Migration Routes and Stop-Over Sites Determined with Satellite Tracking of Bar-Headed Geese Anser indicus Breeding at Qinghai Lake, China

Abstract. Effective conservation and management of Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) require data to determine migration routes and identify key sites for protection. Ten Bar-headed Geese were banded with satellite transmitters at Qinghai Lake in western China in July 2006 and 2007 to determine their migration routes. Of the tagged geese, eight left Qinghai Lake and began autumn migration. Of these eight, four completed their autumn migration, lasting 50 to 90 days, using one of two migration routes to their wintering grounds near Caohai Lake in Guizhou Province, Yarlung Zangbo valley in Tibet, and Kohima in India. The tagged geese each stopped at three to four sites and traveled 1,270 to 1,470 km from their breeding to wintering grounds. Wetlands at Muli Marsh, Zhaling, Eling and Galalacuo Lakes in Qinghai Province, Nagqu and Damxung in Tibet, and Ruoergai Marsh in Gansu and Sichuan Provinces were used as major stopover sites.