Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Snow Goose Anser caerulescens

Classification

Polytypic. Two subspecies have been described: the nominate form from northern Russian Far East, northern Alaska, east to Baffin Island; and A.c. atlanticus breeds in northwestern Greenland and islands in northern Baffin Bay.

Distribution

Nearctic, with extending to Eastern Asia. The species breeds in northern North America and northern Russian Far East , and winters in the temperate latitudes of North America and Eastern Asia. The nominate form only occurs in Eastern Asia, breeding in Russian Arctic, in a large colony on the Wrangel Island and in small colonies along the Arctic tundra of Far East west to Yana Delta, with a historical breeding record in the Lena Delta. The species winter in small flocks in China and Korea. Japan had lost large regular wintering flocks before the end of 19th century and now has no regular wintering site (Takekawa et al. 1994).

Movements

Migratory. Marked birds from the colonies on Wrangel Island and in the Kolyma Lowlands migrate through Chukot Peninsula and Alaska to the wintering area in the Pacific Coast of North America (Bellrose 1980, USGS-BRD unpublished data). Little information has been obtained on the migration of the species to the wintering range in Eastern Asia, although flocks on migration have been observed in northern Kamchatka in spring (Gerasimov & Gerasimov 1995b).

Population limits

Asian populations of the nominate subspecies breeding in northern Russian Far East winter in two largely discrete wintering areas: in Eastern Asia currently with small numbers but historically with large numbers; and in the Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia, California to Mexico. Birds breeding at colonies of Wrangel Island and in the Kolyma Lowlands have been confirmed to be wintering in North America.

Population size

• Northern Far East / Alaska / California / Mexico: 65,000 (USFWS & CWS 1996). 1% level 650.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated for this population as for "Wrangel Island (breeding)" at 65,000 following USFWS & CWS (1996).
• Northern Far East / Eastern Asia: <300 (Gerasimov & Gerasimov 1995a). 1% level 3.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated for this population at <300 following Gerasimov & Gerasimov (1995a).

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Russia
Novosibirskie Islands	N7430E14230	Breeding	-	-	11	Syroechkovski Jr. pers. com.
Wrangel Island	N7130W17930	Nesting	45000	1997summer	11	Baranyuk, V.V. pers. comm.
Kolyma Lowlands	N7000E15700	Breeding	60	1993-1995	11	Andreev 1997
Cape Billings	N6900E17600	Summering	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Korea, Republic of
Ch'olwon Basin	N3815E12713	Wintering	21	1993-1996	11	Kim et al. 1996
China
Poyang Lake	N2854E11616	Wintering	4	1990/91winter	11	AWC

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Emperor Goose Anser canagica

Classification

Monotypic.

Distribution

Confined to the both sides of Beringian land bridge, breeding in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and Seward Peninsula of Alaska and coast of Chukot Peninsula of Russia, and wintering in the Aleutian and Komandorski Islands.

Movements

Migratory, dispersing throughout the Aleutian and Komandorski Islands south to southeastern coast of Kamchatka during winter, and most spending one to two months during both spring and autumn migration along the north shore of the Alaska Peninsula (Petersen and Gill 1982).

Population limits

Only one population is recognised, viz. the entire population of the species.

Population size

• Entire population: Alaska / Northeastern Siberia / Aleutian Islands: 45,000-80,000 (Callaghan in prep). 1% level 600.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 165,000 following (Ellis-Joseph et al. 1992). Callaghan (in prep.) estimated 45,000-80,000 based on interpretation of available information, USFWS & CWS (1996) and Schmutz et al. (1997).

