Крупные хищные птицы бассейна Сарысу

• Main Authors: Карякин, И., Коваленко, А., Барабашин, Т., Корепов, М.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Общество с ограниченной ответственностью «Сибэкоцентр» 2008
• Subjects: ХИЩНЫЕ ПТИЦЫ; ПЕРНАТЫЕ ХИЩНИКИ; Falco peregrinus; peregrine falcon; White-tailed eagle; Aquila chrysaetos; golden eagle; osprey; Pandion haliaetus
• Online Access: http://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/krupnye-hischnye-ptitsy-basseyna-sarysu; http://cyberleninka.ru/article_covers/14595614.png

Methods The territory of the Sarysu river basin was surveyed in 22 April 7 May, 2005 and 12 April 15 May, 2007. Found breeding territories of raptors were mapped with using GIS software (ArcView 3.2a, ESRI, CA, USA) for subsequent calculation of density for every species (Karyakin, 2004). We set 14 study plots for calculation of raptor numbers (Fig. 2, Table 1) with total area of 2057.52 km2. The total length of count routes was 232.61 km. The total area of the Sarysu river basin including north-western part of the Karatau Mountains is 300000 km2, while largest mountains are 19000 km2 in area or 6.33% of surveyed territory (Karatau Mountains 7500 km2, hills in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers 7500, Ulutau4000 km2). Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Migrant. We observed 2 birds in 2005 and 2 birds in 2007. Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Rare breeding and migrating species in the territory. We observed birds in 3 breeding territories in the Karatau Mountains. The density was 0.61 pair/100 km2 (28.04 pairs/10 km2 of forested territory). The Sort-toed Eagle seemed to be common breeding species in the Kazakh Upland. Three breeding territories were found in the Ulutau Mountains in 2005. Also 15 breeding territories were found in a hilly region in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers since 28 April to 13 May 2007. All nesting sites of the Sort-toed Eagle were located with elevation 672-874 m (an average of 763.4±60.22 m) while the most part of birds (86.7%) prefer granite mountains to nest. We found 9 breeding territories with active nests of the Sort-toed Eagle, 3 of which were checked and one of them was with the clutch containing 1 egg. Three territories were with empty nests and pairs were registered in 2 breeding territories. At all we found 15 nests, 14 out of which were located on aspens and only an old nest was on a cliff ledge. 57.14% nests of Sort-toed Eagles in that breeding population (n=14) was placed in the upper fork of aspens and 42.86% in upper forks of large branches in several meters from the trunk in the upper part of tree. The average height of nest locations was 7.5±4.51 m (n=15; range 3-20 m). The distance between neighbors in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers ranged from 0.88 to 34 km. The distance between mountains with nests was from 21.1 to 34 km (an average of 27.49±5.7 km), but the distance between nests in large mountains was from 0.88 to 7.6 km (an average of 4.91±2.21 km). The density of the Sort-toed Eagle in hills in the upper reaches in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers was 1.07 3.36 pairs/100 km2, an average of 2.52 pairs/100 km2 (3.22 12.54 pair/10 km2 of forested territory, an average of 8.37 pairs/10 km2 of forested territory). A total of 189 pairs (166-212 pairs) are estimated to breed in hills of the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers. No more than 5-6 pairs breed in hills in the middle part of the Sarysu river basin. A total of 5-10 pairs are estimated to breed in the Ulutau Mountains and no more than 5 pairs in saxaul forests in foots of southern cliff-faces of the Betpak-Dala desert. The second large breeding group of the Sort-toed Eagles is located in the Karatau Mountains; where near 46 pairs (23-69 pairs) are projected to breed in the north-western part. A total of 200-300 pairs are estimated to breed in the all region. Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) Vagrant. Single birds were observed 2 twice in 2005 and twice in 2007. Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Extremely rare breeding species. An old nest of the Griffon Vulture was found in the central part of the Karatau Mountains on 23 April 2005 It was located in a niche in the upper part of a cliff. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaaetus albicilla) Migrant. Surveying a power line potentially lethal to birds along the oil-pipe «Pavlodar Shymkent» we found 2 carcasses of birds 2-3 years old under electric poles located along the Jetikonyr and Karakoyyn sands on 15 and 16 April 2007. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Rare breeding species. 28 breeding territories were found during the all period of surveys. Sufficiently common breeding species was only in the Karatau Mountains and in granite mountains of the Kazakh Upland (upper reaches of the Sarysu river). 12 breeding territories were found in the Karatau Mountains during 4 days since 22 to 25 April 2005; 4 breeding territories were revealed in the Ulutau Mountains in 2005; 11 in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers on 29 April 13 May 2007. The average distance between neighbors in the Karatau Mountains was 4.35±1.52 km (n=9; range 2.1-6.7 km). The density was 2.03 pairs/100 km2, and a total of 140-164 pairs (an average of 152 pairs) are estimated to breed in Karatau. The density of the Golden Eagle in the Ulutau Mountains was 0.68-1.23 pairs/100 km2 (an average of 0.97 pairs/100 km2), a total of 10-18 pairs (an average of 14 pairs) are estimated to breed in the Ulutau Mountains. The average distance between breeding territories in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers 6.85±1.89 km (n=8; range 4.45-10.5 km). The Golden Eagle distribution in granite mountains was sufficiently even with distance of 5-8 km between nearest pairs and the distance increasing are depend on increasing the distance between mountain groups. The density in different groups ranged from 1.87 to 2.14 pairs/100 km2, an average of 1.93 pairs/100 km2. A total number was 135-155 pairs, an average of 145 pairs. A total number in the surveyed region are estimated as 290-340 pairs. We found 53 nests of Golden Eagles in the region, 52 were described in detail. The average elevation of nest locations was 642.17±210.98 m (n=48; range 244-955 m). Golden Eagles prefer to nest generally rocks and cliffs especially canyons (n=53; 67.9%), rarely cliff-faces (26.4%), and most rarely small river cliffs (3,8%) and clayey precipices (1,9%). The average height of nest location was 8.44±4.07 m (n=52; range 3 20 m). We surveyed from 1 to 6 nests per breeding territory, which eagles regularly used to breed. We found 48 nests (active and old) in 22 breeding territories, which were surveyed in detail. At average 2.18±1.6 nests were located in the breeding territories, with the distance of 0.06-2.25 km between them, an average of (n=26) 0.82±0.72 km. Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) Non common breeding migrating species. We found 60 breeding territories in the region since 2005 to 2007, however nests were found only in 10 territories. The Imperial Eagle was not registered only in the Karatau Mountains. The density in the Ulutau Mountains was 1.3 pairs/10 km2 (0.64 pair/100 km2 of a total area), the least distance between nests of different pairs 5 km. Distances between 3 nests of Imperial Eagles in the watershed of the Tamda and the Kara-Kengir rivers 9.8 and 5.6 km accordingly, following data of count routes the density 0.35-0.53 pairs/100 km2. The total number of Imperial Eagles in that territory was 74-102 pairs. The density in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers was 0.19 pairs/100 km2 (0-1.07 pairs/100 km2), and total number was estimated as 5-9 pairs. The average distance between pairs in surveyed territories in the lower reaches of the Sarysu river was 12.2±6.16 km (n=6; range 3.07-21.37 km), the density 2.33-5.48 pairs/100 km2. A total of 26-62 pairs (an average of 37 pairs) are estimated to breed in the territory. The density of Imperial Eagles in semi-desert saxaul forests between the Tuzkol and the Kutansor soils was 2.84 pairs/100 km2, the average distance between nests of different pairs was 3.54±0.9 km. (n=6; range 2.36-4.87 km). We project 70-75 pairs to breed in semi-desert saxaul forests in the left and right sides of the Sarysu river (2600 km2). The distance between neighbor pairs nesting on saxauls on northern cliff-faces of the Betpak-Dala desert was 16.59 km, on electric poles in the center of the plateau 17.96 and 17.82 km. The density of eagles in the northern cliff-faces during survey routes was 5.96 pairs/100 km or 2.98 pairs/100 km2; in the center of the plateau 4.04 pair /100 km or 2.88 pair/100 km2. The number was 45-57 pairs, 25-33 pairs out of which breed in the cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala. Imperial Eagles inhabit sands on forested territories covered generally saxauls (Haloxylon sp.), silverberries and Russian olives (Elaegnus argentea and E. angstifolium) with sufficiently high density, The highest density was noted in the western edge of the Karakoyyn sands 12.6 pairs/100 km2 of total area (11.25 pairs/100 km2 of forested area). The Imperial Eagle inhabits the Jarkum sands with density of 5.07 pairss/100 km2 of total area (5.51 pairs/100 km2 of forested area). A total of 20-40 pairs are estimated to breed in sands. Following estimations of main breeding group numbers a total of 222-324 pairs are projected to breed in the region. The trend of population number is positive. While the number of eagles in sands has decreased in two times in sands where infrastructure of farms and sheep-folds were destroyed, the number of eagles in Betpak-Dala and semi-deserts in the Sarysu left riverside has increased in 3 times. We found 75 nests in 50 breeding territories during surveys. The most part of nests were located on silverberries and Russian olives 52% and saxauls 20% (Fig. 6). Mostly nests located on trees (n=65) were placed in forks in the upper part of tree (56.9%), 36.9% placed on the top of tree and 6,15% on large branches in the upper part of tree besides trunk. The average height of nest location was 4.94±2.55 m (range 1.5-12 m), the least height was noted for nests located on saxauls (n=15; 1.5-2.5 m, an average of 1.86±0.29 m), and largest for nests on silver berries (n=38; 2-12 m, an average of 5.78±2.21 m) and aspens (n=4; 6-11 m, an average of 8.25±2.06 m). We noted during surveys 2 pairs moving to nest from saxauls to electric poles and a pair from electric pole to saxaul caused the nest destroying by engineering specialists. We surveyed 3 nests with clutches in 2005 and 2007, all clutches contained 2 eggs each other. Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) Non common breeding migrating species widely spreading in the surveyed territory. Migrating birds were noted in the all territory of the Sarysu river basin in April, however generally Steppe Eagles nest in steppe zone to the north of N 47.30є. We not registered the species breeding in Large mountains in the Kazakh Upland and in the Karatau Mountains, between the Karatau Mountains and Betpak-Dala, in salt plains in the lower reaches of the Sarysu river, in clay semi-deserts of the Sarysu river basin and in sands, including the Jayrem sands. Probably Steppe Eagles bred in Betpak-Dala 20 years ago, however now the breeding was not registered. We noted eagles on cliff-faces along the Sarysu right river side with density of 9.36 ind./100 km of auto route. The average density was 4.49 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces (range 0-20.2 pairs per 100 km of cliff-faces) or 1.23 pairs/100 km2. The number was estimated as A total of Численность оценена в 10-20 pairs, an average of 16 pairs The Steppe Eagle inhabit hilly steppe of the Kazakh Upland with high density. The average distance between neighbors (n=8) was 2.0±0.73 km (range 1,24-3,27 km) in the Ulutau Mountains. The density was 0.84 pairs/100 km2. The density in the Ayak-Bestau Upland was 5.9 pairs/100 km2. We found 10 breeding territories with nests here. The average distance between neighbors in hilly areas was 1.95±0.94 km (range 0.9-3.25 km), and average distance between hilly areas with nests 12.8±7.96 km (range 4.85-25.38 km). A total of 1740-2105 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river basin. We found 37 nests in 30 breeding territories: 15 living nests, 5 building nests, 8 empty, but occupied nests and 9 old nests. The most part of nests (48.65%) was on hills (Fig. 8), 18.92% on cliff-faces of the plateau and 16.2% on river cliffs and as much again in valleys between hills. We registered 50% of nests on hills (n=18) located on tops or slopes of hills; most part of nests on cliff-faces (n=7) was in the upper part of cliffs (71.43%) and only small part on tops (28.57%). Also amongst nests in valleys between hills (n=6) 50% of nests were located on metal electric poles, another part on the flat ground. The average elevation of all found nests of Steppe Eagles was 479.26±85.57 m (range 253-609 m). We found clutches with 2-3 eggs in 6 nests; the average clutch size was 2.33±0.52 eggs. Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) Migrant. We observed 2 adults on the Telikol Lake during 1.5 hours on 19 April 2007. Also 2 birds were surveyed in the Sarysu river valley during 2.5 hours on 22 April 2007. Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) Non common breeding migrating species with sufficiently local distribution in surveyed territory. The largest breeding population of the Booted Eagle in Central Kazakhstan was recorded in hills in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers during expedition in 2007. We found 19 breeding territories of the Booted Eagle since 28 April to 9 May, nests were found in 17 territories. The density ranged from 1.91 to 5.6 pairs/100 km2, an average of 4.06 pairs/100 km2. A total of 310-420 pairs (an average of 365 pairs) are estimated to breed in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers. Perhaps the number of Booted Eagles was near 1000 pairs 30 years ago, however the area of forests due to logging and fires has decreased in 70-80%. 35.3% out of 17 pairs nested in drying aspen forests, which are illegally logged by local people as firewood. As a result the number of species is decreasing and we project the number declining in 30% next 5-6 years. The average distance between nests was 1.95±0.69 km (n=14; range 0.85-2.96 km). Elevation of nest locations was ranged 619-827 m, an average of 692.57±59.78 m. Almost all nests were placed on aspens, except an empty nest in the niche in the central part of cliff with height of 7 m. There was forest fire in that territory caused a pair of Booted Eagles moving to nest on a cliff, where bred only year. The most part of nests on trees (n=20) was in forks 90%. 77.8% out of which (n=18) was located in the upper part of tree and in the middle and in the lower part of tree 11.1% per each. Others besides trunk in the upper part of tree. The clutch size was 2 eggs. Black Kite (Milvus migrans) Common migrant and rare breeding species. Only empty nest occupied in 2006 was found in aspen forest in granite mountains in the upper reaches of the Unrek river on 14 May 2007. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) Non common breeding migrating species in surveyed territory. The average distance between neighbors in a semi-desert along the north-western edge of the Moyynkumy sands was 2.47±0.8 km (n=5; range 1.58-3.73 km); density 4.96 pair/100 km2. We found 9 breeding territories of the Long-legged Buzzard between the Tuzkol and the Kutansor soils on 14-15 April 2007 with average distance between neighbors 2.84±1.04 km (n=8; range 1.84-4.64 km), density 4.26 pairs/100 km2 of a total area. A total of 200-233 pairs are estimated to breed in semi-desert saxaul forests in the Sarysu river basin. We surveyed the northern cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala (total length of survey route was 33.57 km) at the end of April 2005. That period was characterized the depression of Gerbils and Large-toothed Souslik numbers. During surveys we found 6 nests of Long-legged Buzzards located on saxauls in 4 breeding territories and 20 nests on cliff-faces in 9 breeding territories; however adults were recorded only in 4 territories. The density was 38.73 breeding territories/100 km of cliff-faces and 11.92 active nests/100 km of cliff-faces. We found 3 breeding territories per each plots in the northern and western cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala in 2007; the average density was 46.05 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces (range 37.160.6 pairs /100 km of cliff-faces). A total of 190-226 pairs are estimated to breed in cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala in years with high numbers of species-preys and 58-68 pairs in years when the numbers of preys were the least. The Long-legged Buzzard was proved to be sufficiently common breeding raptor in the Karatau Mountains. We found 9 breeding territories, living nests were found in 7 territories on 23-25 April 2005. The density was 3.45 pairs/100 km2 for foothills of the northern slope of the Karatau Mountains and 1.63 pairs/100 km2 including the central part of the Mountains, where the Long-legged Buzzard breeding has not proved. A total of 110-146 pairs are estimated to breed in the north-western Karatau Mountains. The Long-legged Buzzard breeds almost everywhere in the Kazakh Upland, however the breeding is diffuse. We found 6 breeding territories in the Ulutau Mountains in 2005; the density was 2 pairs/100 km2. Also in the Ayak-Bestau Upland we surveyed 3 pairs in the plot, 2 during the route through the Kezhebaysay river valley, 6 pair on electric pole of the power line passing through the watershed of the Bair and the Karasay rivers. The density on electric poles was 17.24 pairs/100 km, the density in the plot 1.77 pairs/100 km2. We found 20 living nests on electric poles between Jezkazgan and Kyzylzhar in the Sarysu right riverside, 19 out of which were found during survey route (25.35 pairs/100 km). The average distance between neighbors was 23.83±5.24 km (n=4; range 17.87-28.30 km); on electric poles: in the right riverside 3.92±2.51 km (n=18; range 1.29-10.75 km), in the left riverside 5.91±5.16 km (n=5; 2.18-14.74 km). A total of 400-484 pairs are estimated to breed in hills of the middle part of the Sarysu river basin (25000 km2) without pairs nesting on electric poles, also about 40-50 pairs breed on electric poles of 2 power lines. The species seemed to be rare in hills of the upper reaches of the Atasu and the Sarysu rivers. We found only 3 occupied breeding territories, while living nest was in only one territory. The density was 0.19 pair/100 km2. A total of 10-18 pairs are estimated to breed in the region. The Long-legged Buzzard seemed to be more rare species in the Sarysu river basin sands. Only occupied but without clutch nest was found at the edge of the Jarkum sands in the Sarysu right riverside on 19 April 2007. Also 2 nests (one was living, another nest was being built by birds at the moment of survey), were found at the edge of the Zhayrem sands. However surveying a power line 24.61 km in length, in a sandy steppe to the south-east of Kyzylzhar we did not found any nests of the Long-legged Buzzardа. The number is estimated as 5-10 pairs. A total of 961-1177 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river basin. We found 145 nests in 100 breeding territories in the Sarysu river basin: 57 nests were living, 25 occupied and 63 nests were old. 51 breeding territories were with only 1 nest, 34 with 2, 9 with 3, 5 -4 and 1 with 5 nests. Long-legged Buzzards prefer to nest following places (Fig. 12): trees (31.72%), electric poles (27.59%), cliffs, rocks and precipices (38.62%). Tree-nesting birds (n=46) prefer generally saxaul (84.78%) and only little part of birds nest on silverberries, Russian olives and smooth-leaved elms (6.52%). We found 40 nests on electric poles: a half of them was on concrete poles, another half on metal poles. Cliff nests (n=32) are located on mountain cliffs (59.38%) and river cliffs (40.63%). Cliff-nesting birds prefer to occupy ledges (90.63%), and only 9.38% nests were in niches. Most part of birds nesting on clay precipices (n=24) also prefer ledges (79.17%), others nest in niches. We surveyed 13 clutches, 3 of them contained 1 egg and seemed to be unfinished, and others were with 2-4 eggs, an average of 2.6±0.7 eggs. Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) Possible sporadic breeding in the Karatau Mountains species, which moved there last ten years, that caused by hybridization with the Long-legged Buzzard. A pair was observed in the central part of the north-western Karatau Mountains on 24 April 2005. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) Rare breeding and migrating species. The species seemed to inhabit only large mountains (Karatau Mountains, Kazakh Upland). Little number of falcons breeds on electric poles in the north (Kazakh Upland) and the south (Betpak-Dala) of region. We found 3 breeding territories in the Karatau Mountains in 2005, the distances between which were 13.29 and 24.12 km. Following data of analysis of distances between breeding territories a total of 15-16 pairs are projected to breed in the all northern part of the Mountains. Surveying Western Betpak-Dala we observed Sakers in 2 breeding territories. The first breeding territory was between Zhuantobe and Stepnoy villages with the living nest made by Imperial Eagle on the concrete electric pole. The second territory, where we observed single bird, was located in the northern cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala. Now only 3-5 pairs are projected to breed in the all Western Betpak-Dala The Saker Falcon was not found breeding in the central part of the Sarysu river basin and in the belt with 200 km in width between Betpak-Dala and the Kazakh Upland. The Saker Falcon prefers to inhabit high mountains with high rocks in the Kazakh Upland. Several pairs nest on electric poles of power lines with high voltage passing through hilly steppe habitats. The Saker Falcon is proved to breed only in the central part of the Ulutau Mountains. We found 7 breeding territories. The distance between neighbors was 7.72±1.63 km (n=5; range 6.62-9.86 km), density 0.07 pair/km2 of rocks. A total of 28-38 pairs are estimated to breed in the Ulutau Mountains. The Saker Falcon is proved to inhabit only granite mountains in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers. We found 9 breeding territories, nests were found in 7 territories, including 6 living. The average distance between neighbors was 4.81±0.19 km (n=5; range 4.54-4.99 km) in granite mountains. Following data of counts in study plots the density was 1.74 pairs/100 km2 of total area (range 0-3.82 pair/100 km2) or 2.18 pair/100 km2 of granite mountains. A total of 35-45 pairs are estimated to breed in granite mountains in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers (1875 km2). The Saker Falcon is proved to breed only electric poles of power lines with high voltage in hilly territories: the density was 8.01 pairs/100 km in steppe hills in the Sarysu right riverside and 5.75 pairs/100 km in steppe hills in the Sarysu left riverside. The average distance between neighbors was 13.01±7.91 km (n=6; range 5.7-28.5 km). We project 12-23 pairs breeding on electric poles. A total of 93-127 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river basin. We found 33 nests of the Saker Falcon in the Sarysu river basin: 14 living, 6 empty, but occupied and 13 old, which falcons occupied earlier. We registered from 1 to 4 nests per breeding territory of the Saker. The distance between nests occupied by pair different years in the breeding territory was 0.01-1.34 km, an average of 0.28±0.38 km. The most part of nests was located on cliffs (78.8%) and only 21.2% of nests on electric poles. Sakers occupy mainly nests built by Long-legged Buzzards (57.6%) (рис. 14), also by the Golden Eagle (24.2%). Cliff-nesting Sakers (n=26) prefer to nest in niches (57.7%), on ledges (38.5%) and in cliff clefts (3.8%). Only 4 nests were visited. Clutches with 4 and 5 eggs were found in 2 nests, and broods with 5 chicks in another 2 nests. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Migrant. Only bird was observed in the Kishutau Mountains on 3 May 2005. Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) Non common breeding resident species in surveyed territory. The highest breeding density was noted in the Sarysu river and right cliff-faces of the Sarysu and Betpak-Dala plateaus, however the species is rare to breed in plateaus themselves. We found 23 breeding territories in those areas. The average distance between neighbors was 2.63±1.82 km (n=13; range 1-7 km), the density was 32.97 pair/100 km of cliff-faces (24.75-60.61 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces). A total of 100-155 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river valley, and near 130-195 pairs on cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala. We found 3 breeding territories of the Eagle owl in the Karatau Mountains on 23-25 April 2005. Thus the density was 0.61 pairs/100 km2 or 26.25 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces. A total of 40-50 pairs are projected to breed in the north-western part of the Karatau Mountains. We found the Eagle Owl is sufficiently common breeding species in hilly steppes of the Kazakh Upland. The average distance between neighbors in the Ulutau Mountains was 7.0±4.15 km (n=4; range 1.2-10.26 km), density 0.16 pair/km2 of cliff-faces. A total of 83-93 pairs are estimated to breed in the central part of the Ulutau Mountains. We found 7 breeding territories in the the Ayak-Bestau Upland in 2007. The average distance between neighbors 6.82±5.8 km (n=5; range 2.4-16.7 km), density 4.13 pairs/100 km2. A total of 500-740 pairs are estimated to breed in the mountain middle part of the Sarysu river including right riverside and hilly steppes close to the Ulutau Mountains. Also we found 9 breeding territories in mountains of the upper reaches of the Atasu and Sarysu rivers on 1-13 May 2007, the average distance between neighbors was 16.22±8.7 km (n=7; range 2.44-30.45 km), the density was 1,16 pairs/100 km2 (0.75-3.82 pairs/100 km2). A total of 55-120 pairs are estimated to breed in mountains of the upper reaches of the Atasu and Sarysu rivers. Thus we project 910-1360 pairs breeding in the Sarysu river basin. Following our surveys 74% of Eagle Owls breeding in the Sarysu river basin inhabit different cliffs and rocks thus that population of the species seems to be cliff-nesting mainly. While only 51.5% out of found nests were on cliffs, that connected with difficulty to find Eagle Owl's nests in mountain regions especially in the Kazakh Upland. Cliff-nesting birds (Fig. 16) seem to prefer river cliffs (18%) and stone hill slopes (19%). Nests on cliff-faces are located on gentle bushy slopes of cliff-faces (22%) and clay ravines (20%). All nests found on slopes of hills (n=13) were located in foots of rocks, generally no more than 2 m in height. Cliff nests (n=21) were located mainly in niches and only 9.52% on ledges. 