Migration patterns and spatial connectivity of Pallass Gulls (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) from Alakol lake, Kazakhstan using ring recovery and tracking data
Ilina V.O. Berdikulov B.T. Lei F. Filimonov A.N. Akentyeva Y.E. Song G. Tashimova A.E. Gavrilov A.E.
September 2025KeAi Communications Co.
Avian Research
2025#16Issue 3
Understanding migration patterns and spatial connectivity is crucial for conserving long-distance migratory birds. While satellite telemetry has advanced the study of large gulls, Pallass Gull (Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus) remains relatively understudied, with limited data on its migration routes and habitat use, particularly in Central Asia. This study integrates 684 ring recoveries (1968–2024) and GPS tracking data to analyze the migration ecology of individuals breeding at Alakol Lake, Kazakhstan. Ring recoveries confirm migratory connectivity across Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Pakistan, with wintering records as far as India, Kuwait, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia. GPS tracking of a single individual (June 2020–August 2021) revealed a migration route from Alakol Lake to the Arabian Sea, with key stopovers at Zaisan Lake, Balkhash Lake, the Aral Sea, Aydar Lake, and the Amu Darya River. Notably, a post-breeding northward dispersal to Zaisan Lake and southern Russia was identified before the southward migration commenced. These findings highlight the significance of Kazakhstans lakes as breeding and migratory hubs and the need to protect critical stopover sites in Central Asia. Given increasing anthropogenic pressures on wetland habitats, this research provides essential baseline data for conservation planning and enhances the broader understanding of gull migration ecology.
Alakol lake , GPS tracking , Gulls , Pallass Gull , Ring recovery , Ringing birds , Waterbird migration
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
Institute of Zoology, Al-Farabi Avenue, 93, Almaty, 050060, Kazakhstan
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Avenue 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Alakol State Nature Reserve, Alakol District, Zhetysu region, Usharal City, Kazakhstan
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
Institute of Zoology
Institute of Zoology
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Alakol State Nature Reserve
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026