SummaryWe report a large number of raptors electrocuted on recently erected electricity distribution lines in the open landscapes of the Mongolian steppe and Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China. Upland Buzzards Buteo hemilasius and Saker Falcons Falco cherrug, characteristic raptors of these bioregions, were among those found to be electrocuted. Raptor electrocution was a consequence of poorly designed hardware configurations on anchor poles along surveyed lines on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and, additionally, on line poles in the Mongolian steppe. The design flaws were upright pin-insulators on earthed crossarms and the use of jump wires that passed over crossarms via pin insulators on anchor poles. Targeted mitigation of anchor poles could significantly reduce the incidence of electrocution on the lines surveyed on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, whilst all poles on the lines surveyed in the Mongolian steppe require remediation to make them safe for raptors. The Mongolian steppe and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are bioregions that hold the largest breeding and wintering populations of the globally threatened Saker Falcon. The existing and growing network of dangerous electricity distribution lines in these regions may potentially impact the Saker Falcon population, thus we suggest that preventative and/or mitigation measures are implemented.
Резюме В 2016-2017 гг. мы наблюдали 4 гнезда чёрных грифов (Aegypius monachus) в центральной части Тянь-Шаня в Синьцзяне, на западе Китая, и прослеживали одну молодую птицу с помощью GPS/GSM трекера. Основным методом полевой работы было длительное наблюдение за гнёздами и описание поведения. Продолжительность полевых работ составила около 40 дней и более 500 часов наблюдений. Все гнёзда грифов были построены на восточно-ориентированных скалах на высоте 2300-2900 м над ур. м, расстояние между ними составило 1-3 км. Места для гнёзд -открытые и крутые уступы, наружный диаметр гнёзд -1,1-1,6 м. Во всех наблюдаемых гнёздах кладка состояла лишь из одного яйца (n=4). Период насиживания длился 52-56 дней, птенец вылуплял-ся в середине апреля. Вес птенцов в среднем составлял: после вылупления -160 г, 17 мая -около 1,50 кг, 14 июня -5,65 кг, 14 июля -8,56 кг (близок к весу взрослых). Период выкармливания птенцов очень длинный -90-105 дней в гнезде, и продолжается после вылета птенцов до октября. Недостаток пищи является одной из причин низкого успеха размножения чёрного грифа. Ключевые слова: чёрный гриф, Aegypius monachus, выбор места для гнезда, успех размножения, питание, Тянь-Шань. Поступила в редакцию: 23.12.2017 г. Принята к публикации: 30.12.2017 г. AbstractDuring 2016 and 2017, we observed 4 nests of the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the middle of the Tien Shan Mountains, the west of China, and tried to follow them by the GPS/GSM dataloggers. We continuously observed nesting birds and recorded their behavior. The duration of the field works was about 40 days that makes in total more than 500 hours. The results showed that all nests of the vultures were located on the eastern slope of cliffs on the altitude of 2300-2900 meters, with the distance between nests is 1-3 km. Nests were built on the open and steep ledges with the outer diameter of the nest is 1.1-1.6 m. All clutches consists of only one egg (n=4), the incubation period was 52-56 days, and the nestlings hatched in the middle of April; the medium weight of newly hatched nestlings was 160 g. In May 17 th , their weight increased to 1.50 kg, in June 14 th -to 5.65 kg, and in July 14 th the weight of young birds was about 8.56 kg (close to the adult's weight). The brooding period in this species is very long -nestlings stayed for 90-105 days in the nest, and continued to be fed by adult birds till October. Lack of food is one of the main reasons for low reproductive success in this species.
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