Cranes (GrLls grus) in NW-Russia in autumn 1996

Edited by loon Veerman & Henk Wessels

WIWO-report Nr. 59

1998

WIWO-report 59 can be ordered by paying the mentioned amount (in Dutch guilders; DFL 10,-) for each required copy, plus fI5.- administration-costs for each separate order of W7WO-reports, to postal giro account 2.666.009 or to ABN bank account 57.02.16.613 of Stichting WIWO, Fetha 23, 3633 er Vreeland, The Netherlands. It is important to mention the number of the required report. Postage for surface mail is included in the price. The administration costs are required to cover the bankcharge for payments from abroad. They are not due for payments from Dutch accounts, for payments by Eurocheque, provided that the bank passnumber is filled in at the backside, and for cash payments. For information on other WIWO-publications see the last pages of this report.

Cranes (Grus grus) in NW-Russia in autumn 1996

Edited by Toon Veerman & Henk Wessels

WIWO-report Nr. 59

1998

Foundation Working Group International Waterbird and Wetland Research

(WIWO) clo Driebergseweg 16c

3708 JB Zeist The Netherlands

Colophon

Project participants

Transport and logistics

Maps & graphics

Drawings

Financial support

Edited by

Published by

Lay-out

Ministry for Environmental Protection and Natural resources/All Russian research Institute for nature Protection, Moscow: Natasha Anzigitova, Eugeny Kuznetsov. Counterparts: Ela Krainova and Dasha Phremova WIWO: Toon Veerman, Henk Wessels

Eugeny Kuznetsov

Toon Veerman and Henk Wessels

Javier Alonso

Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries Department of Nature, Forests, Landscape and Wildlife (NL).

Toon Veerman and Henk Wessels

Stichting WIWO, Zeist, 1998

Henk Wessels

c Stichting WIWO, Zeist.AII rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of transmitted , in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying , recording or otherwise without permission of the copyright owner.

CITATION

For citations which refer to the whole report:

Veerman A., H. Wessels (eds.) . 1998. Cranes (Grus grus) in NW-Russia in autumn 1996. WIWO-report nr.59. Zeist.

Contents

Introduction

Summary

1 The research area

Location and surface area

Landscape

Cranes and agriculture

2. Mode of operation

Method

The weather

The way time was spent

3. Results

Attempts to capture the birds

Numbers

A word of thanks

3

3

3

4

4

4

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

7

2 C'''II<':' (( il1l .' g m.') ill NW-I{II" i" in ,,"1"111" I (),)(,

Appendix 1

Basic facts 8

Appendix 2

Attempts to capture the birds 19

Appendix 3

Count from aeroplane 20

Literature 20

3 Cralles (( jms )!nlSl ill NW-IZlI""1 ill <Il1ll1l1l1l I <)<)(j

Introduction

In 1990 it became known, through contacts with the local population, that there were large concentrations of cranes in the district Kargopol in spring (we were told this by E. Kuznetsov). Kargopol is located in the northwestern part of European Russia . In 1994 and 1995 Russian researchers investigated Ihis area, amongst others to come 10 an estimation of the number of cranes in these advance meeting places and to investigate when the cranes arrived and how long they stayed in this area. The thought came up to catch cranes there and give them coloured rings so that possibly the route from and to the wintering area could be mapped. In 1996 a combined Russian-Dutch investigation was carried out in order to be able to do this. To answer the question where the wintering areas are it was decided to catch and ring the cranes . Besides aluminium rings the birds would get plastic coloured rings (green - white). Birdwatchers on the known migratory routes were informed of the project and requested to look out for green-white ringed cranes. The Russian participants in the project had previous experience in catching cranes in- and outside Russia using an anaesthetic. In the United States too cranes have been caught using anaesthetics (Lovett et al s.a). On the basis of this experience a method was chosen by which grain was saturated in an anaesthetic (alphachloralose) that was thrown on feeding land. Besides the main aim, the catching and ringing of the cranes, several other aspects have been looked at: daily countings of the numbers of cranes within the whole or a part of the area under investigation. The ratio of old to young birds, group sizes and general behaviour were recorded.

Summary

In 1996 research was done in the northwestern part of European Russia (district Kargopol) into cranes. These birds use this area as halfway stage on their route from their nesting ground to their wintering place. In order to map this migratory route it was decided to catch a number of these birds and give them coloured rings. It was tried to lure them to a feeding field on which grain mixed with the anaesthetic alphachloralose was scattered. This report deals with the research done from 21 August to 12 September 1996. During the preparations and attempts to catch the birds it was soon apparent how difficult it is to bring the cranes where you want to have them within a large research area and to keep them there. In all three attempts were made to capture the birds, but they were all unsuccessful. Because of the vastness of the investigation area and the fact that the birds were scattered all over it in an unstructured way, catching the cranes turned out to be practically impossible.

Also there were quite a few disturbances, so that we came to the conclusion that even if birds would appear in the pre-arranged places of capture, the chances of actually catching them were very small. The risks of using alphachloralose under these circumstances seem unacceptable. When disturbed, birds that have taken in alphachloralose can leave the catching location. You have then lost control over the things that may happen. The main conclusion of the research done must be that catching the birds at meeling places during migration using this method cannot be recommend(~d

1. The research area

Location and surface area . The research was done in the Kargapol district (hereafter called the research area). The capital of that name is situated on the river Onega (figure 1). The research was limited to a part of the district, it encompassed the northern part with a surface area of approximately 40.000 hectare, of which about 15.000 ha is arable land.

4 Cranes (Gm s gms) ill NW-RnssIa ut autumll 1996

.. ~

0"

Figure 1. Location of the research area

Landscape In the research area lies one of the most northern agricultural areas in European Russia. Rye, oats and barley are the most widespread crops there. In recent years arable land has increasingly been turned into pasture. The fields are partly stretched like a ribbon along the Onega river. They also lie like a kind of enclaves in the taiga. From the past fields were located along the river for drainage reasons. The rest of the district is taiga, moors and lakes criss-crossed with rivers and streams. The research area is sparsely populated. The capital Kargopol has approximately 8.000 inhabitants. The research was done from the hamlet Archangelo, 70 km north of the capital on the main road to Archangelsk. Along this road that more or less follows the Onega river there are a few scattered hamlets .

Cranes and agriculture. There is no conflict with agriculture, because the cranes that visit the research area tend to look for food on fields that have already been harvested .

5 Crall~s ((il7ls gl7ls) ill NW-Rllssia ill aullllllll I ~<)(,

2_ Mode of operation

Method On fields that had just been harvested feeding patches were created. The choice of a field was made on the basis of previously ascertained use made of that land by the cranes. At regular intervals small piles of bait

were laid. After each capture attempt the remaining bait was removed. The bait consisted of grain mixed with alphachlorolose in the proportion of 10 grammes alphachlorolose to 5 kilogrammes of grain. A little water was added to the grain in a pail after which the alphachlorolose was added under continuous stirring.

