Both Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarious and Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni may be more numerous than earlier thought, following surveys of both species in Kazakhstan and Russia during summer and autumn 2006.

Scientists from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Kazakhstan (ACBK) found, during an international expedition to investigate possible reasons for the decline of these bird species, great flocks of Black-winged Pratincoles and good numbers of Sociable Lapwings in south-western Russia in September 2006.

This and also the survey from breeding pratincoles in central Kazakhstan suggest the world population of Black-winged Pratincole significantly higher than current estimates.

Nevertheless, further research on the distribution, breeding ecology and reasons for decline of these charismatic steppe waders is required and secured by the implementation of AEWAs' International Species Action Plan for both species.
Source: Kamp, J., Sheldon, R., 2006. Steppe waders faring better than expected. WorldBirdwatch 28(4): 6