Sociable Plover
Status: III category, Critically Endangered, CR, A3bc. Endemic to Kazakhstan and Russia. The only representative of the genus, a monotypic species.
Distribution general and in the country. Steppes of Eurasia from Ukraine to Eastern Kazakhstan. In Kyrgyzstan, it has not been studied; there are fragmentary reports of sightings of the Sociable Plover on the western shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in the 1970s. [87].
Habitat. Characteristic of steppe and semi-desert zones, essentially meeting the requirements of the foothills of the Tien Shan, with a steppe vegetation type. Typical nesting sites are dry steppes with patches of solonchaks, areas with very sparse vegetation. During summer and autumn migrations, it can be found everywhere in steppe areas. During migrations, it stays near water bodies but on dry areas [86].
Population. No exact data available. The population is decreasing everywhere, in Kazakhstan it has decreased fourfold compared to the 1970s [88]. On May 9, 2003, three individuals were observed in the area of the village of Ananyevo (northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul), with a photo available [89].
Life cycle (lifestyle). Depending on the location and year characteristics, it arrives at nesting sites from early March to mid-May. It nests in Kazakhstan in the Naursum and Kurgaldzhin reserves. It has not been found nesting in Kyrgyzstan. The nest is made in a depression and on a flat surface, often under the cover of a tuft of grass. They often nest in colonies, sometimes with several dozen nests [87]. The clutch consists of 4 eggs, with an incubation period of 21-25 days. If the first clutches fail, there may be repeats. Both male and female participate in incubation [39]. Their diet mainly consists of insects: darkling beetles, weevils, grasshoppers, beetles, and moth caterpillars [90].
Limiting factors. Cattle grazing in nesting areas, nest destruction by rooks. [67, 88].
Breeding (keeping in captivity). In Russia, incubation of 3 eggs was conducted, resulting in 2 chicks, one of which was raised [90].
Existing conservation measures. Hunting is prohibited. The species is listed in the Red Data Book of the USSR and the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. It is protected at nesting sites in the Naursum and Kurgaldzhin reserves.
Recommended conservation measures. Protection of steppe areas from fires and overgrazing. Public awareness campaigns. It is necessary to survey areas characteristic for the presence of this species.
Чёл ызгыты
Sociable Plover
Vanellus gregarius (Pallas, 1771)
Status: III category, Critically Endangered, CR, A3bc. Monotypic species. Endemic in Russia and Kazakhstan. Seen in Issyk-Kul oblast. Prefers semi-desert and steppe habitats with scarce vegetation and salt-marshes. No data on exact numbers, but it has reduced. For instance, in Kazakhstan, the numbers have been reduced four times over the last 30 years. There were 3 birds registered on the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake in 2003. No evidence of nesting in Kyrgyzstan yet. The nest is a small depression on the ground under the grass, breeds often in colonies, lays 4 eggs, incubation period is 21-25 days. If the first egg laying is lost, the Sociable Plover can go for a second one. Both sexes share domestic duties. Feeds on insects, beetles, grasshoppers, and larvae. Limiting factor is overgrazing; a natural enemy is the Rook, which hunts eggs and nestlings. There is one successful captivity breeding case in Russia. Included in the Kazakh and USSR Red Book. It is recommended to protect suitable habitats against fire and overgrazing, conduct public awareness campaigns, and investigate sites suitable for nesting.