The weather Inhabitants of the research area said a cold and wet spring and summer had been followed by predominantly nice weather during the late summer. From 21 August to 3 September the weather was dry except for some sporadic rainfall. In the first week, temperatures during the day were between 20 to 24 degrees Centigrade, later dropping to about 18 degrees. The wind mainly blew from a western direction. After the third of September the temperature dropped to a maximum of 5 degrees Centigrade during the day and to circa zero degrees at night. Then it rained almost daily and the wind direction turned to predominantly north east.

The way time was spent. At the beginning of the research on 21 August harvesting had not yet started and there were few cranes. The first days were spent reconnoitering the area. On 27 August harvesting began, be it only in a small way. After that the numbers of cranes increased noticeably. The following days were spent in obtaining an impression about the numbers. Especially, trying to find a suitable spot for capture attempts took much time. For that purpose the area was searched for harvested fields. On 1. and 2 September two capture attempts took place. On the third of September followed a count of the entire research area plus an adjoining part by aeroplane. After that a new capture location had to be found, because no more cranes were sighted on the fields of previous attempts. On the sixth of September the third and last capture attempt took place. Two days later no more cranes were spotted on this field. From that moment the weather deteriorated. We decided to stop trying to catch birds for the time being. In the entire research area the number of cranes decreased.

3. Results

Attempts to capture the birds We chose a hiding-place from where we had a good view of the capturing location. When, after waiting for some hours, the cranes were still too far removed from the capturing locations without showing any intention of going there, it was attempted to drive them in the right direction using a car. That, however, did not work: the cranes flew up and, at best, landed a few hundred metres farther on. There were capture attempts on the first, second and sixth of September (see: appendix 2). During these three attempts we failed in catching any cranes.

Numbers Kargopol possibly is an important area for cranes. Thousands of birds visit the area for a shorter or longer stay as a halfway stage from and to the nesting and wintering areas. Further research may clarify the position of the area in the European part of Russia and outside of it. During the investigation period a record was kept of the number of birds and bird groups on a daily basis. On the basis of this the average group size has been calculated. Of all passing birds the direction in which they flew has been noted. Besides this we looked at the proportion of old to young birds chiefly in groups on the ground. For the basic data the reader is referred to appendix 1. Toponyms used in the basic data can be found on the map (figure 2).

24

o 10 20 , km

27

13 14

6 Craocs (Gm, gm.,) in NW-Russia in autulIlH 1996

o " '" '" ..

Figure 2. Toponyms used in the basic data (appendix 1).

For an explanation of the numbers: look at appendix 1.

During the research period a total of 3.887 cranes were counted (figure 3). A group contained 24 birds on average. The largest group counted 780. By drawing them on the map, noting directions of flight and time of sighting. it has been attempted to exclude double countings of groups or individual birds as far as possible. The total number of 3.887 cranes was reached by adding up each day's maximum. It seems likely. because of the surface area and the structure of the research area that groups were not counted. On the other hand, it is not known how long the cranes stayed in the area. To make a well-founded estimation of numbers, structured countrngs will be necessary. We don't think it justifiable to come to an estimation of numbers fn the area on the basis of the mostly electively collected numbers.

7 Crallcs r( j/7/S g/7/S) ill NW-Russra ill autunru I <)<)()

800

600 -- - - -

400

21

Figure 3. Total number of cranes per day of counting represented in the number of individuals.

During a counting from an aeroplane on the third of September in which a part of the research area was counted and a part outside of it, a total of 3.728 birds were counted (see: appendix 3). In 15 groups all sighted within the research area during the entire period, we looked at the proportion of adult to young birds. We found the older birds to be the majority (73%) to 27% young birds.

The data on flight direction of passing birds were used to find out where possible sleeping places or forage places were.

A word of thanks There are many people we owe our thanks. We would like to mention some of them. Trinus Haitjema and Bernhard Spaans helped us to find our way in the world of the catching of big birds. Vincent van den Berk (LNV) attempted to smooth en our contacts with the Russian participants. Wim Fokker (WIWO) taught us about financial matters, especially roubles and dollars. Berend Voslamber established contacts with people and had valuable suggestions on how to make the coloured rings. Special thanks are due to Foske Veerman and Willie Wessels who were always prepared to listen to the latest news about this research, before, during and after it was concluded.

Appendix 1 Basic facts

Legend location

1 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7 8. 9. 10. 11 . 12. 13.

Archangelo village Lapwing black field Ozerki marsh Marsh beartrail Archangelo village north Marsh prim air road Archangelo village south-west Archangelo north Onega Archangelo north from Onega First profile field North from Trinity Snipe.road Little marsh

a CrnlleS (GI7IS gl1ls) in NW-Russia ill autulllll I 'J%

14. 15. 16. 17 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

Little marsh meadow Archangelo south Onega Primair road barn Archangelo west Archangelo Onega Direction Kargopol Marsh prim air road Capture place barn Wolosowo Natasha meadow Bear oats field Trinity Archangelo east Northern part area

9 Cralle,; (I ;m.l gm.l) ill NW-RII"ia III :111111 11111 1')')(,

Date Time 1 Number llDir. I[ Stay 11

Adult 11 Young 11 Loe. 1

21-08-96 9wzw 9 1

22-08-96 11 .00 3 0 3 1

22-08-96 11 .00 8 0 8 1

22-08-96 12,05 13 z 12 1 1

22-08-96 12.25 26 z 26 1

22-08-96 12.40 2 n 2 1

22-08-96 12.45 11 nw 11 1

22-08-96 13.15 6zw 5 1 1

22-08-96 13.45 6 zzw 1

22-08-96 13.45 29 zzw 1

22-08-96 15,50 6 6 1

22-08-96 8.45 2 no 2 1

23-08-96 2

23-08-96 1100 7 7 6 1 2

23-08-96 11,00 34 3

23-08-96 13,50 4 4 4

23-08-96 13.50 8 4

23-08-96 15.05 8 1

23-08-96 15.05 28 1

23-08-96 16.45 7zw 1

23-08-96 16.45 9zw 1

23-08-96 16.45 10 zw 1 23-08-96 16.45 12 zw 1 23-08-96 16.45 14 zw 1

23-08-96 16.45 23 zw 1 23-08-96 18.40 5 z 1 23-08-96 18.40 13 z 1 23-08-96 18,50 6 ono 1 23-08-96 19.12 20 zzw 1 24-08-96 11.10 3zw 3 1 24-08-96 11.20 1 n 1 1 24-08-96 12.30 9zw 2 24-08-96 13.00 3 z 3 2 24-08-96 1300 43 2 24-08-96 13,10 4 2 24-08-96 13.40 5 5 2 3 2 24-08-96 14.25 9 wzw 5 24-08-96 15.00 2 5 24-08-96 15,00 43 5 24-08-96 16.05 5zw 1 24-08-96 16,06 5zw 2 3 1 24-08-96 1606 11 zw 11 1 24-08-96 16.06 21 zw 17 4 1 24-08-96 16,07 22 zw 22 1 24-08-96 16.10 13 zw 13 1 24-08-96 16.15 3zw 3 1 24-08-96 16.15 5zw 5 1 24-08-96 18.00 3 2 1 6 24-08-96 1800 7 7 4 24-08-96 18.02 51 6 24-08-96 20,10 3 n 7 24-08-96 20.10 10 n 7 24-08-96 20.10 10 zo 6 24-08-96 20.10 11 zo 6 24-08-96 20.10 36 zo 6 24-08-96 6.30 8w 8 25-08-96 13.23 8zw 1 25-08-96 16.30 10 1