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
USA
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta	N6100W16500	Breeding	55000	1985-1998	1	Bowman et al. 1998
Alaska Peninsula	N5600W16100	Staging	80000	1981-1998	1	Petersen et al. 1994, USFWS unpubl.
Aleutian Islands	N5200W17600	Wintering	-	-	11	Petersen et al. 1994
Russia
Vankaremskaya Lowlands	N6800W17700	Moulting	2000	1970summer	11	Andreev 1993
Chukot Peninsula	N6700W17500	Moulting	3000	early 1990s	11	Schmutz & Kondratyev 1995
Kolyuchin Bay Tundra	N6630W17700	Moulting	3500	1970s	11	Andreev 1993
Mechigmensky Bay	N6530W17230	Summering	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Kresta Bay	N6530W17800	Summering	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Anadyr Lowlands	N6500E17830	Summering	1400	early 1990s	11	Kondratyev 1992

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Classification

Polytypic. Taxonomic status of subspecies is not clear with 8 to 12 subspecies proposed by different authors. Rose & Scott (1997) have recognised 11 subspecies. The lost Eastern Asia population of the species was described as B. c. asiatica, but is now considered identical with B. c. leucopareia. B. c. leucopareia is listed in the threatened taxa: Vulnerable (Green 1996).

Distribution

Nearctic, extending to Eastern Asia. The Eastern Asia population of the species was known to breed in Komandorski and Kuril Islands and to winter in Japan. But the population was wiped out by around 1935. Since middle of the 20th century, only vagrant individuals of B. c. leucopareia and B. c. minima from North America have occurred in Korea and Japan.

Movements

Natural populations migratory. The lost Eastern Asia population was considered to migrate between breeding sites on Komandorski and Kuril Islands and wintering sites in Japan.

Population limits

The Eastern Asia population of the species was not included in the last two editions of Waterfowl Population Estimates (Rose & Scott 1994, 1997). A joint effort has been made towards the restoration of this lost population since 1991 by Japan, Russia and United States of America. From a conservation stand point this lost population is considered as a separate one.

Population size

• Eastern Asia: 0. 1% level 1.
  

Table of key sites of historical record of flocks

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Russia
Bering Island	N5500E16600	Breeding	-	C19		Stejneger 1887
Chirinkotan Island	N4900E15318	Summering	-	C19		Tikhmenev 1863
Ekarma Island	N4857E15354	Breeding	-	C19		Snow 1897
Ushishir Island	N4730E15245	Breeding	-	C19		Snow 1897
Japan
Yoshida River Basin	N3826E14100	Wintering	-	1910-1935		Yokota 1989
Sendai Rice Fields	N3817E14057	Wintering	-	C18		Suzuki 1990
Sendai Rice Fields	N3817E14057	Wintering	-	1910-1935		Yokota 1989
Koshigaya Rice Fields	N3556E13949	Wintering	10	1922/23winter		Kuroda 1939
Koshigaya Rice Fields	N3556E13949	Wintering	5	1928/29winter		Kuroda 1939
Tokyo Bay - Shinhama Coast	N3540E13955	Wintering	101	1921/22winter		Kuroda 1939

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Classification

Polytypic. Four subspecies have been described: the nominate form from northern Siberia; B. b. orientalis from northeastern Siberia; B. b. nigricans from the estreme northeastern Far East and western North America; B. b. hrota from northeastern Canada and Greenland. The validity of orientalis has often been questioned, being lumped with nigricans, and this is adopted in this Atlas.

Distribution

Holarctic, breeding at high latitudes in northern Europe, Asia and North America, and wintering south to middle Europe, Eastern Asia and the middle of North America south to Mexico. One subspecies occurs in the Eastern Eurasia. B. b. nigricans breeds in the Arctic tundra from the east of the Taimyr in Russia to the central Canadian Arctic, and winters on the coasts of China, Korea and Japan in Eastern Asia and Pacific coast of North America south to Baja California.

Movements

Migratory, wintering at traditional sites mostly at temperate latitudes. Inland migration of large numbers of flocks from northeastern China to Lena Basin, Russia, was known, but the number decreased drastically in middle of the 20th century (Kistchinski & Vronski 1979, Labutin et al. 1988). Concentrations in autumn of up to 5,000 individuals have been recorded since 1980s in eastern Kamchatka, Russia (Gerasimov & Gerasimov 1995b) and eastern Hokkaido, Japan. It is suggested that a part of the birds staging in eastern Hokkaido spend the winter in Japan while the others proceed to the coasts of Korea to China (Lane & Miyabayashi 1997). More recent surveys in eastern Hokkaido in the 1997/98 winter by JAWGP (unpublished) suggest that nearly 2,000 individuals returned to eastern Hokkaido from the coasts of Korea and China in their northward migration.

