Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA covers part of the basin of the Pskem river (the middle section of the Oygaing river and adjoining southern mountainside of the Maydantal range in the Western Tyan-Shan), in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region. The borders of the IBA are well defined.
The site covers all of the southern mountainside of the Mayantal range from the Oygaing river to the ridge of the range, from the mouth of the Tyuzashu river valley to the mouth of the eastern Ayutor river and includes the slopes of these river valleys. The altitude ranges from 1,900-3,050 m above sea level.
The distribution of some birds in the Western Tyan-Shan is very interesting and Eremophila alpestris and Carpodacus grandis are completely absent.
The avifauna includes 213 species, including Ciconia nigra, Aegypius monachus, Gypaetus barbatus and Aquila chrysaetos which are included in the national Red Data Book. M.N.Korelov (1956) recorded Columba eversmanni here.
The Pskem valley runs from south-west to north-east and in spring serves as a major migration route, especially for large species which take the shortest route and avoid the strong anthropogenic influence in the foothills. Grus virgo, Ciconia nigra and raptors are common.
The IBA is situated in the widest, middle part of the valley, has a lot of water and provides safe roosting away from settlements.
Aegypius monachus, Gyps fulvus, Gyps hymalayensis and a large complex of mountain species occur on the surrounding slopes.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals include 38 species, the most intersting are increasing populations of Uncia uncia and Cervus elaphus songaricus. Sus scrofa, Canis lupus, Ursus arctos isabellinus and Lynx lynx are common. Marmota caudata and Ochotona rutila are numerous and Capra sibirica occurs.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats: poaching of large ungulates and snow leopard by local people.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The World Bank GEF “Transboundary project on biodiversity conservation of Western Tyan-Shan” (2000-2006). According to the results of surveys of 2002 the border of the Pskem zapovednik was defined and included in the bioregional management plan of the Western Tyan-Shan but the zapovednik has not yet been established.
Ugam-Chatkal National Park contains the IBA.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Oygaing River Valley (Uzbekistan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/oygaing-river-valley-iba-uzbekistan on 23/12/2024.