10 Cralles «1171,\ gl7l.l/ ill NW-I{II",a ill :1111111'1111'),)(,

Date Tim Dir. Stay Adult Young~ 25-08-96 16.30 14 1 25-08-96 19.20 6 zw 1 25-08-96 19.20 18 zw 1 25-08-96 5.30 3 3 10 25-08-96 5.41 1 10 25-08-96 6.13 1 10 25-08-96 6.17 4 4 10 25-08-96 6.20 51 0 51 10 25-08-96 6.25 21 21 10 25-08-96 6.27 17 17 10 25-08-96 6.28 23 23 10 25-08-96 6.29 16 16 10 25-08-96 6.30 28 28 10 25-08-96 6.32 31 31 10 25-08-96 6.35 17 17 10 25-08-96 6.44 6 6 2 4 10 25-08-96 6.45 3 3 10 25-08-96 6.46 4 4 2 2 10 25-08-96 6.50 30 w 10 25-08-96 6.53 3 3 3 10 25-08-96 6.55 3 3 3 10 25-08-96 6.56 1 1 1 10 25-08-96 706 21 21 10 25-08-96 7.18 19 19 10 25-08-96 7.19 8 8 10 25-08-96 7.20 3 nw 3 10 25-08-96 7.21 14 14 10 25-08-96 7.22 3 3 10 25-08-96 7.24 27 27 10 25-08-96 7.30 295 n 295 10 25-08-96 7.35 6 6 10 25-08-96 7.36 4 4 10 25-08-96 7.36 5 5 10 27-08-96 10.45 4zw 1 27-08-96 10.47 3 zzo 2 1 1 27-08-96 10.48 4zw 1 27-08-96 11.15 7zw 7 1 27-08-96 1130 3 z 11 27-08-96 11.30 7 z 11 27-08-96 11.30 10 z 11 27-08-96 12.00 3 5 27-08-96 12.35 3 5 27-08-96 12.35 4 5 27-08-96 12.35 10 5 27-08-96 14.45 4 no 2 2 11 27-08-96 17.45 10 z 12 27-08-96 17.47 3 zw 12 27-08-96 17.47 10 zw 12 27-08-96 17.47 22 zw 12 27-08-96 1758 3 3 2 1 12 27-08-96 17.58 4 4 2 2 12 27-08-96 1800 3 3 12 27-08-96 18.00 5 5 12 27-08-96 18.00 7 7 12 27-08-96 1801 3 3 12 27-08-96 1801 4 2 12 27-08-96 18.01 4 4 12 27-08-96 18.01 7 7 12 27-08-96 18.01 12 12 12

11 ( ' r"lI~' ((jl1ls gI1lS) ill N W-I{Il,ssi" ill ;,,'llllIllI 1'),)(.

1 Date 11

Time 1 Number [~ Stay Adult I Young 11 Lac, I

27-08-96 18,10 420 420 12

27-08-96 18,10 560 560 12

27-08-96 19,00 40 40 12

27-08-96 19,12 3 3 12

27-08-96 19,15 6 6 12

27-08-96 19,16 5 5 12

27-08-96 19,17 140 140 12

27-08-96 19,18 5 5 12

27-08-96 19,32 4 w 2 2 12

27-08-96 19,32 15 w 12

27-08-96 19,32 18 w 12

27-08-96 19,50 4 2 2 12

27-08-96 19,51 2 w 12

27-08-96 19,51 4 w 12

27-08-96 19,54 2 w 2 12

27-08-96 19,54 3 w 3 12

27-08-96 19,54 12 w 12 12

27-08-96 19,54 27 w 27 12

27-08-96 19,55 15 w 15 12

27-08-96 19,55 28 w 28 12

27-08-96 19,56 40 w 40 12

27-08-96 19,58 11 w 11 12 27-08-96 19,59 115 w 115 12 27-08-96 20,00 3 w 3 12 27-08-96 20,00 5 w 5 12 27-08-96 2001 4 w 4 12 27-08-96 2002 5 w 5 12 27-08-96 2003 38 w 38 12 27-08-96 2004 3 0 3 12 27-08-96 20,04 6 0 6 12 27-08-96 20,05 17 w 17 12 27-08-96 2006 3 w 3 12 27-08-96 20,08 42 w 42 12 27-08-96 20,09 4 w 4 12 27-08-96 20,09 9 w 9 12 27-08-96 20,09 10 w 10 12 27-08-96 20,09 31 w 31 12 27-08-96 2009 58 w 58 12 27-08-96 20,10 31 w 31 12 27-08-96 20,11 4 w 4 12 27-08-96 20,11 11 w 11 12 27-08-96 20,12 23 w 23 12 27-08-96 20,13 14 w 14 12 27-08-96 20,14 32 w 32 12 27 -08-96 20,15 2 w 2 12 27-08-96 20,15 6 w 6 12 27-08-96 20,15 14 w 14 12 27-08-96 20,16 3 w 3 12 27-08-96 20,17 9 w 9 12 27-08-96 20,18 28 w 10 12 27-08-96 20,20 13 w 13 12 27-08-96 20.21 3 w 3 12 27-08-96 20.21 4 0 4 12 27-08-96 9,55 5 nnw 4 1 1 28-08-96 11.25 3zw 2 1 1 28-08-96 14,18 10 ono 1 28-08-96 14,18 14 z 1 28-08-96 16,20 4 z 1 28-08-96 17,30 4 z 1

