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AZ043
Shorgel lakes/Shirvan reserve
Location Azerbaijan, Neftechala,Saliany
Central coordinates 49o 15.00' East  39o 30.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2
Area 26,000 ha
Altitude
Year of IBA assessment 2000

Azerbaijan Ornithological Society (Partner Designate)



Ornithological information Among breeding birds at this IBA are Ardea purpurea, Tadorna ferruginea, T. tadorna, Netta rufina, Circus aeruginosus, Francolinus francolinus, Burhinus oedicnemus, Charadrius alexandrinus and Gelochelidon nilotica. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria (all observed in winter): Anser erythropus (27 in 1996), Aegypius monachus, Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila heliaca. Other wintering birds include Phoenicopterus ruber (200-300), also wildfowl (Cygnus cygnus and others), Fulica atra, etc. Report of 20,000-35,000 wintering wildfowl, while 150,000-200,000 stage at the site in autumn. Aquila nipalensis also occurs on passage.

Site description An alluvial plain extending inland from the Caspian Sea. Predominantly dry semi-desert steppe with Artemisia and a high diversity of grasses. Canals run across the steppe and there are also saline lakes. The Shorgel lakes, with their rich aquatic vegetation, are fed by irrigation water. Part (c.3,500 ha) of this wetland lies within the reserve, the remainder extending into a contiguous Zakaznik.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris winter  -  240 individuals  -  A1, A4i, B1i  Vulnerable 
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus winter  -  50 individuals  -  A1, A4i, B1i  Vulnerable 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus winter  -  1,000 individuals  -  A1, A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax winter  1996  900 individuals  -  A1  Near Threatened 
Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio breeding  1990  4,000 breeding pairs  -  B2  Least Concern 
A4iii Species group - waterbirds unknown  -  20,000 individuals  unknown  A4iii   

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Shirvan goryhy Zapovednik 25,800 protected area contained by site 25,800  

Local conservation groups The local conservation group below is working to support conservation at this IBA.

Name Year formed
info avialable at AOS 2005

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Grassland Steppes and dry calcareous grassland  40%
Wetlands (inland) Standing brackish and salt water; Water fringe vegetation  -

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research -

Management considerations The chief threats are grazing by sheep (100,000 sheep graze in the reserve legally, a condition under which the reserve was gazetted) and, more recently, cattle, leading to destruction of goose pastures, continuing oil extraction and fishing (fishermen's camps are located within the Zapovednik and the Zakaznik), pollution of some lakes by pesticides and disturbance by shepherds. The oil-drilling operation should be isolated from the reserve. Shirvan Reserve (Zapovednik) was established in 1969 partly within the Byandovan Zakaznik, the aim being to give better protection to the Goitred Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa. Some new facilities have been built and the site has considerable education potential.

Protection status National High International None26,000 ha of IBA covered by Zapovednik (Shirvan goryhy, 26,000 ha). Zakaznik of 22,000 ha adjacent.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Shorgel lakes/Shirvan reserve. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife