Breeding populations of Great Bustard and Little Bustard in South Kazakhstan province, Republic of Kazakhstan

摘要

We report here the existence of breeding populations of the globally Vulnerable Great Bustard Otis tarda and the Near Threatened Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax in South Kazakhstan province, Kazakhstan. Both populations inhabit an area of natural temperate grassland and arable farmland located in the plains to the west of the Karatau mountains, c70 km north of the regional capital of Shymkent. This location is centered around a 735 ha walled area where all agricultural activities are excluded. The Great Bustard population here is comprised of at least 31 birds, with a minimum of eight displaying males having been observed simultaneously. Breeding has been observed annually within this population 2015-2017, with records being made of male leks, active nests, and chicks. The Little Bustard population appears to be smaller, with two displaying males having been observed in 2017, and an active nest observed in 2015. Although both species are historically known in the vicinity of Karatau, current ornithological sources do not indicate either species to be breeding there. Our records therefore represent a substantial contribution towards a better assessment of Central Asian breeding ranges of both species. Our observations of Great Bustard may be of particular importance, given that a maximum of just 300 individuals is estimated to remain in Kazakhstan.