ornis г р issn 2220 -5853 mongolica ууу filetseveenmyadag natsagdorj, ph.d. institute of...

Ornis MongolicaThe Journal of Bird Research and Conservation

ISSN 2220 -5853

Монгол орны шувуу

Шувуу судлал, хамгааллын сэтгyyл

ISSN 2220 -5853

Ornis M

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a 2014 V

Ol. 3

(432).

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увуу 2014 Дугаар 3(432).

Vol.3(432) Дугаар 3(432)

Ornis Mongolica

ISSN 2220 -5853


Ornis MOngOlica 2014 VOl. 3(432)

The Journal of Bird Research and Conservation

Монгол орны шувуу судлал, хаМгааллын сэтгyyл

MOngOlia

OrnisMongolicaThe Journal of Bird Research and Conservation

Editor in Chief Gombobaatar Sundev, Ph.D. National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society

Assistant Editor Nathan Conaboy Steppe Forward Programme, NUM and ZSL Enkhbat Unurjargal Mongolian Ornithological Society

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ISSN 2220 -5853

The Journal Ornis Mongolica is dedicated to bird research works and conservation activities in Mongolia and other countries. The Journal is focused on peer reviewed papers and solid conservation initiatives for all aspects of birds within

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The Journal of Bird research and conservaTion in Mongolia

ISSN: 2220-5853

Ornis Mongolica 2014 Vol. 3(432)

Table of content

articleS aNd field NoteS

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEYS AT THE SALKHIT UUL WIND PARK, MONGOLIA Gombobaatar Sundev, Bayanmunkh Dashnyam, and Odkhuu Biraazanа 3

ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGY IN SOME VILLAGES IN Òndó STATE, NIGERIA Weliange W.S., Fadoju O.A., Prasannajith D.A.N.S., Afolobi A.S. and Eweje B.G. 9

MONGOLIAN BIRD RARITIES IN 2013-2014 Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee 15

THE FIRST WINTERING RECORDS OF THREE SPECIES OF BIRDS IN HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK, MONGOLIA Usukhjargal Dorj and Gombobaatar Sundev 26

THERMALS FROM THERMAE: DO SOARING RAPTORS USE RISING AIR FROM HOT SPRINGS? Tiziano Londei 31

NEW PUBLICATIONS 33

NEWS 34

TABLE OF CONTENT OF ORNIS MONGOLICA VOL.2. 39

Key words:


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Received: Хүлээн авсан:Accepted: Хэвлэхийг зөвшөөрсөн: Citation:

*Corresponding author

AbstractSalkhit Uul wind park is one of the pioneering “green construction” initiatives in Mongolia, aiming to improve

the living standards of the population in the local region through the production clean electricity. However, the wind park is located on a bird migration path. Bird surveys and kill counts were carried out in May and June, 2015. A total 62 species were observed in the 2 km vicinity of the wind turbines, of which 29 were migratory species. Isabelline wheatear and Horned lark were the dominant breeding species in the area. The flight paths used by birds differed depending on behavior and roosting sites. Most birds flew eastwards (90o) or southwards (180o) due to wind direction and velocity. Flights of vultures depended more onthe location of carcasses. Our statistical analysis did not show a significant difference between flight directions of the target species. We

documented four carcasses of birds recently killed in collisions with wind turbines in June.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEYS AT THE SALKHIT UUL WIND PARK, MONGOLIA

*Gombobaatar Sundev1,2, Bayanmunkh Dashnyam1,2, and Odkhuu Biraazana2,3

1National University of Mongolia and 2Mongolian Ornithological SocietyUlaanbaatar 210646A, P.O.Box 537.

[email protected]; [email protected] Khaan International Airport

Gombobaatar, S., Bayanmunkh, D., and Odkhuu, B. 2014. Preliminary Results of Ornithological Surveys

at the Salkhit Uul Wind Park, Mongolia. Ornis Mongolica 3(432): 3-8.

Mongolia, wind turbine, collision, breeding raptors, migration

13 July 2014 24 December 2014

2014 оны 07-р сарын 132014 оны 12-р сарын 24

Introduction

Mongolia’s demand for electricity is expected to double in the next 15 to 20 years (ADB 2005; World Bank 2006). In 2005, the Mongolian Parliament approved the national programme for renewable energy, with a key goal being to have renewable energy sources provide 20-25% of the nationwide energy production by 2020.

Salkhit Uul wind park, located 70 km southeast of Ulaanbaatar city -the capital of Mongolia, is one of the pioneering “green construction” initiatives in the country. The aim of the initiative is to improve the living standards of the population in the local region through the production of clean electricity.

The wind park comprises 31 wind turbines with a total capacity of 50 MW; it currently generates 135,400 MWh of electricity by (Percival 2008).

Wind farms comprise the wind turbines themselves, interconnecting cables, transformer stations, meteorological masts and ancillary infrastructure including access roads and visitor centers. Individual wind turbine generators (WTG) consist of the foundations, a tapering mast, the nacelle or hub, and the rotor blades. The proportions of the turbine are determined by the rotor blade length and tower height (Drewitt et al. 2006). The turbine height at Salkhit Uul is 80 m and a rotor blade length is 40 m, resulting in an overall height of 120 m.

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Operating wind turbines have been shown to displace breeding birds up to 300 m and non-breeding birds up to 600 m (Percival 2005, Drewitt and Langston 2006). There are disturbances from wind turbine noise, human presence, and maintenance. According to previous surveys in the area, several species such as Saker Falcon, Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, etc… might collide during the migration or breeding seasons while breeding density of the species is affected by high vole density (Sggur Energy 2013).

In this paper, we analyzed data from bird surveys at Salkhit Uul wind park and outline bird mortality, habitat use by raptors, migrations, flight patterns of raptors and impacts on the bird community and available mitigation measures to minimize those impacts.

Methods and MaterialsBaseline bird survey: We observed all species,

occurred in the study area (Fig. 1) and identified them in the field using field guides and other references such as Mullarney et al. (1999), Mark Brazil (2009) and Gombobaatar et al. (2011).

Vantage point surveys: The Vantage Point Survey (VPS) method (Sggur Energy 2013 and www.snh.gov.uk/docs/C278917.pdf) was used in this study to detect and document both migratory birds and resident raptor species.

Vantage points were selected by dividing the study area into three parts and choosing 3 observation points near WTG 5, 9, 17, 25, and 29.

Survey were conducted on 23-25 May and 31 May-8 June 2014 to collect data on target species such as Saker falcon, Cinereous vulture etc… regarding a) time spent flying over the defined survey area; b) relative use of different parts of the defined survey area; and c) proportion of flying time spent within the area swept by the wind turbine blades.

Fig. 1. Location of study area at Salkhit Uul wind park (map by Sgurr Energy 2013)

Locations of vantage points were chosen to both maximize visibility of birds flying close to WTGs and minimize observer effects on bird movements. Each VP provided a 180° view arc. Overall, 36 hours of observations were conducted, covering all activities of birds in the morning (dawn), around midday and in the afternoon (dusk). We recorded flight height and direction, time, duration, and distance to a observer of each individual seen. The heights of recorded bird flights were estimated using a combination of a range-finder and by comparison with the known turbine and blade heights. Direction was determined using a compass and recorded to the nearest 45° (SW, W, NW, etc.).

Three ornithologists carried out all the surveys. Observations were aided by the use of a Leica Televid spotting scope, Swarovski 8x42 binoculars, a Magellan GPS, and a Canon 7D camera with 400 mm lens. We tried to document every single observed bird species and evidence of mortality during the field survey.

Bird kill search: A survey to search for carcasses was conducted on 23-25, and 31 May, 2014. We were looking for carcasses within a 130 m radius (8.2 ha) of each WTG. Three researchers c.45 m apart walk around each WTG. The remains of the dead birds were identified using the skin collection of the National University of Mongolia as a reference. We used MS Excel and Systat 10.2 softwares for statistical analyses.

Results

Baseline bird surveyA total of 61 species of birds were documented

within 2 km of the turbines. These included a total of 29 migratory species, even though the observation date was late in the migration period (Table 1). Late raptor migrants were Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard, and a Booted Eagle surprisingly passed through the site during the observation period. Small passerine migrants were amassed in dense bushes near WTG 4, 5 and 6. They were also found feeding on the ground and on a fence around one WTG and on a nearby roadside wall.

Gombobaatar et al. 2014

http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/C278917.pdf

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Table 1. All species of birds recorded during the field study at Salkhit Uul wind park, May-June 2014

No Common name Scientific name Status at Salkhit No Common name Scientific name Status at

Salkhit

1 Japanese Quail Coturnix japonica BV? 32 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica PM

2Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea PM 33 Mongolian Lark Melanocorypha

mongolicaRB

3 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus RB 34 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis BV

4 Amur Falcon Falco amurensis PM 35 Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris RB

5 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo PM 36 Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata A

6 Saker Falcon** Falco cherrug RB 37 Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon A

7 Black Kite Milvus migrans BV/PM 38 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus PM

8Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis PM 39 Lemon-rumped

WarblerPhylloscopus proregulus

PM

9Cinereous Vulture* Aegypius

monachusNB/SV 40 Inornate Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus PM

10Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisus PM 41 Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis PM

11Common Buzzard Buteo buteo PM 42 Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus

trochiloidesPM

12 Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius RB 43 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca BV?

13Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis BV 44 White-cheeked

StarlingSturnus cineraceus PM

14 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos RB? 45 Dusky Thrush Turdus naumanni PM

15Booted Eagle Hieraaetus

pennatusPM 46 Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope PM

16Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo BV? 47 Orange-flanked

Bush-robinTarsiger cyanurus PM

17 Rock Pigeon Columba livia RB 48 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe BV

18 Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris RB 49 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina BV

19Oriental Turtle-dove

Streptopelia orientalis

PM 50 Dark-sided Flycatcher

Muscicapa sibirica PM

20Indian Cuckoo Cuculus

micropterusA 51 Asian Brown

FlycatcherMuscicapa dauurica PM

21 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus PM 52 Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla PM

22 Common Swift Apus apus PM 53 House Sparrow Passer domesticus RB

23Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus NB/SV 54 Eurasian Tree

SparrowPasser montanus RB

24 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops BV 55 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia RB

25 Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus PM 56 White Wagtail Motacilla alba PM

26 Black-billed Magpie Pica pica RB 57 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea PM

27Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax

pyrrhocoraxRB 58 Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi BV

28 Daurian Jackdaw Corvus dauuricus NB/PM 59 Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewskii BV

29 Rook Corvus frugilegus NB/PM 60 Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni PM

30 Carrion Crow Corvus corone NB 61 Pallas’s Bunting Emberiza pallasi PM

31 Common Raven Corvus corax RB

Abbreviations: BV-Breeding Visitor; RB-Resident Breeder; PM-Passage Migrant; SV-Summer Visitor; NB-Non Breeding; A –Accidental; ? -Possible or uncertain;

** IUCN Red List Category - Endangered; *IUCN Red List Category - Near Threatened


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Density estimationA total of 221 individuals of 29 species of birds

were recorded from all surveys around WTGs, with an average density of 30 individuals (min. 20 and max. 170)/km2. Isabelline wheatear and Horned lark were the dominant breeding species at the study site (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Recorded numbers of individuals of breeding bird species in surveys at Salkhit Uul wind park, May-June 2014

Vantage point surveyWe observed a total of nine raptor species in

the vantage point surveys. The average duration of flights of the recorded species was 6.8 minutes (0.2 - 47 minutes). The average flight height was 193 m (ground level to 1200 m above ground). The typical direction of the flights of birds depended on the vantage point sites. However, most birds flew east (90o) and south (180o) dictated by the prevailing wind direction and speed (Fig.3). Statistical analyses showed no significant differences between flight directions of the target species (Kruskal-Wallis Test: p= 0.3, df=8).

Fig. 3. Frequency of observed bird flights in different directions in the vicinity of the wind turbines at Salkhit Uul wind park, May-June 2014

During the observation, raptor species were: flying over (67 observations), hunting (5 observations), soaring (9 observations), gliding (4 observations), hovering (1 observation), and displaying (2 observations). Out of all our observations, 90%-

93% of most raptor species were flying more than 50 m close to wind turbines (Fig. 4). The closest distance was recorded of a Magpie flying approximately 20 m from the turbines, WTG1 and 2 (WTG -Wind Turbine Generator). Based on our 36 hours observation at different vantage points, we did not observe any influence to the flying species so far.

Fig. 4. Frequency distribution of the numbers of bird flights observed in the vicinity of individual wind turbines at Salkhit Uul wind park, May-June 2014

Collision and MortalityFour bird carcasses were found: an adult Eye-

browed Thrush, an adult male Northern Wheatear, an adult female Siberian Rubythroat, and an adult female Common Kestrel. All had injures on the neck and breast consistent with having collided with a blade or with the pole of a WTG.

DiscussionCommon Kestrel, Amur Falcon, Eurasian

Hobby, Saker Falcon, Black Kite, Himalayan Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Upland Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Booted Eagle were observed at the site.

During the pre-construction ornithological assessments, a total of only 20 bird species were recorded at the site in April, 2008 (Sgurr Energy 2013). Our more extensive field surveys documented a total of 61 species of birds in the area of the wind turbine areas and up to two kilometres away from the turbines. We found 29.6% resident and 70.4% migratory species (Table 1).

Previous studies indicate that White-winged Redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogaster) may breed at this site, which would be very unusual for this high mountain species (Sgurr Energy 2013). This may have been a case of misidentification as Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus) commonly occur during the migration in this region and can be confused with White-winged Redstart. Great Bustard (Otis tarda) were not


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recorded in the area but probably occur there but had already settled in their breeding grounds. Previous studies did not record any Golden Eagle, yet we often saw them. This species has large hunting territories and breeds near Bogd Khan mountain. However, Siberian late migrants were on migration, such as most of Phylloscopus warblers, Flycatchers etc... (Table 1).

Mortality through bird-strike at wind turbines can have population level impacts on species with low population densities and slow reproductive rates (Manville 2009). Very high, high and low sensitive raptor species, including Common Kestrel, Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Saker Falcon, Black Kite, Himalayan Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Upland Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Booted Eagle were observed at the site. Species sensitivity was described by Sggur Energy (2013). Particularly very high to high sensitive species such as Saker Falcon, Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Upland Buzzard, and additionally Golden Eagle were often seen during the field works due to the relative high density of Brandt’s Vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) at the southern edge of the site near WTG10-31 (Gombobaatar pers. obs.). Further monitoring work should consider the relationship between the density of Brandt’s Vole and occurrence of these raptor species and whether management of vole numbers can reduce the threat of collisions.

