Dark-bellied Brent Goose

Branta bernicla (Linnaeus, 1758)

2019-10-30 Mamyrkol lake	© Aleksey Timoshenko

Distribution

Singles and small flocks observed in Northern Kazakhstan (Drobovzev, Vilkov, 1997; Erokhov, 1999), in Naurzum Reserve (Bragin, Bragina, 2002), Selety lake, Kurgaldzhino lakes (21 October 1993; Andrusenko, 2002; Koshkin, 2003), in Zaysan depression, Sasykkol' lake (12 birds 15 October, 1994; Berezovikov, 1999b) and on Sorbulak lake close to Almaty (Erokhov, 1997). Regular recorded in autumn migration in lakes of Pavlodar area, in small flocks of up to 30 in 1970s, and only 2-3 birds in 1990s (Solomatin, 1999b). At October 2019 observed in Mamyrkol lake, Kostanai oblast.

Biology

Very rare passage migrant. Mostly occurs on big lakes, together with other geese. In spring migrates in early March – end May, in autumn in October.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Рябицев В. К., Ковшарь А. Ф., Ковшарь В. А., Березовиков Н. Н. «Полевой определитель птиц Казахстана», Алматы, 2014.