12 Cralles I( il7ls gl7lS) ill NW-Rllssi:1 ill ;1\111111111 1<)<)(,

Date Time Number 1 Dir. 11

Stay I Adult Y

28-08-96 19.12 4 w 12 28-08-96 19.12 5 w 12 28-08-96 19.12 21 w 12 28-08-96 19.12 38 w 12 28-08-96 19.12 70 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 1 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 2 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 3 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 4 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 5 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 7 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 13 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 14 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 30 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 33 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 44 w 12 28-08-96 19.15 56 w 12 28-08-96 6.00 2 2 12 28-08-96 6.00 3 3 12 28-08-96 6.00 5 5 12 28-08-96 6.00 10 10 12 28-08-96 6.00 150 150 12 28-08-96 6.15 1 1 12 28-08-96 6.15 3 3 12 28-08-96 6.15 4 4 12 28-08-96 6.15 5 5 12 28-08-96 6.15 8 8 12 28-08-96 6.15 9 9 12 28-08-96 6.15 10 10 12 28-08-96 6.15 11 11 12 28-08-96 6.15 13 13 12 28-08-96 6.15 14 14 12 28-08-96 6.15 62 62 12 28-08-96 6.30 2 2 12 28-08-96 6.30 3 3 12 28-08-96 6.30 4 4 12 28-08-96 6.30 5 5 12 28-08-96 6.30 6 6 12 28-08-96 6 .30 8 8 12 28-08-96 6.30 9 9 12 28-08-96 6.30 11 11 12 28-08-96 6.30 13 13 12 28-08-96 6.30 16 16 12 28-08-96 6.30 18 18 12 28-08-96 6.30 19 19 12 28-08-96 6.30 27 27 12 28-08-96 6.45 1 1 12 28-08-96 6.45 2 2 12 28-08-96 6.45 4 4 12 28-08-96 6.45 6 6 12 28-08-96 6.45 12 12 12 28-08-96 6.45 14 14 12 28-08-96 6.45 21 21 12 28-08-96 6.45 28 28 12 28-08-96 7.00 4 4 12 28-08-96 7.00 14 14 12 28-08-96 7.15 2 z 12 28-08-96 7.15 3 z 12 28-08-96 7 15 4 z 12

I Da~1 Time I Number DiL I Stay 1

Adult I Young 11 Loc I

28-08-96 7.15 5 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 6 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 8 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 9 z 12

28-08-96 7 .15 13 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 14 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 16 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 20 z 12

28-08-96 7.15 27 2 12

28-08-96 7.15 36 2 12

28-08-96 7.30 2 2 12

28-08-96 7.30 6 2 12

28-08-96 7.30 9 2 12

28-08-96 7.30 14 z 12

28-08-96 7.30 16 z 12

28-08-96 7.30 17 z 12

28-08-96 7.30 33 z 12

29-08-96 10.50 4 4 11

29-08-96 11 .15 3 3 11

29-08-96 1115 4 4 11

29-08-96 11 .17 70 70 11

29-08-96 11 .17 300 300 11 29-08-96 15 .00 9 20 1 29-08-96 16 .00 120 z 13 29-08-96 16.00 260 z 13 29-08-96 17.10 4 13

29-08-96 17 .10 5 13

29-08-96 17.10 7 13

I 29-08-96 17 .10 10 13 29-08-96 17 .10 22

I 13

29-08-96 17 .30 780 780 14 29-08-96 18.25 1 n 15 29-08-96 18.25 3 z 15 29-08-96 18 .25 4 72.W 15 29-08-96 18.25 6 z 15 29-08-96 18 .25 14 z 15 29-08-96 18.30 4 W 15 29-08-96 18.30 5 z 15 29-08-96 18 .30 6 w 15 29-08-96 18.30 32 w 15 29-08-96 18 .35 4 w 15 I 29-08-96 18.35 72 W 15 29-08-96 18.42 4 W 15 29-08-96 18.42 7 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 9 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 10 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 12 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 24 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 32 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 34 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 60 w 15 29-08-96 18.42 70 w 15 29-08-96 18.45 4 0 15

129-08-96 19 .00 4 w 15 29-08-96 19.00 6 w 4 2 15 29-08-96 19 .00 8 w 15 29-08-96 545 1 no 12 29-08-96 545 1 0 12

1 ~9-08 -96 1600 2 0 12 -

14 l rancs {(jms gm,,) III NW-I{lI.s,ia ill allllllllll 1')')(,

0 Number 1 OiL 11

Stay 1

Adult Young Loc.

29-08-96 6.00 4 0 12 29-08-96 6.00 5 0 12 29-08-96 6 .00 7 0 12 29-08-96 6.00 18 0 12 29-08-96 6.00 23 0 12 29-08-96 7.30 5 5 12 29-08-96 7.30 7 7 12 29-08-96 7.30 10 10 12 29-08-96 7.30 40 40 12 30-08-96 13.55 23 z 15 30-08-96 13.55 27 z 15 30-08-96 14.28 4 z 1 30-08-96 14.28 51 z 15 30-08-96 14.38 3 z 17 30-08-96 14.38 4 z 17 30-08-96 14.38 7 z 17 30-08-96 14.40 19 z 17 30-08-96 14.42 4 z 18 30-08-96 14.42 7 z 18 30-08-96 14.45 44 n 17 30-08-96 15.05 3 z 15 31-08-96 12.40 4 2 2 16 31-08-96 12.40 80 80 16 31-08-96 12.40 160 160 16 31-08-96 1305 140 140 19 31-08-96 13.35 3 3 2 1 19 31-08-96 13.35 4 4 2 2 19 31-08-96 13 .35 6 6 4 2 19 31-08-96 13.35 7 7 4 3 19 31-08-96 13.35 8 8 7 1 19 31-08-96 13.35 70 70 51 19 19 31-08-96 13.35 204 204 180 24 19 31-08-96 13.35 250 250 19 31-08-96 18.00 34 34 20 31-08-96 18.52 140 140 20 31-08-96 19.08 5 5 20 31-08-96 19.08 29 29 20 31-08-96 19.16 5 5 20 31-08-96 19.16 7 7 20 31-08-96 19.20 5 5 20 31-08-96 19.20 6 6 20 31-08-96 19.20 7 7 20 31-08-96 19.23 4 4 20 31-08-96 19.24 3 3 20 31-08-96 19.28 2 2 20 31-08-96 19.28 5 5 20 31-08-96 19.28 7 7 20 31-08-96 19.28 16 16 20 31-08-96 19.28 17 17 20 31-08-96 19 .28 20 20 20 31-08-96 19.28 23 23 20 31-08-96 19.28 33 33 20 31-08-96 19.28 59 59 20 31-08-96 19.29 2 2 20 31-08-96 19.29 9 9 20 31-08-96 19.29 136 136 20 31-08-96 19.36 1 1 20 31-08-96 19.46 4 4 20 31-08-96 19.46 10 10 20

15 Cran~, ()m.l gm.,) ill NW-Rus,;ia in autullln 1<)<)(,

Date Time INumber[~ Stay dui! I Young I Lac .

