First Confirmed Nesting Record of Asian Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) in the Uvs Lake Basin, Northwestern Mongolia

Mongolia represents the eastern most global distribution range of Asian houbara and the Uvs Lake Basin in western Mongolia supports most northwestern distribution of the species in the country. Standardized Circular Observation (SCO) surveys for three sites around the Uvs Lake were conducted for bustard surveys during the breeding period of the species, between 12-30 May 2024 and four houbara males were observed displaying on two locations in the east of the lake. In the north of the lake, one nesting female houbara was observed during non-SCO surveys while driving on 13 May and the camera trap was installed 3m near the nest from 15 May until 26 May for 11 days brought insights on the challenges faced by nesting houbara female in the region. The camera data reveal important livestock disturbances at the nest causing nest damaged and probably leading to its detection by several predator species (kite, fox, wolf), attracted by the scents left by previous visitors or damaged eggs.