Mixed flock of families and non-breeders banded in the Anadyr Lowlands and Kolyma Lowlands, Russia, found along the Pacific coast of North America (Ward, D.H., pers. comm. 1997). A number of individuals marked along the Pacific Flyway of North America have been observed in Russian Arctic west to the Lena Delta as non-breeders (Syroechkovski Jr. 1997a). Up to 10 birds from amongst more than 30,000 individuals banded in Alaska have occurred in Japan in winter (Derksen et al. 1996).

Population limits

Rose & Scott (1997) recognised two populations in Asia: Kamchatka / Japan (nigricans) population and Korea / China (orientalis) population. However, recent observations in eastern Hokkaido have suggested a movement between Hokkaido and Korea and China (Lane & Miyabayashi 1997 and JAWGP unpublished data). There has been no report of a morphological differentiation between the subspecies nigricans and orientalis in the flocks staging in eastern Hokkaido. It thus appears difficult to separate two populations that winter in Eastern Asia. The Pacific population of North America has its breeding area in the easternmost part of the Russian tundra (west to Kolyma Lowlands) and non-breeders spread west to the Lena Delta. The European population of the nominate form breeds mainly on the Taimyr, but a recent scattered expansion further east to western Lena Delta has been reported (Syroechkovski Jr. 1997a).

Population size

• Branta bernicla nigricans: Eastern Pacific (wintering): 126,500 (USFWS & CWS 1996). 1% level 1,270.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 126,500 following USFWS & CWS 1996.
• Branta bernicla nigricans: Eastern Asia: 5,000. 1% level 50.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 5,000 for population of Kamchatka / Japan and 1,700 for population wintering in Korea / China. Lane & Miyabayashi (1997) suggested onward southward migration of more than 4,000 individuals from eastern Hokkaido to the coasts of Korea and China of the c. 5,000 individuals stopping over in eastern Hokkaido. The most up-to-date count in the eastern Hokkaido is 4,700 (average of 1995/96 - 1997/98 winters, JAWGP unpublished data).

  It is difficult to estimate the total population on the basis of estimates or counts on wintering grounds. However, a summary of the available estimates and counts is 1,000-1,500 in China (Lu 1996b), 200 in the Republic of Korea (Park, J-Y. pers. comm. 1999), and 800 in Japan (average of 1995/96 - 1997/98 winters, JAWGP unpublished data). An estimate of 5,000 birds for total Eastern Asia population is proposed, based on the concentration in eastern Hokkaido during southward migration.

Table of key sites (important for the population of: ea = Eastern Asia; ep = Eastern Pacific)

Site	Coordinates	Season	Pop	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Russia
Novosibirskie Islands	N7430E14230	Moulting	?	-	-	11	Syroechkovski Jr. pers. com.
Lena Delta	N7300E12500	Breeding	ea	127	1997summer	11	Syroechkovski Jr. 1997a
Wrangel Island	N7130W17930	Moulting	ep	4200	1989-1991	11	Ward et al. 1993
Chaunskaya Tundra	N6930E17000	Summering	ep?	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Kresta Bay	N6530W17800	Summering	ep?	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Mechigmensky Bay	N6530W17230	Summering	ep?	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Anadyr Lowlands	N6500E17830	Summering	ep	2000	early 1990s	11	Kondratyev 1992
Ol'skogo Liman	N5936E15118	Staging	ea?	60	1997spring	11	Dorogoy 1997
Motykleiskii Bay	N5930E14848	Autumn	ea?	-	-	11	Andreev 1993
Malamvayam Lagoon (Geese Lagoon NR)	N5745E16227	Autumn	ea?	5000	1980s	11	Gerasimov 1995
Avachin Bay	N5300E15800	Staging	ea?	200	1994spring	11	Gerasimov & Gerasimov 1995b
Japan
Notsuke Bay	N4335E14518	Wintering	ea	3500	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Lake Furen-ko	N4315E14514	Wintering	ea	2000	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Biwase Bay	N4305E14506	Wintering	ea	120	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Hakodate Bay	N4140E14030	Staging	ea	500	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Northern Mutsu Bay	N4115E14110	Wintering	ea	190	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Southern Mutsu Bay	N4050E14100	Wintering	ea	73	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Northern Coast of Shimokita	N4030E14140	Wintering	ea	60	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
South Sanriku Coast	N3849E14134	Wintering	ea	70	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
Gamou Coast	N3820E14100	Wintering	ea	300	-	11	Miyabayashi 1994
China
Changshan Islands	N3808E12046	Wintering	ea	1200	1992/93winter	11	AWC

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea

Classification

Monotypic.

Distribution

Mainly Palearctic, with a wide breeding distribution from southeastern Europe through the Middle East and central Asia to the region of Lake Baikal and Mongolia. In Eastern Eurasia, breeds in central Asia, southern Siberia, Mongolia and western China south to northern India, and winters in Southern, Southeastern (south to Thailand) and southern East Asia.

Movements

Migratory in Eastern Eurasia, wintering temperate to sub-tropic latitudes from India to China.

Population limits

No discrete populations are identifiable and two wintering groups are recognised in Eastern Eurasia (Perennou et al. 1994): (1) Southern Asia (from Pakistan to Myanmar) and (2) Eastern Asia (from China to Korea and south to Thailand).

Population size

• Central / Southern / Southeastern Asia: 50,000 (Perennou et al. 1994). 1% level 500.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 50,000, following Perennou et al. (1994).
• Eastern Asia: 50,000-100,000. Provisional numerical criterion 750.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 25,000-100,000, following Perennou et al. (1994). The most up-to-date population estimates or counts in the wintering range are: 50,000 (Lu 1995) in China and 4,000 in the Republic of Korea (Park, J-Y. pers. comm. 1999). There is no reliable estimate of the population wintering in Southeastern Asia. Based on the information available, a revised total population of 50,000-100,000 is proposed.

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Korea, Republic of
Chonsu Lake	N3640E12625	Wintering	767	1995/96winter	11	AWC
China
Huayan Rese.	N3910E11320	Wintering	800	1991/92winter	11	AWC
Qingxu	N3730E11220	Wintering	750	1991/92winter	11	AWC
Qing Dao	N3610E12010	Wintering	1000	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Hei Gang Kuo (Yellow River Delta)	N3408E11404	Wintering	2000	-	11	Wang et al. 1994
Yancheng Shore	N3330E12015	Wintering	2277	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Dongtai Liulishe	N3240E12050	Wintering	1910	1991/92winter	11	AWC
Gaoyou And Shabo Lakes	N3235E11920	Wintering	1000	1989/90winter	11	AWC
Lhasa He (Lhasa River)	N2938E09105	Wintering	2170	1991-1993	11	Bishop et al. 1997
Yarlung River Basin near Gonggar	N2930E09145	Wintering	470	1991-1993	11	Bishop et al. 1997
Yarlung River Basin near Shigatse	N2920E08935	Wintering	1480	1991-1993	11	Bishop et al. 1997
Dangquezangbu River	N2920E08425	Breeding	1000	1988summer	11	Piao & Liu 1994
Yangcaoyongcou (Yamdrok Tso)	N2900E09040	Wintering	788	1991/92winter	11	AWC
Poyang Lake	N2854E11616	Wintering	800	1990/91winter	2	AWC
Caohai Reserve	N2650E10415	Wintering	20000	1992/93winter	5	AWC
Dashanbao	N2600E10400	Wintering	800	1991/92winter	11	AWC
Myanmar
Irrawaddy R.: Mandalay-Singu	N2100E09455	Wintering	894	1992/93winter	11	AWC
Ket Ku In	N2100E09450	Wintering	2500	1992/93winter	11	AWC
Irrawaddy R.: Sinbyukyun-Minbu	N2022E09447	Wintering	850	1989/90winter	11	AWC
Irrawaddy R.: Magwe-Minbu	N2010E09455	Wintering	498	1988/89winter	11	AWC
Inma-Gyi (Vishnu) Lake	N2000E09522	Wintering	561	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Irrawaddy R.: Magwe-Myede	N1950E09457	Wintering	550	1989/90winter	11	AWC
Letkok Kon	N1620E09610	Wintering	11316	1993/94winter	10	AWC
Motar Lay		Wintering	1018	1993/94winter	11	AWC

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna

Classification

Monotypic.

