Changes in number and location of Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) wintering at Xundian, Yunnan Province

We surveyed number and location of Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) during the winters of 2011/12 to 2013/14 at Xundian County, Yunnan Province. Currently, the cranes move mainly in Yangtangzi, Shaozeiba and Laoqiuchang, accounting for 37.02%, 12.44% and 13.78%, respectively. Over the past three winters, 0%, 10.57% and 51.01% of the cranes were in farmlands; these farmlands are >500 m to the closest marshes or meadows, indicating the cranes are moving away from the marshes. We found the population of the Black-necked Cranes declined dramatically over the past 20 years from more than 300 to fewer than 30 birds, mostly likely due to wetland degradation and human disturbance. We recommend the restoration of wetland and strengthenmanagement and conservation for this species in this area.