RED BOOK: KGZ01 Besh Aral Key Biodiversity Area

Menzbier’s marmot (Marmota menzbieri)

Status: V category, Vulnerable, VUB1+2c. Rare view. Endemic to the Western Tien Shan, narrowly distributed, ancient mountain species.
The distribution is general throughout the country. Mountainous areas in the upper reaches of the Ugam, Pskem, Chatkal and Angren rivers. Two subspecies of the Menzbir marmot have been identified - Ugam (South Kazakhstan region) and Chatkal (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan).
Habitats. In Kyrgyzstan, it lives in the meadows of the Chatkal Range, west of the Chapchyma pass, in the upper zones of Kasan-Say, Gava-Say, and Ters.
Population. In the 60s of the 20th century - in certain areas of the Chatkal Range. From 200 to 400 individuals were registered per 1 square meter. In 2001, they were no longer present at the Chapchama Pass. On the territory of the Besh Aral reserve the number is up to 28 individuals per 1 square meter (Chon-Bulak level), in other mountain areas - from 23 to 26. Total - 1503 individuals. Now the population is slowly recovering.
Lifestyle (life cycles). The marmot settles in the subalpine and alpine zones at altitudes from 2200 to 3400 m. Usually on the eastern and northern slopes, less often on the western. Avoids steep slopes. It willingly makes settlements near slowly melting snow, near small streams where it is humid and there is lush grass. The burrows are confined to rocky areas; in some places the burrows were located in clearings with meadow and steppe vegetation. Basically, burrows have 2-3 entrances. Lives in families and colonies. Leads a daily lifestyle. At the end of summer, it accumulates a significant amount of fat in the body, and at the end of August - the first half of September it goes into hibernation, which lasts about 6.5-7 months. Wakes up in late March - early April, depending on the height of the habitat and the exposure of the slopes. Breeds once a year. Fertility is low - 3-4 cubs. Females begin to reproduce after 2-3 winter hibernations; not all females bear offspring; per 100 individuals there are no more than 20 females that give birth. Young ones appear on the surface at the end of May. The main food is herbaceous plants.
Limiting factors. Poaching. Ground and feathered predators.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). No information.
Existing security measures. In Kyrgyzstan, since 1975 it has been included in the list of specially protected species. In the Besh Aral Nature Reserve, created in 1979, a program for restoring the species’ numbers has been specially developed. Listed in the IUCN Red Book and the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Recommended security measures. Strengthening the protection of marmots in their habitats, tightening enforcement measures against poachers. Expansion of the territory of the Besharalsky reserve, including those areas where this species is still preserved, study of its biology.

Source photo :

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition – Bishkek, 2007



Hawthorn Knorringa (Crataegus knorringiana)

Status: VU. Narrow endemic species.
Description. Tree up to 5 - 6 m in height. Leaves narrowly elliptic or ovate, slightly lobed. The fruits are yellow, small, with five strongly pitted stones. The plant contains triterpenes.
Features of biology. Blossoms at the end of IV-beginning of V. The fruits ripen in IX. Vegetation ends in X. Seed propagation.
The distribution is general and in the country. Kyrgyzstan: river valley Chichkan, Chatkal, Fergana, Alai ranges.
Places of growth. Among trees and shrubs in river valleys, on rocky and fine earth slopes in the lower and middle mountain belts.
Number. Insignificant. Grows in single specimens.
Limiting factors. Economic development of the growing area. Used by the population for fuel. Very weak recovery.
Cultivation. No information
Security measures are in place. Included in the Red Book of the Kirghiz SSR (1985).
Protective measures are recommended. In Toskoul-Ata and Kara-Alma forestries, all remaining plants should be protected from felling and loss of young plants by livestock.

Photo source

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007



Tien Shan hawthorn (Crataegus tianscbanica)

Hawthorn (lat. Crataégus) is a genus of deciduous, rarely semi-evergreen tall shrubs or small trees (3-5 m high, sometimes up to 10-12 m), belonging to the Rosaceae family.
Spreading. Tien Shan hawthorn is found in Central Asia and Kazakhstan, Western Tien Shan and Karatau, Kyrgyzstan.
Botanical description of the genus:
Hawthorns are often multi-stemmed or grow in a bushy manner. The crown is dense, round, spherical or ovoid, often asymmetrical.
The trunk bark is brown or gray, unevenly ribbed or fissured, and in some species it peels off in small plates. The branches are strong, straight or somewhat zigzag, less often weeping; young shoots are purple-red, glabrous or densely pubescent, to felt-like. The core of the shoots is round, jagged at the edges, white to light green.
Most species have numerous spines, which are modified shortened shoots.
The leaves are arranged spirally, often crowded at the ends of short shoots, ovate or obovate, less often round, rhombic or elliptical.
In autumn, the leaves of some hawthorns turn brightly golden, orange and purple; in many species they remain for a long time without changing color, and fall green or turn brown.
Inflorescences are located at the ends of short lateral shoots of the current year, complex, corymbose, less often umbellate, few or many flowers; Some species have single or 2-3 flowers. The axes of inflorescences, pedicels, hypanthia and sepals are bare, densely pubescent or tomentose.
Flowers with a diameter of 1-2 cm; petals are five in number, white (in garden forms sometimes pink or red), round, with a short nail. There are 5 sepals, erect, prostrate or reflexed, falling off or remaining with the fruit.
Stamens 5-20, with white, yellow, pink or purple-red anthers; 1-5 styles, with a capitate stigma and often with tufts of hairs at the base. The ovary is formed by 1-5 carpels, fused on the dorsal side with the hypanthium and free or almost free on the ventral side.
The fruit is a small apple formed from a gynoecium overgrown with hypanthium on the outside, size 0.5-4 cm. Ripens in September - October. The fruits of hawthorns are spherical, pear-shaped, elongated; with one or several (up to 5) large, very strong triangular bones. These seeds are located near the calyx at the top of the fruit and are slightly covered with skin.
Bones with a very hard stony shell, yellowish or brownish, triangular, laterally compressed and keeled, smooth, ribbed, notched or chipped; hypostyle (place of attachment of the column to the bone) of various sizes and shapes.
Ecology. In nature, hawthorns are usually found singly or in groups in thickets of bushes, along forest edges, in clearings and clearings, on screes; less often they grow in sparse forests and are not found at all under a dense tree canopy.
Distributed from sea level to the upper limit of forest vegetation in the mountains, in a wide variety of terrain conditions and on different soils.
They are undemanding to the soil, but develop better in deep, moderately moist, well-drained fertile heavy soils; react positively to the presence of lime in the soil.
Interesting Facts: Widely used as an ornamental and medicinal plant. The fruits are eaten. Honey plants and hawthorns are visited by bees willingly, but they do not yield much honey.
Hawthorn flowers contain dimethylamine, a substance that gives them the characteristic smell of stale fish. Sometimes the smell is described as specific, but very pleasant. The flowers bloom in spring or early summer, after the leaves, at a time when the latter have not yet reached normal size, are honey-bearing, but have an unpleasant odor and are pollinated mainly by various flies, as well as beetles and bees.
Since the 16th century, hawthorn has been used in medicine. In former times, it was used only as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery. Since the 19th century, tea from flowers and leaves began to be used as a blood purifier, and since the beginning of the 20th century, hawthorn fruits and flowers have been recommended as a medicine for diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Hawthorns are widely used in ornamental gardening and landscape design. Hawthorns live up to 300 years, making it an ideal material for prickly hedges - beautiful and yet practically impenetrable. Hawthorn is used to create decorative groups in landscape parks; used to secure the slopes of ravines, the banks of reservoirs and rivers. A number of species of hawthorn are cultivated fruit plants that have been cultivated for this purpose in the Western Mediterranean since ancient times. They are unpretentious in cultivation, the vast majority are winter-hardy and light-loving.

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Juno Zinaida (Juno zenaida)

Short description. Roots are fusiform. Bulb 1.5–1.8 cm in diameter, ovoid, covered with leathery, continuous dark brown shells. The leaves are slightly curved, lower 0.6–0.8 cm wide. Flowers in number 1–2; 4–5 cm in diameter. Perianth tube 3.5–4.0 cm long. The outer tepals are pale violet-gray or pale violet-yellowish, with a dark purple spot (in yellowish forms - brownish) at the tip of the plate of the outer petals and a yellow spot closer to the center of the flower; crest 0.9–1.1 cm long, yellow, slightly serrated. Inner tepals recurved downward, 1.0–2.0 cm long, lanceolate, with an elongated tip or 3-toothed.
Phenology. Blossoms in late March-April, bears fruit in June.
Ecology. Grows in groups of xerophilous shrubs (shibliaka), at altitudes of 800-1300 m above sea level. y. m.
Distribution in Kyrgyzstan. Chatkal and Fergana ranges. General distribution. Uzbekistan.
Cultivation. Cultivated in some private nurseries. Meaning. Rare decorative plant.
Security in Kyrgyzstan. No security measures were taken. Information sources. Lazkov, Naumenko (2014).

Source: Lazkov G.A., Umralina A.R. Endemics and rare plant species of Kyrgyzstan (Atlas) - FAO. Ankara, 2015.