Distribution

Palearctic, with a somewhat fragmented breeding distribution from coastal western Europe east through southern Europe, the Middle East and central Asia to northeastern China. In Eastern Eurasia, breeds in central Asia, southern Siberia, Mongolia and northeastern China, and winters in Southern, Southeastern (recorded south to Vietnam and Thailand) and Eastern Asia.

Movements

Migratory in Eastern Eurasia, wintering temperate latitudes.

Population limits

Two populations are recognised in Eastern Eurasia (Perennou et al. 1994): (1) Southern Asia and (2) Eastern Asia.

Population size

• Central / Southern Asia: 10,000 (Perennou et al. 1994). 1% level 100.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 10,000, following Perennou et al. (1994).
• Eastern Asia: 100,000-150,000. 1% level 1,250.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 60,000, following Perennou et al. (1994). The most up-to-date population estimates or counts in the wintering range are: 100,000 (Lu 1995) in China, 30,000 in the Republic of Korea (Park, J-Y. pers. comm. 1999), and 900 in Japan (average of 1992/93 - 1996/97 winters, WPD-EAJ 1997). There is no reliable estimate of the population wintering in Southeastern Asia. Based on the information available, a revised total population of 100,000-150,000 is proposed.

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Korea, Republic of
Kum River	N3604E12649	Wintering	1392	1994/95winter	11	AWC
Nakdong gang Estuary	N3508E12854	Wintering	4141	1992-1996	1	Kim et al. 1996
China
Huang He (Yellow River) Delta	N3743E11850	Wintering	3200	-	11	Wang et al. 1994
Linhonghe Kou (Lianyungang Coast)	N3430E11920	Wintering	19216	1991/92winter	11	AWC
Guandong Salt Works	N3423E12008	Wintering	2200	1994/95winter	5	AWC
Xintan Saltworks	N3419E12014	Wintering	6520	1989/90winter	10	AWC
Jiangsu Coast	N3400E12030	Wintering	2200	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Sheyang Salt Works	N3341E12032	Wintering	3100	1991/92winter	10	AWC
Yancheng Shore	N3330E12015	Wintering	6889	1992/93winter	10	AWC
Dongsha Islands	N3325E12040	Wintering	1500	1994/95winter	11	AWC
Hai Feng Farm	N3300E12040	Wintering	3800	1989/90winter	11	AWC
Poyang Lake	N2854E11616	Wintering	2000	1987/88winter	11	AWC
Caohai Reserve	N2650E10415	Wintering	2000	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Mai Po and Deep Bay wetlands	N2232E11400	Wintering	2972	1996/97winter	1	Young L pers.comm.

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos

Classification

Polytypic. Two subspecies are recognized: the nominate form in Southern / Southeastern Asia and Africa, and S. m. sylvicola in tropical South America. The subspecies in South America is sometimes considered a separate species.

Distribution

Pantropical, occurring in Southern Asia (Pakistan to Indochina), sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. The bulk of the population is now confined to India (practically all over the country, but more numerous in the north and west) and Bangladesh, although small numbers of individuals are reported from Nepal and the Southeastern Asian mainland (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). It is now considered extirpated in Pakistan (Roberts 1991) and Sri Lanka (Kotagama and Fernando 1994). It has been recorded once in Fujian Province, southern China (Cheng 1987).

Movements

Locally migratory, depending on local rains and prevailing water conditions.

Population limits

Perennou et al. (1994) found that no discrete populations are identifiable and only population for Southern / Southeastern Asia is recognized.