31-08-96 19.47 16 16 20

31-08-96 19.48 2 2 20

31-08-96 19.48 4 4 20

31-08-96 19.48 8 8 20

31-08-96 19.50 9 9 20

31-08-96 19.52 7 7 20

31-08-96 19.52 12 12 20

31-08-96 19.55 8 8 20

31-08-96 19.56 2 2 20

31-08-96 19.56 4 4 20

31-08-96 19.56 6 6 20

31-08-96 20.00 2 2 20

31-08-96 20.02 12 12 20

31-08-96 2003 2 2 20

31-08-96 2006 10 10 20

31-08-96 20.10 6 6 20

31-08-96 20.12 65 65 20

31-08-96 20.22 14 14 20

31-08-96 20.22 16 16 20

31-08-96 20.26 61 61 20

31-08-96 20.27 4 4 20

31-08-96 20.27 8 8 20

31-08-96 20.27 14 14 20

31-08-96 20.28 10 10 20

31-08-96 6.30 3 3 12

31-08-96 6.30 4 z 4 12

31-08-96 6.30 11 11 12

31-08-96 7.00 1 n 1 12 31-08-96 7.00 2 n 2 12 31-08-96 7.00 4 n 4 12 31-08-96 7.14 6 w 6 12 31-08-96 7.17 29 w 29 12 31-08-96 7.21 9 l 12 31-08-96 7.21 16 l 12 31-08-96 7.45 12 z 12 31-08-96 8.30 6 6 12 31-08-96 8.30 96 96 12 1-09-96 10.08 3zw 3 2 1 21 1-09-96 10.10 4 0 2 2 21 1-09-96 10.11 3 n 21 1-09-96 10.35 4 no 21 1-09-96 10.42 1 1 21 1-09-96 10.42 3 3 21 1-09-96 10.42 4 4 21 1-09-96 10.42 9 9 8 1 21 1-09-96 10.42 14 14 21 1-09-96 10.42 17 17 15 2 21 1-09-96 10.45 5 z 5 21 1-09-96 10.46 8 z 8 21 1-09-96 10.48 5 l 5 21 1-09-96 10.50 4 n 4 21 1-09-96 10.51 3 z 3 21 1-09-96 10.51 9 z 9 21 1-09-96 10.52 4 z 4 21 1-09-96 10.52 6 z 6 21 1-09-96 10.53 8 z 8 21 1-09-96 10.54 2 l 2 21 1-09-96 1054 12 z 12 21 1-09-96 11.02 11 z 11 21

16 Crall':s (GI7IS .1'171.1) iu NW-I{lIssia ill allllllllll 1,),)('

Date Time Number ....... ""~y I Adult I Younq

1-09-96 11.03 6 z 6 21 1-09-96 11.Q3 34 z 34 21 1-09-96 11.04 5 z 5 21

1-09-96 1104 11 z 11 21 1-09-96 11.04 13 z 13 21 1-09-96 11.04 14 z 14 21

1-09-96 11.05 5 z 5 21 1-09-96 11.05 10 z 10 21

1-09-96 11.18 6 z 6 21 1-09-96 11.26 3 z 3 21

1-09-96 11.26 4 n 4 2 2 21 1-09-96 11.26 4 z 4 2 2 21 1-09-96 11.30 3 3 2 1 21 1-09-96 11.30 4 4 2 2 21 1-09-96 15.00 3zw 1 1-09-96 15.00 4zw 1

1-09-96 15.00 5zw 21 1-09-96 6.10 4 4 21 1-09-96 6.15 10 10 21 1-09-96 6.20 4 4 21 1-09-96 6.21 4 4 21

1-09-96 6.22 4 4 21 1-09-96 6.26 13 13 21 1-09-96 6.27 4 4 21 1-09-96 6.28 1 1 21 1-09-96 6.28 4 4 21 1-09-96 6.28 5 5 21 1-09-96 6.28 8 8 21 1-09-96 6.29 9 9 21 1-09-96 6.30 3 3 21 1-09-96 6.31 4 4 21 1-09-96 6.32 3 3 21 1-09-96 6.33 9 9 21 1-09-96 6.36 12 12 21 1-09-96 6.37 26 26 21 1-09-96 7.40 2 2 21 1-09-96 7.40 7 7 21 1-09-96 7.42 12 12 21 1-09-96 7.43 10 10 21 1-09-96 7.45 52 52 21 2-09-96 6.00 6 z 6 21 2-09-96 6.05 3 z 3 21 2-09-96 6.05 4 z 4 21 2-09-96 6.05 10 z 10 21 2-09-96 6.05 15 z 15 21 2-09-96 608 2 z 2 21 2-09-96 6.08 4 z 4 21 2-09-96 6.08 10 z, 10 21 2-09-96 6,08 13 z 13 21 2-09-96 6,08 18 z 18 21 2-09-96 6.08 25 z 25 21 2-09-96 6,12 7 z 7 21 2-09-96 6.14 2 z 2 21 2-09-96 6,14 3 z 3 21 2-09-96 6,14 4 0 4 21 2-09-96 6,14 4 z 4 21 2-09-96 6.14 7 0 7 21 2-09-96 6,14 26 z 26 21 2-09-96 6.16 3 z 3 21

17 Crau~.' /(1171.\ g17l.\) ill NW-I~ll.'.,ia III :lllltllllJl 1')1)6

- .

Date I Time 11 Number\[ OiL Stay Adult Young Loc .