The problem of birds colliding with wind turbines is a frequent issue at wind farms around the world. Such problems are most severe where large numbers of sensitive species amass in close proximity to large numbers of turbines, and usually also where the wind farm area provides a particularly attractive feeding resource (Percival 2008). There are such sites in The Salkhit Uul wind park, however, only four bird carcasses were found that we attributed to collisions with turbines. Numbers of specialized hunters of small mammals, as such as Saker Falcon, Upland Buzzard, and Steppe Eagle, will increases in the study area as the vole population increases, and the collision risk to these species will grow. The colony of Brandt’s Vole at the Salkhit Uul wind park had not reached its peak during the current study, the trend of the vole population is increasing towards high density.

Bird carcasses were found around WTG 6, 30 and 31, indicating that bird-strike may threaten small passerines and possibly large raptors. Therefore, a continued monitoring programme of vantage point surveys and carcass searches are essential to implement actions for the prevention of bird collisions at Salkhit Uul.

Recommendation Based on height and duration of flight and

flight types of observed birds, we recommend further detailed field surveys for understanding bird population trends at the wind park in the future. In order to know the effect of wind turbines on individual species and the bird community, surveys in different seasons are required. Further monitoring surveys for migrating raptors in early spring and late autumn, from mid April to end of May and late August to end of September each year are very important to understand the migrating behaviour, duration of migration, flight direction and other details. To avoid high concentrations of vultures in the area of the wind farm, we recommend removal of any carcasses within 3-5 km every day. High occurrence and density of the highly sensitive raptor species, described in previous studies (Percival 2008), should be compared with density of the local Brandt’s Vole population in future monitoring work.

Possible mitigation measures are to monitor these target species in the early breeding and migration seasons and shut the WGT down, or slow them down, if necessary over particular periods. Artificial nest platforms should be constructed on low bars on metal pylons away from the wind farm to attract raptors and ravens to constructed nests.

AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank the Newcom Group for

providing financial support for the research. We are grateful to researchers from the Mongolian Ornithological Society and National University of Mongolia for identifying birds at species level. We would also like to thank Mongolica Co. Ltd for their help with transport and field equipment.

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Garvin, J. C., C. S. Jennelle, D. Drake, and S. M. Grodsky. 2011. Response of raptors to a wind farm. Journal of Applied Ecology 48: 199-209.


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Gombobaatar, S. and Monks, E.M. (compilers), Seidler, R., Sumiya, D., Tseveenmyadag, N., Bayarkhuu, S., Baillie, J. E. M., Boldbaatar, Sh., Uuganbayar, Ch. (editors). 2011. Regional Red List Series Vol.7. Birds. Zoological Society of London, National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society. 1036 pp.

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Martнnez-Abrahn, A., G. Tavecchia, H. M. Regan, J. Jimenez, M. Surroca, and D. Oro. 2012. Effects of wind farms and food scarcity on a large scavenging bird species following an epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Journal of Applied Ecology 49: 109–117.

Mullarney, K. Svensson, L., Zetterstroem, D. and Grant, P.J. 1999. The most complete field guide to the birds of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins Publishers. P.392

Orloff, S. and Flannery, A. 1992. Wind turbine effects on Avian activity, habitat use, and mortality in Altamont Pass and Solano County Wind Resource Areas 1989-1991. Biosystems Analysis Inc. California Energy Commission. 160 pp.

Percival, S.M. 2007. Predicting the effects of wind farms on birds in the UK: the development of an objective assessment methodology. In M. de Lucas, Janss, G.F.E. and Ferrer, M., editor. Birds and Wind Farms: risk assessment and mitigation. Quercus, Madrid.

Percival, S.M. 2008. Salkhit Uul Wind Park, Mongolia. Ornithological report. Ecology Consulting, UK.

Sgurr Energy. 2013. Bird and Bat Monitoring Plan. Glasgow, Scotland. p.1-8.

Whitfield, P., Bullman, R. and Band, W. 2005. Survey methods for use in assessing the impacts of onshore wind farms on bird communities. Scottish Natural Heritage. 67 pp.

Zimmerling, J. R., A. C. Pomeroy, M. V. D’Entremont, and C. M. Francis. 2013. Canadian estimate of bird mortality due to collisions and direct habitat loss associated with wind turbine developments. Avian Conservation and Ecology 8 (2): 10.

Хураангуй

СалХит уулын СалХин СэнСний шувуу Судлалын Судалгааны урьдчилСан

зарим үр дүнгээС

Манай улсын хувьд Салхит уулын Салхин парк нь сэргээгдэх эрчим хүчний чиглэлийн анхдагч томоохон бүтээн байгуулалтын ажил юм. Салхин парк нь шувууны нүүдлийн замд байршдаг тул анхаарал их татна. Судалгааны баг 2015 оны 5-6-р сард хээрийн судалгааг гүйцэтгэв. Нийт 61 зүйлийн шувуу бүртгэгдсний 29 нь нүүдлийн шувууд бөгөөд бүжимч чогчиго, шоорон эвэртболжмор судалгааны талбайн хувьд хамгийн элбэг үрждэг зүйл байлаа. Шувуудын талбайгаар дайрах нисэлтийн өндөр, чиглэл нь тухайн зүйлийн зан төрх, хоноглох газраас хамааран харилцан адилгүй. Ихэнх шувууд зүүн, зүүн урагш чиглэн ниссэн нь салхины чиглэлтэй холбоотой. Харин нөмрөг тасын нисэлтийн өндөр, чиглэл нь сэг зэмээс хамаарна. Бид нийтдээ дөрвөн шувууны сэг зэмийг олсон ба эдгээр нь ховордлын зэрэглэлд багтаагүй зүйлүүд болно.

Цаашид хээрийн судалгааны мониторингийг жилийн дөрвөн улиралд хийх, ялангуяа хавар, намрын нүүдлийн судалгааг гүйцэтгэх нь нүүдлийн чиглэл зам, шувуудын эрсдэл, нүүдлийн шувуудын нисэлтийн хурд, хугацааг тогтооход чухал. Сэгээр хооллодог хажир, тас мэтийг нэг газарт олноор цуглуулахгүй байхын тулд салхин сэнсний орчимд гэрийн мал, зэрлэг амьтны сэг, зэмийг огт байлгахгүй байх арга хэмжээг авах хэрэгтэй. Мөн үлийн цагаан мэт мэрэгч болон махчин шувуудын харилцан холбооны чиглэлийн судалгааг гүйцэтгэх шаардлагатай. Шувууд олноор эндсэн тохиолдолд зарим сэнсийг түр хугацаагаар зогсоох, эргэлтийн хурдыг багасгах, өндөр хүчдлийн шон дээр хиймэл үүр байрлуулах зэрэг арга хэмжээг авах замаар шувууд, тэр дотроо махчин шувууны эндэгдлийг багасгах боломжтой.


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Introduction

Ethno-ornithology focuses on how birds are perceived, used and managed in human societies, including their use for food, medicine and personal adornment, as well as their use in divination and ritual (Forth 2004). Humans recognize a diversity of birds, giving each a name, often a name descriptive of the birds’ voices, colors, actions or haunts (Eugene et al. 2010). Anthropological, cognitive and linguistic perspectives with natural scientific approaches are needed to describe and interpret people’s knowledge and use of birds (Rozzi 2003).

Birds are used by humans for various necessities. Among the 10,000 species of known birds around

ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGY IN SOME VILLAGES IN Òndó STATE, NIGERIA

*Weliange W.S.1,2, Fadoju O.A.1, Prasannajith D.A.N.S.3, Afolobi A.S.3,4 and Eweje B.G.1

1Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria2Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka

3Archives and Documentation Centre, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Nigeria4Department of History and International Studies, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Nigeria

[email protected]

13 December 2013 18 December 2014


Weliange W.S., Fadoju, O.A., Prasannajith, D.A.N.S., Afolobi, A.S., and Eweje, B.G. Ethno-ornithology in Some Villages in Òndó State, Nigeria. Ornis Mongolica 3(432):9-14.

Bird lore, spiritual birds, traditional healing practices, vernacular names

Abstract

Birds constitute an important resource for people in rural Nigerian villages. Ethno-ornithology is the study of knowledge about the relationship between man and birds. The present study was conducted in three villages; Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá in Òndó State, Nigeria. Data on 29 common bird species were gathered in interviews with villagers, including information on their edibility, traditional healing value, ornamental purposes, and superstitious beliefs and predictive ability. The meat of 20 species and the eggs of three species were found to be edible, ten species were important for traditional healing and ornamental purposes, seven species for predictions and 13 were associated with superstitions.

the world, 37% are used as pets (Butchart 2008) and 46% are used in traditional uses such as food, exploitation of their parts as adornments and decorative accessories and for traditional medicine (Garcia-Moreno et al. 2007). Birds and their intimate calls are also embedded into traditional poems and songs (Weliange et al. 2010).

The hunting and capture of bird species have been shown to affect their natural populations– with immediate and evident ecological implications. It is, therefore, important that ecological, economic, social and cultural aspects of birds are incorporated into future conservation measures (Alves et al. 2010).

Wild animals are used widely by rural people in Nigeria for sacrifices, religious festivals, and

mailto:[email protected]

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traditional medicine but there are few published reports (Virginia 1987, Adeola 1992, Dedeke et al, 2006, Soewu 2006, 2008). Nigeria has 940 bird species (Clement 2000, Lepage 2007) and 646 local languages, so there is probably extensive knowledge of man-bird relationships. The objective of this research is to study the knowledge about bird-man relationships.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted in three villages called Мjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá, Nigeria (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Map of Nigeria showing the location of the studied villages; Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá (dark star), Nigeria.

The first two are located in Àkùrẹ ́North while the latter is in Àkùrẹ ́South. Тhe State is located in the western part of Nigeria (7°10’N 5°05’E), with an area of 15,500km2 and a human population of 3,440,000 (2006 census). Several ethnic groups that speak dialects like Àkókó, Àkùrẹ́, Ìkàlé, Ìlàjẹ, Òndó, Ọ̀wọ̀, Àpóì, Arógbó and Òkè-Igbé are present in the area. This study was conducted with Àkùrẹ́ people from February 26th to March 8th, 2013.The people of the Àkùrẹ ́dialect were selected for the study mainly because they are largely hunters and farmers, and generally have a greater knowledge about the surrounding nature than the other ethnic groups. The ages of informants ranged from 40 to 65 years old. Guided interviews using a two-part, semi-structured questionnaire (Table 1) were employed to elicit responses from key informants as described by Martin (1995) and Maundu (1995). To complement the interviews, a PowerPoint presentation that contained the colour photographs of 29 common species of birds was shown to

the informants via a laptop computer for their comments (Table 2). The birds were photographed between February and March 2013 around Ilorin in Kwara States in Nigeria.

Table 1. The subject area and the specific questions included in the questionnaire of the ethno-ornithological study at Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá, Nigeria

Subject area Specific questions

Vernacular name

What is the name of this bird?

Edibility Are they edible? What is eaten in them? Eggs or meat?

Bird songs/calls How does this bird sing? What is the mean-ing of its call?

Medicinal value

Which parts are used in any medicinal pur-poses and for what type of diseases?

Ornamental value

Do these birds have any ornamental value? How do you use them as ornaments?

Superstition Do these birds have any superstition? What is the superstition?

Folklore Are these birds connected to any folklore? What is the folklore of these birds?

Prediction Do these birds have any predictive ability? What can these birds predict?

Egg laying Where do they lay their eggs? How many eggs and what colour are they?

Nesting habits Do these birds build nest? Where do and what do they use in build their nest?

Value as pets Do you use them as pets?

Pests of crops Do these birds cause any damages to your crops? Which crops?

Disease spread Do these bird cause diseases?

Table 2. The order, family, scientific name and English name of the bird species used for the Ethno-ornithological survey in Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá villages

Order Family Scientific name

Common name

Accipitriformes Accipitridae Milvus migrans

Black Kite

Accipitriformes Accipitridae Necrosyrtes monachus

Hooded Vulture

Accipitriformes Accipitridae Polyboroides radiates

Harrier Hawk

Ciconiiformes Ardeidae Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret

Columbiformes Columbidae Streptoprelia senegalensis

Laughing Dove

Columbiformes Columbidae Columba guinea

Domestic Pigeon

Coraciiformes Coraciidae Eurystomus glaucurus

Broad-billed Roller

Coraciiformes Phoeniculidae Phoeniculus purpureus

Wood Hoopoe

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Coraciiformes Meropidae Merops nubicus

Carmine Bee-eater

Coraciiformes Halycyonidae Halcyon leucocephala

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Cuculiformes Cuculidae Centropus senegalensis

Senegal Coucal

Cuculiformes Musophagidae Crinifer piscator

Western Plantain-eater

Galliformes Phasianidae Gallus gallus domesticus

Chicken

Galliformes Phasianidae Ptenistis bicalcaratus

Double-spurred Francolin

Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix ypsilophora

Quail

Galliformes Phasianidae Pavo cristatus Indian Peafowl

Passeriformes Estrildidae Uraeginthus bengalus

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu

Passeriformes Dicruridae Dicruru sadsimilis

Fork-tailed Drongo

Passeriformes Corvidae Corvu salbus Pied Crow

Passeriformes Pycnonotidae Pycnonotus barbatus

Common Garden Bulbul

Passeriformes Sturnidae Lamprotorni spurpureus

Purple Glossy Starling

Passeriformes Ploceidae Ploceus melanocephalus

Yellow-mantled Weaver

Passeriformes Turdidae Turdu spelios West African Thrush

Passeriformes Hurundinidae Hirundo aethiopica

Ethiopian Swallow

Piciformes Picidae Mesopicos goertae

Grey Woodpecker

Piciformes Psittacidae Tocku snasutus

African Grey Hornbill

Podicipediformes Podicipedidae Tachybaptus ruficollis

Little Grebe

Psittaciformes Psittacidae Psittacus erithacus

African Grey Parrot

Strigiformes Strigidae Glaucidium perlatum

Pearl-spotted Owlet

ResultsThe Àkùrẹ ́people have various uses for birds;

the meat of 20 species and eggs of three are locally consumed, ten species are important for traditional healing practices and ornamental purposes, seven species are connected to predictions while 13 species are related to superstitious beliefs (Table 3 and Fig. 2).

