Number, migration, breeding and conservation management of Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) at Gahai, Gansu, China

We surveyed Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) at Gahai, Gansu Province from early March to mid-November every year from 2004-2014. During the count months each year, we observed breeding behavior of a pair of Black-necked Cranes nesting on the lake shore of Tianehu at Guomaotan. There were about 90 Black-necked Cranes breeding or summering at Gahai. The cranes begin to arrive at Gahai in mid-March and leave for their wintering ground by the end of November each year. The incubation period was ~33 days.