West Azerbaijan is a safe corridor for migratory birds

With more than 70 water habitats, including seasonal and permanent wetlands, lakes, dams and permanent rivers, West Azerbaijan has become one of the safe corridors for migratory birds in the west of the country. With more than 70 natural and unnatural water habitats, West Azerbaijan is one of the three It is an important province of the country in terms of spring and autumn migration of birds, and in this respect, it is on the same level as the northern provinces such as Mazandaran and Golestan and in the south such as Khuzestan.

West Azerbaijan with 45 seasonal and permanent wetlands including the satellite wetlands of Urmia Lake, Soldoz and Durge Sangi and Hasanlu wetlands in Naqdeh, Kani Brazan and Qopi Baba Ali and Yusefkand in Mahabad, Norozloi in Miandoab, Shiblu in Peldasht and Boralan in Mako. It has become one of the safe provinces for native and migratory birds.

In addition to these seasonal and permanent wetlands, there are 14 important dams, including Norozloi Miandoab, Shahid Kazemi and Khorasane Bukan dams, Barun Mako, Qiqach Poldasht, Aras, Aras 2, Shahrchai Urmia, Sanjag and Mahabad Dam, Ahmedabad Takab and Hasanlu Naqdeh and Zab rivers. Kelvi), Gader, Mahabad, Zarina, Simine, Nazlo, Shahrchai, Aras and Barandoz has made this province an important habitat for birds.

The existence of these surface water resources in West Azerbaijan has caused that, in addition to migratory birds, some aquatic and aquatic species including geese such as gray geese, white-fronted geese, small white-fronted geese, goose geese, all kinds of ducks, swans and pelicans spend winter in this province.

West Azerbaijan is among the top three provinces in terms of bird habitat

In an interview with IRNA reporter, the Director General of Environmental Protection of West Azerbaijan stated that this province, having many surface water resources and about 70 water habitats, is among the top three provinces in terms of bird habitats in the country, and every year 300,000 migratory birds fly from They migrate to this province in autumn.

Referring to the favorable condition of the province’s wetlands, Saeed Shahand added: Considering the current conditions of Lake Urmia and the importance of autumn rains for the presence of birds in the province, efforts should be made to timely water the satellite wetlands of Lake Urmia in the south, as well as the wetlands in the north of the province and the banks of the Aras River. has been

He continued: In this season, in addition to the dams and rivers of the province, the wetlands of Soldoz and Durga Sangi and Hasanlu in Naqdeh, the mineral lagoons of Brazan and Qopi Baba Ali and Yusufkand in Mahabad, Norozloi in Miandoab, Shib Lo in Peldasht, Boralan in Mako, Darek in Samas and Naver and Pirahmadkandi in Chaldaran are the balance of migratory and native birds.

The migration of aquatic, near-aquatic and hunting birds to the province depends on the conditions of the wetlands, and the availability of these conditions can be a good platform for accepting these birds.

Pointing out that birds migrate to this region from northern latitudes and Siberia, he continued: The migration of aquatic, aquatic and hunting birds to the province depends on the conditions of the wetlands and Lake Urmia, and the availability of conditions can be a good platform for accepting these birds. .

The Director General of Environmental Protection of West Azerbaijan continued: The first group of migratory birds to the province includes hunting birds such as eagles, falcons, falcons, small and common kestrels, and vultures, and terns are in the next series.

He added: The migration of aquatic and near-aquatic birds is in the next stages and includes the family of mallards and ducks that settle in the wetlands of the province from September 15 to January.

300 species of aquatic and aquatic birds were identified in West Azerbaijan

In an interview with IRNA, the head of the Department of Wildlife Monitoring and Environmental Protection of West Azerbaijan stated that this province is one of the seven important routes of bird migration in the country due to its suitable water habitats, and so far there are 300 species of aquatic and coastal birds. It has been identified in this province.

Omid Yousefi, pointing out that the migration of birds to the water habitats of the province takes place in 2 seasons, autumn and spring, added: due to the suitability of the living conditions in wetlands and water habitats, more than 200 different species of migratory birds enter West Azerbaijan during the migration seasons every year. .

He stated that most of the migration takes place in the area of ​​Mahabad and Naqdeh wetlands, he said: The migration of thousands of birds to the wetlands and rivers of West Azarbaijan is a rare event that happens during the migration in the fall and spring seasons in the province, and similar examples can be rarely found. observed in other provinces of the country.

Regarding the species of birds in the water areas of the province, he added: now there are water and waterside birds such as angut, tanje, white and gray pelicans, great screaming and mute, flamingos and all kinds of terns in the habitats of the province.

Due to its security and suitable living conditions for birds, the wetlands of West Azerbaijan are a very suitable resting place for all kinds of migratory birds that enter them every year on their flight path.

He added: The wetlands of West Azerbaijan, due to their security and suitable living conditions for birds, are a very suitable resting place for all kinds of migratory birds that enter them every year on their flight path.

Referring to the species of birds both native and migrant in the province, he added: fire chicken, flamingo, all kinds of ducks, pelican, tenche, swan, goose goose, gray goose, tern , Garghi, Golden Eagle, Delijah, common partridge, Avest, silver cockatoo, little owl and well dove are among the birds of Urmia Lake National Park and other habitats of the province.

Hatchery of endangered species in West Azerbaijan

The head of the West Azerbaijan Environmental Protection Wildlife Monitoring Department stated: One of the important features of the West Azerbaijan wetlands is the hatching of endangered species such as white-headed ducks, marbled ducks, and marbled ducks.

Omid Yousefi added: 2 very important species, such as common tern and gray goose, breed only in West Azarbaijan, and this has made the wetlands of the province to be particularly important in terms of biodiversity compared to other neighboring provinces.

Referring to the existence of 45 seasonal and permanent wetlands in West Azerbaijan, he added: a number of wetlands in the province, such as the mineral wetlands of Brazan and Qopi Baba-Ali, Habadov, Soldoz, Sangi Sangi Nagdeh, and Norozloi Miandoab, are part of the Ramsar and international conventions.

Preliminaries and initial works for the registration of 2 Shiblu-Poldasht and Boralan wetlands in Mako have been done at the Ramsar site due to the favorable water condition and good bird habitat.

He added: preliminary and preliminary works for registration of 2 wetlands of Shiblu-Poldasht and Boralan in Mako have been done in Ramsar site due to favorable water condition and good habitat of birds, and soon these 2 wetlands in the north of the province will be added to the international wetlands of the province. become

The head of the West Azerbaijan Environmental Protection Wildlife Monitoring Department said: Registering wetlands on the Ramsar site can increase the sensitivity of local communities and officials for the protection of these wetlands, and international support will be provided for their protection.

Kanibrazan lagoon of Mahabad hosted 5 thousand pieces of migratory birds

In an interview with IRNA reporter, the head of the Mahabad Environmental Protection Department, referring to the arrival of the first group of migratory birds in the Kanibrazan International Wetland of this city, added: This international wetland is now home to more than five thousand migrating aquatic and coastal birds. .

Farooq Sokhnor stated: These migratory birds, which include flamingos, terns, oak ducks, white-headed ducks, gray herons, sea swallows, marbled ducks, little cormorants, white pelicans, woodpeckers, large keshm, and goose geese, which are chicks in the northern regions have recovered and now they have returned to Brazan mineral lagoon.

He added: After resting and feeding, some of these migratory birds leave this wetland and migrate to more southern areas, and some spend the entire winter in this wetland.

Among the birds of Kanibrazan, there are also rare species such as the black-breasted grouse and the pelican, which have been observed in this wetland after many years.

The head of the Mahabad Environmental Protection Department added: Among these migratory birds, there are also rare species such as the black-breasted grouse and the pelican, which have been observed in this wetland after many years.

Regarding the current situation of the Kanibrazan International Wetland, he said: With the release of one million cubic meters of water from the Mahabad dam to this wetland and the autumn rains, part of the drains and springs around this wetland have also been restored, and the water condition of the wetland is improving now. .

The head of the Mahabad Environmental Protection Department said: This wetland is one of the important bird habitats in the south of Lake Urmia, and now more than 15,000 migratory and native aquatic and coastal birds live in it.

“Kanibrazan” International Wetland of Mahabad, with an area of ​​more than 910 hectares, is one of the most important satellite wetlands south of Lake Urmia and the most valuable habitats of all kinds of migratory and native aquatic and coastal birds in the northwest of the country.

Due to its special location and unique living conditions, this wetland was declared as a prohibited hunting area in 2005, and has become the first wildlife sanctuary of West Azerbaijan and thus has been introduced as one of the four regions of the country with a legal status.

According to the latest surveys, 75 species of aquatic and waterside birds belonging to 11 families have been identified in this wetland, and if terrestrial species are added, this number will reach more than 180 species, which makes the importance of the wetland even more obvious.

So far, 45 plant species from 35 genera and 17 families have been identified in Kanibrazan, most of which are from the “chenopodiaceae” and “graminae” families; The species identified inside the wetland also include reed, buria, jagen and gaze.

The first batch of migrating porpoises entered Naqdeh wetlands

In an interview with IRNA reporter, the head of Naqdeh Environmental Protection Department said: The first group of migrating porpoises entered the wetlands of this city, including Soldoz Wetland, in order to rest and feed.

Akbar Mohammadian added: The experts of this department in their monitoring; They saw the first batch of Dornas, which consisted of 150 to 200 pieces, in Soldoz Lagoon.

He added: Experts also saw flocks of migrant cranes in the sky of this region and heard their voices flying towards the southern regions.

West Azarbaijan is one of the few provinces of the country where the terns breed, and in the fall, the young terns migrate to the southern regions along with their herd. Dorna breeding takes place in the northern regions of the province, and in the autumn season, young dornas also migrate to the southern regions along with their herd.

Dornas are large birds with long legs and necks, relatively short tails, long wings and long and thick beaks, looking like storks, and the inner secondary feathers of their wings are very long and cover their tails.

Flocks of this bird, whose male and female have the same shape and usually build nests on the ground, fly in a line in a figure of seven during migration, and often spend time in water areas, bushy plains, farmlands, and the edge of lakes.

Soldoz Wetland is a protected area and any fishing activities and hunting of birds and other animals are prohibited in it and violators will be dealt with according to the regulations.

This wetland, located 25 km from Naqdeh city, was restored in 1380 and the good habitat of this wetland has caused the migration and presence of many aquatic and aquatic birds as well as other aquatic and animal species to this area.

There are seven seasonal and permanent wetlands in Naqdeh city, where more than 10,000 species of migratory and native birds live every year, of which Darga Sangi, Hasanlu, and Yadgarlu wetlands are among the international wetlands.

Now, the authorities of West Azerbaijan, having this capability in the context of turning this province into one of the important corridors of bird migration, while using all their power to protect and take care of these beautiful migratory guests and prevent the activities of illegal hunters, have created the ground for the use of To provide bird watching industry and the presence of tourists interested in this field.

The time has come that the authorities of West Azerbaijan have neglected birdwatching, which is one of the most popular branches of the nature tourism industry (ecotourism) and is considered one of the richest provinces in the country in terms of bird species. and infrastructure and revive this industry.