Ringing of waders in the Taimyr Autonomous Okrug (district), Northern Siberia, dates back to the 1960s. In 1989-1996, a total of 5,700 waders of 24 species were ringed and some were additionally colour-marked as one of the activities of the International Arctic Expedition organised by the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences. Pony-six recoveries of 11 species have so far been obtained including 1$ birds marked on the Taimyr Peninsula and 31 ones ringed elsewhere. The highest recovery rate was that in marked Red Knots (Calidris canutus). Indeed, 2.6% of the 312 birds ringed at the breeding grounds were recovered during this study. Marking Little Stints (Calidris minuta ) turned out to be the least efficient, no recovery having been obtained despite the most extensive ringing of these birds (over 1f700 individuals). Curlew Sandpipers (Calidris ferrugmea ) breeding on the Taimyr Peninsula were shown to have the broadest winter distribution range which encompasses western and south-eastern Europe, South Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Australia. It is concluded that the geographic position of Taimyr in the centre of northern Siberia, its wide and diverse expanses of open marshy habitats, and geological history of the peninsula are collectively responsible for its paramount importance for the reproduction of many wader species using different migratory routes.

The spoon-billed sandpiper is endemic of the northern Russian Far East and one of the rarest wader species in the world. During a field survey (summer 2002) of the coast of Kolyuchinskaya Bay and in lagoons located to the east, it was discovered that the species breeding population has declined by 3–5 times since the 1970s and amounted to only 42–50 breeding pairs. The reasons for this decline are uncertain. They seem to occur outside the breeding grounds, on staging or wintering areas in South Eastern Asia. The breeding productivity of the spoon-billed sandpiper is relatively low, but it did not decrease in recent decades. The breeding success in 2002 was higher than in the 1980s; however, it was still about half of the minimum level necessary to keep the local breeding population stable. Annual survival of the spoon-billed sandpiper is about 5–15% lower than in several other small Calidridinae waders. An increased mortality rather than decreased productivity appears to be responsible for the general decline of the spoon-billed sandpiper population. In the early 2000s, its total world population was estimated at 350–500 breeding pairs. The estimate of the spoonbilled sandpiper population obtained by Flint and Kondratyev (1977) is likely an overestimate.

There are approximately 2.2 million domestic and 1 million wild reindeer in the USSR today. It is unlikely that the number of domestic reindeer will increase further but there is a tendency for further growth in several large populations of wild reindeer. All middle-sized and small populations of wild reindeer need protection. During the whole initial period of penetration and adaptation of man to the north, the life of ancient inhabitants was closely linked to hunting wild reindeer. Neolithic relics of North Eurasia witness the wide distribution of a relatively monotonous Stone Age reindeer hunting culture. Domestication of reindeer began not less than a thousand years ago. Large-scale reindeer husbandry developed only 300-400 years ago and prospered for about 200 years. Social changes impeded its development after the 1950s, resulting in the restoration of wild riendeer herds.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus is classed as globally Vulnerable, based on the only available population estimate, made in 1977, of 2,000–2,800 pairs. Surveys for breeding Spoon-billed Sandpipers were carried out in summer 2000 on the Anadyr estuary coast, the Chukotka autonomous region, Russia. Although six new breeding sites were found, only 16–17 breeding males/pairs were recorded on the northern coast of the Anadyr estuary and five males/pairs on the southern coast and more southerly lagoons. These numbers were much lower than expected, and the species was not recorded in several apparently suitable areas. Four formerly known breeding sites held only one displaying male between them. At no site was there evidence of an increasing or stable local population. Together with other indicative data these suggest a sharp decline in the population of Spoon-billed Sandpiper. The previous population size estimate obviously requires updating, both because there were some incorrect assumptions in the calculations made for the first population estimate, and also due to a recent population decline. It is likely that the current population numbers under 1,000 breeding pairs. Given that the population of this species may be substantially lower than the only previous estimate, and the evidence for a possible rapid decline in its population described in this paper, it is recommended that its IUCN status is changed from Vulnerable to Endangered. No reasons for the apparent rapid rate of decline are evident within the breeding range. “Bottle-necks” should be looked for at migration sites or wintering grounds, but currently, monitoring of the population is only possible on the breeding grounds.

The Lena Delta is the largest arctic delta covered entirely by tundra. Protected since 1986, it is one of the richest areas in the Arctic north of 71 degrees N for both species diversity and breeding densities. Between 6 June and 17 August 1997, 16 mammal species and 76 bird species were recorded in the Lena Delta Nature Reserve and the surrounding buffer zone. Several species are new to the region: far-eastern curlew, fieldfare, redwing, arctic warbler, red-boasted flycatcher, and common rat. New breeders are merlin and arctic warbler. These 1997 records, combined with those from earlier studies, give a total of 122 bird species for the region. Of these, 67 have been found breeding at least once. Densities ranging from 245 to 641 birds per km(2) were recorded in two restricted study areas. Such densities are unusually high north of 70 degrees N for non-colonial breeding birds. Lapland longspur (100-300 individuals/km(2)), red phalarope (up to 200 ind./km(2)), and several Calidris species were the most common. Ruddy turnstone and dunlin had densities higher than those previously reported from the Lena Delta and other Siberian sites. Among the shorebirds, spotted redshank, pintail snipe, grey plover, dunlin, and curlew sandpiper may have extended their breeding range or increased in population during the last 15 years. But further evidence is still needed to confirm the westward extension of spectacled elder, long-billed dowitcher, and sharp-tailed sandpiper.

