BirdLife steps in to save Sociable Lapwing (1 Viewer)

[Steve]

BirdLife steps in to save Sociable Lapwing

BirdLife has launched a new action plan to help save the Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius, one of Eurasia's most threatened bird species. Its world population size has declined by approximately 95% within the last 15 years and may now be as small as 200 pairs. The Sociable Lapwing (also known as the Sociable Plover) now only breeds in northern Kazakhstan and bordering regions of Russia.

The Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius has declined by around 15% in the last 15 years

The population-crash of this steppe-dwelling species coincides with the political breakdown of the Soviet Union, which brought about considerable changes in land use. However, there is no clear evidence as to exactly what is causing the Sociable Lapwing's decline.

BirdLife is very concerned about the species' future. It recently began priority work on implementing an International Action Plan for the Sociable Lapwing, for the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA). This was initially developed in conjunction with ACBK (the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan), with support from NABU (BirdLife in Germany). Preliminary studies by ACBK and NABU in the central Kazakhstan Tengiz Lakes region, Kazakhstan's key Important Bird Area (IBA), have led to the discovery of two small colonies of Sociable Lapwings.

BirdLife, with support from RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), NABU, ACBK and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, has developed a pilot project to investigate the species' decline and to implement the Action Plan. This year, the two remaining colonies will be studied intensively to identify their habitat needs and the reasons for their decline. Bird ringing will give further information on population size and movements. The results of the study will be used to develop a larger scale conservation research and management project in a bid to understand and halt the global decline of the Sociable Lapwing and its specific steppe habitat.

 

[CJW]

Dear me, that's dreadful. I had no idea they had become so rare.
Thanks for the info', steve.

 

[Michael Frankis]

10,000 according to Lynx HBW vol. 3.

So if just 200 now, that's a 99.8% crash, not a 95% decline, since that came out - shades of Slender-billed Curlew.

Here's to hoping they're successful and not too late

Michael

 

[christineredgate]

Interesting info,thankyou.I did not know there was a species known as the "Sociable Lapwing".I wonder how its name came into use,or rather who named the species.Which sets me thinking,who does give the birds a species name,esp the many sub species?.

 

[Bluetail]

That's very worrying. I had no idea either.

 

[Edward woodwood]

I nearly posted oin this last night not knowing of this thread...as someone who has had the pleasure of seeing this species in England I was very shocked how it has gone unnoticed - it is very worrying...and also worrying that it hasn't generated any more discussion!!!

I was chatting with a Birdquest leader last week (not showing off honest!) and was informed that of a survey of 70-80 areas only 4 pairs were found. Apparently the species need to be able to flock prior to migrating as direction is learnt not inherited in this bird. The fragmentation of the steppe has resulted in a mosaic that has made vole pop. dynamics a bit chaotic and there isn't enough area with the correct sward structure for this species to find each other pre migration. Knock on problems include Pallid Harrier, Black-winged Pratincole and other steppe species. This does indeed have shades of SB Curlew, Eskimo Curlew etc..etc.. unsuprisingly seems birds with some aspect of coloniality are at a high risk when things go wrong

Don't know what i personally can do but i'm gonna have a look into it....I cannot believe a bird i have seen in UK can be so in danger, so quietly....

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

A sad story - one is also reminded of the Passenger Pigeon. Interesting that my own university is involved. I might try and found out what they're looking into.

 

[Henrik Hestbech]

We had a similar discussion on this side of the North Sea a while ago, when one of these guys visited us for a few days. It was mentioned that it is often the case with eastern guests (and other rarities) that they come here because they are confused and/or ill.
Makes you think an extra time when there's a hit somewhere.

 

[Desertbirder]

Its about time this issue gets some serious action. I am lucky enough to see good numbers of these birds on their wintering grounds in the Negev, here in Israel. Sadly this has become one of the best locations to see these birds in the world. We still get over ten birds a year, and in good years up to 40 birds, but I remember scattered flocks of this species all over Israel in the early 90's when over 100 birds were seen annually. Sad story, and if action is not taken, a dark future looms ahead.
I will be happy to give any information about Israel's wintering population in the future and historically towards further understanding and research of this fragile population.

Jonathan Meyrav

 

[Edward woodwood]

latest online info from BirdLife although this is out of date and things are perhaps in a worse situation that stated below if that's possible

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3172&m=0

in fact i believe its status has been upgraded to Critically Endangered - the highest threat level there is.......