2-09-96 6.16 9 z 9 21

2-09-96 6.16 11 z 11 21

2-09-96 6.18 3 n 3 21

2-09-96 6.18 6 n 6 21

2-09-96 6.18 9 n 9 21

2-09-96 6.25 2 0 2 21

2-09-96 6.25 4 n 4 21

2-09-96 6.27 7 n 7 21

2-09-96 6.30 2 2 1 1 21

2-09-96 6.30 2 2 2 21

2-09-96 6.30 3 2 2 1 21

2-09-96 6.30 3 3 2 1 21

2-09-96 6.30 3 3 3 21

2-09-96 6.30 4 2 2 2 21

2-09-96 6.30 4 4 2 2 21

2-09-96 6.30 5 5 3 2 21

2-09-96 6.30 7 7 3 4 21

2-09-96 6.30 7 7 4 3 21

2-09-96 6.30 10 10 7 3 21

2-09-96 6.30 10 10 10 21

2-09-96 6.30 11 11 11 21

2-09-96 630 12 12 10 2 21

2-09-96 6.30 17 z 17 17 21

2-09-96 7.00 250 250 21

2-09-96 7.05 12 12 21

5-09-96 10.50 2 2 12 5-09-96 10.50 3 3 12 5-09-96 10.54 52 52 22 5-09-96 11.04 500 500 22 5-09-96 12.05 3 3 2 1 22 5-09-96 12.30 290 290 13 5-09-96 12.59 4 nw 1 5-09-96 14.35 25 nw 1 5-09-96 15.10 1 1 1 5 5-09-96 15.10 3 3 2 1 5 5-09-96 15.10 17 17 5 5-09-96 15.15 3 3 5 5-09-96 15.15 4 5 5-09-96 15.18 2 2 2 23 5-09-96 15 .18 4 4 2 2 23 5-09-96 15.18 4 4 3 1 23 5-09-96 15.18 6 6 5 1 23 5-09-96 15.18 460 460 23 5-09-96 17 .00 3 3 2 1 1 5-09-96 19.55 6 z 5 5-09-96 19.55 7 z 5 5-09-96 20.13 7 z 24 5-09-96 20.13 14 z 24 5-09-96 20.13 22 z 24 5-09-96 20.13 64 z 24 6-09-96 10.00 7 7 16 6-09-96 14.40 3 n 2 1 1 6-09-96 6.30 3 w 3 16 6-09-96 6.30 4 w 4 2 2 16 6-09-96 6.30 6 w 6 16 6-09-96 6.30 7 w 7 16 6-09-96 6.30 14 w 14 16 6-09-96 7.00 2 2 2 16 6-09-96 7.00 3 3 2 1 16

18 C'·:III~' I( ,/7/.\ gm.\) ;11 NW-RLlSs;" ;11 .11111111111 I <)<)()

--Date Time Number Dir . Stay Adult Young Loc.

6-09-96 7.00 4 4 2 2 16 6-09-96 7.00 5 5 3 2 16 6-09-96 7.00 8 8 4 4 16 6-09-96 7.00 8 8 6 2 16 6-09-96 7.00 10 10 7 3 16 6-09-96 7.00 453 453 16 8-09-96 10.00 3 3 25 8-09-96 10.00 25 25 25 8-09-96 11.00 1 26 8-09-96 1100 4 n 1 8-09-96 11.00 7 n 1 8-09-96 11.37 4 n 1 8-09-96 13.20 4 no 26 8-09-96 13.20 9 no 26 8-09-96 14.25 3 5 8-09-96 14.25 4 5 8-09-96 14.25 9 5 8-09-96 14.25 10 5 8-09-96 14.25 13 5 8-09-96 14.55 19 z 26 8-09-96 15.30 4 nw 2 2 26 8-09-96 1745 3 z 26 8-09-96 1745 4 z 26 8-09-96 17.50 4 z 2 2 26 8-09-96 9.00 3 z 27 8-09-96 9.00 4 z 27 8-09-96 9.00 5 z 27 8-09-96 9.00 6 z 27 8-09-96 9.00 7 z 27 8-09-96 9.00 7 z 5 2 27 8-09-96 9.00 8 z 27 8-09-96 9.00 14 z 27 9-09-96 13.10 48 48 23 9-09-96 13.18 4 4 23 9-09-96 1503 12 12 23 9-09-96 15.03 18 18 23 10-09-96 13.30 210 210 23 11-09-96 17.30 6 n 3 3 26 11-09-96 17.31 7 0 26 11-09-96 17.32 140 140 26 11-09-96 18.00 19 nw 26 11-09-96 18.30 4 0 26

1I

11-09-96 1842 3 0 3 26 11-09-96 1842 29 0 26 3 26

Appendix 2 Attempts to capture the birds. First attempt. On 30 August a group of cranes is discovered on a recently harvested field, situated along and parallel to the north-south road. It is about 2800 metres long and 1000 metres wide. About halfway down the field, close to the road, is an old shed. The next day there are 250 cranes on this field to the north west of the shed. Later that afternoon the precise spot where they were feeding is located by tracing their droppings.

Preparations. At 600 metres to the north west of the hut this place is marked with 4 sticks. Care is taken that the sticks in the field are visible from the hut. On 1 September, at 05:45 hours, we arrive at the hut. A feeding patch is made: in a straight vertical line in view of the hut. Twenty piles of corn (handfuls) in all are put down, one every 5 metres. We scrape the soil with our boots to lay bare a small patch of earth of a diameter of some 30 centimetres each time, enabling us to take away any untouched bait later Also to the south west of the shed a feeding patch of 16 piles is created in the same way, but this area is not marked with sticks as the recently harvested fields offer natural points of reference: a mound, rock, etc .. Two men watch the south western side while two others watch the north west. At the time the bait is put on the land, at 05:58, the first cranes arrive. At 06:10 we man our observation posts inside the hut.

Course of the capture attempt A ground fog at arrival that, at 06:35, has closed in so much that we are no longer able to see any landing cranes. At 07:38 the fog has lifted. It turns out the cranes are standing a few hundred metres behind the n.w. feeding patch. There is much movement, birds coming and going. At 08:05 they have all left. At 10:10 again cranes arrive that land far behind both feeding patches. At 11 :30 the cranes behind the south western feeding patch fly up. A little later, from a corner of the field, a herd of about 80 cows and a flock of sheep appear, accompanied by a herdsman on horseback. At 11:40 the cranes behind the north western feeding patch flyaway too. Still farther away, on the north side of the field, there are still some 240 cranes. All cranes that remained on the field fly up and disappear. We can't find any direct cause for their leaving. At 14:00 hours we remove and collect the bait and leave.

Second attempt. On 2 September on the spot of the previous day's attempt, we try again. The bait is laid out in the same places, but this time we also put three short rows of ten piles each diagonally across the long row. All piles are at a distance of five metres from each other. Close to the south western feeding patch six models of cranes are placed. We arrive at the field at 05:30, and at 05:55 the first cranes come. At 06:10 we have taken up our positions inside the shed.

Cranes come and go, we count up to 250 animals on the land. At 06:50 all birds have left; after which again several groups land far behind the feeding patches. At 07:25, at short interval, two shots ring out from the edge of the wood along the field. All cranes fly up and disappear. At 8 o'clock a huntsman on a motorbike rushes right across the field. We sight no more cranes, and at 12:15 the site is cleared and we leave.

Third attempt. On the fifth of September a group of cranes is sighted on a recently harvested field. The field lies parallel to the road, is of irregular shape and measures about 2500 by 4000 metres. There is a hut to the east of the field. 800 metres to the north of the hut runs a track right across the field, at the end of which stand some combines. Parallel to the road, approximately 500 m into the field, runs a high-voltage cable. The birds forage directly west of the hut, 50 metres west of the high-voltage cable. When we trace the bird droppings we are satisfied that this is the right spot for another feeding patch.

20 Cran<:s (( jr/ls gms) ill NW-Russia il'l ;mlllnlll 1'1'16

The next morning we arrive on the scene at 05:15. The feeding patch is made as follows: two rows of 50 piles of bait each, with a distance of three metres between the piles. The two rows run parallel to the high­voltage cable, at a distance of 20 metres from each other. At both ends of the two rows· stand models of cranes. Diagonalfy on the farther row -as seen from the hut- we put a third hne of bait stretching out into a westernly direction; one ptl·e every 3 metres, 15 in all. At its end we place two models of cranes. At 05:40 we have finished our preparations and taken up our positions inSide the shed. Dawn is at 06:10; we can look some 500 metres into the distance. At 06:15 the first cranes come, 7 in all. From then on an increasing number of cranes appear. All birds land a few hundred metres to the west of the feeding patch. At 08: 1 0 a boy cycles along the track, at which all birds fly up. Some of them disappear, others circle around for quite some time before they settle again on the land. At 09:25 there are 100 cranes about 200 metres behind the feeding patch. At 09:31 a car drives along the track. The cranes on the field stay where they are. There is stiU a I.ot of movement among the birds: cranes come and go or fly overhead. At 11 :40 the combines start moving and harvesting is continued circa 500 metres behind the cranes. The birds do not react. At 13:50 all cranes leave for no apparent reason. At 15:30 some 500 cranes arrive. They land somewhat to the north of the track. At 16:30 we dear away the feeding patches.

Fourth attempt to capture birds. On the eighth of September we tried a fourth and final time. We used the same field we used on the sixth. But no cranes appear.

Appendix 3

Count from aeroplane On the third of September we counted the birds from the air; we flew at an altitude of approximately 100 metres, speed: c. 150 km/h. We were in the air from 10:17 to 13:06 and from 14:28 to 15:50. A dear sky in the morning, with a good view and no wind. In the afternoon there was some wind: s.w. 3, good sight, cumulus clouds. The temperature in the afternoon was approximately 18 degrees C .. We flew over about 90% of the cultivated land in the research area and also over the area to the south of it. Besides this we visited some of the swamps in the area. Counting was done by one person in the cockpit, two in the cabin on the starboard side and two on the larboard side. In all 3.728 cranes were counted.

Literature

Lovett E., Williams, J.R. s.a., Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Gainesville, FL32601, Capturing and marking Sandhill Cranes

The WIWO report series intends to be a regular medium by which (oc~asi.ona.l) reports of orni.thologi­cal expeditions or journeys can be published. In this way regular .dlstnbutlo~ and availability are guaranteed. Quality differences are accepted, since the authors remam responsible.

W/WO-reporls published;

1. Altenburg, W., M. Engelmoer, R. Mes & T Piersma. 1982. Wintering waders at the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania Comm. 6 Wad den Sea Working Group. Leiden, The Netherlands. Sold out.

2. Kersten, M., T Piersma, C. Smit & P. legers 1983. Wader migration along the Atlantic coast of Morocco, March 1981. /25,-.

3. Philippona, J. 1985. Waterbirds at some wetlands in Turkey and Greece. /4,-. 4. Bijlsma, R.G. & F. E. de Roder 1985. Waders along the coast of Thailand during November and December

1984. /10,-. 5. Roder, F.E. de. 1985. Waterbirds on some Turkish wetlands, October/November 1983. /8,-. 6. Berk, V. van den, R.G. Bijlsma & F.E. de Roder 1985. The importance of some wetlands in Turkey for

transient and wintering birds in Turkey. 110,-. 7 Piersma, T. 1985. Wader studies and waterbirds in the Nakdong Estuary, South Korea, in September 1984.

/12,50. 8. Chalabi, B, J. Skinner, J. Harrison & G. van Dijk 1985. Les zones humides du Nord-Est Algerien en 1984.

/10,-. 9. Ens, B. 1985. Tussen Sahara en Siberie. /5,-. 9. Ens, B. 1985. Entre Sahara et Siberie. Sold out 10. Berk, V van den, D. van Dorp, O. van Hoorn & R. Vas 1986. Cranes and waterfowl counts of some Turkish

wetlands. /7,50. 11. Dijk, AJ. van, K. van Dijk, L. Dijksen, T. van Spanje & E. Wymenga 1986. Wintering waders and waterfowl

in the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia, January-March 1984. }30,-. 12. Bijlsma, R.G. & F.E. de Roder 1986. Notes on the birds of some wetlands in Turkey. /7,50. 13. Dijksen, L.J. & F.J. Koning 1986. Mid-winter waterfowl census, Turkey 1986. /10,-. 14. Schilperoord, L. & M. Schilperoord-Huisman 1986. Observations of waterbirds in some wetlands in Turkey,

July/August 1986. /7,50. 15. Altenburg, W. 1987. Waterfowl in West African coastal wetlands: a summary of current knowledge. /10,-. 16. Bennet, CA, R.G. Bijlsma & R. Stouthamer 1982. Survey of waterbirds on Egyptian wetlands, autumn

1981. Sold out. 17. Schekkerman, H. & J. C. J. van Wetten 1987. An ornithological winter survey of Lake Turkana, Kenya.

17,50 18. Dijksen, L. J. & P. van der Wolf 1987. Mid-winter waterfowl census Turkey January 1987. /7,50. 19. Lensink, R. 1987. Notes on the birds of some wetlands in North-East Greece and Turkey. /7,50. 20. Meininger, P.L. (ed.). 1990. Birds of the wetlands in North-east Greece, spring 1987. /30,-. 21. Dijksen, L. J. & A-M. Chr. Blomert. 1988. Mid-winter waterfowl census Turkey January 1988. Sold out. 22. Have, T. van der, V. M. van den Berk, J. P. Cronau & M. J. Langeveld (eds.) 1988. South Turkey Project. A

survey of waders and waterfowl in the <;:ukurova deltas, spring 1987. Sold out. 23. Altenburg, W & J. van der Kamp. 1989. Etude ornlthologique preliminaire de la zone cOtiere du nord-ouest

de la Guinee. ICBP Study report 30, Sold out. 24. Chalabi, B. & G. van Dijk. 1988. Les zones humides dans la region de Anaba et El Kala en Mai 1987. /7,50. 25. Ens, BJ, T Piersma, w.J. Wolfl, L. lwarts (eds.). 1989. Report of the Dutch-Mauritanian project Banc

d'Arguin 85/86. RIN-report 25, leist, The Netherlands. /30,-. 26. Altenburg, W, E. Wymenga & L. lwarts 1992. Ornithological importance of the coastal wetlands of Gui­

nea-Bissau. Sold out. 27 Ens, B.J, T Piersma, W.J. Wolff & L. lwarts 1990. Homeward bound: Problems waders face when

migrating from the Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, to their northern breeding grounds in spring. WIWO/RIN, leistfTexel. /55,-.

28. Winden, A van, K. Mostert, P. Ruiters, M. S_k_ & H. de Waard 1989. Waders and waterfowl in spring 1988 at Eber G610. 110,-.

29. Berg, A B. van den. 1988. Moroccan Slender-billed Curlew survey, winter 1987-88. ICBP Study report 29, Cambridge. Sold out.

