Great snipe: Red Data Book of Armenia

Sandpipers - Scolopacidae

Status. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Near Threatened NT. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

Distribution. Nordic countries, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, South Caucasus. Winters in South Africa.

Distribution in Armenia. Occurs during the spring and autumn migrations in the basins of the lakes Sevan and Arpi, Ararat Valley, artificial water bodies, Lori Province.

Habitats. Prefers river mouths, lake shores, swamps, wet meadows, wetlands.

Biological traits. Nestles in soddy, well concealed sites, on the ground. Eggs are light gray, 4/clutch, size 41–45 mm. The brooding period is 22–24 days. Hatchlings grow up fast and reach an adult’s body size after a month.

Population size and its trends. No relevant research was carried out.

Major threats. Poaching during migrations.

Conservation measures. Protected in Sevan National Park and Lake Arpi National Park. It is essential to curb uncontrolled poaching, strengthen anti–poaching activities and to estimate population size during migrations.