How a Kazakh birdwatching club saved the Red-breasted Goose from decline

Birdwatching has grown in popularity across Northern Kazakhstan, with more residents taking an interest in local wildlife. The Northern Kazakhstan Birdwatching Club, founded in 2007, has played a key role in this trend while also contributing to conservation efforts. Their work has led to measurable improvements for threatened species like the Red-breasted Goose. The club was established at Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University under the leadership of Ivan Zuban and Mikhail Kalashnikov. Since then, it has expanded its activities beyond research, offering public events such as a Living Library session and a free birdwatching mini course. These initiatives have helped make ornithology more accessible in Petropavlovsk and surrounding areas.

Since 2017, the group has partnered with international organisations like Wetlands International and the AEWA. Together, they introduced monitoring schemes, restored habitats in critical wetlands such as the Nura River delta, and strengthened anti-poaching patrols. These efforts have boosted the wintering population of the Red-breasted Goose—a species listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List—by 25%, from around 3,000 to an estimated 3,750 individuals by 2025. Breeding success in the north Kazakh forest-steppe belt has also improved. The club's research has been extensive. Over the same period, members tagged over 100 Red-breasted Geese, 20 Greylag Geese, 15 Greater White-fronted Geese, and 15 Eastern Imperial Eagles. Their surveys even uncovered six previously unrecorded bird species in the region. In 2025, students and club volunteers joined an expedition to Kenderli Bay to study potential risks from green energy projects on local wildlife. Birdwatching itself has a long history, beginning in 18th-century England before spreading to Western Europe, North America, and Central Asia. Today, the club's mix of public engagement and scientific work continues to raise awareness of conservation issues while fostering a deeper connection to nature.

The Northern Kazakhstan Birdwatching Club's projects have delivered clear results, from increased bird populations to greater public involvement in ornithology. Their ongoing collaboration with global partners ensures that conservation efforts remain active, with a focus on protecting vulnerable species and their habitats. The club's blend of research, education, and community events keeps expanding interest in the region's wildlife.