Population size

• Southern / Southeastern Asia: 6,000 (Perennou et al. 1994). 1% level 60.
  Rose & Scott (1997) and Callaghan (in prep.) estimated 6,000, following Perennou et al. (1994). The stronghold of the population is India, where it is considered to be declining (Grimmett et al. 1998). There is no recent information on the population in Bangladesh. In Southeastern Asia, the situation of species is quite threatened. In Myanmar, small numbers are reported annually during the Asian Waterfowl Census. In Thailand, it is considered a rare resident and winter visitor, and it is doubted whether they breed any longer (Legakul & Round 1991). In Cambodia, it has not been recorded since the 1960s (Mundkur et al. 1995) and is considered a rare resident by Sun Hean et al. (1998). It is reported as a rare resident in the Mekong Delta (Vo Quy & Nguyen Cu 1995). There is no recent record from Laos.

Network of key sites

No key site was identified in Southeastern Asia from the data obtained.

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus

Classification

Polytypic. Two subspecies are generally recognised: the nominate form of Southern and Southeastern Asia, Wallacea and northern New Guinea, and albipennis of northeastern Australia.

Distribution

Pantropical; the nominate form occurring from Pakistan to Southeast Asia, southern China, south to Sulawesi and northern New Guinea; and N. c. albipennis occurring in eastern Queensland, Australia. Only the nominate form occurs in Eastern Eurasia.

Movements

Mostly sedentary, with some dispersive movements in relation to availability of water. Northernmost breeders in southern China migrate to lower altitudes to winter. Rare visitor on islands of northern Philippines, northern Borneo, Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi.

Population limits

Perennou et al. (1994) recognised two populations in Eastern Eurasia: (1) Southern Asia and (2) Eastern / Southeastern Asia. Rose & Scott (1997) recognised a third population: (3) Northeastern New Guinea.

Population size

• Southern Asia: 25,000-100,000 (Perennou et al. 1994). Provisional numerical criterion 500.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 25,000-100,000 following Perennou et al. (1994).
• Eastern / Southeastern Asia: 25,000-1,000,000 (Perennou et al. 1994). Provisional numerical criterion 1,000.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 25,000-1,000,000 following Perennou et al. (1994). Lu (1995) provides an estimate of 50,000 in China.
• Northeastern New Guinea: <1,000 (Rose & Scott 1997). 1% level 10.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated <1,000.

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Thailand
Thale Noi Non Hunting Area	N0753E10010	Wintering	1023	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Thale Sap At Koo Hut Hq Of N.H.A.	N0750E10010	Wintering	3700	1989/90winter	10	AWC
Myanmar
Moyingyi	N1730E09635	Wintering	1163	1988/89winter	11	AWC
Motar Lay		Wintering	2024	1993/94winter	11	AWC

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata

Classification

Monotypic. Near-threatened (IUCN 1996).

Distribution

Confined to Eastern Asia, with a breeding distribution in the southern Russian Far East, northeastern China and Japan, wintering in southeastern China, Korea and Japan.

Movements

Partially migratory, northern breeding populations generally winter at lower latitudes.

Population limits

Perennou et al. (1994) treated the entire species as one single population. Rose & Scott (1997) recognised three populations: (1) China; (2) Korea; and (3) Japan. The movements of the species are poorly understood, and it is rather difficult to delineate the population limits of these three groups in the breeding area. But this treatment is adopted here from a population management and conservation point of view.

Population size

• China: 20,000. 1% level 200.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 15,000 following Lu (in litt. 1992) in Callaghan & Green (1993). Lu (1995) estimated 20,000.
• Korea: 5,000. 1% level 50.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 5,000 following Callaghan & Green (1993). Park, J-Y. (pers. comm. 1999) estimated 5,000 wintering in the Republic of Korea.
• Japan: 40,000. 1% level 400.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 50,000 following Callaghan & Green (1993). The most up-to-date average count of the population wintering in Japan is 19,000, based on a counts made between 1992/93 and 1996/97 (WPD-EAJ 1997). Murofushi, Y. (pers. comm. 1999) estimated that the current wintering population size in Japan is 40,000, based on a questionnaire survey of researchers.