28.6% of nests were in the upper and lower parts of cliffs, 23.8%, in foots of cliffs and 19% in the middle part of cliffs. The average height of cliff nest location was 5.4±5.9 m, ranged 0-20 m. All nests on gentle bushy slopes of ravines (n=15) were located in the upper part of the slope in foot of bushes. Nests on slopes of ravines (n=17) were located in niches in the upper and lower parts of slopes (23.5% per each other) and in niches in foot and in the middle part of slope (17.65% per each other) and on tops of slopes in foot of bushes. The average height of nest location was 3.0±3.3 m, ranged from 0 to 12 m. We found 11 nests with clutches (including 2 nests with perished clutches) and 3 nests with chicks. The average clutch size was 3.0±1.12 eggs (n=9; range 1-4 eggs). The average brood size was 2.67±0,58 chicks (range 2-3 chicks). Methods The territory of the Sarysu river basin was surveyed in 22 April 7 May, 2005 and 12 April 15 May, 2007. Found breeding territories of raptors were mapped with using GIS software (ArcView 3.2a, ESRI, CA, USA) for subsequent calculation of density for every species (Karyakin, 2004). We set 14 study plots for calculation of raptor numbers (Fig. 2, Table 1) with total area of 2057.52 km2. The total length of count routes was 232.61 km. The total area of the Sarysu river basin including north-western part of the Karatau Mountains is 300000 km2, while largest mountains are 19000 km2 in area or 6.33% of surveyed territory (Karatau Mountains 7500 km2, hills in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers 7500, Ulutau4000 km2). Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Migrant. We observed 2 birds in 2005 and 2 birds in 2007. Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) Rare breeding and migrating species in the territory. We observed birds in 3 breeding territories in the Karatau Mountains. The density was 0.61 pair/100 km2 (28.04 pairs/10 km2 of forested territory). The Sort-toed Eagle seemed to be common breeding species in the Kazakh Upland. Three breeding territories were found in the Ulutau Mountains in 2005. Also 15 breeding territories were found in a hilly region in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers since 28 April to 13 May 2007. All nesting sites of the Sort-toed Eagle were located with elevation 672-874 m (an average of 763.4±60.22 m) while the most part of birds (86.7%) prefer granite mountains to nest. We found 9 breeding territories with active nests of the Sort-toed Eagle, 3 of which were checked and one of them was with the clutch containing 1 egg. Three territories were with empty nests and pairs were registered in 2 breeding territories. At all we found 15 nests, 14 out of which were located on aspens and only an old nest was on a cliff ledge. 57.14% nests of Sort-toed Eagles in that breeding population (n=14) was placed in the upper fork of aspens and 42.86% in upper forks of large branches in several meters from the trunk in the upper part of tree. The average height of nest locations was 7.5±4.51 m (n=15; range 3-20 m). The distance between neighbors in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers ranged from 0.88 to 34 km. The distance between mountains with nests was from 21.1 to 34 km (an average of 27.49±5.7 km), but the distance between nests in large mountains was from 0.88 to 7.6 km (an average of 4.91±2.21 km). The density of the Sort-toed Eagle in hills in the upper reaches in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers was 1.07 3.36 pairs/100 km2, an average of 2.52 pairs/100 km2 (3.22 12.54 pair/10 km2 of forested territory, an average of 8.37 pairs/10 km2 of forested territory). A total of 189 pairs (166-212 pairs) are estimated to breed in hills of the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers. No more than 5-6 pairs breed in hills in the middle part of the Sarysu river basin. A total of 5-10 pairs are estimated to breed in the Ulutau Mountains and no more than 5 pairs in saxaul forests in foots of southern cliff-faces of the Betpak-Dala desert. The second large breeding group of the Sort-toed Eagles is located in the Karatau Mountains; where near 46 pairs (23-69 pairs) are projected to breed in the north-western part. A total of 200-300 pairs are estimated to breed in the all region. Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) Vagrant. Single birds were observed 2 twice in 2005 and twice in 2007. Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Extremely rare breeding species. An old nest of the Griffon Vulture was found in the central part of the Karatau Mountains on 23 April 2005 It was located in a niche in the upper part of a cliff. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaaetus albicilla) Migrant. Surveying a power line potentially lethal to birds along the oil-pipe «Pavlodar Shymkent» we found 2 carcasses of birds 2-3 years old under electric poles located along the Jetikonyr and Karakoyyn sands on 15 and 16 April 2007. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Rare breeding species. 28 breeding territories were found during the all period of surveys. Sufficiently common breeding species was only in the Karatau Mountains and in granite mountains of the Kazakh Upland (upper reaches of the Sarysu river). 12 breeding territories were found in the Karatau Mountains during 4 days since 22 to 25 April 2005; 4 breeding territories were revealed in the Ulutau Mountains in 2005; 11 in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers on 29 April 13 May 2007. The average distance between neighbors in the Karatau Mountains was 4.35±1.52 km (n=9; range 2.1-6.7 km). The density was 2.03 pairs/100 km2, and a total of 140-164 pairs (an average of 152 pairs) are estimated to breed in Karatau. The density of the Golden Eagle in the Ulutau Mountains was 0.68-1.23 pairs/100 km2 (an average of 0.97 pairs/100 km2), a total of 10-18 pairs (an average of 14 pairs) are estimated to breed in the Ulutau Mountains. The average distance between breeding territories in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers 6.85±1.89 km (n=8; range 4.45-10.5 km). The Golden Eagle distribution in granite mountains was sufficiently even with distance of 5-8 km between nearest pairs and the distance increasing are depend on increasing the distance between mountain groups. The density in different groups ranged from 1.87 to 2.14 pairs/100 km2, an average of 1.93 pairs/100 km2. A total number was 135-155 pairs, an average of 145 pairs. A total number in the surveyed region are estimated as 290-340 pairs. We found 53 nests of Golden Eagles in the region, 52 were described in detail. The average elevation of nest locations was 642.17±210.98 m (n=48; range 244-955 m). Golden Eagles prefer to nest generally rocks and cliffs especially canyons (n=53; 67.9%), rarely cliff-faces (26.4%), and most rarely small river cliffs (3,8%) and clayey precipices (1,9%). The average height of nest location was 8.44±4.07 m (n=52; range 3 20 m). We surveyed from 1 to 6 nests per breeding territory, which eagles regularly used to breed. We found 48 nests (active and old) in 22 breeding territories, which were surveyed in detail. At average 2.18±1.6 nests were located in the breeding territories, with the distance of 0.06-2.25 km between them, an average of (n=26) 0.82±0.72 km. Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) Non common breeding migrating species. We found 60 breeding territories in the region since 2005 to 2007, however nests were found only in 10 territories. The Imperial Eagle was not registered only in the Karatau Mountains. The density in the Ulutau Mountains was 1.3 pairs/10 km2 (0.64 pair/100 km2 of a total area), the least distance between nests of different pairs 5 km. Distances between 3 nests of Imperial Eagles in the watershed of the Tamda and the Kara-Kengir rivers 9.8 and 5.6 km accordingly, following data of count routes the density 0.35-0.53 pairs/100 km2. The total number of Imperial Eagles in that territory was 74-102 pairs. The density in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers was 0.19 pairs/100 km2 (0-1.07 pairs/100 km2), and total number was estimated as 5-9 pairs. The average distance between pairs in surveyed territories in the lower reaches of the Sarysu river was 12.2±6.16 km (n=6; range 3.07-21.37 km), the density 2.33-5.48 pairs/100 km2. A total of 26-62 pairs (an average of 37 pairs) are estimated to breed in the territory. The density of Imperial Eagles in semi-desert saxaul forests between the Tuzkol and the Kutansor soils was 2.84 pairs/100 km2, the average distance between nests of different pairs was 3.54±0.9 km. (n=6; range 2.36-4.87 km). We project 70-75 pairs to breed in semi-desert saxaul forests in the left and right sides of the Sarysu river (2600 km2). The distance between neighbor pairs nesting on saxauls on northern cliff-faces of the Betpak-Dala desert was 16.59 km, on electric poles in the center of the plateau 17.96 and 17.82 km. The density of eagles in the northern cliff-faces during survey routes was 5.96 pairs/100 km or 2.98 pairs/100 km2; in the center of the plateau 4.04 pair /100 km or 2.88 pair/100 km2. The number was 45-57 pairs, 25-33 pairs out of which breed in the cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala. Imperial Eagles inhabit sands on forested territories covered generally saxauls (Haloxylon sp.), silverberries and Russian olives (Elaegnus argentea and E. angstifolium) with sufficiently high density, The highest density was noted in the western edge of the Karakoyyn sands 12.6 pairs/100 km2 of total area (11.25 pairs/100 km2 of forested area). The Imperial Eagle inhabits the Jarkum sands with density of 5.07 pairss/100 km2 of total area (5.51 pairs/100 km2 of forested area). A total of 20-40 pairs are estimated to breed in sands. Following estimations of main breeding group numbers a total of 222-324 pairs are projected to breed in the region. The trend of population number is positive. While the number of eagles in sands has decreased in two times in sands where infrastructure of farms and sheep-folds were destroyed, the number of eagles in Betpak-Dala and semi-deserts in the Sarysu left riverside has increased in 3 times. We found 75 nests in 50 breeding territories during surveys. The most part of nests were located on silverberries and Russian olives 52% and saxauls 20% (Fig. 6). Mostly nests located on trees (n=65) were placed in forks in the upper part of tree (56.9%), 36.9% placed on the top of tree and 6,15% on large branches in the upper part of tree besides trunk. The average height of nest location was 4.94±2.55 m (range 1.5-12 m), the least height was noted for nests located on saxauls (n=15; 1.5-2.5 m, an average of 1.86±0.29 m), and largest for nests on silver berries (n=38; 2-12 m, an average of 5.78±2.21 m) and aspens (n=4; 6-11 m, an average of 8.25±2.06 m). We noted during surveys 2 pairs moving to nest from saxauls to electric poles and a pair from electric pole to saxaul caused the nest destroying by engineering specialists. We surveyed 3 nests with clutches in 2005 and 2007, all clutches contained 2 eggs each other. Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) Non common breeding migrating species widely spreading in the surveyed territory. Migrating birds were noted in the all territory of the Sarysu river basin in April, however generally Steppe Eagles nest in steppe zone to the north of N 47.30є. We not registered the species breeding in Large mountains in the Kazakh Upland and in the Karatau Mountains, between the Karatau Mountains and Betpak-Dala, in salt plains in the lower reaches of the Sarysu river, in clay semi-deserts of the Sarysu river basin and in sands, including the Jayrem sands. Probably Steppe Eagles bred in Betpak-Dala 20 years ago, however now the breeding was not registered. We noted eagles on cliff-faces along the Sarysu right river side with density of 9.36 ind./100 km of auto route. The average density was 4.49 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces (range 0-20.2 pairs per 100 km of cliff-faces) or 1.23 pairs/100 km2. The number was estimated as A total of Численность оценена в 10-20 pairs, an average of 16 pairs The Steppe Eagle inhabit hilly steppe of the Kazakh Upland with high density. The average distance between neighbors (n=8) was 2.0±0.73 km (range 1,24-3,27 km) in the Ulutau Mountains. The density was 0.84 pairs/100 km2. The density in the Ayak-Bestau Upland was 5.9 pairs/100 km2. We found 10 breeding territories with nests here. The average distance between neighbors in hilly areas was 1.95±0.94 km (range 0.9-3.25 km), and average distance between hilly areas with nests 12.8±7.96 km (range 4.85-25.38 km). A total of 1740-2105 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river basin. We found 37 nests in 30 breeding territories: 15 living nests, 5 building nests, 8 empty, but occupied nests and 9 old nests. The most part of nests (48.65%) was on hills (Fig. 8), 18.92% on cliff-faces of the plateau and 16.2% on river cliffs and as much again in valleys between hills. We registered 50% of nests on hills (n=18) located on tops or slopes of hills; most part of nests on cliff-faces (n=7) was in the upper part of cliffs (71.43%) and only small part on tops (28.57%). Also amongst nests in valleys between hills (n=6) 50% of nests were located on metal electric poles, another part on the flat ground. The average elevation of all found nests of Steppe Eagles was 479.26±85.57 m (range 253-609 m). We found clutches with 2-3 eggs in 6 nests; the average clutch size was 2.33±0.52 eggs. Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) Migrant. We observed 2 adults on the Telikol Lake during 1.5 hours on 19 April 2007. Also 2 birds were surveyed in the Sarysu river valley during 2.5 hours on 22 April 2007. Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) Non common breeding migrating species with sufficiently local distribution in surveyed territory. The largest breeding population of the Booted Eagle in Central Kazakhstan was recorded in hills in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers during expedition in 2007. We found 19 breeding territories of the Booted Eagle since 28 April to 9 May, nests were found in 17 territories. The density ranged from 1.91 to 5.6 pairs/100 km2, an average of 4.06 pairs/100 km2. A total of 310-420 pairs (an average of 365 pairs) are estimated to breed in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers. Perhaps the number of Booted Eagles was near 1000 pairs 30 years ago, however the area of forests due to logging and fires has decreased in 70-80%. 