Sociable Lapwing
Protecting the key migratory stop-over site in Uzbekistan
Sociable Lapwing on fields adjacent to Talimarzhan reservoir, Uzbekistan. Photo by Maxim Koshkin
The Bird Conservation Fund in collaboration with the Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME) is seeking to raise $5,000 to support the Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds (UzSPB) in their efforts to protect a site where at least 33% of the world’s Sociable Lapwings visit on Fall Migration.
Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) is a migratory shorebird that is one of only 223 bird species listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List on the basis of severe population declines across its range. Based on current counts the global population may be about 15,000 individuals. Research on the species’ demography suggests that low adult survival is the likely cause of population declines. Studies using satellite transmitters has identified two clear migratory routes, one to the west where birds migrate from the breeding grounds of Kazakhstan into south-west Russia, Turkey, the Middle East and north-east Africa (Sudan); and a shorter route heading south from Kazakhstan into Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and then on to Pakistan and India.
On the southern flyway, the cross-border ‘Talimarzhan reservoir’ in Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan and the foothills (adyrs) of Turkmenistan is the only migratory stopover for up to 50% of the world population of Sociable Lapwing on its autumn migration. The site is recognised as an IBA/KBA and has been legally protected since 2021. Importantly, the Uzbek part of the KBA, which is the focus of this project, represents resting, foraging and roosting places for up to 33% of this species’ world population for 45 days on autumn migration. Protection of this site is crucial to the conservation of the Sociable Lapwing along this southern flyway.
The Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds (UzSPB) has been working at Talimarzhan since 2012.
Key achievements to date:
• Three site support groups were formed. The ‘Sociable Lapwing’ group brought together lecturers and students of Karshi State University in order to conduct independent Sociable Lapwing observations during the autumn migration. The second group ‘Steppe Eagle’ brought together inspectors of the Department of Natural Resources of Kashkadarya region in order to conduct observations of the Steppe Eagle and wintering waterbirds. The third group ‘Small Sociable Lapwing’ brought together teachers and schoolchildren from schools Nuristan and Talimarzhan cities.
• Monthly plant cover Monitoring Programme, autumn Sociable Lapwing Monitoring Programme and winter Waterbird Monitoring Programme were launched to assess conditions and track changes of the KBA’s ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Based on results of the plant cover monitoring, draft of the Action Plan for Sociable Lapwing conservation at the autumn migration stop at Talimarzhan was prepared. This document indicates the optimal and maximum allowable grazing load in the area where this species concentrate.
• The head of administration of the Nishan district of the Kashkadarya region of Uzbekistan signed Decree №742-4-65-Q / 21 dated December 13, 2021 ‘On the creation of the Talimarzhan sanctuary, ecosystem management in the reservoir and adjacent territories.’
The Bird Conservation Fund is looking to raise $5000 to support the ongoing work at this crucially important site. The funds will contribute to:
• Ongoing monitoring of the migratory birds including locating birds that have been GPS tagged on the breeding grounds of Kazakhstan.
• The EuroBirdwatch 2023 events at the KBA and engagement of Talimarzhan site support groups in autumn Sociable Lapwing monitoring.
• Design and preparation of two information boards indicating borders of the newly created Protected Area as well as fines for littering, illegal grazing and poaching.
