Stepnoi Nature Sanctuary eagle ("Aquila heliaca"), demoiselle crane ("Grus virgo"), black-winged pratincole ("Glareola nordmanni"), little bustard ("Tetrax tetrax"), etc Stepnoi Nature Sanctuary Stepnoi State Nature Sanctuary (Russian: государственный природный заказник "Степной") (also Stepnoy Nature Reserve) is a protected area located in Liman district of Astrakhan Oblast, Russia. The sanctuary was declared in 2000 to ensure maintenance of unique natural complex of Stipa steppe providing habitat for saiga antelope ("Saiga tatarica tatarica") and a number of other endangered species of animals and plants. The sanctuary covers an area of 109.4 thousands of hectares. The monitoring program started in 2004 showed that the sanctuary is
Strange Little Birds "Empty" and "We Never Tell", which he characterized as "gratifying but superfluous detours into the well-trodden", "Strange Little Birds" "emerges as the band's most compelling, adventurous album in 15 years." Luke Winstanley of "Clash" praised the album as "a thrilling synthesis of the band's most endearing features; quasi metal riffing, with Shirley Manson's devilishly seductive croon and huge industrial pop hooks", concluding, "There are a few moments that feel oddly dated or too by-the-numbers, but otherwise, this is an engaging return from the gothic dance-rock four-piece." In a less enthusiastic review, Emily Mackay of "The Observer" called the album a