30. Keijl, G.O., M.W.J. van Roomen, P.S. Ruiters & A Wijker 1992. Migration of waders and other waterbirds along the Mediterranean coast of Israel, spring 1989. /20,-.

31. Dijksen, L. J. & A-M. Blomert. 1989. Mid-winter waterfowl census Turkey January 1989. /10,-. 32. Schekkerman, H. & M.W.J. van Roomen (eds). 1993. Migration of waterbirds through wetlands in central

Anatolia. /15,-. 33. Spiekman, H. & N. Groen 1993. Breeding performance of arctic waders in relation to Lemming densities.

Northeast-Taymyr, Siberia, 1992. }15,-34. Berk, V.M. van den, J.P. Cronau & T.M. van der Have 1993. Waterbirds In the Van Province, eastern

Turkey, May 1989. /15,-. 35. Altenburg, W. & J. v. d. Kamp. 1991. Ornithological importance of coastal wetlands in Guinea. WIWO­

report 35 and ICBP Study report 47, lelstlCambridge. /10,-. 36. Have, T.M. van der. S. van der Sant, Y. Verkuil & J. van der Winden (eds.). 1994. Waterbirds in the Sivash,

Ukraine, spring 1992. }20,-. 37. DIJksen, L. J. & A-M. Blomert. 1993. Mid-winter waterfowl census Turkey January 1990. /15,-. 38. Spiekman, H.W, G.O. Keijl & PS RUiters (eds.) 1993. Waterbirds in the Kneiss area and other wetlands,

Tunisia. Eastern Mediterranean Wader Project, spring 1990. /25,-.

39. Wolft, w.J. (ed.) 1998. Waders in Guinea-Bissau, October 1992 - May 1993. The end of the East Atlantic Flyway. /25,-.

40. Meininger, P. L. & G.A. M. Alia (eds.) 1994, Ornithological studies in Egyptian wetlands 1989/90. FORE-report nr. 94 .01, /35,-.

41 . Schepers, F.J. & E.C.L. Marteijn (eds). 1993. Coastal waterblrds in Gabon. /30,-. 42. Hlrschfeld, E., SA Mohamed & T. Stawarczyk 1992, Bahrain wader study 1991. 110,-. 43. Brehme S., T MOIler & J. Redlich 1992. Bird observations In the Danube delta and in the Dobrodgea

(Romania). /10,-. 44. Spiekman, H. 1992. Wader ringing in Tunisia 1962-1986. /10, •. 45. Hustings, F. & K. van Dijk (eds.) 1994. Bird census In the Kizilirmak delta, Turkey, in spring 1992.125,-. 46. Meininger, P.L., P.A. Wolf, D.A. Hadoud & M.FA Essghaier 1994. Ornithological survey of the coast of

Libya, July 1993. 115,-. 47. Groen, N.M. & P.J. Zomerdijk (eds.) 1994. Waders and waterbirds along part of the Atlantic coast of

Morocco. autumn 1991-spring 1992. /20,-. 48. Kivit, HA, H. Nijmeijer & A. Ovaa (eds.) 1994. Wader and waterfowl migration In the Cukorova deltas,

South Turkey, sping 1990. /25,-. 49. Hagemeijer, W.J.M. (ed.) 1994. Wintering waterbirds in the coastal wetlands of Albania, 1993. /20,-. 50. Dijksen, L.J. & M.C.M. Klemann 1994. Wintering geese In Turkey, january 1992. 115,-. 51 . Gerritsen, G.J. & N.M. Groen 1995. Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit project 1993. /15,-. 53. De Nobel, W.T (ed.) 1995. Birds of the Messolonghi wetlands. Eastern Mediterranean Wader Project,

spring 1990. /25,-. 54. Have, T.M. van der, N. Bacelli, G.O. Keijl, & M. Zenatello 1997. Waterbirds in Kneiss, Tunisia, February-

March 1994. /25,- . , 55. Sehekkerman, H. & M. van Roomen 1995. Breeding waQers at Pronchisheneva Lake, Northeastern Taimyr,

Siberia , in 1991. /20,-. 56. Brink, B. van den, R.G. Bijlsma & T.M. van der Have (eds,). 1998. European Swallows Hirundo rustiea In

Botswana. /20,-. 57. Tulp, I., l.W. Bruinzeel, J. Jukema & O. Stepanova 1997. BreeQing waders at Medusa Bay. Western

Taimyr. in 1996. /20.-. 58. Brink, B. van den, R.G. Bijlsma & T.M. van der Have (eds.). 199B. European songbirds and Barn Swallows

Hirunda rustiea in Ghana: a quest for Constant Effort Sites and swallow roosts in December/January 1996/97./15,-.

59. Veerman, T. & H. Wessels 1998. Cranes (Grus grus) in NW-Russia, autumn 1996. /10,-. 60. Willems. F.J. & E. de Vries 1998, Ecology of Pygmy Cormorants (Phs/scrororsx pygmeaus) at Prespa,

Greece. May-August 1996. /25,-. 61. Tulp, I .. H. Schekkerman, T. Piersma, J. Jukema, P. de Goeij & J. van de Kam 1998. Breeding waders at

Cape Sterlegova, northern Taimyr, in 1994. /25,-.

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WIWO Foundation Working Group International Waterbird

and Wetland Research

WIWO, a foundation according to Dutch law, was established in 1983to form an initiative-supporting centre for Dutch ornithologists who organised ornithological expeditions to West Africa, and to encourage that kind of future activities. The aims of WIWO are to initiate, stimulate and organise scientific research on waterbirds and wetlands and to publish the gathered knowledge for conservation of the populations involved and their habitats. WIWO is an organi­sation working only with unpaid volunteers which have a varying scientific background. The research data collected in the field during WIWO-projects require often laborious efforts at home to evaluate, analyse and report them. Up 10 1995 more than 50 projects have been carried out in 18 different countries.

During the expeditions important data have been collected on waterbirds in a large number of wetlands along the entire East Atlantic Flyway, Mediterranean Flyway and in the Arctic. Furthermore, information has been collected on the function, impor­tance and extent of protection and threats to the studied wetlands. WIWO's main role is to gather knowledge on migration, wintering and breeding of waterbirds and their habitats, to provide a sound basis for the conservation of the populations and areas concerned. The results are made available to all organisations and individuals active in nature conservation through a series of WIWO-reports as well as scientific and popular papers. Up to 1994 about 50 reports and more than 120 articles have been published. WIWO does not act as co-ordinating organisations such as Birdlife International and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (lUCN). The main strength of WIWO is its capability to mobilise volunteers with a professional attitude for ornithological research expeditions.

All correspondence should be sent to WIWO, P.O. Box 925, NL-3700 AX Zeist,

The Netherlands.

WIWO-report Nr. 59 1998