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Camelin Bloodroot (Potentilla kamelinii)

Habitat of the species: Grows in alpine and subalpine mountains. Distribution: Western Tien Shan. Besh-Aralsky Nature Reserve, approximately 7 km south of the village. Ak-Tash; Keng-Jailoo ridge, eastern macroslope, bank of the Chatkal River.
Cinquefoil (lat. Potentilla) is one of the largest genus of plants in the rose family (Rosaceae) in terms of the number of species.
Botanical description of the genus: Perennials, less often annuals, biennials or subshrubs.
The stems are often erect, ascending or widened, less often creeping and rooting at the nodes.
The leaves are trifoliate or multifid, palmate or pinnate.
The flowers in a few species are solitary, but in most species they are collected in corymbose-paniculate or pseudoumbellate inflorescences, bisexual or occasionally almost dioecious. The flower consists of a five-, rarely four-leafed calyx and subcup, five (less often four) blunt or notched apex, deciduous, in most species yellow, in a few white, pink or red petals. Stamens 10-30, usually 20; their threads are filamentous or awl-shaped. The pistils are small, often almost apical, less often lateral or almost basal, attached to a convex, hemispherical or conical, non-decadent, sometimes expanding with the fruit, but dry, spongy and uncolored receptacle, cascading; ovaries are unilocular and single-seeded.
The fruit is numerous, consisting of 10-80 achenes, usually glabrous, less often hairy, falling off singly; when fruiting, the receptacle is dry, which is how cinquefoil differs from a very close genus - strawberry.
Interesting facts: The name of the genus comes from Lat. potents - “powerful”, “strong”, due to the healing properties attributed to some representatives of this genus. In folk medicine and homeopathy, many species (for example, the rhizomes of galangal Potentilla erecta) are used for a variety of diseases, most often as an anticonvulsant (cinquefoil anserine). Some representatives of the cinquefoil genus are used as ornamental plants, and gardeners use them both to decorate borders, alpine slides and hedges, and by planting flowers on the lawn as a tapeworm.
In addition, many varieties contain tannins, which are used in tanning.

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Lenets Minkwitz (Thesium minkwitzianum)

Habitat of the species: Central Asia and Kazakhstan, Western Tien Shan and Karatau, Kyrgyzstan. Grows in steppes and rocky slopes.
Belongs to the Santalaceae family.
Botanical description of the species:
The stems are numerous, straight, 20-30 cm high, ribbed, densely leafy; leaves are small, broadly lanceolate, thick, leathery, the upper ones are linear; flowers are long-tubular, solitary, yellowish, almost sessile, collected in an unbranched raceme; the fruit is a nut.
Interesting facts: The alkaloid tesin was isolated from the plant (M. D. Mashkovsky, 1943). Tezin is very poisonous. It inhibits the motor centers of the cerebral cortex, reduces the tone of skeletal and smooth (intestinal) muscles (but does not reduce the tone of the uterus).

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Primrose Eugenia (Primula eugeniae)

Status: VU. Narrow endemic, rare, highly ornamental species. Occurs in small numbers, in a limited area in the Ferghana Range, can quickly disappear.
Description: Perennial rhizomatous plant. The leaves are broadly elliptical, serrated, glabrous above, the surfaces along the veins are softly pubescent, on long narrow-winged petioles. Inflorescence umbellate. Calyx bell-shaped, glabrous. Corolla light yellow, limb up to 20 cm in diameter. Flowers 15 - 20 cm. Corolla 3 times longer than calyx. The tie is round: filiform, with a column with a head stigma, naked. The seeds are brown.
Biological features: Beare fruits in VIII. Spread by seeds. Renewal in nature has not been studied.
General spreading and in the country: Western part of the Ferghana Range (Baubash-Ata Mountains).
Places of growth. Cracks in rocks in the Alpine and nival belts.
Quantity: Very small in nature.
limiting factors. Intensive human economic activity.
Cultivation: Very decorative, rare plant. Deserves introduction to culture.
Existing protection measures: Included in the Red Book of the USSR (1984) and in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. SSR (1985).
Protective measures are recommended: Organize a botanical reserve in places with the largest population of the species. Introduce into culture as a highly ornamental plant.

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007



Kaufman Tulip (Tulipa kaufmanniana)

Status: VU. Endemic species of the Western Tien Shan. Highly decorative: the most beautiful, early-blooming tulip of Kyrgyzstan. Characterized by large intraspecific variability. Widely used in breeding.
Description. Perennial herbaceous bulbous plant. The bulb is ovoid, 1.5 - 4.0 cm thick, with leathery dark brown shells, with appressed hairy pubescence from the inside. Plant height is 10 - 40 cm. The stem is slightly pubescent, often with a purple tint. Leaves number 2 - 5, often spaced, gray, glabrous. The flower is single, large, up to 8 cm long, cream or white, but there are plants with yellow, orange, fiery, light red, brick red and almost burgundy flowers. The outer tepals are lanceolate, sometimes elliptical; with a yellow spot at the base. The inner tepals along the back are broadly dirty purple, slightly longer than the inner ones. Has wide polymorphism. Capsule up to 2 cm in diameter, 3-6 cm long. The seeds are light brown, large (1.3-0.8 cm), rounded-triangular.
Features of biology. It blooms from the end of III-VI, bears fruit in V-VIII, depending on growing conditions. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively (formation of baby bulbs).
The distribution is general throughout the country. Western Tien Shan: Chatkal ridge.
Places of growth. Rocky slopes of the foothills to the middle mountain belt.
Number. Found in limited areas, can quickly disappear. The number of individuals in communities is up to 10 individuals per 1 m2.
Limiting factors. Mass collection of flowers, unregulated grazing.
Cultivation. Not whimsical in culture. Since the end of the 19th century. introduced in botanical gardens of the CIS countries.
Existing security measures. Included in the red books of the Kazakh SSR (1981), USSR (1984), Uzbek SSR (1984) and Kirghiz SSR (1985). It is protected in the Besh-Aral Nature Reserve.
Recommended security measures. Strengthen the protection regime, organize monitoring of the state of populations in different parts of the range. Prohibit the collection and sale of flowers and the digging of bulbs. Organize reserves in areas of high concentration and polymorphism of the species.

