Flight of the Siberian Crane

A single Siberian Crane on its breeding grounds in Northeast Siberia. Photo by Crawford Prentice

The peaceful village of Okhotsk Perevoz is located in the middle reaches of the Aldan River in Northeast Siberia, where the migratory corridor of the Critically Endangered Siberian Crane narrows. More than 90% of the Eastern Population migrates through here, heading from their far northern breeding grounds to southeastern China for the winter. Last year, the Russian Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Government initiated the “Flight of the Siberian Crane” project to preserve this important migration route. Within this project, a series of events, including an international symposium, the opening ceremony of the new Ornithological Observatory and Visitor Center, and Crane Day environmental education activities, recently were organized in Okhotsk Perevoz.

On September 24, the international symposium, “Relevance and Prospects of Scientific Research in the Middle Reaches of the Aldan River,” was held at the new visitor center. The event brought together specialists not only in ornithology but also in related sciences, such as genetics, virology, ichthyology, and climatology. The International Crane Foundation’s East Asia Program Director, Yu Qian, presented on the Foundation’s Siberian Crane conservation efforts and achievements in partnership with Russia and China, and called for joint efforts in flyway-based applied research and conservation. During the symposium, participants agreed to create an international working group to study birds in Northeast Asia. A resolution with key initiatives will be developed and adopted following the event.

On September 25, the visitor center opening ceremony began with a traditional Algy ritual. The solemn event was attended by Olga Balabkina, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha, Anatoly Alekseev, Deputy Minister of Ecology, Nature Management, and Forestry of the Republic of Sakha, Yu Qian, Sargylana Mikhailova, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Biological Resources and Specially Protected Natural Areas of Yakutia, Stepan Krivoshapkin, Acting Head of the Municipal District “Tomponsky District,” as well as researchers, local government, and local community members. It is expected that the newly built Visitor Center and the Ornithological Observatory will serve as a basis for long-term monitoring and scientific research on the migration routes of rare bird species, especially the Siberian Crane, and will contribute to the development of ecotourism and educational activities.

After the ceremony, the visiting researchers presented various lectures and games to the 10 pupils from the village’s school. Photo courtesy Flight of the Siberian Crane Project.

On the left bank of the Aldan River, in the Kuoluma-Chappanda Regional Resource Reserve, an observation deck and nature trail, “The Way of the Siberian Crane,” encourage visitors to learn more about the importance of this region for Siberian Cranes and other migratory birds. Photo courtesy Flight of the Siberian Crane Project.