Table 3. Common name, Local bird name and the usage in edibility (Ed), traditional healing (Th), ornamental purposes (Op), predicting (Pd) and superstitious practices (Sp) of the studied bird species in Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá villages.Abbr.: y = of yes, n = not in use, asterisk (*) indicates edibility of both meat and eggs.

Common name

Local name Ed Th Op Pd Sp

Black Kite Àṣá y y y y n

Hooded Vulture Igún n y n n y

Harrier Hawk Àwòdì y n y y n

Cattle Egret Lékè-Lékè n n n y y

Laughing Dove Àdàbà / Òdèrékókò

y y n n y

Pigeon Ẹyeilé n y y n y

Broad-billed Roller Pòlòngó y n n n n

Wood Hoopoe Abede / Kowe y n n n n

Carmine Bee-eater

Aluko n n n n n

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Jẹja-Jẹja / Ẹye Ẹjá

y n n n n

Senegal Coucal Ẹ̀lúlù y y n y y

Western Plantain-eater

Kólì-Kólì n n n n n

Chicken Adìyẹ (♀) / Àkùkọ (♂)

y* n y y y

Double-spurred Francolin

Àparò y* n n n n

Quail Awó y* n n n n

Indian Peafowl Ọ̀kín y n n n n

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu

Àwòko n n n n n

Fork-tailed Drongo

Ọmọ / Ọba Dúdú / Pándẹ́ẹreẹ́

y y y n y

Pied Crow Àkàlàmàgbò y y y n y

Common Garden Bulbul

Tíntín/ Kárẹ/ Ọ̀pẹ́ẹ̀rẹ̀

y n n n n

Purple Glossy Starling

Yóríyórí / Ọ̀tàtá y n y n n

Yellow-mantled Weaver

Ọ̀dọ̀n / Ẹ̀gà n y y n y

West African Thrush

Wọ̀ṣọ̀-Wọ̀ṣọ̀ y n n n n

Ethiopian Swallow

Alápàndẹ̀dẹ̀ y n n n y

Grey Woodpecker

Àkòkó y n n y y

African Grey Hornbill

Atíálá/Tìoko/ Àtíòró

y n y n n

Little Grebe Akó n n n n n

African Grey Parrot

Aiyékòótọ́ n y y y y

Pearl-spotted Owlet

Òwìwí y y n n y


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Fig. 2. Anthropogenic uses of birds in Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá villagers

Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus), Western Plantain-eater (Crinifer piscator), Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) and Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) are not considered useful for any of these uses. The informants were reluctant to provide information about birds used in traditional healing practices.

Vernacular namesThe informants were very familiar with the

birds, as they easily identified the 29 species in the PowerPoint presentation. Some birds had more than one name and, all together, 42 local bird names were identified (Table 4).

Table 4. The superstitious uses of some birds, their common names and the body parts used in superstitious practices, which were obtained during the Ethno-ornithological study conducted in Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá villages

Superstitious use Common name Body part(s)used

Appeasing witches Chicken Whole

Appeasing witches Parrot species Whole

Appeasing witches Pearl-spotted Owlet

Whole

Fertility for women Parrot species Egg

Fertility for women Hooded Vulture Whole

Fortune rouser Owl species Whole

Prevention of ac-cidents

Owl species Whole

Protection against evil influence

Hooded Vulture Whole

Seeking a lover/marital partner

Pigeon Whole

Seeking marital partner

Hooded Vulture Whole

Three species (Forked-tailed Drongo Dicrurusad similis, Common Garden Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus and African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus) had three local names each. Four species (Laughing Dove Streptoprelia senegalensis, Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus, Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala and Purple Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpureus) had two local names each. Each of the thirteen remaining species have only one local name.

The local bird names have their origins in bird-vocalization, color of the feathers, supernatural beliefs, feeding habits, name of the roosting tree, association with humans and pecking sound. The rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus) is locally known as Àkùkọ and the name comes from its call, which sounds: “kuku-rúù-kúù”. The Forked-tailed Drongo is locally known as ọmọobadúdú and the literal meaning is child of the Black King (Ọmọ = child, Dúdú = black, Ọba = king), and the name refers to the species’ black feathers. The Senegal Coucal (Centropus senegalensis) is known locally as ẹ̀lúlú,and this name originates from the belief that it has supernatural powers to conjure rains when it sings. The Grey-headed Kingfisher is known locally as jẹjajẹja, which means “Fish eater”. The African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is known locally as aiyékòótọ́, which means “Truth is not appreciated”. According to the informant, the behavior of mimicking humans epitomizes the reason for this name for the African Grey Parrot. The Yellow-mantled Weaver (Ploceus melanocephalus) is locally known as ọ̀dọ̀n. This is the name of the species of tree where Yellow-mantled Weavers build their nests, and consequently, the roosting tree has become the imitative factor for the name. The Domestic Pigeon (Columba guinea) is known locally as ẹyeilé, which literally translates to “House bird”, reflecting the species habit of living in human habitations. The Grey Woodpecker (Mesopicos goertae) is known locally as аkуkу, which literally means “Wood pecking” –just as in English, the species’ the wood pecking habit is the derivative factor for its name.

Edible birdsHooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus),

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Domestic Pigeon are not eaten due to taboos (Table 5) but 20 other species are consumed. Traditionally, eggs of only the domesticated birds – Domestic Chicken, Double Spurred Francolin (Ptenistis bicalcaratus) and Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) – are consumed. Eggs of most wild birds are not eaten and so are generally well protected.


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Birds in spiritualityBird species such as the Domestic Chicken, Pearl-

spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum), Domestic Pigeon, African Grey Parrot and Hooded Vulture are used in spiritual functions like appeasing the witches and wizards. Therefore, consuming them is considered a taboo which may bring death to the violator. These birds are said to be “Ẹyẹ ayé” or “Ẹyẹ аgbа”, meaning the birds of the spiritually powerful. The Pearl-spotted Owlet is a fortune arouser and is said to also prevent accidents. The Domestic Pigeon and Laughing Dove are used in seeking lovers or marital partners. It is believed that these birds are attached to emotions and matters related to love. The eggs of African Grey Parrot are eaten by infertile women. The Hooded Vulture is sacrificed to seek protection against evil influences, improve the fertility of women and seek partners for matrimony.

Predictor-birdsSome birds are considered agents that predict

future events; the sighting of Cattle Egrets signifies the start of the dry season while the incessant calling of Senegal Coucal foretells the coming of the rains. It is significant to note that the informants reported that the trees pecked by woodpeckers always have soft wood.

DiscussionIn recent years, several papers have compared

the varied associations across different local tribes. For example, Bennett et al. (1997) and O’Brien and Kinnaird (2000) described differences in traditional practices across ethnic groups in Sulawesi and their consequent impacts on local hornbill populations.

Similarly, this study is the first ethno-ornithological study in the state in Nigeria, and provides substantial preliminary information that will help develop protocols for further studies. All the common local birds were known to the informants, and all of them had one or more names. Most local names were derived from special attributes of the birds – vocalizations, behaviours or appearance. The study also demonstrated how birds are related to the people in Мjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá Villages as sources of food, medicine, and decorative material, or as predictors of seasonal events and as messengers between the supernatural beings and people. Bird species used in traditional healing practices were used either alone or in conjunction with one or more other species of animals or plants. According to Soewu (2006), the bird species used in medicine is guided by several factors

such as the recognized bioactive ingredient(s) in the animal part; some behavioral ecological tendencies naturally associated with the bird, or the particular body part and some mythological conceptions surrounding the bird. Further studies in these aspects may reveal important information for the pharmaceutical industry.

Traditional methods are available for conservation of wild birds around the villages of Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá. The practice of not-eating eggs of many wild birds has significant implications on the maintenance of natural wild populations of birds.

There is an African proverb, “Losing an old man to death means losing a whole library”. Fortunately, knowledge about these birds has been preserved till now because it is passed down from one generation to another. Most of the informants were not forthcoming about certain birds such as the Folk-tailed Drongo and the Hooded Vulture, believing that they are spiritual birds that should not be discussed. Berlin et al. (1981) and Diamond (1989) in their research affirmed that ethnic studies have to contend with difficult methodological problems in crossing deep cultural gaps and establishing the communication required to correctly ascertain local names in different languages.

AcknowledgementThis study was conducted by FOA who graduated

from the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences in the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. The authors thank the head of the Department of Zoology and professor A.T. Andy for his support in initiating ethno-ornithological studies. The academic staff of the Department of Zoology are acknowledged for their various assistance. Many thanks to the villagers of Ìjú, Ọba-ilé and Ọ̀dá for providing valuable information.

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Berlin, B., J.S. Boster, and J.P. O’Neill. 1981. The perpetual bases of ethno-biological classification: evidence from Aguarana Jivaro ornithology. Journal of Ethnobiology 1:95-108.


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Хураангуй

нигЕрийн ОндО муЖийн зарим тОСгОны этнО-шувуу

Судлал

Нигерийн зарим тосгоны хүмүүсийн хувьд шувууд олон талаараа тэдний амьдралд чухал байр суурьтай. Шувуу судлалын угсаатан зүйн чиглэл нь хүн ба шувууны харилцан холбоог судалдаг онцлогтой. Бидний судалгаа Нигерийн Ондо мужийн Ижу, Ова-иле, Ода гэх гурван тосгоны хамарсан болно. Тэдний амьдралд шувуудын үүрэг, холбогдлыг хүнс, уламжлалт эмчилгээ, гоёл чимэглэл, сүсэг бишрэл болон далдын хүч, зөгнөл зэрэг чиглэлээр асуулга боловсруулан, аман судалгааны аргаар нийт 29 зүйл шувууны холбогдох мэдээ, баримтыг тосгоны оршин суугчдаас цуглуулав. Нийт 20 зүйл шувууны мах, 3 зүйлийн өндгийг хүнс, 10 зүйлийг уламжлалт эмчилгээ болон гоёл чимэглэл, 7 зүйлийг далдын хүч, зөгнөл, харин 13 зүйлийг сүсэг бишрэлийн зорилгоор ашигладаг.


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Introduction

As mentioned in our previous report, the number of bird species known to occur in Mongolia has been increasing due to increased numbers of ornithologists and bird watchers in the country, and the growth in bird watching tourism and numbers of birding trips, greater availability of equipment and guidebooks for birding, and probably changes to migration patterns and behaviors of migrants caused by climate change in recent years. The

MONGOLIAN BIRD RARITIES IN 2013-2014

Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee

Compiled by: *Sundev Gombobaatar1,3, Shagdarsuren Boldbaatar2, Natsagdorj Tseveenmyadag2, Sandagdorj Bayarkhuu4, and Dorj Usukhjargal3

1National University of Mongolia, 2Mongolian Academy of Sciences,3Mongolian Ornithological Society, 4Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism

*[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

12 January 2015 28 March 2015


Mongolian Bird Rarities in 2013-2014. Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee. Compiled by Gombobaatar, S., Boldbaatar, Sh., Tseveenmyadag, N., Bayarkhuu, S., and Usukhjargal, D. 2014. Ornis Mongolica 3(432):15-25.

Mongolia, bird rarity, vagrant, records, committee

AbstractThe Mongolian bird taxonomy and rarities committee received and analyzed field records of vagrants and rarities in 2013-2014. A total of 165 spieces of birds was considered as rarities for Mongolia. Two species of birds were observed for the first time in Mongolia in 2013-2014 and new data on distribution and ecology of 31 rare species were received: the first record of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) was recorded at Sum Huh Burd of Adaatsag sum, Dundgobi province and the first Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) recorded in Mongolia was seen at Ehiin Gol research station of Shine-Jinst sum of Bayankhongor province in 2014. Updated information and data was collated on the following rare species is: Accipiter gularis, Aix galericulata, Ardea purpurea, Chloris chloris, Emberiza jankowskii, Emberiza rutile, Emberiza yessoensis, Ficedula mugimaki, Grus leucogeranus, Grus monacha, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Lanius minor, Lanius sphenocercus, Larus relictus, Limnodromus semipalmatus, Loxia leucoptera, Megalurus pryeri, Merops apiaster, Vanellus cinereus, Nycticorax nycticorax, Oriolus chinensis, Oxyura leucocephala, Paradoxornis heudei, Pelecanus crispus, Petrophila gularis, Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Saxicola insignis, Monticola solitaries, Ardea purpurea, Butorides striatus, Ficedula zanthopygia.

Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee (MBTRC) was established in Ulaanbaatar in 2012. Since the committee was established, members have been gathering all available information on rare and vagrant species in Mongolia. The Committee produced its first report in 2013. The first report contains information and data of records for ten newly-found species and eleven rare species for Mongolia, between 2001 and 2012. However, for a variety of reasons, not all the data and information collated by the Committee on rare and vagrant

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species for Mongolia was processed and recorded in the first report. This report summarizes the work of the Committee in 2013 and 2014 and provides new information on a total of 33 species of rare or vagrant birds.

Procedures for acceptance and rejection

The Committee made decisions to accept or reject potential records of rare and vagrant species based on information documented in the regional redlist assessment (Gombobaatar et al. 2011) and prior knowledge of general occurrence and abundance of bird species in Mongolia. The Committee has developed a set of rules it follows to make decisions on whether a record is accepted or rejected. A summary of the procedures for submission of records to be assessed by the Committee and for the assessment of those records is as follows:

General procedure 3.1 All Committee members including the International and National Coordinators shall cast a vote independently, which will either Accept or Not Accept a record. Committee members are not required to vote on their own records instead this may be done by an appropriate proxy member. 3.2 Decisions to Accept or not Accept records in the first round of voting and in all subsequent rounds, must be supported by concrete opinions by Committee board members.3.3 Committee board members shall not consult with each other at the first circulation of a record, but may consult before voting at any subsequent recirculation. 3.4 Upon receipt of a submission each board Committee member shall: * judge its validity and cast a vote promptly; * send the vote to the Coordinators 3.5 A Committee board member may request that expert opinion be obtained to assist in the appraisal of a record. 3.6 A vote on a submission may be deferred pending receipt and circulation of expert opinion. (b) Circulation 3.7 A record shall be accepted if it receives six or more votes for acceptance. 3.8 A second round of the voting may take place if: -there are four or five votes for acceptance of a record; -expert opinion is requested and obtained; - the Coordinators or a Committee board members so requests with substantive reasons, except when a vote is unanimous; or - substantial new evidence is presented to the Committee; 3.9 A third and final round of voting with re-

circulation of the file may take place; any of the conditions governing the requirement for a second round vote are repeated. 3.10 A record that cannot be decided after three rounds of voting shall be discussed at a meeting of the Committee board members, following which a final vote shall be taken. All decisions of the meeting must be sent to the foreign committee members. 3.12 In the absence of a decision after the second round of voting, the Coordinators or a Committee board member may request with reasons that a submission then be considered at a meeting of the Committee.

4.0 Observational Requirements (a) Subject Species 4.1 The Committee will appraise records of species defined in the “Review List”, and new additions to the Mongolian Bird List. 4.2 It will not appraise records of birds which the Committee reasonably believes to be of captive origin. 4.3 It may appraise published records which have not previously come before it. 4.4 The Committee shall compile and maintain a “Review List” of those species which it will treat based on reported observations over a preceding ten-year period, to a maximum average of 1.5 records per year. 4.5 Species averaging greater than 1.5 records per year, with sightings in at least seven years of the preceding decade, shall be removed from the Review List by a majority vote of the Committee. 4.6 A decline in reported abundance to a level corresponding with that defined in paragraph 4.4, may cause a species to be returned to or placed on the Review List by a decision of the Committee. (b) Submissions 4.7 The form of a report compiled by the observer or author will be used the Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee’s Record Submission Form of Mongolia. 4.8 Should attach copies of field notes, sketches, photographs and other corroborative materials and should indicate the disposition of any specimens. 4.9 Should contain a complete description of the bird and the circumstances of the observation. 4.10 Should analyze the identification criteria, cite references used, and name other observers able to corroborate the record. 4.11. The filled form should be sent to the Coordinators via a certain email address.

Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee 2014

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5.0 Decisions of the Committee 5.1 The decisions of the Committee shall be communicated to all Committee members and to persons submitting the record. 5.2 The Committee’s decisions will be published annually by journal in the “Ornis Mongolica”. 5.3 The Committee may from time to time publish its case summaries in the report series of the “Ornis Mongolica”, by arrangement of the International and National coordinators.

More detailed information and forms for reporting new and vagrant species for the country are available at http://www.mongoliabirdsraritycommittee.mos.mn; http://www.mongoliabirdsraritycommittee.mos.mn/index.php/regulation; http://www.mongoliabirdsraritycommittee.mos.mn/index.php/appendix.

Results

The Committee received two potential records of new species for Mongolia in 2013-2014 and potential records of 31 species of vagrants in Mongolia. The Committee accepted all of these records, so increasing the number of species of birds recorded in Mongolia to 165 and the number of rare species to 167 in 2014 (Table 1). In the following section we have used abbreviations for some repeated persons’ names as follows: Sundev Gombobaatar (S.G.), Hadoram Shirihai (H.S.) and Ganbold Dorjlkhagvajantsan (G.D.)

The Committee members have selected and decided a total of 165 species as Mongolian rarities (table 1) based on a species occurrence and number for Mongolia. Due to certain reason, the members did not have a meeting in 2013. Here, we summarized a total of 33 species of bird species that recorded between 2013 and 2014. We received 2 species of newly recorded birds and 31 species of vagrants and rare occurring species in Mongolia for 2013-2014. Detail information and data of each recorded species was described below species by species.

New SpecieS for MoNgolia

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis) - Ухаа элсэгSynonym of the species is Tryngites subruficollis. Global assessment is “Near Threatened”. It breeds along the Arctic coasts from central Alaska to Devon Island, Canada, as well as on Wrangel Island and west Chukotka, Russia. It

migrates through the Greater and Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean to winter in eastern South America (Birdlife International, 2005). Mr. Benoоt Lecaplain, Mr. Sébastien Provost and his friends from France photographed one adult in a wetland at Sum Huh Burd of Adaatsag sum, Dundgobi province on 26 May, 2014. They saw the bird at 50-100 m distance. The individual was feeding in tall vegetation near a pond.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)- Цэнхэр шанаат балч This species is globally assessed as “Least Concern”. It breeds across northern Africa and southern Asia, from Morocco to eastern Kazakhstan. It migrates to southern Africa in the winter, when it can be found from Senegal south to Nigeria in the west, and from Sudan south to South Africa in the east (Kossenko and Fry 1998, Lewis and Pomeroy 1989). Ms Otgontsetseg Davaanyam from the National University of Mongolia documented two adults in trees near an artificial pond, located west of Ehiin Gol research station in the Shine-Jinst sum of Bayankhongor province (43.14541°N; 99.00076°E: a.s.l. 969 m) during fieldwork for Prof. R. Samiya’s Gobi Desert ecosystem survey on 4 July, 2014.

MoNgoliaN raritieS

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)S.G., H.S. and G.D. documented one subadult bird in Ugii Lake (47.756242°N; 102.764569°E ) on 18 June, 2013 and 5 adults on the SW corner of Khar-Us Lake of Khovd province (47.861451oN; 92.023223oE) on 4 July, 2013.

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)S.G., H.S. and G.D. saw 4 adult birds at the delta of Khalkh River near Buir lake (47°55’22.13”N; 117°50’59.17”E) on 3 June, 2013. This species probably breeds in the area. D. Batmunkh documented one adult in the centre of Uulbayan sum, Sukhbaatar province on 11 June, 2014.

Striated Heron (Butorides striatus)Mr. Sebastien Provost from France observed one adult near Ongi Hiid in the Ongi River valley of Uvurkhangai province on 26 May, 2012.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) S.G. and Mongolian Ornithological Society (MOS) members documented two adult birds flying over the delta of the Khalkh River near Buir Lake of


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Dornod province (47°55’22.13”N; 117°50’59.17”E) on 3 June, 2013.

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata)MOS members saw a total of 13 adult individuals near the Tuul River bridge (47°49’20.36”N; 107°20’10.06”E) on 4 May, 2014.

White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)Four adult males and two adult females were documented in open water surrounded by reed beds in Khar-Us Lake of Khovd province (47.796089°N; 092,05674°E) by S.G., H.S. and G.D. on 30 June, 2013.

Japanese Sparrowhawk (Accipiter gularis)An adult male was seen in planted trees in Sumber sum of Dornod province (47.63456°N; 118.62249°E: a.s.l. ~674 m) on 5 June 2013. Two juveniles were seen in planted trees in Murun sum of Khentii province (47.36660°N; 110.34129°E: a.s.l. ~1,087 m) on 4 September, 2013. Both observations were made by S.G., H.S. and G.D. D. Batmunkh found one adult male in planted trees in the village centre of Ih Het of Dornogobi province on 14 May, 2014.

Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)S.G., H.S. and G.D. recorded three subadult birds with two White-tailed eagles on the shore of Ugii Lake (47.77669°N; 104.71848°E) on 18 June, 2013. S.G. and U. Tuvshin (MOS) found a perched adult on a hill top near the SE shore of Ulaagchin Khar Lake of Zavkhan province (48.37572°N; 096.14156°E; a.s.l. 1,987 m) on 30 July, 2014.

Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus)S.G. and Mr. Akira Nomura, a Japanese professional bird photographer, recorded immature birds near the ponds located SW of Ugii Lake (47.754360°N; 102.65439°E) on 7 July, 2014. S.G. and Dick Forsman photographed an immature bird at the same site on 17 June, 2012.

Hooded Crane (Grus monacha)S.G., H.S. and G.D. documented an adult bird with 8 Demoiselle Cranes near Dornod Airport lake on 11 June, 2013. One adult individual was seen in wetlands of the Herlen River Valley, SE of Choibalsan city on 11 June, 2013.

Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)S.G., H.S. and G.D. documented two pairs of the species in deep water marshland (10-30 cm deep with 20-30 cm tall grass) at Dashinchilen Tsagaan wetland in Bulgan province on 16 June, 2013. MOS members counted one adult in a flock of Black-tailed Godwits at the same lake on 29 July, 2014.

Grey-headed Lapwing (Vanellus cinereus)Mr.Ts. Purevsuren from Oyu Tolgoi LLC found two adults in artificial ponds of the Oyu Tolgoi mining area on 21 April and 01 May, 2013. S.G., H.S. and G.D. reported two pairs of the species in wetlands with scattered low bushes and open water near Sumber sum of Dornod province on 4 June, 2013.

Relict Gull (Larus relictus)S.G., H.S. and G.D. recorded two subadults among a flock of Common Black-headed Gulls on the shore of Buir Lake in Dornod province (47.74371°N; 117.80183°E) on 3 June, 2013. One adult and a subadult were photographed on the southern shore of Dashinchilen Tsagaan Lake in Bulgan province on 16 June, 2013.

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)Mr. P. Galmandakh, a bird watcher from Mongolia, photographed two adult individuals in a planted seabuck thorn plantation near the waste-water treatment area of the town of Ulaangom in Uvs province on 28 August, 2014. A local man reported having seen the species a few times at his seabuck thorn field.

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)S.G. and Dick Forsman, a famoust raptor biologist from Finland, documented one adult perching in elm trees on the east in Khakhorin sea buckthorn plantation (47°7’36.88”N; 102°58’25.47”E) on 18 June 2012. The bird was carrying food in its beak. One individual was seen at almost the same site in June 2013.

Chinese Grey Shrike (Lanius sphenocercus)S.G. and D. Usukhjargal (Hustai NP and MOS) photographed a perched adult on dried tall grass in a wheat field near LUNOBA tourist camp (47°49’26.09”N; 105°52’24.76”E) of Tuv province on 24 September, 2013.


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Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis)D. Batmunkh, WSCC, documented one juvenile in a seabuck thorn plantation at the center of Munkhkhaan soum, Sukhbaatar province on 31 August, 2013.

Marsh Grassbird (Megalurus pryeri) S.G., H.S. and G.D. photographed three singing adult males and one pair in a wetland with reeds at Ikh Tashgai Lake in Dornod province on 6 June, 2013.

Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix)S.G., O. Soronzonbold, and G.D. (MOS) photographed one adult in scattered poplar trees in the south of a planted poplar forest at Murun sum, Khentii province on 5 September, 2013.

Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki)S.G., H.S. and G.D. saw and took excelent photographs of a first summer male of the species in planted poplar trees in Murun sum, Khentii province on 29 May, 2013.

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher (Ficedula zanthopygia)S.G., H.S. and G.D. documented one first summer male in poplar trees in Murun sum, Khentii province on 29 May, 2013.

White-throated Bushchat (Saxicola insignis)Three pairs of the species were found and documented by S.G., H.S. and G.D. on Tsonj Mountain, Ikh Bogd in Umnugobi Province on 22 June, 2013. These birds were breeding in very wet alpine meadow with granite boulders, a creek, and short vegetation at an elevation of 3,274 m a.s.l.

White-throated Rock Thrush (Petrophila gularis)S.G., O. Soronzonbold, and G. D. (MOS) observed and photographed an adult female of the species in planted poplar trees in Murun sum, Khentii province on 5 September, 2013.

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)One adult male was photographed on broken rocks on the top of a hill on the south bank of Herlen River in Dornod province (48.02153°N; 114.24916°E; a.s.l. 760 m) on 10 June, 2013. The subspecies occurring in Mongolia is philipenensis.

Reed Parrotbill (Paradoxornis heudei)One pair and one adult were photographed in the tallest reed areas of Ikh Tashgai Lake in Dornod province by S.G., H.S. and G.D. on 7 June, 2013. The birds perched for a few seconds on the top of tall reeds.

European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris)S.G. documented two adult males and three females of the species in planted poplar trees near the local Governor’s Administration Office in Khovd city on 18 July, 2013. All individuals were of the turkestanicus subspecies.

White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)A total of nine individuals were documented by S.G. and other MOS members in coniferous forest in the Gachuurt area near Ulaanbaatar (48°06’44.83”N; 107°15’0.80”E) on 23 November, 2014. The birds were feeding together with Common Crossbills.

Ochre-rumped Bunting (Emberiza yessoensis)S.G., H.S. and G.D. documented two pairs of the species in wet short vegetated meadow adjacent to tall reeds beds at Ikh Tashgai Lake in Khalkh Gol soum, Dornod province on 6 June, 2013. The pairs were most likely breeding at the area. We did not have sufficient time to search for their nests.

Rufous-backed Bunting (Emberiza jankowskii)Mr. B. Renchinbud from the State University of Science and Technology of Mongolia documented five individuals in the Petro-Matad mining area (46° 47°56.5”N; 116°12’55.4”E) on 19 November, 2013. The birds were feeding on the ground and in dried tall grasses. This species probably breeds in eastern Mongolia.

Chestnut Bunting (Emberiza rutila)S.G., H.S. and G.D. photographed an adult male, an adult female and a first summer male in young deciduous forest mixed with larch, poplar, and birch trees and short scattered bushes on the top of a mountain at Mungunmorit, Tuv province (48.37041°N; 108.63811°E: 1,644 m) on 28 May, 2013.


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Table 1. Mongolian bird rarities

No Scientific name Mongolian nameEnglish or common

name Status

Degree of

rarity Note

1 Acanthis cannabina Алтан цэгцүүхэй European Linnet BV II Breeding record is important

2 Accipiter badius Үүрсээ харцага Shikra VA I

3 Accipiter gularis Шунгаач харцагаJapanese Sparrowhawk BV V Breeding record is important

4Acridotheres cristatellus Тольт хартотол Crested Myna VA I

5Acrocephalus dumetorum

Бутны охилбялзуухай Blyth’s Reed Warbler SV, PM V

6Acrocephalus stentoreus

Өмнөдийн охилбялзуухай

Clamorous Reed Warbler VA II

7 Aix galericulata Мандир уранхажин Mandarin Duck SV, PM V

8Amaurornis phoenicurus

Цагааномруут түнжүүхэй

White-breasted Waterhen VA II

9 Anas falcata Гэзэгт нугас Falcated Duck BV V Breeding record is important

10 Anas formosa Байгалийн нугас Baikal Teal PM V

11 Anthus roseatus Ягаавар шийхнүүхэй Rosy pipit VA I

12 Aquila clanga Бор бүргэдGreater Spotted Eagle BV V Breeding record is important

13 Aquila heliaca Хан бүргэдEastern Imperial Eagle BV V Breeding record is important

14 Ardea purpurea Зээрд дэглий Purple Heron BV IV Breeding record is important

15 Ardeola bacchus Цагаан дэвлээ Chinese Pond-heron VA V

16 Aythya baeri Ухаа шумбуур Baer’s Pochard VA IV

17 Aythya marila Тэнгисийн шумбуур Greater Scaup VA V

18 Aythya nyroca Ундар шумбуур Ferruginous Duck SV, PM IV

19 Bombycilla japonicaНаран энхэтбялзуухай Japanese Waxwing VA I

20Bradypterus thoracicus Хурган цоохондой

Spotted Bush Warbler

BV?, PM V Breeding record is important

21 Bubulcus ibis Хотны дэглээ Cattle Egret VA IV

22 Burhinus oedicnemus Эгэл шаранданEurasian Stone Curlew VA II

23 Butastur indicus Саржуу харцгай Grey-faced Buzzard VA I

24 Butorides striatus Ногоон дэглэй Green Heron VA I

25 Calidris melanotos Орог элсэг Pectoral Sandpiper VA I

26 Calidris subruficollis Ухаа элсэгBuff-breasted Sandpiper VA I

27Chaimarrornis leucocephalus Халзан шүрсүүлт

White-capped water-redstart VA I

28 Chettusia gregarius Хээрийн хавтгалж Sociable Lapwing VA II

29Chlamydotis macqueenii Жороо тоодгой McQueen’s Bustard BV V Breeding record is important

30 Chloris chlorisНогоовор бужиранга

European Greenfinch VA I

31 Chloris sinica Нангиад ногоолдойGrey-capped Greenfinch

BV?, PM I Breeding record is important

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32 Ciconia boyciana Дорнын өрөвтас Oriental Stork PM I

33 Circaetus gallicus Могойч загалайShort-toed Snake Eagle BV V Breeding record is important

34 Circus macrourus Хээрийн хулд Pallid Harrier SV, PM V

35 Circus melanoleucos Алаг хулд Pied Harrier BV V Breeding record is important

36 Circus pygargus Нугын хулд Montagu’s Harrier SV, PM V

37 Clangula hyemalisМөнгөлөг шунгаахай Long-tailed Duck VA II

38 Columba eversmanni Хүрэвтэр тагтаа Pale-backed Pigeon SV, PM II

39 Corvus monedula Харлаг хэрээ Eurasian Jackdaw RB V Breeding record is important

40 Coturnix coturnix Эгэл бөднө Common Quail BV, W I Breeding record is important

41 Crex crex Явган түнжин Corn Crake BV III Breeding record is important

42 Cuculus micropterus Жагар хөхөө Indian Cuckoo VA I

43Cuculus poliocephalus Хурган хөхөө Lesser Cuckoo VA I

44 Delichon dasypus Цармын хараацай Asian House Martin BV III Breeding record is important

45Dendrocopos hyperythrus

Борхэвлийт тоншуур

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker VA II

46Dendrocygna javanica Модны анхир

Lesser Whistling-duck VA I

47Dendronanthus indicus Модны цөгцгий Forest Wagtail VA II

48 Dicrurus hottentottus Өрвийт доронго Hair-crested drongo VA I

49 Dicrurus leucophaeus Үнсэн доронго Ashy drongo VA I

50 Dicrurus macrocercus Хар доронго Black Drongo VA II

51 Egretta garzetta Хурган дэглээ Little Egret VA I

52 Egretta intermedia Бэсрэг дэглээ Intermediate Egret VA I

53 Emberiza bruniceps Хүрэнтолгойт хөмрөг Red-headed Bunting BV II Breeding record is important

54Emberiza chrysophrys Сондуу хөмрөг

Yellow-browed Bunting BV? II Breeding record is important

55 Emberiza citrinella Алтан хөмрөг Yellowhammer BV V Breeding record is important

56 Emberiza elegans Тавт хөмрөгYellow-throated Bunting VA I

57 Emberiza jankowskii Янковскийн хөмрөгRufous-backed Bunting VA I

58Emberiza melanocephala Хартолгойт хөмрөг

Black-headed Bunting VA I

59 Emberiza rutila Орхимжит хөмрөг Chestnut Bunting BV, PM V Breeding record is important

60 Emberiza tristrami Самнаа хөмрөг Tristram’s Bunting VA II

61 Emberiza yessoensis Наран хөмрөгOchre-rumped Bunting BV, PM V Breeding record is important

62 Eophona migratoria Наран шаршууYellow-billed Grosbeak

BV?, PM I Breeding record is important

63 Erithacus rubeculaӨрнийн зээрдомруут European Robin VA I

64 Eudromias morinellusУрианхайн цагаанхиазат Eurasian Dotterel BV V Breeding record is important

65 Eurystomus orientalisДорны эрдэнийншувуу Oriental Dollarbird VA I

66 Falco pelegrinoides Шилийн шонхор Barbary Falcon SV II


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67 Falco rusticolus Цагаан шонхор Gyr Falcon WV II

68 Falco vespertinus Турамтай шонхор Red-footed Falcon VA I

69 Ficedula hypoleuca Алаг намнааEuropean Pied Flycatcher VA I

70 Ficedula mugimaki Тайгын намнаа Mugimaki Flycatcher BV III Breeding record is important

71 Ficedula narsissina Наран намнаа Narcissus Flycatcher BV? III Breeding record is important

72 Gallinago solitaria Өнчин хараалж Solitary SnipeBV, PAV V Breeding record is important

73 Gavia stellata Улаангүеэт гахууна Red -throated Loon SV, PM V

74 Glareola maldivarum Ухаа хөгт Oriental PratincoleBV?, PM V Breeding record is important

75 Grus japonensis Алаг тогоруу Red-crowned Crane SV, PM V

76 Grus leucogeranus Цагаан тогоруу Siberian Crane SV, PM V

77 Grus monacha Хар тогоруу Hooded Crane SV, PM V

78 Grus vipio Цэн тогоруу White-naped Crane BV V Breeding record is important

79 Gyps fulvus Ухаа хажир Griffon Vulture SV, PM V

80 Halcyon pileata Хармагнай халууBlack-capped Kingfisher VA I

81Haliaeetus leucoryphus Усны нөмрөгбүргэд Pallas’s Fish Eagle BV V Breeding record is important

82 Heteroscelus incana Цэлдэн хөгчүүхэй Wandering Tattler VA II

83 Hieraaetus fasciatus Харсун бүргэдэй Bonelli’s Eagle VA II

84Histrionicus histrionicus Хотгуужин чөрх Harlequin Duck VA I

85Ixobrychus eurhythmus Бөртөт одойбух Schrenck’s Bittern VA II

86 Ixobrychus minutus Бичил одойбух Little Bittern BV? V Breeding record is important

87 Lanius bucephalus Бухан дунхай Bull-headed Shrike PM IV

88 Lanius minor Хардухт дунхай Lesser Grey Shrike BV IV Breeding record is important

89 Lanius schach Алаг дунхай Long-tailed Shrike VA I

90 Lanius sphenocercus Хул дунхай Chinese Grey Shrike BV IV Breeding record is important

91 Larus brunnicephalus Бортолгойт цахлай Brown-headed Gull VA II

92 Larus crassirostris Харсүүлт цахлай Black-tailed Gull BV I Breeding record is important

93 Larus genei Шөвгөр цахлай Slender-billed Gull VA II

94 Larus hyperboreus Мөсний цахлай Glaucous Gull VA I

95 Larus minutus Хурган цахлай Little Gull BV? II Breeding record is important

96 Larus relictus Реликт цахлай Relict Gull BV V Breeding record is important

97Leucosticte nemoricola Хималайн зангалай

Plain Mountain Finch RB V Breeding record is important

98Limnodromus scolopaceus Хараалжин цууцил

Long-billed Dowitcher VA I

99Limnodromus semipalmatus Азийн цууцил Asian Dowitcher BV V Breeding record is important

100 Limosa lapponica Хурган цууцал Bar-tailed Godwit PM IV?

101 Locustella fasciolata Тайгын шатансүүлтGray’s Grasshopper Warbler SV, PM IV

102 Locustella naevia Эгэл шатансүүлт

Common Grasshopper Warbler BV III Breeding record is important

103 Locustella ochotensis Миддендорфын шатансүүлт

Middendorff’s Warbler BV III Breeding record is important


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104 Loxia leucoptera Тольт солбинхушуутWhite-winged Crossbill BV V Breeding record is important

105Luscinia megarhynchos Зулбаран гургалдай

Common Nightingale SV III

106 Luscinia sibilans Шийгнээ гургалдай Rufous-tailed Robin VA II

107Lymnocryptes minimus Бичил салалж Jack Snipe PM III

108 Megalurus pryeri Наран ажиндар Marsh Grassbird BV IV Breeding record is important

109Melanocorypha leucoptera Цагаалиг болжмор White-winged Lark VA I

110Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Харалдай болжмор Black Lark VA I

111 Mergus serrator Сэвгэр бохиоRed-breasted Merganser PM III

112 Merops apiaster Шарга балч European Bee-eater VA I

113 Merops persicus Цэнхэр шанаат балчBlue-cheeked Bee-eater VA I

114Microsarcops cinereus Саарал зуунхурга

Grey-headed Lapwing VA IV

115Muscicapa griseisticta Сэвхэт намнаахай

Grey-spotted Flycatcher VA II

116Neophron percnopterus Дэлт ёлон Egyptian Vulture VA II

117 Nycticorax nycticorax Ногоовор зашинBlack-crowned Nigth Heron VA II

118 Oriolus chinensis Дорнын шаргач Black-naped Oriole VA II

119 Oriolus oriolus Эгэл шаргачEurasian Golden Oriole

BV?, PM III Breeding record is important

120 Otis tarda Хонин тоодог Great Bustard BV, PM V Breeding record is important

121 Otus sunia Ойн орволго Oriental Scops Owl BV? II Breeding record is important

122 Oxyura leucocephala Цагаантолгойт ямаансүүлт White-headed Duck BV V Breeding record is important

123 Pandion haliaetus Загасч явлаг Osprey BV V Breeding record is important

124 Paradoxornis heudei Бахимхушуут хурагч Reed Parrotbill RB IV Breeding record is important

125 Pelecanus crispus Борцгор хотон Dalmatian Pelican BV V Breeding record is important

126 Pernis apivorus Балч гоорбисEuropean Honey-buzzard VA II

127 Petrophila gularis Цагаангүеэт донгорWhite-throated Rock Thrush BV III Breeding record is important

128 Phalaropus fulicarius Улаан сэлээхэй Red Phalarope VA II

129 Phasianus colchicus Зэрлэг гургуул Common Pheasant RB V Breeding record is important

130Phoenicopterus roseus Ягаан нал Greater Flamingo VA I

131Phylloscopus armandii

Улаанхөмсөгт дуучшувуу

Yellow-streaked Warbler VA II

132Phylloscopus coronatus

Цэгээндагзат дуучшувуу

Eastern crowned-warbler VA I

133Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Тарчигнаа дуучшувуу Wood Warbler VA II

134Phylloscopus tenellipes

Цэгээншилбэ дуучшувуу

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler BV II Breeding record is important

135 Podiceps grisegena Буурал шунгуур Red-necked Grebe SV, PM III

136 Porzana exquisitus Бичилхэн түнжгэр Swinhoe’s Rail VA II

137 Porzana parva Хурган түнжгэр Little Crake BV II Breeding record is important


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138 Porzana paykullii Зээрд түнжгэр Band-bellied Crake VA I

139 Porzana porzana Тоодон түнжгэр Spotted Crake BV III Breeding record is important

140 Prunella atrogularis Харомруут хайруулдай

Black-throated Accentor BV V Breeding record is important

141Pycnonotus flavescens Ухаа бөлбөл Flavescent Bulbul VA I

142 Rhodospiza obsoleta Цөлийн божрог Desert Finch VA I

143 Rhodostethia rosea Хүзүүвчит ягаандай Ross’ Gull VA I

144Rhopophilus pekinensis Бутны сонд

White-browed Chinese Warbler VA I

145 Rissa tridactyla Гурванхуруут захлай

Black-legged Kittiwake VA I

146Rostratula benghalensis Өнгөт хараалжир

Greater Painted Snipe VA I

147 Saxicola insignis Өгөөлэй шулганааWhite-throated Bushchat BV V Breeding record is important

148 Serinus pusillus Улаандухт серин Red-fronted Serin VA II

149 Spizaetus nipalensis Уулын согсоотбүргэд

Mountian Hawk-eagle VA I

150Stercorarius parasiticus Годон хайлгана

Parasitic Jaeger/Skua VA II

151Stercorarius pomarinus Бэсрэг хайлгана

Pomarine Jaeger/Skua VA II

152 Sterna paradisaea Умардын хараалай Arctic tern VA II

153Streptopelia senegalensis Өөдсөн хүүрзгэнэ Laughing Dove BV III Breeding record is important

154Streptopelia tranquebarica Зээрд хүүрзгэнэ Red collared dove VA I

155 Streptopelia turtur Өрнийн хүүрзгэнэEuropean Turtle Dove BV III Breeding record is important

156 Sturnia sturnina Хурган тодлойPurple-backed Starling BV V Breeding record is important

157 Sturnus sericeus Улаанхушуут тодол Red-billed starling VA I

158 Suthora webbianus Бор амурагVinous-throated Parrotbill VA I

159 Sylvia atricapilla Халимагт зэржигэнэ Blackcap VA I

160 Tetrao urogallus Эгэл сойр Western Capercaillie RB? II Breeding record is important

161Threskiornis melanocephalus Хүрэнтүрүүт билүүс Black-headed Ibis VA I

162 Turdus merula Хар хөөндэй Eurasian Blackbird VA II

163 Turdus pallidus Бүгээн хөөндэй Pale Thrush SV, PM IV

164 Turdus philomelos Дууч хөөндэй Song Thrush SV, PM IV

165 Turdus viscivorus Бужмаг хөөндэй Mistle Thrush SV, PM IV

166 Turnix tanki Гурван шивнүүртYellow-legged Buttonquail BV? II Breeding record is important

167Zosterops erythropleurus

Зээрдсүвээт гархинүдэн

Chestnut-flanked white-eye VA I

Abbreviations: BV- Breeding Visitor; SV- Summer Visitor; RB- Resident Breeder: PM- Passage Migrant; VA-Vagrant; WV-Winter Visitor;

?-Uncertain of Rarity Degree of Rarity I:Only one record

Degree of Rarity II: 2-5 timesDegree of Rarity III: 6-8 times

Degree of Rarity IV: 8-10 times Degree of Rarity V: > 10 times


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AcknowledgmentsMBTRC has received financial support

from Mongolica Co.Ltd and the Mongolian Ornithological Society for the past two years. We wish to thank all the observers and photographers who sent details of their observations to the committee: Akira Nomura (Japan), D. Batmunkh, G. Dorjlkhagvajantsan, Hadoram Shirihai (Israel), P. Galmandakh, D. Otgontsetseg, various members of Mongolian Ornithological Society, Ts. Purevsuren, B. Renchinbud, Sébastien Provost (France), O. Soronzonbold, U. Tuvshin, and D. Usukhjargal.

