (wheat, pellets, and pieces of fish) Therefore, the Siberian Cranes flew 160 km to the south which was placed near the enclosure at the release site during five days. Only on 4 October did they fly 235 km, by people. During the first two days cranes came to the which is compared with migration distances of wild Sibe-

Table 2. Marking of Siberian Cranes released in Astrakhan State Nature Reserve in 2012

Location and number of the band № Name Gender Date of birth Right thigh Left thigh

1 Kotorosl male 1 June 2012 Standard metal А 15523 Three plastic rings: yellow-blue-green

4 June 2012 2 Lovat female Standard metal А 15521 Orange plastic ring with white number 1

8 June 2012 3 Moma female Standard metal А 15524 Orange plastic ring with white number 2

4 Stesha-Life female 15 June 2012 Standard metal А 15522 Three plastic rings: black-yellow-green

White plastic band with 5 Sura female 22 May 2011 Standard metal АА 217 black number 218

Three plastic rings: blue-red- 6 Tma female 30 May 2011 Standard metal АА 218 green

24 rian Cranes. Flying such a long distance indicates good physical condition of the released birds. In 2012, the released Siberian Cranes left Astrakhan SNBR one month after their release when their territory became flooded with water dumped from the Volzhskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Fig. 5. Chicks joined in one flock just after release. Photo by Yuri Markin

Fig. 6. The first flight in a flock. Photo by Yuri Markin Fig. 7. Tracking of migration of Siberian Crane chicks according to PTT data in 2011

Education 2012

Hunter Education Along the Siberian Crane Central Asian Flyway

Elena Ilyashenko1, Claire Mirande2

1Severtsov's Institute Of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Science, Russia 2International Crane Foundation, USA [email protected]

In 2011-2012, within the framework of the Western/Central ing the project design and implementation. Asian Site Network for the Siberian Crane and Other Water- Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan are former USSR birds (WCASN), the International Crane Foundation admin- countries where a network of Hunting and Fishing Soci- istered a project on ecological education of hunters, which ety has been established. After the collapse of the USSR was supported by Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conserva- these societies continued their activities on control and tion Fund. This important pilot project was directed to edu- regulation of hunting. The project in these countries was cation and development of shared understanding and col- implemented through participation of Hunting and Fish- laboration with hunters as key stakeholders and partners ing Society members in workshops, training courses and in the conservation of the Siberian Crane and other cranes seminars organized by national coordinators. During species, as well as other waterbirds at WCASN key sites. meetings with hunters, specially prepared information Five countries (Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, materials were distributed which helped hunters learn and Uzbekistan) located along the Siberian Crane Central more about national hunting regulations and understand Flyway were involved in project implementation. the importance of birds and wetlands conservation. In- Each of the five countries has their own specific issues formation materials were also shared among hunters and challenges, which were taken into consideration dur- when they were purchasing their hunting licenses. 25 Fig. 1. Preparation for interview of Mr. Alexander Ermakov at TV Centre of YaNAR, Russia, encouraging viewers to take responsibility for Siberian Cranes, avoid or report illegal hunting, and to report sightings. Photo by Anastasia Shilina

Fig. 3. Questionnaire cards for hunters to use to report Si- berian Crane sightings in Russia and Kazakhstan

Fig. 2. Meeting with hunters in Samarkand Province, Uz- bekistan. Photo by Natalia Marmazinskaya of local people and government officials to conservation of this unique wetland, which now suffers because of These three countries are involved in the Flight of Hope drought and human activities. Pakistan has some crane Project (see article by Sorokin et al, in this issue). Hunt- hunting and trapping areas, where hunters from the lo- ers were trained how to identify the Siberian Crane, cal community hunt and live trap wild cranes. The local other crane species, and other rare waterbirds with the hunters have kept captive cranes, of which only a small goal to involve them in collection of data on the Sibe- number breed in captivity. The “Captive Crane Breed- rian Crane sightings and migration gatherings of Eur- ing Guidelines” were published in Pashto and distributed asian and Demoiselle Cranes, in whose flocks released among crane hunters/keepers of South Waziristan with captive-bred Siberian Cranes can be sighted. Based on the goal to reduce hunting and live trapping. information received, growing numbers of hunters will Crane hunting is still traditional in Afghanistan and Paki- be involved in crane monitoring and can be sources of stan, although it was banned by national legislation in reliable information on sightings of released cranes in early 2000s. Crane hunting along with other waterbird countries participating in the Flight of Hope Project, as hunting is a main source of food in these countries with well as sightings of wild Siberian Cranes. poor living conditions and unstable political and econom- In Afghanistan and Pakistan the last Siberian Crane ic situations. Therefore during the project implementa- sightings were recorded in the 1970s, therefore for the tion it was important to meet directly with local people project implementation this species is considered as a and leaders of communities to explain crane and wetland “flagship” species for conservation of key wetlands. In conservation problems and share information materials. Pakistan sign boards with paintings of cranes carrying In Afghanistan in Shortepa District a Eurasian Crane win- conservation messages for crane hunters were prepared tering ground is located on the border with Uzbekistan and set up at such key wetlands. WWF-Pakistan pre- where Siberian Cranes probably had migration stopovers pared a documentary film on Wasta Lake as an important in the past. Posters with a call to protect cranes were wetland for cranes and other waterbirds during migra- hung in markets, squares, clinics, schools and other tion. The goal of the documentary is to attract attention places of mass visitation.

26 Volunteer committees among hunters were created in We hope that efforts on this project implementation will Afghanistan and Pakistan. These committees are shar- help change the attitude and foster support of local peo- ing information about the necessity of crane conserva- ple and hunters towards crane and wetland conservation with other hunters and local people through trained tion, and that the numbers of illegal hunting cases will committee members. be reduced.

Fig. 4. Distribution of crane breeding guideline booklet Fig. 5. A board installed by SEED in Zhob Province, Pakistan. among hunters in South Waziristan, Pakistan. Photo by Photo by Ahmad Khan Ahmad Khan

Fig. 6. Group of hunters, who signed up for the Hunter Com- Fig. 7. Dissemination of cranes education materials in mittee and training in Sayad, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, Shortepa District, Afghanistan. Photo by Qais Agah on 19 February 2012. Photo by Qais Agah