During June-July 1997, five colonies of Brent Geese Branta bemicla were visited in northwest Yakutia, East Siberia: three (total about 132 pairs) in the Olenyok delta and two (22 pairs) in the western Lena delta. Colonies varied in size from ten to 90 pairs. At all sites, both the nominate race bemicla and the race nigricans were found, the proportion of nominate varying from 15% in the east to over 95% in the west; eight mixed pairs were located, with five individuals showing intermediate characters. Ringing recoveries confirm the presence of two populations, one migrating to the Pacific coast of America and the other to northwest Europe. Populations of nominate bemicla and American nigricans are increasing, the latter also expanding westwards in Eastern Siberia, whereas the small Asian-Pacific population of nigricans remains in decline as a result of hunting pressure on passage and in winter. The discovery of mixed colonies of the two races counters suggestions that these forms should be treated as different species.

IbisVolume 137, Issue s1 p. S191-S194 Free Access Bird conservation in Siberia: a summary E. E. SYROECHKOVSKI, E. E. SYROECHKOVSKI Institute of Animal Morphology and Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski Str. 33, Moscow V-71, 117071, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorH. V. ROGACHEVA, H. V. ROGACHEVA Institute of Animal Morphology and Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski Str. 33, Moscow V-71, 117071, RussiaSearch for more papers by this author E. E. SYROECHKOVSKI, E. E. SYROECHKOVSKI Institute of Animal Morphology and Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski Str. 33, Moscow V-71, 117071, RussiaSearch for more papers by this authorH. V. ROGACHEVA, H. V. ROGACHEVA Institute of Animal Morphology and Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninski Str. 33, Moscow V-71, 117071, RussiaSearch for more papers by this author First published: January 1995 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1995.tb08441.xCitations: 5AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume137, Issues1January 1995Pages S191-S194 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Nature conservation programme : creation of a geographical system of protected areas in the Russian Arctic

It was established that Brent geese nesting in the northeastern Taimyr Peninsula belong to the nominate race Branta bernicla bernicla. Brent Geese and King Eiders were found nesting close to Snowy Owl nests during the lemming peak of 1991. All nested successfully. It is believed that the waterfowl benefited from the aggressive nature of the Snowy Owls which exclude predators such as Arctic Foxes from hunting close to their nests. This situation was first described for B. b. nigricans which breeds exclusively near Snowy Owl nests on Wrangel Island. As Snowy Owls breed primarily when lemmings are abundant, the Brent Geese on Wrangel Island and the mainland of the northeastern Taimyr Peninsula are indirectly dependent on the lemmings.

Palearctic waders from six flyways breed on the Taimyr Peninsula. They can be observed in winter from Europe to South Africa and Australia. The interval between pre- and postbreeding movements of waders in Taimyr is short. Breeding waders, which spend from 50-70 days on the tundra have a arrival tight schedule, dependent mostly on weather conditions. Most species arrive during the first half of June, with the more northern areas occupied several days later than southern areas. However, Turnstone, Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper arrive in the optimal part of their breeding ground first, and subsequently occupy sup-optimal areas to the north and the south. In autumn waders migrate in small groups across the tundra. The schedule depends greatly on the breeding success of the year. Large numbers of Ruff and Bartailed Godwit concentrate in high arctic areas, 300-500 km north of their breeding grounds, before commencing southwards migration. Autumn concentrations of waders in intertidal areas are rare.

During summer 1991, lemmings occurred at high densities in Arctic tundra at Pronchishcheva Lake in the northeastern Taimyr Peninsula, whereas, in 1992, lemming densities were substantially lower and decreased further during the summer. In 1991, avian predators such as Snowy Owls Nyctea scandiaca, gulls and skuas bred well; Arctic foxes Alopex lagopus were rarely observed in the study area but bred in the immediate vicinity. In both years there was a late thaw, but this did not deter breeding by birds. The insect food supply for waders showed similar patterns of abundance in both years. In 1991, 73 nests of nine species of wader were found within a 14-km2 study area, and Dark-bellied Brent Geese Branta bernicla bernicla nested in association with Snowy Owls. The overall density of wader nests was estimated to be 7 per km2. Clutches disappeared at only two wader nests and no Brent Goose nests, and the Mayfield estimate of the daily probability of predation for waders was 0.0022. In contrast, the daily probability of predation was 0.20 in 1992, when there was a similar breeding density of waders. Arctic foxes were seen searching for food daily within the study area, and fox droppings were found associated with nests taken by predators. The predicted scenarios for peak and decreasing lemming years (the Roselaar-Summers hypothesis), i.e. low predation and high nest success in the peak year and high predation and low nest success in the decreasing year, therefore occurred.