New Data on Distribution and Population Number of Large Raptors in Northern Usturt Within Atyrau Province, Kazakhstan

Abstract

In May and June 2018 and June 2019 we surveyed breeding populations of large raptors (principally Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis, Long-Legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug and Eagle Owl Bubo bubo) in the north-west of the Ustyurt Plateau within the boundaries of the Atyrau Province, Kazakhstan. The area surveyed was ca. 1000 km2 represented the wider area of 3400 km2. Total 12 species of birds of prey were recorded and 8 of them considered as large raptors. Golden Eagle was found nesting on the Donyztau escarpment, 4 breeding territories were recorded and 3 of them successful; nesting density is estimated at about 5.0–6.7 pairs per 100 km of cliffs, the distance between neighboring pairs was ca. 6 km. Imperial Eagle: 5 breeding territories found on the Donyztau and Zheltau escarpments, 4 of them successful; average nesting density is 3.8 pairs per 100 km of cliffs. Steppe Eagle: 14 breeding territories (25 nests) revealed, among them 6 are successful (1–2 nestlings) and on other 3 breeding was failed; average nesting density is estimated at 1.3 pairs per 100 km2. Average distance between neighboring active nests is 2.5 km in Sholkara hill ridge but the distance between successful nests here is much bigger and makes about 13 km. Long-Legged Buzzard: 13 breeding territories (30 nests) found, of which 11 territories were actually occupied and 8 of them had successful breeding. Saker Falcon is found nesting on Donyztau escarpment: 4 breeding territories, including 3 successful; the average nesting density is 6.7 pairs per 100 km of cliffs. Eagle Owl recorded throughout the surveyed area; 11 breeding territories revealed, the average nesting density is 7 breeding territories per 100 km of cliffs and steep slopes. Two other species, Short-toad Eagle and Cinereous Vulture, recorded only occasionally, nesting in the area is not found. In general, our findings demonstrate the area is important for conserving several species of large raptors in the Atyrau Province.