Data Zone
Country/territory: Mongolia
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 16,500 hectares (165.00 km2)
Site description (2007 baseline)
The site is a freshwater lake on the border of Zavkhan and Khovsgol Aimags, in a depression to the north of the Bulnai Mountains. About 20 rivers and streams drain into the lake, creating wetlands favoured by waterbirds. There is no outflow from the lake, which is frozen from November to May. The water level has increased over the last decade, submerging two major islands: Dalain Ovoo; and Khar Nuden Bulag. The main land use in the surrounding area is livestock grazing.
Key biodiversity
The Globally Threatened Great Bustard Otis tarda (VN) occurs around the lake. The site supports at least 1% of the flyway populations of Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus and Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea.
Non-bird biodiversity: Pallas's Cat Felis manul (NT), Grey Wolf Canis lupus, Corsac Fox Vulpes corsac and Red Fox V. vulpes are found near the lake.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khovsgoliin Sangiin Dalai Lake (Mongolia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khovsgoliin-sangiin-dalai-lake-iba-mongolia on 23/12/2024.