Breeding Distribution, Migrations and Conservation Status of the Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris in Russia

Abstract

All known published and unpublished Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris breeding records, and probable breeding indications, have been reviewed. For 15 sites, breeding is confirmed by nests or unfledged chicks. The available information allows a general delineation of the breeding range to be made, although in some cases this is very approximate. The species occupies alpine and sub-alpine habitats in north-east Siberia and north Far East Russia at, and above, the upper tree line, at altitudes below 1000 m asl in the eastern half and usually above 1000 m asl in the western half of the breeding range. Vegetation mapping is used to assist in defining the probable breeding range. Literature, specimens and unpublished data from several observers are used to characterise the migrations of Great Knot within the Russian part of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. On northward migration, birds pass non-stop hrough the region for a few days in late May; a limited number of emergency stop-over sites have been identified. In contrast to previous views, only a few non-breeding Great Knots occur on the Russian Far East coast. Post-breeding migration starts in late June and seems to occur in three waves in the northern Sea of Okhotsk up to early September. There are indications that non-breeders, failed breeders and females migrate southward first, followed by males which have bred successfully. The final wave consists of young birds. In the more southern regions, the first migration wave is not pronounced, and migration of young birds lasts through October. Estuaries and bays in the north-eastern and north-western parts of the Sea of Okhotsk and in northern Sakhalin Island are very important staging areas on south-ward migration. These are almost certainly being used for refuelling before long non-stop flights further south towards Australia.