35.3% out of 17 pairs nested in drying aspen forests, which are illegally logged by local people as firewood. As a result the number of species is decreasing and we project the number declining in 30% next 5-6 years. The average distance between nests was 1.95±0.69 km (n=14; range 0.85-2.96 km). Elevation of nest locations was ranged 619-827 m, an average of 692.57±59.78 m. Almost all nests were placed on aspens, except an empty nest in the niche in the central part of cliff with height of 7 m. There was forest fire in that territory caused a pair of Booted Eagles moving to nest on a cliff, where bred only year. The most part of nests on trees (n=20) was in forks 90%. 77.8% out of which (n=18) was located in the upper part of tree and in the middle and in the lower part of tree 11.1% per each. Others besides trunk in the upper part of tree. The clutch size was 2 eggs. Black Kite (Milvus migrans) Common migrant and rare breeding species. Only empty nest occupied in 2006 was found in aspen forest in granite mountains in the upper reaches of the Unrek river on 14 May 2007. Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) Non common breeding migrating species in surveyed territory. The average distance between neighbors in a semi-desert along the north-western edge of the Moyynkumy sands was 2.47±0.8 km (n=5; range 1.58-3.73 km); density 4.96 pair/100 km2. We found 9 breeding territories of the Long-legged Buzzard between the Tuzkol and the Kutansor soils on 14-15 April 2007 with average distance between neighbors 2.84±1.04 km (n=8; range 1.84-4.64 km), density 4.26 pairs/100 km2 of a total area. A total of 200-233 pairs are estimated to breed in semi-desert saxaul forests in the Sarysu river basin. We surveyed the northern cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala (total length of survey route was 33.57 km) at the end of April 2005. That period was characterized the depression of Gerbils and Large-toothed Souslik numbers. During surveys we found 6 nests of Long-legged Buzzards located on saxauls in 4 breeding territories and 20 nests on cliff-faces in 9 breeding territories; however adults were recorded only in 4 territories. The density was 38.73 breeding territories/100 km of cliff-faces and 11.92 active nests/100 km of cliff-faces. We found 3 breeding territories per each plots in the northern and western cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala in 2007; the average density was 46.05 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces (range 37.160.6 pairs /100 km of cliff-faces). A total of 190-226 pairs are estimated to breed in cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala in years with high numbers of species-preys and 58-68 pairs in years when the numbers of preys were the least. The Long-legged Buzzard was proved to be sufficiently common breeding raptor in the Karatau Mountains. We found 9 breeding territories, living nests were found in 7 territories on 23-25 April 2005. The density was 3.45 pairs/100 km2 for foothills of the northern slope of the Karatau Mountains and 1.63 pairs/100 km2 including the central part of the Mountains, where the Long-legged Buzzard breeding has not proved. A total of 110-146 pairs are estimated to breed in the north-western Karatau Mountains. The Long-legged Buzzard breeds almost everywhere in the Kazakh Upland, however the breeding is diffuse. We found 6 breeding territories in the Ulutau Mountains in 2005; the density was 2 pairs/100 km2. Also in the Ayak-Bestau Upland we surveyed 3 pairs in the plot, 2 during the route through the Kezhebaysay river valley, 6 pair on electric pole of the power line passing through the watershed of the Bair and the Karasay rivers. The density on electric poles was 17.24 pairs/100 km, the density in the plot 1.77 pairs/100 km2. We found 20 living nests on electric poles between Jezkazgan and Kyzylzhar in the Sarysu right riverside, 19 out of which were found during survey route (25.35 pairs/100 km). The average distance between neighbors was 23.83±5.24 km (n=4; range 17.87-28.30 km); on electric poles: in the right riverside 3.92±2.51 km (n=18; range 1.29-10.75 km), in the left riverside 5.91±5.16 km (n=5; 2.18-14.74 km). A total of 400-484 pairs are estimated to breed in hills of the middle part of the Sarysu river basin (25000 km2) without pairs nesting on electric poles, also about 40-50 pairs breed on electric poles of 2 power lines. The species seemed to be rare in hills of the upper reaches of the Atasu and the Sarysu rivers. We found only 3 occupied breeding territories, while living nest was in only one territory. The density was 0.19 pair/100 km2. A total of 10-18 pairs are estimated to breed in the region. The Long-legged Buzzard seemed to be more rare species in the Sarysu river basin sands. Only occupied but without clutch nest was found at the edge of the Jarkum sands in the Sarysu right riverside on 19 April 2007. Also 2 nests (one was living, another nest was being built by birds at the moment of survey), were found at the edge of the Zhayrem sands. However surveying a power line 24.61 km in length, in a sandy steppe to the south-east of Kyzylzhar we did not found any nests of the Long-legged Buzzardа. The number is estimated as 5-10 pairs. A total of 961-1177 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river basin. We found 145 nests in 100 breeding territories in the Sarysu river basin: 57 nests were living, 25 occupied and 63 nests were old. 51 breeding territories were with only 1 nest, 34 with 2, 9 with 3, 5 -4 and 1 with 5 nests. Long-legged Buzzards prefer to nest following places (Fig. 12): trees (31.72%), electric poles (27.59%), cliffs, rocks and precipices (38.62%). Tree-nesting birds (n=46) prefer generally saxaul (84.78%) and only little part of birds nest on silverberries, Russian olives and smooth-leaved elms (6.52%). We found 40 nests on electric poles: a half of them was on concrete poles, another half on metal poles. Cliff nests (n=32) are located on mountain cliffs (59.38%) and river cliffs (40.63%). Cliff-nesting birds prefer to occupy ledges (90.63%), and only 9.38% nests were in niches. Most part of birds nesting on clay precipices (n=24) also prefer ledges (79.17%), others nest in niches. We surveyed 13 clutches, 3 of them contained 1 egg and seemed to be unfinished, and others were with 2-4 eggs, an average of 2.6±0.7 eggs. Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius) Possible sporadic breeding in the Karatau Mountains species, which moved there last ten years, that caused by hybridization with the Long-legged Buzzard. A pair was observed in the central part of the north-western Karatau Mountains on 24 April 2005. Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) Rare breeding and migrating species. The species seemed to inhabit only large mountains (Karatau Mountains, Kazakh Upland). Little number of falcons breeds on electric poles in the north (Kazakh Upland) and the south (Betpak-Dala) of region. We found 3 breeding territories in the Karatau Mountains in 2005, the distances between which were 13.29 and 24.12 km. Following data of analysis of distances between breeding territories a total of 15-16 pairs are projected to breed in the all northern part of the Mountains. Surveying Western Betpak-Dala we observed Sakers in 2 breeding territories. The first breeding territory was between Zhuantobe and Stepnoy villages with the living nest made by Imperial Eagle on the concrete electric pole. The second territory, where we observed single bird, was located in the northern cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala. Now only 3-5 pairs are projected to breed in the all Western Betpak-Dala The Saker Falcon was not found breeding in the central part of the Sarysu river basin and in the belt with 200 km in width between Betpak-Dala and the Kazakh Upland. The Saker Falcon prefers to inhabit high mountains with high rocks in the Kazakh Upland. Several pairs nest on electric poles of power lines with high voltage passing through hilly steppe habitats. The Saker Falcon is proved to breed only in the central part of the Ulutau Mountains. We found 7 breeding territories. The distance between neighbors was 7.72±1.63 km (n=5; range 6.62-9.86 km), density 0.07 pair/km2 of rocks. A total of 28-38 pairs are estimated to breed in the Ulutau Mountains. The Saker Falcon is proved to inhabit only granite mountains in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers. We found 9 breeding territories, nests were found in 7 territories, including 6 living. The average distance between neighbors was 4.81±0.19 km (n=5; range 4.54-4.99 km) in granite mountains. Following data of counts in study plots the density was 1.74 pairs/100 km2 of total area (range 0-3.82 pair/100 km2) or 2.18 pair/100 km2 of granite mountains. A total of 35-45 pairs are estimated to breed in granite mountains in the upper reaches of the Sarysu and the Atasu rivers (1875 km2). The Saker Falcon is proved to breed only electric poles of power lines with high voltage in hilly territories: the density was 8.01 pairs/100 km in steppe hills in the Sarysu right riverside and 5.75 pairs/100 km in steppe hills in the Sarysu left riverside. The average distance between neighbors was 13.01±7.91 km (n=6; range 5.7-28.5 km). We project 12-23 pairs breeding on electric poles. A total of 93-127 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river basin. We found 33 nests of the Saker Falcon in the Sarysu river basin: 14 living, 6 empty, but occupied and 13 old, which falcons occupied earlier. We registered from 1 to 4 nests per breeding territory of the Saker. The distance between nests occupied by pair different years in the breeding territory was 0.01-1.34 km, an average of 0.28±0.38 km. The most part of nests was located on cliffs (78.8%) and only 21.2% of nests on electric poles. Sakers occupy mainly nests built by Long-legged Buzzards (57.6%) (рис. 14), also by the Golden Eagle (24.2%). Cliff-nesting Sakers (n=26) prefer to nest in niches (57.7%), on ledges (38.5%) and in cliff clefts (3.8%). Only 4 nests were visited. Clutches with 4 and 5 eggs were found in 2 nests, and broods with 5 chicks in another 2 nests. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Migrant. Only bird was observed in the Kishutau Mountains on 3 May 2005. Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) Non common breeding resident species in surveyed territory. The highest breeding density was noted in the Sarysu river and right cliff-faces of the Sarysu and Betpak-Dala plateaus, however the species is rare to breed in plateaus themselves. We found 23 breeding territories in those areas. The average distance between neighbors was 2.63±1.82 km (n=13; range 1-7 km), the density was 32.97 pair/100 km of cliff-faces (24.75-60.61 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces). A total of 100-155 pairs are estimated to breed in the Sarysu river valley, and near 130-195 pairs on cliff-faces of Betpak-Dala. We found 3 breeding territories of the Eagle owl in the Karatau Mountains on 23-25 April 2005. Thus the density was 0.61 pairs/100 km2 or 26.25 pairs/100 km of cliff-faces. A total of 40-50 pairs are projected to breed in the north-western part of the Karatau Mountains. We found the Eagle Owl is sufficiently common breeding species in hilly steppes of the Kazakh Upland. The average distance between neighbors in the Ulutau Mountains was 7.0±4.15 km (n=4; range 1.2-10.26 km), density 0.16 pair/km2 of cliff-faces. A total of 83-93 pairs are estimated to breed in the central part of the Ulutau Mountains. We found 7 breeding territories in the the Ayak-Bestau Upland in 2007. The average distance between neighbors 6.82±5.8 km (n=5; range 2.4-16.7 km), density 4.13 pairs/100 km2. A total of 500-740 pairs are estimated to breed in the mountain middle part of the Sarysu river including right riverside and hilly steppes close to the Ulutau Mountains. Also we found 9 breeding territories in mountains of the upper reaches of the Atasu and Sarysu rivers on 1-13 May 2007, the average distance between neighbors was 16.22±8.7 km (n=7; range 2.44-30.45 km), the density was 1,16 pairs/100 km2 (0.75-3.82 pairs/100 km2). A total of 55-120 pairs are estimated to breed in mountains of the upper reaches of the Atasu and Sarysu rivers. Thus we project 910-1360 pairs breeding in the Sarysu river basin. Following our surveys 74% of Eagle Owls breeding in the Sarysu river basin inhabit different cliffs and rocks thus that population of the species seems to be cliff-nesting mainly. While only 51.5% out of found nests were on cliffs, that connected with difficulty to find Eagle Owl's nests in mountain regions especially in the Kazakh Upland. Cliff-nesting birds (Fig. 16) seem to prefer river cliffs (18%) and stone hill slopes (19%). Nests on cliff-faces are located on gentle bushy slopes of cliff-faces (22%) and clay ravines (20%). All nests found on slopes of hills (n=13) were located in foots of rocks, generally no more than 2 m in height. Cliff nests (n=21) were located mainly in niches and only 9.52% on ledges. 28.6% of nests were in the upper and lower parts of cliffs, 23.8%, in foots of cliffs and 19% in the middle part of cliffs. The average height of cliff nest location was 5.4±5.9 m, ranged 0-20 m. All nests on gentle bushy slopes of ravines (n=15) were located in the upper part of the slope in foot of bushes. Nests on slopes of ravines (n=17) were located in niches in the upper and lower parts of slopes (23.5% per each other) and in niches in foot and in the middle part of slope (17.65% per each other) and on tops of slopes in foot of bushes. The average height of nest location was 3.0±3.3 m, ranged from 0 to 12 m. We found 11 nests with clutches (including 2 nests with perished clutches) and 3 nests with chicks. The average clutch size was 3.0±1.12 eggs (n=9; range 1-4 eggs). The average brood size was 2.67±0,58 chicks (range 2-3 chicks).