References

BirdLife International (March, 2005). http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3059&m=0

Gombobaatar, S. and Monks, E.M. (compilers), Seidler, R., Sumiya, D., Tseveenmyadag, N., Bayarkhuu, S., Baillie, J. E. M., Boldbaatar, Sh., Uuganbayar, Ch. (editors) (2011). Regional Red List Series Vol.7. Birds. Zoological Society of London, National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society. 1036 pp.

Kossenko, S. and Fry, C. 1998 Competition and coexistence of the European bee-eater Merops apiasterand the blue-cheeked bee-eater Merops persicus in Asia. Ibis 140: 2-13.

Lewis, A. and Pomeroy, D. 1989. A Bird Atlas of Kenya. A.A.Balkerna, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Хураангуй

мОнгОл Орны ХОвОр шувууд (2013-2014)

Монгол орны шувууны ангилал зүй, ховор зүйлийг бүртгэх комисст манай оронд үндэсний хэмжээнд 2013-2014 онд шинээр бүртгэсэн болон ховор шувуудын бүртгэлийн тухай нийт 33 баримт ирсэн. Монгол оронд нийт 167 зүйл ховор тохиолдох болон хэрмэл зүйл бүртгэгджээ. Монгол орны шувууны аймагт нийт 2 зүйл шувуу нэмэгдэж, 31 зүйл ховор шувуудын талаарх тархалт болон экологийн тухай баримт шинэчлэгдэж байна. 2013-2014 онд Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Calidris subruficollis)-Ухаацээжит элсэг гэх зүйлийг Дундговь аймгийн Сүм Хөх бүрдний бүрд орчимд Францын шувуу ажиглагч Себастян Провост 2014 оны 5-р сарын 26-нд бүртгэсэн ба энэ нь манай орны хувьд анх бүртгэгдэж буй зүйл болно. МУИС-ийн судлаачдын баг, Д. Отгонцэцэг нар Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)- Ногоовор балч зүйлийг Баянхонгор аймгийн Эхийн голын судалгааны суурин орчимд 2014 оны 7-р сарын 4-нд олж, баримтжуулсан нь манай орны шувууны зүйлийн бүрэлдэхүүнийг шинэ зүйлээр нэмсэн ажил боллоо.

Монгол оронд ховор тохиолдох болон хэрмэл дараах зүйлийн талаарх дэлгэрэнгүй баримт ирлээ. Үүнд: Accipiter gularis, Aix galericulata, Ardea purpurea, Chloris chloris, Emberiza jankowskii, Emberiza rutile, Emberiza yessoensis, Ficedula mugimaki, Grus leucogeranus, Grus monacha, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Lanius minor, Lanius sphenocercus, Larus relictus, Limnodromus semipalmatus, Loxia leucoptera, Megalurus pryeri, Merops apiaster, Vanellus cinereus, Nycticorax nycticorax, Oriolus chinensis, Oxyura leucocephala, Paradoxornis heudei, Pelecanus crispus, Petrophila gularis, Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Saxicola insignis, Monticola solitaries, Ardea purpurea, Butorides striatus, Ficedula zanthopygia.


http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3059&m=0



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Ornis Mongolica 2014 Vol. 3(432)Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee 2014

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, adultPhotograph by Sébastien Provost

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, adult Photograph by Otgontsetseg Davaanyam

Purple Heron, adult Photograph by S. Gombobaatar

Straited Heron, immaturePhotograph by Sébastien Provost

Mandarin Duck, adult male and female Photograph by S. Gombobaatar

White-headed Duck, adult malePhotograph by Hadoram Shirihai

Japanese Sparrowhawk, adult malePhotograph by D. Batmunkh

Pallas’s Fish Eagle, immaturePhotograph by Hadoram Shirihai

Hooded Crane, adultPhotograph by Hadoram Shirihai

Asian Dowitcher, breeding adult Photograph by Hadoram Shirihai

Relict Gull, breeding adultPhotograph by Hadoram Shirihai

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Ornis Mongolica 2014 Vol. 3(432)Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarities Committee 2014

Lesser Grey Shrike, adult malePhotograph by S. Gombobaatar

Black-naped Oriole, first winterPhotograph by D. Batmunkh

Wood Warbler, adultPhotograph by S. Gombobaatar

Mugimaki Flycatcher, first summer malePhotograph by H. Shirihai

Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, first summer malePhotograph by H. Shirihai

White-throated Bushchat, adult malePhotograph by H. Shirihai

White-throated Rock Thrush, adult femalePhotograph by S. Gombobaatar

Reed Parrotbill, adultPhotograph by H. Shirihai

European Greenfinch, adult malePhotograph by S. Gombobaatar

Ochre-rumped Bunting, adult malePhotograph by H. Shirihai

Rufous-backed Bunting, adult Photograph by B. Renchinbud

Chestnut Bunting, adult malePhotograph by H. Shirihai

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Introduction

Four hundred and seventy six species of birds are registered in Mongolia (Gombobaatar et al. 2011) and almost half of these, or 223 species, have been recorded in Hustai National Park (Gombobaatar and Usukhjargal 2011). Hustai National Park (HNP) is located 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, at 105°40-106°37E and 47°35-47°52N. The climate of Hustai National Park is characterised by long cold winters with temperatures down to -40°C, and a short temperate summer reaching temperatures of +40°C. The annual average air temperature is +0.2°C, and annual average rainfall is 225 mm, where July has the greatest precipitation. The

THE FIRST WINTERING RECORDS OF THREE SPECIES OF BIRDS IN HUSTAI NATIONAL PARK, MONGOLIA

Usukhjargal Dorj1 and *Gombobaatar Sundev2

1 Wildlife and Wild Horse Biologist at Hustai National Park and the Mongolian Ornithological Society2National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society

[email protected]; [email protected]

1 December 20144 March 2015


Usukhjargal, D. and Gombobaatar, S. 2014. The First Wintering Records of three species of Birds in Hustai National Park, Mongolia. Ornis Mongolica 3(432):28-30.

Hustai NP, wintering species, first record,

Abstract

In the winter of 2014-2015, several bird species over-wintered in the wheat fields of Mongolia’s Hustai NP in large numbers. We found resident and partial migrants in the area. Records of three species, the Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus, and Pallas’s Bunting Emberiza pallasi, in these fields were the first winter records for the Park and in Mongolia.

protected area covers 50,000 ha, of which 95% (or 48,345 ha) is covered by pasture land. Only 4%, or 2,000 ha, of the park is covered by forest. Through the “Third Agricultural Campain”, wheat crops are grown in the buffer zone area in the northern part of the park. Mongolia has a vast land (1,500,000 square kilometers) and is one of the least populated (3 million inhabitants) countries (1.92 people per square kilometer) on Earth (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia). In the Mongolian Red List of Birds (Gombobaatar et al. 2011), almost 90% of the species are categorized as Least Concern, 6.3% are Data Deficient and 18.3% are Not Applicable (ineligible for assessment at a regional level– typically species that are vagrants). Much of our knowledge of conservation status of Mongolian birds come



http://www.wikipedia.org

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from summer ranges and abundances of species because wintering records for birds in Mongolia are very sparse. Here, we document the first wintering records for three species of birds in Mongolia with photos.

Methods and Materials Birds were recorded during regular activities in

Hustai National Park over winter in 2014-2015. Eagle optic 10x42 and Swarovski 10x42 binoculars, and Mark Brazil’s “Birds of East Asia” field guide book were used for bird identification. Photographs were taken with a Canon 7D digital camera with a fixed 400 mm lens. Locations of wintering observations were recorded with a Garmin eTrex GPS. Locations of the field site and bird wintering sites were mapped with Arc GIS 10.1 edition software.

ResultsDuring field observations, many resident and

partial migrant species of birds such as Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus, Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius, Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, Daurian Partridge Perdix dauuricae, Mongolian Lark Melanocorypha mongolica, Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris, Small Snowfinch Pyrgilauda davidiana, Common Redpoll Acanthis flammea, and Arctic Redpoll Acanthis hornemanni were regularly recorded. Birds wintering in Mongolia are not rare; however, in the winter of 2014-2015, occurrences of these birds are much more common than in previous years (unpublished data). There are two possible explanations; First, the Mongolian Government’s “Third Agricultural Campaign” has promoted the growing of wheat crops raised all over Mongolia, even the buffer zone areas of Hustai National Park. The northern part of the park is completely covered in wheat crops. Such crops provide food and shelter for many bird species over winter. Secondly, the winter of 2014-2015 saw much less snow compared to previous years and the long term average (Munkhbat 2015). Less snow cover makes it easier for birds to find seeds. Seed-eating passerines such as Mongolian Lark and Horned Lark over-wintering in croplands in huge flocks. These passerine populations then provide a prey base for hunting birds such as Upland Buzzard and Saker Falcon.

Here, we highlight three species of birds from all these wintering birds as our observations represent the first known cases of these species remaining at Hustai over winter, and for two of the species, the first winter records for Mongolia.

First Wintering Record of Three Species of Birds

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Linnaeus 1766The Global and Regional status of this bird

were assessed as Least Concern by IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001, Gombobaatar et al. 2011). Its distribution in the World and in Mongolia covers a wide range. They are breeding visitors to Mongolia. This species arrives in breeding sites by mid-April – early May. Breeding begins late April – early May. The fall migration starts in late August – early October, depending on food availability and weather conditions. Some individuals occur in winter near lakes and river valleys of the steppe and desert steppe regions, around Brandt’s Vole colonies in central and eastern Mongolia.

We observed four individual Hen Harriers, one adult male near the Tuul River, one adult male in cropland in the northern part of the park, and two first-winter females in cropland to the north of the highway from Ulaanbaatar to the Western provinces. All observations were in January and February 2015 (Fig. 2). Other researchers have recorded the species in winter before in Mongolia, but our observations of first year juvenile females are unusual. Of the four individuals of Hen Harriers, three of them were actively hunting in the croplands, presumably preying on the large flock of seed eating passerines present there.

Chinese Grey Shrike Lanius sphenocercus Cabanis 1873

The Global status of this species is Least Concern (IUCN 2001) and the Regional Status was assessed as Data Deficient by IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (Gombobaatar et al. 2011) due to lack of data. The species has a restricted global distribution and found in eastern Mongolia. It is considered a breeding visitor to Mongolia but breeding has been recorded in only eastern Mongolia. The species is registered in the rare bird list in Mongolia (Mongolian Bird Taxonomy and Rarity Committee 2014).

We observed only one individual once in a cropland in the northern part of the park. There are two previous observations from Hustai from summer breeding seasons and nothing was known about their wintering habits. This is the first wintering record for this rare species in Mongolia and further research is needed.

Pallas’s Bunting Emberiza pallasi Cabanis 1851This species’ Global and Regional status were

assessed as Least Concern by IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2001, Gombobaatar et al. 2011). It has a wide global distribution and is

Usukhjargal, D. and Gombobaatar, S. 2014.

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widespread in Mongolia. This species is a breeding visitor in Mongolia. It arrives at breeding sites by late April– early May and the breeding season continues from May to July. Terrestrial and aquatic arthropods are their dominant prey during the breeding season, but in the non-breeding season, they are mainly seed-eaters. The Fall migration starts in late August – early September, depending on weather conditions. There are no previous records of this species wintering in Mongolia.

We frequently observed around seven individuals of Pallas’s Bunting in the cropland north of the highway between Ulaanbaatar and the Western provinces in January and February 2015. The nature of the cropland made it difficult to make observations. We presumably the wheat crops provide the bunting with abundant food, shelter and protection from predation over winter.

References

Gombobaatar, S. and Monks, E.M. (compilers), Seidler, R., Sumiya, D., Tseveenmyadag, N., Bayarkhuu, S., Baillie, J.E.M., Boldbaatar, Sh., Uuganbayar, Ch. (editors). 2011. Regional Red List Series Vol. 7. Birds. Zoological Society of London, National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society.

Gombobaatar, S. and Usukhjargal, D. 2011. Birds of Hustai National Park. Hustai National Park and Mongolian Ornithological Society, Mongolia.IUCN. 2001. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Fig.1. Recorded bird species. Photographs by S.Gombobaatar.

Usukhjargal, D. and Gombobaatar, S. 2014.

Хураангуй

ХуСтайн Байгалийн ЦОгЦОлБОрт газарт гурван зүйл шувууны ӨвӨлЖилтийн анХны Бүртгэл

Атаршсан удсан тариан талбайнууд “Атрын гуравдугаар аян”-ны өрнөлөөр сэргэж, сүүлийн арван жилд тохиогоогүй өнөтэй өвөлтэй хавсарсан нь олон зүйл шувууд тааваар өвөлжих нөхцөлийг бүрдүүлжээ. Тариа хураалтаас хаягдсан буудайн үрийг дагаж Монгол болжмор Melanocorypha mongolica зэрэг үр идэшт шувуудын томоохон сүргүүд байршиж, түүнийг даган махчин шувууд ч олноор өвөлжсөн байна. Эдгээр шувуудын дотор Хустайн БЦГ-т урьд өвөлждөг эсэх нь тодорхойгүй байсан гурван зүйл шувууны өвөлжилтийн талаарх баримтыг цуглуулав. Монгол орны зарим нутагт Саарал хулд Circus cyaneus өвөлждөг баримт бий. Бидний баримтжуулсан Хул дунхай (Lanius sphenocercus), Цагаанхэвэлт хөмрөг (Emberiza pallasi)-ийн өвөлжилтийн бүртгэл нь эдгээр зүйлийн хувьд Хустай төдийгүй Монгол оронд

өвөлждөг тухай анхны баримт боллоо. Hen Narrier, adult female.

Pallas’s bunting, first winter female.

Chinese grey shrike, adult.

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Field Notes

An observed concentration of soaring raptors at Shargaljuut hot-springs, Mongolia, stimulated the following working hypothesis: soaring raptors might use of the rising warm air that is a constant outflow from areas of geothermal activity. Information on abundances of raptors on the pastureland nearby, climatic and geothermal data were already available in the literature and local facilities for observation of raptors made Shargaljuut an ideal place to investigate this interesting raptor flight behaviour and phenomenon.

Raptors save energy by using thermals (columns of rising air caused by unequal local heating of the ground) while soaring. Thermals are usually produced by insolation and are, therefore, temporary in nature, though heating from towns and other man-made artifacts that produce a heat island effect can make the phenomenon more continuous. Although it is known that thermals form when cool air flows over a warmer water surface – the case of seas at high latitudes and/or in winter (Elkins 1983) – little, if any, attention has been paid to hot springs as a natural and possibly

THERMALS FROM THERMAE: DO SOARING RAPTORS USE RISING

AIR FROM HOT SPRINGS?

*Tiziano Londei Via San Vincenzo 20, 20123 Milano, Italy

E-mail: [email protected]

Soaring flight, thermals, hot springs, Mongolia.

uninterrupted cause of thermals, providing soaring opportunities for large birds.

On 17 August 2011, I was as a tourist at Shargaljuut hot springs (46°20’N; 101°14’E, 2,130 m a.s.l.), Mongolia. During my visit, which lasted about an hour late in the morning with a fine weather, the presence of soaring raptors was continuous. Coming from various directions with gliding or flapping flight, they gained height by circling above the steaming ground, then glided away. Within a 10-minute period of continuous observation between 11:20 and 11:30 o‘clock, local time, I saw three Steppe Eagles (Aquila nipalensis), five Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) and an uncountable number of Black Kites (Milvus migrans) doing so. In a single photograph, I counted 31 Black Kites perched on rocks nearby - I presume these scavenging birds are attracted to this place by edible things left by the many people exploiting the curative waters of the springs. However, this might not be the case for the larger raptors, which I did not see at ground level. The general attraction for raptors was clearly the rising warm air.

12 September 2012 6 January 2014


Tiziano Londei. 2014. Thermals From Thermae: Do Soaring Raptors Use Rising Air From Hot Springs?. Ornis Mongolica 3(432): 31-32.

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Shargaljuut hot springs might be an ideal location to investigate links between raptors, thermals, and geothermal energy, for the following reasons:

1). There is a resort where researchers could be based,

2). large, thermal-dependent raptors abound in the local area,

3). climate and geothermal data for Shargaljuut are already available in the literature.

4) these data suggest the occurrence of thermals. For example, while the harsh climate of the region keeps the outdoor temperature below +15°C for 8072 hours/year (Lkhagvadorj 2003), hot water constantly flows from several springs scattered on a flattish bare hill, at approximately +89°C (Lkhagvadorj 2003) and, in some cases, at +98°C (Bignall et al. 2003). This suggests a year-round intense production of thermals there. As the annual mean wind speed is 2.5 m/sec (Lkhagvadorj 2003), lack of wind would contribute to the maintenance of thermals by reducing air mixing and would make soaring easier. It may reasonably be supposed that raptors would use such thermals not only for migration but also for daily foraging flights; a less frequently-studied use. Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) have been found extending their daily activity period by using the thermals created by flared methane at a landfill (Mandel and Bildstein 2007). Local adaptations of raptors’ behaviour might be discovered at Shargaljuut hot spring, too. With the debates regarding geothermal energy development in some areas, the topic might also have more general implications for raptor conservation.

References

Bignall G., B. Batkhishig, and N. Tsuchiya. 2003. Taking the waters?: Shargaljuut hot springs (Mongolia). In Proceedings of the 25th New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, eds. S. Soengkono, S. Taguchi, and S.F. Simmons, 15-20. University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Elkins, N. 1983. Weather and bird behaviour. T & A D Poyser, Calton, U.K.

Lkhagvadorj, I. 2003. The use of geothermal energy in a low-temperature field with a case study from Shargaljuut, Mongolia. The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme, Reports 2003, Number 16, Reykjavнk, Iceland.

Mandel, J.T. and K.L. Bildstein. 2007. Turkey Vultures use anthropogenic thermals to extend their daily activity period. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119: 102-105.

Хураангуй

Халуун рашааны агаарын ӨгССӨн урСгал: Халин ниСэХ маХчин шувууд Халуун рашаанааС гараХ агаарын

ӨгССӨн урСгалыг ашигладаг уу?

Шаргалжуутын халуун рашааны дээгүүр халин нисэх олон махчин шувууд бидэнд дараахь таамаглал дэвшүүлэхэд хүргэв. Үүнд:

Газрын гүнээс гаралтай өгссөн чиглэлийн дулаан агаарын урсгалыг ашиглан өдрийн махчин шувууд өндөрт халин нисдэг байх боломжтой. Шаргалжуут нь өдрийн махчин шувуудын энэхүү сонирхолтой зан төрх, үйл явцыг ажиглах хамгийн тохиромжтой нутаг юм. Учир нь энэ орчим нутгийн цаг уур, газрын гүний дулааны тухай хэвлэлийн баримт олдох бүрэн боломжтой төдийгүй Шаргалжуут орчимд хээрийн ажиглалт гүйцэтгэхэд шаардлагатай судлаачдын орон байр хангалттай бий. Иймээс энэ чиглэлийн судалгааг гүйцэтгэх нь ихээхэн сонирхолтой байх болно.

Tiziano Londei 2014.

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NeW PUBliCAtioNs

Gombobaatar, S., Myagmarsuren, M., Conaboy, N., and Мunkhjargal, M. (2014). The 5th National Report of Mongolia on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Ministry of Environment and Tourism and Steppe Forward Programme, NUM. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Pp. 1-142 (in Mongolian and English).

The fifth national report on Biological diversity in Mongolia was written by a Mongolian biodiversity team in 2014 and summarizes Mongolian biodiversity, actions and activities for biodiversity in Mongolia, main achievements and future development of biodiversity research, conservation, legislation and policy of Mongolia. More information is available at https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mn/mn-nr-05-en.pdf Gombobaatar, S., Odkhuu, B., and Bayanmunkh, D. 2014. Biodiversity of Mongolia Mongolica-2013. The first national photography contest album. Mongolian Ornithological Society and Ministry of Environment and Green Development. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. P.1-129 (in Mongolian and English).

A collaboration of the Ministry of Environment and Green Development, the Mongolian Ornithological Society, the National University of Mongolia and other partners organized the first national photography contest of the Biodiversity of Mongolia in June 2014. The album“Biodiversity of Mongolia Mongolica-2013” includes the best 100 photos of Mongolian biodiversity in 2013, selected from more than 500 photographs entered in the competition, More information is available at www.mongoliabiodiversityimage.mn Myagmarsuren, Sh., Gombobaatar, S., Munkhjargal, M., Conaboy, N. (2014). The first national report of the Convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). MEGD, SFP, ZSL, and Mongolica Publishing. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. P.1-70 (in Mongolian and English).

This report was written by the Ministry of Environment and Green Development, the Steppe Forward Programme, ZSL, the National University of Mongolia, Mongolica Publishing and other incorporating institutions in 2014. It summarizes data and information on wildlife trade in Mongolia for three different periods: past, present, and future.

https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mn/mn-nr-05-en.pdf

https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/mn/mn-nr-05-en.pdf

http://www.mongoliabiodiversityimage.mn

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NeWs

ACtioNs ANd ACtiVities oF BiRd ReseARCH ANd CoNseRVAtioN iN

MoNGoliA

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, SYMPOSIUMS AND WORKSHOPS

ASIAN RAPTOR RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION NETWORK (ARRCN) SYMPOSIUM IN 2014

On 6-9 February, 2014, the 8th Symposium of the ARRCN was held in Pune, India in collaboration with ARRCN and Ela Foundation of India. Dr. Gombobaatar Sundev and Usukhjargal Dorj attended this symposium and presented their scientific results at this symposium. Ms Marla Steele Lynn gave two oral presentations on “Migration of Pallas’s Fish Eagle in Mongolia and India”. She has been working with the Mongolian Ornithological Society (MOS) and the National University of Mongolia (NUM) for the last 3 years. Dr. Gombobaatar Sundev also gave a talk on “Bird Research and Conservation in Mongolia” to the public during the symposium. During the symposium, ARRCN board committee members made a decision to encourage and support “Field Guide to the Raptors of Asia Volume 2: sedentary raptors”. Dr Gombobaatar Sundev has been serving as one of the board committee members of the ARRCN since 2012 and is responsible for book production in Mongolia in collaboration with ARRCN. Anyone who is interested in the contribution of raptor photographs to the book, please contact to Dr S. Gombobaatar as soon as possible.

BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION COP12 MEETING IN SOUTH KOREA

Biodiversity Convention COP12 meeting was held in South Korea in October 2014. The Ministry of Environment and Green Development organized a side event, “Mongolia Biodiversity AICHI2020”, on 06 October. D. Batbold and his team from the Ministry of Environment and Green Development (MEGD) coordinated the event. MOS members and NUM team of professors worked on the exhibition for the side event and production of the event meeting. D.

Batbold from MEGD gave a general overview of the Biodiversity Convention Plan in Mongolia for the coming years. O. Enkhtuya from TNC gave a talk on “Science-based planning of biological resources in Mongolia” and B. Batkhuyag from WWF talked on “Mongolia’s National biodiversity strategy and the action plan of Mongolia”. Gombobaatar Sundev’s presentation for the meeting was “Mongolia’s Biodiversity Convention Achievements” over the last decade. If you wish to get a copy of the Biodiversity Convention report in Mongolian and English, please contact Gombobaatar Sundev.

NAtioNAl ANd iNteRNAtioNAl tRAiNiNG

SHORE BIRD TRAINING-2014A National shore bird banding training

workshop was held on 23-24 August 2014, at Dashinchilen Tsagaan lake in Dashinchilen soum, Bulgan province, organized by MOS, MEGD, the Asian Waterbird Conservation Fund (AWCF), and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP). A total of 20 participants from members of MOS, students from National University of Mongolia, local soum rangers, and representatives of the collaborative institutions were trained by trainers from the MOS. Dr. Gombobaatar Sundev, taught basic methods of capturing, identifying, banding, counting, and measuring the bodies of shore birds. During the workshop, posters on shore bird conservation, produced by MOS and Asian water bird fund in 2014, were distributed to local people and trainees.

PRODUCTION OF THE TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC BASELINE EVALUATION OF RARE BIRD BREEDING CENTRES IN MONGOLIA

In collaboration with MEGD, MOS produced the technical and economic baseline evaluation of regionally threatened species (Altai Snowcock and Common Pheasant) in July-October, 2014. The evaluation work was very important to inform programs to breed these rare species in captivity, stabilize wild populations of the species and to evaluate the economic importance of these species in Mongolia.

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BiRdiNG ACtioNs ANd ACtVities

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY-2014 MOS and NUM bird scientists celebrated the 3rd

World migratory bird day celebration of Mongolia on 11-12 May 2014 with the collaboration of MEGD, EAAFP, Mongolica Co.Ltd, school children and Chingis Khaan International airport. More than 50 attendees were involved in the activity this year. More at www.mos.mn

NATIONAL ADVANCED TRAINING OF SPECIAL INTEREST TOURISM GUIDES IN MONGOLIA

MOS, NUM, the Ministry of Sport, Culture and Tourism (MSCT), and the National Centre of Tourism organized the 2nd national advanced training for guides of special interest tourism, including bird watching and birding in Mongolia, in May-June, 2014. More than 30 trainees were involved in the training and learnt about the guiding principles of special interest tourism, Mongolian biodiversity, and development of special interest tourism products in Mongolia. All trainees received official certificates from MSCT and MOS.

NATIONAL BIRD WATCHERS DAY AND NATIONAL BIRD FAIR

The event was organized by MOS, NUM and MSCT and tourism companies (Ajnai, Mongolica, Shine Zuuch etc.) in Ulaanbaatar and Terelj NP on 13-14 September, 2014. More than 30 attendees listened to a lecture on birds and birding and went on a field trip to Terelj for migratory bird watching. We plan to continue these events, combining with World Bird Conservation Day in 2015 in order to get increased participation by school children and university students.

otHeRs

THE NOMINATION OF A NETWORK SITE TO THE EAST-ASIAN AUSTRALASIAN FLYWAY FROM MONGOLIA

Over the last three years, MOS, NUM, MEGD, EAAFP, AWCF and Bayannuur and Dashinchilen soum administrations have conducted field surveys for baseline data and information to support the nomination of a flyway network site to the EAAF. Three years of hard work by the MEGD and MOS team has paid off and the nomination for the site has been accepted. We received the official

certificate for the Dashinchilen Tsagaan Wetland as an internationally important site for migratory birds in Asia in January 2015.The team thanks all members of MOS and students of NUM for their hard work on monitoring of the site and to AWCF and EAAFP for financial support and encouragement.

MONGOLIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY RECEIVED A NATIONAL AWARD FOR ITS LONG TERM BIRD RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION

In 2014, MOS received a national award, “For Mongolia ” from the Mongolian Business Development Institute for the Society’s long term bird research, conservation and education actions, activities for Mongolian ornithology and for the best managed pioneering ornithological organization for the country. We are very proud of the award and thank all undergraduate and post-graduate students of NUM and members of the MOS.

UP CoMiNG MeetiNGs

THE 60-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ORNITHOLOGICAL SCIENCE DEVELOPMENT IN MONGOLIA

In September, ornithologists and conservation biologists of governmental and non-governmental organizations will hold the first national ornithological conference on the development of ornithological science in Mongolia under the vision “Mongolia ornithology: past, present and future” in September, 2015. We invite oral and poster presenters and birding activities by NGO and private sectors. The conference programme will be drafted and distributed to institutions and individuals soon. Please send an email for more information to [email protected] and [email protected].

ASIAN RAPTOR RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION NETWORK (ARRCN) SYMPOSIUM IN 2015

It is an honor to invite you to the 9th ARRCN Symposium 2015 in Chumphon and its exciting concurrent events in Thailand. The 9th ARRCN Symposium (2015) is jointly organized by the Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network (ARRCN) and the Flyway Foundation in partnership with Chumphon Province, Tourism

http://www.mos.mn



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Authority of Thailand, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Kasetsart University, Mahidol University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Kasem Bundit University, the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST). The theme of this year’s symposium is “Global Raptor Migration – Better Monitoring for Conservation” The mission of ARRCN is the exchange of information among its members, to coordinate research on both resident and migratory species, and through training, education and improved public awareness, to promote the conservation of raptors. The 9th ARRCN Symposium 2015 will be held during 21st–25th October 2015 at the Novotel Hotel, Chumphon, Thailand, one of the most favored travel destinations in Asia (http://www.theflywayfoundation.or.th/the_arrcn.html).