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007

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Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

Status: III. Critically Endangered, CR C2a(i): R, C1.
General spreading and in the country: It is found in 12 mountainous countries of Asia. In Kyrgyzstan - on the Pskem, Chandalash, Talas, Kyrgyz, Suusamyr, Chatkal, Fergana, Turkestan, Alai ridges, as well as Kungei and Teskey Ala-Too, Naryn-Too, Moldo-Too, At-Bashi, Sary-Jazz and Kokshaal -Too.
Habitats: In the alpine and subalpine landscape zones at an altitude of 3,000 to 4,000 m, it prefers a moderately dissected relief with separate elevations for viewing and shelters in the form of stones and clumps of shrubs (caragana, juniper). The forest belt is usually visited when moving from one river valley to another. In winter, it is also found in the upper forest zone, following mountain goats.
Quantity: It was considered a common species on many mountain ranges, the total number at the beginning of the 80s was estimated at 1400 individuals, according to E. Koshkarev - at 600-700 individuals, but not more than 1000. Over the past 10-12 years, the population of the species has decreased by 5-10 times and continues to decrease, at present it does not exceed 150–250 individuals. The highest density is in the highlands of the Northern Tien Shan, approximately the same is in Alay, the Inner and Central Tien Shan, and the lowest is in the Western Tien Shan. The world population of the species is 5-7 thousand individuals.
Lifestyle (life cycles): Lives settled. It is active at twilight and night hours, in winter and spring, when ungulates are active during the day, it is also found in the daytime. Rutting - in February-March, the pregnancy of females lasts 98-103 days, there are 1-3 cubs in the litter (very rarely - up to 5). The female gives birth once every 2 years, puberty occurs at the age of two. The main prey is mountain goats, argali, marmots, less often - roe deer, marals, wild boars, hares, snowcocks, kekliks. Diseases are poorly understood, cases of rabies and itchy scabies are known.
limiting factors: Anthropogenic: permitted trapping (late 19th-early 20th centuries); development of sheep breeding and development of mountains, poaching.
Breeding (keeping in captivity): Successfully bred in many zoos of the world, the total number is not less than 700 individuals, including in 6 zoos of the CIS.
Existing protection measures: Hunting on the territory of Kyrgyzstan has been prohibited since 1948, since 1959, liability for hunting and trapping without licenses has been established. It is included in the International CC and Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna. Since 1975, it has been included in the List of Specially Protected Species of Kyrgyzstan. It is protected on the territory of Sarychelek, Besharal, Naryn, Karatal-Zhapyryk, Sarychat-Ertash (created in 1993 primarily for this species) reserves, as well as in Alaarcha, Karakol and Chonkemin national natural parks.
Protective measures are recommended: Establishment of a protected area in Alai. Strengthening the propaganda of the protection of the species among the local population, strengthening the protection and implementation of the relevant articles of the Law on the Protection of the Wildlife of Kyrgyzstan (2000).

Photo source:

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007



Imperial Eagle (Aauila heliacal)

