Trek van Steppekiekendieven Circus macrourus in Kalmukkië in maart 2011

After the meeting of the Goose Specialist Group in Elista, Kalmykia, the participants made a day trip to Manych-Gudillo, on 29 March 2011. This area is a marshy depression in the steppes of Kalmukkia, about two hours driving westwards from Elista. Throughout the day a strong passage of solitary Pallid Harriers Circus macrourus, heading north, was noticed. The last migrating bird was observed on 19.15 h. Of the 55 Pallid Harriers counted during the day, 49 concerned males; the other 6 were ‘ringtails’. Other raptor species passed as well, such as 19 Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus, 5 Hen Harriers C. cyaneus, some Black Kites Milvus migrans, Roughlegged Buzzards Buteo lagopus and 1 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis.