Current view: Text account
Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is a freshwater reservoir 80 km to the north of Kokshetau, and 80 km south-south-east of Petropavlovsk. The nearest villages are Kuchkovka in the north-west, Barykol in the north-east and Tendyk in the south (Taiynshi and Akkaiyn districts). The site includes Shaglyteniz Lake proper, contiguous meadows, farmland, the riverbed floodlands and small ponds in the Shaglyndy’s river mouth (the main source of water input) near Tendyk. The lake has no outflow and is fed by the Shaglyndy river and small streams carrying snow melt. The area of the whole site is approximately 23 x 15 km, with that of the delta covering about 3 x 5 km, (20,000 ha). The lake supports dense reedbeds of varying size. In addition to reed, there are large areas of Typha angustifolia, Scirpus lacustris, Carex sp. and others. The central (largest) waterbody covers an area of c.6 x 3 km. The maximum length of the waterbody is 22.5 km, and width is 12 km. The full length of the shoreline is 95.8 km. The average depth is 1.5–2 m (but up to 3 m in some areas). The entire drainage system covers approximately 4,240 km2. The waters are fresh and support a decent population of Crucian sp. but this is too insignificant for commercial harvesting.
The lake is the only freshwater system within a scattered cluster of brackish waterbodies. Therefore, according to the data obtained from the chairman of the inter-district Hunting society in the district centre of Taiynsha, V. Chernyshov, more than half of the Branta ruficollis migratory flocks crossing the region prefer to use the vicinity of this lake, rather than any of the other waterbodies. The maximum number of Branta ruficollis recorded roosting is 6-7,000. The overall number of Branta ruficollis and other geese staging at the site on their autumn migration is in excess of the A4iii threshold of 20,000 birds. When present, the geese use the adjoining fields for feeding. Other typical species present in good numbers are ducks, waders and gulls.
A proportion of the site (up to 10%) is arable land (wheat, vegetables). Many other large adjacent areas are subject to irregular agricultural activities, as well. The residents of the three nearby settlements traditionally use a significant portion of the area as pasture with medium or, at some locations, serious negative impacts on the environment. In some parts, the fields come to within 6-7 m of the lake shore. On some parts of the lake large scale fishing takes place. The territory is leased to the Taiynshy hunting society.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
In recent years the water level of the lake has reduced noticably. One of the obvious reasons for the decline is the construction of a dam on the Shaglyndy river to provide watering facilities for a horse farm. Hunting is controlled and conducted at a moderate scale. Disturbance by fishermen is a constant moderate threat for about half of the lake area.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
None.
None.
Daniel Masur and Kati Sevke (Greifswald University, Germany) participated in the survey in September 2006 and provided their data.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Shaglyteniz Lake and marshes (Kazakhstan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/shaglyteniz-lake-and-marshes-iba-kazakhstan on 23/11/2024.