Status:In the International Red Book, the Imperial Eagle has the status of a vulnerable species (category V, VU) with a possible continuing decline in numbers.
Distribution throughout the country: In Kyrgyzstan it is found mainly in the Chui Valley and the Issyk-Kul region, more often in the south of the country.
Habitats. It does not rise high in the mountains - up to 2000 m above sea level. Sticks to areas with woody vegetation. It lives in forest areas of the steppe zone, floodplain forests, sandy deserts with isolated trees, as well as at the foot of mountain ranges.
Number. There is no information for Kyrgyzstan. In 1997, one bird was recorded migrating along the foothills of Bishkek; it was recorded wintering near the Toktogul reservoir.
Description: This eagle is slightly smaller than the golden eagle and is similar to it in its general appearance and the ocher or red feathers on the neck. Generally darker, the main difference being a few white feathers on the back, in the scapular region, arranged in no particular order on each side of the back. The tail is brown, with a dark marbled pattern and a wide black apical stripe. The undertail feathers are light, contrasting with the rest of the dark underparts. When soaring, the wings are located in the same plane, not raised, the head in flight is more protruding than that of the golden eagle and other eagles, the tail is slightly shorter and is usually folded in soaring and flight. Juveniles have a characteristic very light (to pale buffy) body color, with brown longitudinal streak spots on the underside, which can merge into a transverse stripe on the chest. There are no pure white markings on the back. The lower back and rump are even lighter than the rest of the upper body. There is no white longitudinal stripe on the lower surface of the wing (as in young steppe eagles), but there are stripes formed by the light edges of the coverts on the upper surface of the wing, as well as along the posterior edge of the wings and tail. The inner primary flight feathers (both above and below) are lighter than the rest of the flight feathers. Juveniles hold their tails open more often than adults in flight. They acquire adult plumage by the age of about 5 years, gradually becoming darker. In semi-adult birds, the outer plumage is very “piebald” due to the alternation of light and dark feathers of different ages. Weight 2.4-4.5 kg, length 72-84, wing of males 54.0-61.5, females - 58.9-66.5, wingspan 180-215 cm.
Reproduction. Rare breeding migratory bird. Appears in the southern regions in March and, sometimes, at the end of April, arriving in the northern regions in April. Both parents build a nest in a tree (pine, spruce, birch, poplar, oleaster, saxaul, tamarisk) at a height of 1 to 15 meters above the ground, or very rarely on the ground; The nest is built over 10 days from dry branches and is lined with dry grass, rags, hair, horse droppings and, often, green twigs. The nests are used for several years, and the birds renew them annually. Laying of 1-3 (usually 2) eggs occurs in early April - late May. Both parents incubate for about 43 days. The chicks hatch in mid-May - June, the male hunts and brings prey to the nest, the female feeds the chicks, which fledge at the age of 65-77 days, in July - August. In spring it arrives in March, departure begins in September.
Nutrition: Hunts mainly on small and medium-sized mammals - ground squirrels, field mice, hamsters, water voles, young hares and marmots, as well as grouse and corvids. Carrion plays a significant role in the diet, especially in early spring, when rodents are still hibernating and birds have not returned from wintering grounds. During this period, eagles specifically fly around places where animals that have died during the winter may be located. The carcass of a sheep, ungulate, or even a dog can provide birds with food for several days. In rare cases, it eats frogs and turtles. As a rule, the eagle grabs prey from the surface of the ground, and in the case of birds, sometimes on takeoff. In search of food, it soars high in the sky for a long time or sits on guard, sitting on a hill.
Limiting factors: The main causes of degradation are the loss of places suitable for nesting due to human economic activity, mass extermination, death on power line supports, destruction of nests, reduction of the food supply - marmots and other medium-sized rodents.
Breeding in captivity. No cases described.
Existing protection measures: Listed in the Red Book of the USSR. The eagle is protected by the Red Books of Kyrgyzstan, Russia (category 2), Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. It is included in Annex 1 of CITES, Annex 2 of the Bonn Convention, Annex 2 of the Berne Convention, as well as annexes of bilateral agreements concluded by Russia with India and the DPRK on the protection of migratory birds. Since 1990, a nursery for breeding this eagle has been created in the Galichya Gora Nature Reserve.
Recommended security measures. Research to clarify the abundance of the species in Kyrgyzstan.
Creation of “restaurants” (areas for placing animal carcasses) for imperial eagles to improve their food supply. Borbra with poaching. Development of captive breeding methods. Identify factors limiting numbers.
Interesting facts: The name “burial ground”, according to the Russian writer and ornithologist L.L. Semago, most likely appeared later, when domestic naturalists explored the nature of the Aral Sea region and other regions of Kazakhstan, and often met this eagle sitting in the trees near stone or adobe mausoleums.
Source of information:

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.

E.I. Gavrilov. "Fauna and distribution of birds of Kazakhstan." Almaty, 1999.
V.K. Ryabitsev. "Birds of the Urals, the Urals and Western Siberia." Ekaterinburg. Publishing house of the Ural University, 2000.



Common saker falcon (Falco cherrug)

Other names: Turkestan saker falcon.
Status: The saker falcon is listed in the International Red Book (category IV) as an endangered species. The number of the species has decreased sharply over the past 5 years in Kyrgyzstan.
Description. In size and build it is very similar to the gyrfalcon (almost never found together), a little smaller. The main color tone is reddish-gray, lighter underneath, most often fawn or close to it, with longitudinal dark streaks. It differs from the peregrine falcon in its reddish coloration, the absence of distinct black “whiskers,” and the light top of the head. Males and females are colored similarly, females are larger. The legs, cere and leathery ring around the eye are yellow. Juveniles are similar to adults, but are generally darker, with a denser dark mottled pattern underneath being especially noticeable; the legs, cere and eye ring are bluish-gray. The flight is strong, but they usually fly with infrequent flaps, alternating active flight with gliding. Sometimes they “shake” like a kestrel. They often soar, and quite high. Weight of males 730-950, females - 970-1300 g, length 42-59, wing of males 34.7-37.2, females - 38.6-42.3, wingspan - 102-129 cm.
Distribution throughout the country. In Kyrgyzstan, it nests exclusively in the mountainous part of the country, at an altitude of at least 1300-1500 m. It goes up to 3000 m in the vertical direction. During hunting, it also appears in lower-lying areas.
Population. The total number has not been established. Rare view. The number is declining everywhere.
Habitat. Middle and upper mountain belt, from 1300 to 3000 m above sea level. Low desert mountains and dry foothills of large ranges, river canyons, chinks, tugai, floodplain forests, mixed spruce forests, rocks and cliffs.
In Kyrgyzstan, the nominate subspecies Falco cherrug J.F. occurs on migration and in winter. Gray, 1834. The remaining subspecies are sedentary: F.c. milvipes Jerdon, 1871, F.c. coatsi, Dementiev, 1945, F.c. hendersoni Hume, 1871.
In Kazakhstan, it lives in steppes and deserts, in areas with the presence of individual trees or groves, power lines, geodetic towers; as well as in chinks, near river cliffs, in rocky outcrops, and gorges in the mountains. The proximity of the habitat of a large number of rodents and birds, which are the main food of saker falcons, is a necessary condition for nesting both on the plains and in the mountains.
Lifestyle. A sedentary nomadic bird. The saker falcon hunts in open areas where there are trees or rocks from which it is convenient to look out for prey. Having seen a suitable object, the saker falcon hovers over the prey in flight, and then dives down at high speed or catches the prey in horizontal flight. Saker falcons never hunt near the nest and always fly away to significant distances (up to 20 km). This feature of saker falcons is often used by small birds. They live quietly and reproduce in the neighborhood, feeling protected because... other birds of prey do not hunt in the Saker Falcon's nesting territory. In the wild, saker falcons have virtually no enemies other than humans.
Nutrition. Saker falcons feed mainly on small mammals: gophers, pikas, and less often large lizards. Can catch hares, marmots and small passerine birds.
Reproduction. Monogamous bird with pronounced nesting conservatism. Appears in breeding areas from late March to April. Breeds in separate pairs at a distance of at least 300-400 m (usually 1-10 km or more) from each other; nests can be located on a tree, on a rock or a pole. One nest is used for several years, but if there is no shortage of nests suitable for breeding, the nest is changed annually. Laying of 2-6 (usually 3-5) eggs occurs from the end of March to May, the chicks hatch in 33-35 days. Only the female incubates for 30 days, the male brings food for the female and initially for the chicks. Chicks are born from early May to early June. Both parents feed the young, which fledge at the age of 45 days, in late May - July. Autumn migration begins in late August - September.
Limiting factors. Habitat degradation as a result of human economic activity. Predation of nests by removing chicks for the purpose of sale. Catching. Gipel on power line supports. Recently, the saker falcon was common, but currently, due to the uncontrolled capture of saker falcons in the wild over the past 10-15 years by Arab poachers and their accomplices from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the saker falcon has become a rare breeding bird.
Existing protection measures: Listed in the Red Book of the USSR (1984). The species is protected by the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan in the country's reserves. It is listed in Appendix II of CITES, Appendix II of the Bonn Convention, Appendix II of the Berne Convention. The bird is endangered due to rapid population decline in Central Asian breeding territories.
Recommended protection measures: Identify nesting sites and strengthen their protection. Ban the capture of falcons. Create a network of protected areas in the main nesting areas. Find out the total size and status of the population in Kyrgyzstan. Create a captive breeding nursery.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). There are several captive breeding projects in the United States, Canada and Europe. Successfully bred in the Kyrgyz State Game Management Agency of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture in 1979.

Sources of information:,
https://birds.kg/v2taxon.php?s=84&l=ru, [url=https://redbookrf.ru/baloban-falco-cherrug]https://redbookrf.ru/baloban-falco-cherrug

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.
E.I. Gavrilov. "Fauna and distribution of birds of Kazakhstan." Almaty, 1999.

V.K. Ryabitsev. "Birds of the Urals, the Urals and Western Siberia." Ekaterinburg. Publishing house of the Ural University, 2000.



Tien Shan Birch (Betula tianschanica) Кызыл кайын

Spreading: Species range covers Central Asia - Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and China (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) in nature.
Botanic description:
Tree is 2-4 m tall, with pinkish bark.
Young twigs are reddish-brown, bare or slightly pubescent and are covered with resinous warts in addition.
External signs of leaves: leaves are simple; petiolate articulation.
Leaves are ovate or narrowly ovate, almost rhomboid-oval, 4 cm long, 2,5 cm wide, pointed, with a broadly wedge-shaped base, bare, entire, coarsely irregularly serrated along the edge, 1 cm long on petioles.
Differences of shoots: leaf arrangement on the shoot is alternate; placement of leaves along the stem length.
Flowers: perianth is inconspicuous; catkin (amentum) inflorescence.
Pistillate catkins are straight, 1,8 cm long, 0,7 cm in diameter, on slightly downy legs 3-4 mm long. Bracts are about 5,5 mm long, only slightly ciliated along the edge, the middle lobe is linear, lateral ones are ascending, rounded, much shorter than the middle lobe.
Fruit: dry type; coloring is with shades of red; dry winged (key); wing appendages; coloring is with shades of yellow; dry nutlet.
Nutlet is ovoid, 2 mm long, slightly downy at the base of column. Wings equal in width to a nutlet or slightly narrower.
Ecology: It lives distantly or in small groups on mountain slopes and river valleys, at altitudes of 1600-2200 m. Blooms in May.
Growing in culture. As for cultivated plantings, it is found in Alma-Ata city only. Can be recommended for afforestation of mountain slopes in the fight against soil erosion.
Source of information:

Source of image:

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Niedzwetzky apple tree (Malus niedzwetzkyana)

Status: VU. Very rare, endemic, endangered species, with a small quantity. Valuable species for selection.
Description. In nature, trees up to 4 - 7 m in height. The bark of perennial branches is reddish-brown, while annual branches are dark purple. The leaves are dense, dark green, 7-10 cm long with a reddish tinge. The flowers are bright purple 3 - 5 cm in diameter. The fruits are medium-sized, spherical, purple-red flesh is pinkish-purple. Seeds are dark brown with a raspberry hue. In plants from the Chatkal ridge, the peel of the fruit is partially corky.Biological features: Spread by seeds and root shoots. Leaves unfold in the third decade III. Blossoms at the end of IV - beginning of V, fructifies in VIII - IX. Vegetation ends in the first decade of X. It is very winter-hardy.
General spreading and in the country: Western Tien Shan (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan), Western China (Xinjiang). Described from Mount Mashat (Syrdarya Karatau Range). In Kyrgyzstan, the Chatkal, Uzun-Akhmat and Fergana (southeastern part) ranges.
Places of growth. In the zone of walnut forests along the bottoms of the gorges and in the lower parts of the slopes. Number. Occurs singly.
limiting factors. Strengthened economic activity. Plants do not tolerate soil compaction during grazing. The fruits are eaten by animals, stopping seed renewal. When growing together with the Kirghiz and Sievers apple trees, its flowers are pollinated and the number of seed plant decreases.
Cultivation. It is widely cultivated in Kazakhstan under the name "Kuldzhinka". Wild plants are cultivated in the botanical gardens of Tashkent, Alma - Ata, Dushanbe, Moscow. In the Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, at the age of 22, she reached 7 m in height.
Existing protection measures: Included in the Red Book of the Kirghiz SSR (1985).
Protective measures are recommended. It is necessary to take into account plants growing in the gorges of the Aflatun and Kara-Suu rivers, in the Ak-Terek-Gava tract, the gorge of the Kara-Alma river. Organize a nursery for growing genetic planting material from seeds collected in wild plantations of the species.
Interesting facts: Nedzwiecky's apple tree got its name thanks to the botanist Nedzwiecki. He presented the fruits from the tree to Dr. Dick, who introduced this species into cultivation under the aforementioned name. The tree is unpretentious, decorative, grows on average up to 6 m, with a wide raised crown.
Frost resistance is high.
Nedzvetsky's apple tree is resistant to diseases.
Use as decorative species: Malus niedzwetzkyana – one of the most charming decorative types of apple trees, a feature of which is considered to be a rich dark pink bloom. In height, the tree reaches from 5 to 8 meters, while having a round or tent-shaped crown. The branches are smooth, purplish-brown at a young age, later becoming lilac-brown. Young leaves are purple in color, then, as they bloom, they become rich emerald, and the primary color remains only on the petioles. The plant blooms profusely and with a special chic, changing the color of the emerging flowers from rich purple to a delicate pink hue. The flowers are very fragrant. The fruits of the apple tree are dark red and small, slightly larger than cherries, their diameter does not exceed 2 cm. They differ little in taste from the traditional forest wild apple tree - they are just as juicy and sour. With the onset of frost, apples do not fall off and become much tastier, moreover, they change color to purple. The apple tree bears fruit on average up to 60 years.
Nedzwiecki's apple tree is decorative all year round. In mid-May, during flowering, it is abundantly covered with bright pink flowers and fills the entire garden with a delicate aroma. In summer, small, like toy, red apples appear and the foliage darkens. In autumn, the color of the leaves changes to a fiery crimson. And in winter, unpicked and already purple apples will fall like garlands from the flexible branches of this truly unique tree. In addition to the undoubted all-season decorative effect, the Nedzwiecki apple tree is resistant to both diseases and pests. It looks good in colorful compositions, like a blooming accent. Suitable for alley planting and as a tapeworm on the lawn. Suitable for urban landscaping, except for areas with heavy traffic.

Photo source:

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007

https://pitomnik-seasons.ru/



Sievers apple tree (Malus sieversii)

Status: Category LC. A mountainous Central Asian polymorphic species, a valuable element of the gene pool, one of the minor forest-forming and fruit species [61, 21, etc.]. The only species of flora in Kyrgyzstan, which is included in the International Red Book (IUCN RLTS, category VU B1 + 2c).
Description: Trees up to 3-5 m tall, with a compact crown. Branches with reddish-brown bark, or with gray, exfoliating. Shoots are lighter than those of M. niedzwetzkyana. Leaves dense to thin, up to 10 cm long. Flowers 2-5 per inflorescence, pale pink, 5.5-6.0 cm in diameter. Apples by 2-3 on the branch, flattened-spherical, 3-7 cm in diameter, green or yellowish, often with a purple blush. sweet-sour, dryish.
Biological features: Blossoms at the end of IV - beginning of V, fructifies in VII-IX. Propagated by seeds and root shoots. The species is usually low-growing, but winter-hardy and relatively unpretentious [61, 55, etc.].
General spreading and in the country: Mountains of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, South Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan), Northern Afghanistan, Xinjiang and the Tarbagatai Range. In Kyrgyzstan - the Kyrgyz ridges (northern slope), Talas (west), Suusamyr-Too (southern slope), Kavak-Too, Chatkal, Uzun-Akhmat, Atoinok, Fergana, Chatkal, Kichi and Chon-Kemin river basins; on Alai, except for the tract Turuk, and the Turkestan ranges is absent.
Places of growth. In the black forest belt, along the bottoms and slopes of gorges, at altitudes from 900 (usually from 1200 in Kyrgyzstan) to 2400 m a.s.l. y. m.
Quantity: Trees are located both separately and in relatively large groups in forests, almost throughout the entire range of the species on the territory of Kyrgyzstan. The areas of apple forests under the jurisdiction of the forestry authorities of the Republic, in which the Sievers apple is the main species, according to estimates for 2000, have an area of about 16.7 thousand hectares.
limiting factors: Economic activity, overgrazing. In a number of places of growth, trees are cut down for fuel, and are periodically severely affected by harmful insects.
Cultivation. It is widely cultivated in Central Asia and in the countries of the former USSR (to the north to Moscow and Kaliningrad), in Kyrgyzstan it is sometimes grown by local residents in household plots. It has been cultivated in the Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic since 1953. Apple trees grown from seeds and began to bear fruit at the age of 8.
Existing protection measures: The species was listed in the IUCN RLTS in 1994 as vulnerable on a global scale, and also in the Red Book of Kazakhstan in 1981 as declining in numbers. A number of habitats are located in protected areas in the Western Tien Shan (in Kyrgyzstan - in the reserves of Padysha-Ata, Sary-Chelek and Besh-Aral, as well as in the reserves of Dashman, Uzun-Akhmat, Iirisuy, etc.).
Protective measures are recommended. Take control of marginal populations (on the ridges of Suusamyr-Too, Kavak-Too, Alai), increase the amount of fines for the destruction of trees, as objects under the protection of the IUCN.

Photo source:

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007



Pear Korzhinsky [Pyrus korshinskyi]

Status: VU. One of three species growing on the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. The taxon is unknown. Narrow local endemic of the Western Tien Shan. Valuable gene pool for selection of drought-resistant southern high-yielding varieties of pears.

Description: A tree with a spherical-spreading or elongated crown up to 10 - 12 m in height. Shoots are dark brown, young, pubescent in the first half of the growing season, then almost naked or naked. Leaves lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate or tongue-shaped, 5-10 cm long, with the greatest width in the lower part, crenate-serrate along the edge. Flowers 2-2.5 cm in diameter, white, petals oblong-oval with a short nail. The fruits are broad pear-shaped, greenish-yellow, juicy, slightly astringent in taste.

Biological features: It belongs to the group of East Asian pears or their hybrids, which are characterized by a short dormant period, poor winter hardiness, high resistance to fungal diseases and drought resistance. Propagated by seeds and root shoots. The leaves unfold in the second and third decades of IV. Under natural conditions, it blooms in V, bears fruit at the end of VIII - IX. Leaf fall begins at the end of IX and does not end before the onset of winter.
General spreading and in the country: Western Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan). In Kyrgyzstan - Chatkal and Fergana ranges.
Places of growth: Dry gravelly, gravel-stony and fine-earth slopes, along the banks of the sais, in the lower and middle belt of mountains within 1200-1700 m a.s.l.
Quantity: insignificant. Meets singly.
limiting factors: Felling fruit-bearing trees. Lack of seed renewal.
Cultivation. In the arboretum - reserve of the Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, it is grown from seeds collected in the vicinity of the village. Charvak, on the Ferghana Range in 1954. Adult specimens endure the winter satisfactorily.
Existing protection measures: It has been protected on the territory of the republic since 1975 in accordance with the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Kirghiz SSR. Included in the Red Book of the Kirghiz SSR (1985).
Protective measures are recommended: Establish strict control over the number and condition of the species. All copies are to be protected.

Photo source:

Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition - Bishkek, 2007