SHOREBIRD TRAINING-2015A National shore bird banding training day

will be held at Dashinchilen Tsagaan lake of Dashinchilen soum of Bulgan province by MOS, MEGDT, and East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) in August 2015. Trainees and other people interested in shorebird research and conservation will be invited to the training course. We will teach you basic methods of capturing, identifying, banding, counting, and measuring the bodies of shore birds.

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY-2015 World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was

initiated in 2006 and is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend of May each year, people around the world take action and organize public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate WMBD. Migratory birds connect all corners and almost every environment of the world along their migration paths. WMBD is a global event and also hopes to connect the world, and bring together organizations, governments and dedicated people to protect migratory birds for future generations. MOS, NUM and private sectors will celebrate 4th World migratory bird day celebration on 9-10 May 2015 with the collaboration of MEGDT, EAAFP, Mongolica

Co. Ltd, school children and Chingis Khaan International airport. More information can be found at www.mos.mn

NATIONAL BIRD WATCHERS DAY AND NATIONAL BIRD FAIR-2015

The event will be organized by MOS, NUM, and tourism companies in Ulaanbaatar and Terelj NP in September, 2015. We expect more than 40 participants. During the event, we will give a lecture on birds and birding and have a field trip to Terelj to see migratory birds. We have planned to continue these events combining with World Bird Conservation Day in 2015 to get increased participation by school children and university students.

“MONGOLICA-2014”, THE SECOND NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST OF BIODIVERSITY AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ALBUM

Following the success of last year’s first national photography contest, MEGDT, MOS, NUM, Chingis Khan airport, and Hustai Nuruu NP is running the “Biodiversity of Mongolia - Мongolica- 2014” national photography contest in June, 2015. Organizing committee expects to receive more than 500 photographs and will select the best 100 images for printing in the photographic album in 2015. More information on deadlines and guidelines is available at www.mongoliabiodiversityimage.mn

http://www.mos.mn

http://www.mongoliabiodiversity.mn

http://www.mongoliabiodiversity.mn

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THE 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONGOLIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL

SOCIETY (1999-2014)

The MONGOLIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (MOS) was established in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on 19 January 1999. MOS is a public-service NGO and the oldest and leading professional organizations for wild bird research, conservation, birding, and education in the country.

The Society is one of the largest national membership organizations. Since its establishment, the Society has run more than 30 international and national projects, more than 50 activities and actions on bird research and conservation throughout country. The Society also publishes Ornis Mongolica, a peer reviewed journal in collaboration with National University of Mongolia, and has organized more than 30 undergraduate and postgraduate students’ education programmes within the framework of the vision, “Living conservation for birds, habitats, and people” (Fig. 1). Through MOS support, a total of 1 Ph.D. student, 9 Masters students and more than 10 undergraduate students have completed their scientific studies at the National University of Mongolia. MOS’s internship programme is one of the most successful educational programs in Mongolia. Our interns include students from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Russia, and Germany.

Since 2000, MOS has been officially collaborating with more than 30 different ornithological institutions and international organizations (Asia Waterbird Conservation Fund, WWF - Hong Kong, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, OIE, World Bank, ZSL, WCS, Oriental Bird Club, National Geographic Society, BirdLife International, GEF/UNDP, East Asian Australasian flyway Partnership, etc.), universities and other institutions, including Colorado University and Harvard University (USA), Oslo University (Norway), Ben Gurion University (Israel), Groningen University (Netherlands), Halle-Wittenberg University and Institute of Avian Research ‘Vogelwarte Helgoland‘ (Germany), Vienna University and Vienna Natural History Museum (Austria), National Museum of

Natural History of Paris (France), International Birding and Research Centre (Israel), Lynette International Foundation, EDM International (USA), Foundation Working Group International Waterbird & Wetland Research (WIWO), Ministry of Nature and Environment of the Czech Republic and the Union of Czech and Slovak Zoological Gardens, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK), Yamashina Institute for Ornithology (Japan), Stifferverband fund (Germany), Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (UAE), etc.

Mission-3S: Support science-based initiatives and actions for birds; Save birds and their habitats for people; Solve conflicts between birds and humans.

Aims: Conduct scientific research on birds and their habitats in a global scale; organize training on conservation of birds and their habitats at national and international levels; provide rigorous training to young ornithologists on birds and their habitats; consult and share information on birds and their habitats with the public; establish the national bird and habitat database; help develop and promote legislation for the conservation of birds and their habitats in collaboration with governmental organizations; become the best managed organization with high standards of research, conservation, education, database management, consulting and awareness of birds and their habitats.

Our Values: Creative thinking; high responsibilities; scientific freedom; tradition and integrative actions; new products and market sensitivity; and honest competitiveness.

Our colour is “Blue” (the colour code: Red-25; Green 5; Blue-255)

Fields: -Bird research and conservation -Bird education and training-Bird database and ringing -Bird taxonomy and records -Bird photography and database-Public awareness and online tools-True birding tours and bird fairs-Birds Mongolia Nationwide Network-Consultancy on birds-related issues-Mongolia birds- related publications

More information is available at www.mos.mn.

Contact address: Astra Building, 8th administrative board,

Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia P. O. Box 537, Ulaanbaatar 210646A, MONGOLIA Tel: 976-99180148, 976-88180148, 976-91000148

(mob.); 976-70110148 (off.) Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

http://www.mos.mn

http://www.mos.mn



http://www.mos.mn

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Fig. 1. Our major achievements in 1999-2014

ORNIS MONGOLICA ISSN-2220-5853

The Ornis Mongolica is dedicated to ornithological research works and bird conservation activities in Mongolia and other countries. The Journal is focused on peer reviewed papers and solid conservation initiatives for all aspects of birds within the country. The journal is published annually. Ornis Mongolica Journal officeNational University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological SocietyP.O.Box 537, Ulaanbaatar 210646A,Ikh surguuliin gudamj-1, Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaE-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Copyright and Permissions© 2015 National University of Mongolia and Mongolian Ornithological Society. All rights re-served. No part of this publication may otherwise be reproduced, stored or distributed by any means without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Authorization to photocopy items for internal and personal use is granted by the copyright holder for libraries and other users registered with their local reproduction rights organization.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTRIBUTORSTITLE (Arial 14, Caps lock, Bold)Author’s full name (Arial 14, Bold, centre) * before corresponding authorAffiliation and address (Arial, 12, italic)E-mail: (Arial, 12, italic)Corresponding author (*)Abstract: (Arial 14, Bold, centre) Please write your abstract here. No more than 500 words)Key words: (Arial, 12 italic)Include some words from the title and others that identify: 1) common and scientific names of principal organisms in the manuscript; 2) the geographic area, usually the state, province, or equivalent, or region if its name is well known; 3) phenomena and entities studied (e.g., behavior, populations, radiotelemetry, habitat, nutri-tion, density estimation, reproduction); 4) methods (only if the manuscript describes a new or improved method); 5) other words not covered above but useful for indexing.

Introduction (Arial 12)It contains a concise synthesis of literature specific to the manuscript’s main topic. In the lat-ter part of this section, state the objectives of the study and the hypotheses tested.

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research or experimental design, and data analyses. • Cite previously published methods without explanation. • Identify new or modified methods and explain them in detail. • Include all materials, substances, apparatuses and techniques used in sufficient detail

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Discussion (Arial 12, Bold)• The purpose of the discussion is to interpret and compare the results. • The discussion provides an opportunity for interpreting data and making literature

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then relate your work to other literature and research. • Please consider the following; relate your results to current knowledge on the issue

and to your original purpose in undertaking the project: have you resolved the prob-lem? What exactly have you contributed? Briefly state the logical implications of your results. Suggest further study or applications if warranted.

• Present your results and discussion either as two separate sections or as one combined section if it is more logical to do so.

Conclusion (if needed) (Arial 12, Bold)The purpose of the Conclusion section is to put the interpretation into the context of the original problem. Do not repeat discussion points or include irrelevant material. Your conclusions should be based on the evidence presented. They should not provide any new results or interpretation.

Acknowledgements (Arial 12, Bold)The Acknowledgments section appears immediately before the References section. As simply as possible, thank those persons, other than coauthors, who added substantially to the work, provided advice or technical assistance, or aided materially by providing equipment or supplies.

References (Arial 12, Bold)Each entry in the list should use the style Reference. The reference list follows The Chicago Manual of Style, fifteenth edition (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003) and is organized alphabetically by the author’s name. Article titles use the “Sentence case” style from MSWord. Italicize the name of a book or journal. Where URLs (web addresses) are cited, the web ad-dress may be set in Courier font. Note the following examples:

Chiva-Gomez, R. 2003. The facilitating factors for organizational learning: Bringing ideas from complex adaptive systems. Knowledge and Process Management 10 (2): 99–114.

Holt, J. 2004. UML for systems engineering. A pragmatic guide to business process modelling. Swin-don: The British Computer Society. INCOSE 2006 systems engineering handbook - a guide for system life cycle processes and activities, Version 3. ed. Cecilia Haskins. Kamlani, D. 2005. ICT standards and the new arms race: The rule of 3 (+N). In The standards edge: Future generation, ed. S. Bolin, 261–68. Ann Arbor, MI: Bolin Communications. Temple, P., R. Witt, and C. Spencer. 2005. Standards and long-run growth in the U.K. In The empirical economics of standards. UK. Urie, A. 2005. The standardization ecosystem: Understanding organizational complexity. In The standards edge, ed. S. Bolin. Ann Arbor, MI: Bolin Bold, A. Birds of Ugii lake, Mongolia. Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds 2:45-51. (in Mongolian)

CITATIONS (Mankins 1995); (Temple et al. 2005) or Temple et al. (2005); (Urie and Sheard 2005) or Urie and Sheard (2005)

TABLES AND FIgURESTables Submit only essential tables and figures. Construct tables in Microsoft Word. Use Arial font. Each table, numbered with Arabic numerals in the order in which they are to appear, must be on a separate page at the end of the text, with the table number and an appropriate stand-alone title above the table.• Tables should have titles that provide sufficient detail in a legend immediately following the

title (if necessary) to be understandable without reference to the text.• Table and figure titles must include the species or subject of the data studied and when and

where (region/state and country) the data were collected. • Do not submit tables if the information overlaps with information presented in the text, can

be easily printed in the text with less journal space, or presents the same data in another table or a figure.

• Number tables and figures independently. • Reference tables and figures parenthetically (Table 1, Figure 3) and avoid statements such as,

“The results are shown in Tables 2-9.” • Do not include statistics (e.g. p-values) or other statements of results in the titles.• Do not prepare tables for small data sets, those containing many blank spaces, zeros, repeti-

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have its own title (e.g. Figure 1) and caption, placed above the figure. • Figure size must fit within a maximum width of 210 mm and a maximum height of 290 mm.• For lettering, use Arial font, 14 pt (12-14 pt inside figures is acceptable). • Thickness of lines (including boxes) should be 0.5 pt (vary for contrast if necessary). • Contrast between grey shades/patterns must be distinct. • Graphs and histograms should preferably be two-dimensional with scale marks turning

inwards. Most figures are either line (or computer) drawings or pictures. • Do not submit color figures unless you are able to pay for printing. Figure captions tend to

be longer than table titles because figures are not footnoted. The caption may be several sentences and include brief suggestions for interpreting the figure content.

LINE DRAwINgS AND PICTURES• Line drawings, and scanned pictures must have sharp focus in the most important parts of the

image, have high tonal contrast, and have a reference scale if size is important. • Letters, scales, or pointers can be drawn on the prints, but they must be of professional quality. • All image files must have a resolution of >300 dots per inch (dpi) and for black line drawings

must be 600 dpi. We generally do not retouch or resize photos, so submit only print-quality images.

REVIEw PROCESSUpon receipt, the editorial staff examines a manuscript for proper style, format, and appropriate subject matter. If style and format are seriously flawed, the paper will be returned to the author for revision. Editor’s reviews are submitted electronically to authors via the Scientific Committee (SC). All manuscripts within the scope of the journal are reviewed by at least two reviewers. The Author(s) should consider all suggestions proposed by the referees and the Editor, and make ap-propriate changes. Major changes pre-suppose a new review process.

ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION POLICIES • Decisions on final acceptance of manuscripts are made by the editors and the SC. Once a

manuscript is accepted, it enters the queue for publication. • At the discretion of the editors and SC members decision, a manuscript that is seriously flawed,

poorly written, or requires more than two rounds of revisions may be published as an abstract only (not as a full paper).

• Page proofs of each paper are created by the Mongolian Ornithological Society and National University of Mongolia and sent to the corresponding author.

• During the page proof stage, press deadlines are fast approaching and author corrections to page proofs are urgently needed, preferably within 48 hours of their receipt.

• It is important that authors address each and every comment from the editors and referees and clearly communicate their recommended changes.

• Make only essential changes to page proofs and ensure proofs are marked clearly.

TAxONOMy AND NOMENCLATUREUse English and scientific names as presented in Dickinson, E. C. (ed.) 2003: The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World: Third Edition. Princeton University Press. 1056 pp., or S.Gombobaatar (2009). A Dictionary of Vertebrate Animals. Mongolian Ornithological Society. Ulaan-baatar, Mongolia. p.1-347. or check the BirdLife international website.

AFTER ACCEPTANCEAuthors will generally be notified of provisional acceptance or rejection within two months. The Edi-tor retains the right to modify the style and length of a manuscript; for major changes the Author(s) will be consulted. The corresponding author will receive a page proof for approval. Extensive altera-tions are not allowed at this stage. The journal provides a free electronic offprint in PDF format.




Gavia arctica - Black-throated loon /diver- Хилэнгүеэт гахуун T. Ikeuchi© Gavia stellata - Red-throated loon/diver Улаангүеэт гахуун A. Andreev©

ISSN 2220 -5853

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Podiceps nigricollis - Black-necked grebe -Халтар шунгуур S. Gombobaatar©

Podiceps cristatus - Great-crested grebe -Отгот шунгуур S. Gombobaatar©

Podiceps auritus- Horned grebe-Ухаа шунгуур S. Gombobaatar©

Podiceps ruficollis - Little grebe-Хурган шунгуур S. Gombobaatar©

Podiceps grisegena-Red-necked grebe-Буурал шунгуур

Т. Ikeuchi©

LOONS/DIVERS AND GREBES OF

MONGOLIA

ornis г р issn 2220 -5853 mongolica ууу filetseveenmyadag natsagdorj, ph.d. institute of...

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