• Summary
• Text account
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• Reference and further resources

Site description (2007 baseline)
The site comprises a small lake, plus a section of the Kherlen River valley to the south. The surrounding area is dominated by tall grassy steppe, although water from the lake is used to irrigate wheat fields located to the north. There is a tour camp located on the eastern shore of the lake. Domestic dogs are a threat to the waterfowl using the site. Another potential source of disturbance is the main highway between Dornod and Ulaanbaatar, which runs close to the lake.

Key biodiversity
Two Globally Threatened species, Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN) and White-naped Crane Grus vipio (VU), regularly breed at the site. Asiatic Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus (NT) and Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (NT) also occur there, as do a number of species listed in the Red Data Book of Mongolia, such as Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus and Black Stork Ciconia nigra occur. Thousands of Demoiselle Cranes Anthropoides virgo congregate near the wheat fields and along the river valley each year. Swan Geese Anser cygnoides nesting on the river move to Shaazan Lake with their young. Moreover, various species of ducks and geese use this site as a stopover during migration.

Non-bird biodiversity: Siberian Marmot Marmota sibirica (EN) and Asian Badger Meles leucurus both occur at the site.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Shaazan Lake (Mongolia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/shaazan-lake-iba-mongolia on 23/12/2024.