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Russia
Bikin River Basin	N4638E13613	Breeding	140	-	11	Bocharnikov & Shibaev 1996
Korea, Republic of
Taesong'dong & Panmunch'om Marshes	N3757E12642	Wintering	100	1992/93winter	11	Won 1995
Lake Chungju Ho	N3654E12806	Wintering	65	1993/94winter	11	Kim et al. 1996
Paegok Reservoir	N3652E12724	Wintering	82	1993/94winter	11	Kim et al. 1996
Lake Daechung Ho	N3624E12730	Wintering	120	1994-1995	11	Kim et al. 1996
Nonsan Reservoir	N3620E12710	Wintering	48	1995/96winter	11	AWC
Japan
Murasakiduka Golf Course (Reservoir)	N3642E14002	Wintering	821	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
Saku Power Plant (Reservoir)	N3635E13903	Wintering	470	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
Lake Tsukui-ko	N3535E13917	Wintering	353	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
River Hino-gawa	N3525E13322	Wintering	344	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
Tanzawa-ko Reservoir	N3525E13902	Wintering	607	1990/91winter	1	RCDKC-WBSJ 1995
River Ryo-gawa	N3407E13119	Wintering	330	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
Futatsuno Reservoir	N3355E13547	Wintering	1685	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
Shikanogawa Reservoir	N3327E13241	Wintering	2467	1996/97winter	11	EAJcount
China
Xingkai Hu	N4515E13230	Staging	256	1996spring	11	Li et al. 1998
Changbaishan NR	N4200E12810	Breeding	-	-	11	Scott 1989
Jiangsu Coast	N3400E12030	Wintering	421	1990/91winter	11	AWC
Yancheng Shore (300Km)	N3330E12015	Wintering	1744	1989/90winter	11	AWC
Gaoyou And Shabo Lakes	N3235E11920	Wintering	512	1989/90winter	10	AWC
Fuchun Reservoir	N2910E11750	Wintering	540	1990/91winter	11	AWC

Atlas of Key Sites for Anatidae in the East Asian Flyway

Gadwall Anas strepera

Classification

Monotypic. A distinctive form, A. s. couesi, described from Teraina (Washington) Island in the Republic of Kiribati (Central Pacific) has not been seen since its discovery in 1874 and is presumed to be extinct.

Distribution

Holarctic, with a wide breeding distribution at temperate latitudes across North America and Eurasia. In Eastern Eurasia, breeding in temperate latitudes of Siberia, Mongolia, northeastern China and southern Far East Russia to Kamchatka, and wintering in Southern, Southeastern (south to Thailand) and Eastern Asia.

Movements

Partially migratory; wintering temperate regions south to subtropics in Eastern Eurasia.

Population limits

No discrete populations are identifiable (Perennou et al. 1994) and two wintering groups are recognised: (1) Southern Asia; and (2) Eastern Asia (south to Vietnam).

Population size

• Central / Southern Asia (wintering): 150,000 (Perennou et al. 1994). 1% level 1,500.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 150,000, following Perennou et al. (1994).
• Eastern Asia: 500,000-1,000,000. Provisional numerical criterion 7,500.
  Rose & Scott (1997) estimated 25,000-100,000. AWC has recorded up to 22,000 in the region (Perennou et al. 1994). The most up-to-date population estimates or counts in the wintering range are: 500,000 (Lu 1995) in China; 5,000 in the Republic of Korea (Park, J-Y. pers. comm. 1999); and 15,000 in Japan (average of 1992/93 - 1996/97 winters, WPD-EAJ 1997). There is no reliable estimate of the population wintering in Southeastern Asia. Based on the information available, a revised total population of 500,000-1,000,000 is proposed.

Table of key sites

Site	Coordinates	Season	Population/ Count	Period/Date	Importance code	Ref
Korea, Republic of
Chonsu Lake	N3640E12625	Wintering	12000	1989/90winter	11	AWC
Japan
Lake Biwa-ko	N3515E13605	Wintering	5960	1989,94	11	Abe et al. 1995