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AZ045
Lake Mahmudchala
Location Azerbaijan, Bilasuvar,Jalilabad,Masally,Neftchala
Central coordinates 48o 40.00' East  39o 25.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i
Area 23,000 ha
Altitude
Year of IBA assessment 2005

Azerbaijan Ornithological Society (Partner Designate)



Ornithological information This is an important site for breeding waterbirds, totalling 12,000-15,000 pairs. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Oxyura leucocephala (occasional in winter). Terns and shorebirds (including Charadrius alexandrinus and Chettusia leucura) also occur. Winter waterbird numbers range from 10,000 to 40,000, or more.

Site description A shallow saline lake (depth 0.5-2.0 m) with a few small islands. Reedbeds cover large parts of the lake, especially in the central and southern parts. There are some Tamarix groves (largely flooded) along the southern shore. The lake is surrounded by saltwort Salsola semi-desert in the south and cotton fields in the north; there are also some saltmarshes. The lake is rented by the Hunters' Society of Azerbaijan and sheep graze the edges.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope winter  1997-2005  600-19,350 individuals  medium  B1i  Least Concern 
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata winter  1997-2005  5,674-7,777 individuals  medium  B1i  Least Concern 
Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris breeding  1997-2004  5-10 breeding pairs  poor  A1  Vulnerable 
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina winter  1997-2005  300-1,295 individuals  medium  A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Common Pochard Aythya ferina winter  1997-2005  100-9,390 individuals  medium  B1i  Least Concern 
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca breeding  1997-2005  24-640 breeding pairs  poor    Near Threatened 
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus breeding  1990-2004  250-6,000 breeding pairs  poor  A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia breeding  1997-2004  2-200 breeding pairs  poor  B1i  Least Concern 
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides breeding  1997-2004  250-1,000 breeding pairs  poor    Least Concern 
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis breeding  1990-2004  850-1,500 breeding pairs  poor  A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea breeding  1997-2005  54-100 breeding pairs  poor    Least Concern 
Little Egret Egretta garzetta breeding  1997-2004  825-3,000 breeding pairs  poor  A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus breeding  1997-2004  125-800 breeding pairs  poor  A1, A4i, B1i  Least Concern 
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida breeding  1997-2004  604-2,500 breeding pairs  poor    Least Concern 

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)
Shrubland Scrub  -
Desert Semidesert  -
Wetlands (inland) Salt marshes; Standing brackish and salt water; Water fringe vegetation  80%
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land  -

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture minor
hunting major
fisheries/aquaculture major
rangeland/pastureland minor

Management considerations The main threat for this lake is sharp reduction of water level. The lake is need in good management plan. Pollution caused by pesticide run-off from cotton fields threatens both breeding and wintering birds. Threats also include intensive hunting, trampling of nests on islands by buffaloes grazing in water and the effects of fluctuating water-levels (dependent on watering of cotton fields further north) on the timing of breeding by Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes (`Other' threat, above). In supporting at least 20,000 waterbirds and at least 1% of the regional population of three species (Anas penelope, A. clypeata, Aythya ferina), the IBA qualifies for designation as a Ramsar Site.

Protection status National None International None

Conservation response As a part of monitoring project was studied in 1996-1997 year by Azerbaijan Ornithological Society (AOS).Regularly studies of winter birds population conduct by AOS annually.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lake Mahmudchala. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013

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