Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The Bulgan River rises on the southern slopes of the Mongol Altai mountain range and flows
into Ulungur Lake in China. The site comprises a section of the Bulgan River valley, where the river divides into numerous large and small streams creating islands and isolated water bodies. At the source of the river and in the valleys of its tributary rivers, there are a number of small lakes. The sides of the Bulgan River valley support desert-steppe vegetation, while good wet riparian habitat is found along the bottom of the valley. There are numerous bays, such as Tsagaan Ereg, Sanjiin Tohoi, Balar Tohoi and Elst Tohoi, with dense reed and shrub vegetation.
Bulgan River is an important stopover site for various migratory passerines, waterbirds and shorebirds. Globally Threatened species that regularly migrate through the site are Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN), Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (VU) and Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (VU).
Non-bird biodiversity: A small population of Mongolian Beaver Castor fiber birulai exists along the Bulgan River. A hydroelectric dam in the Chinese section of Bulgan River may create a barrier
to migration and cause habitat fragmentation along the river.
Partially protected by Bulgan River Nature Reserve.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Bulgan River (Mongolia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/bulgan-river-iba-mongolia on 23/11/2024.
