Survey of lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus in Nakhchivan of Azerbaijan during 20-24 January 2015
Arzu Mammadov
A field survey of the Aras water reservoir within Nakhchivan Autonomic Republic and the adjoining flood-plain area of the Aras River valley within Sadarak district near the border of Iran and Turkey was carried out i 20-24 January 2015. Only four small flocks of Lesser White-fronted Geese were located, of which the biggest being 80 individuals. However, these observations together with tracking and location data on satellite transmitter tagged birds proves that at least for the LWfG the whole area of the Aras River valley from the border of Turkey to the Aras reservoir dam serves as a wintering ground. Considering their high significance, the wetlands of the Aras reservoir and Sadarak district should be assigned the status of highly protected area.
The survey also covered the numbers and distribution of other water bird species in the area. Within Azerbaijan part, more than 25000 waterfowl and shorebirds winters, which qualifies this important area to the list of important RAMSAR wetlands.
Arzu Mammadov. Survey of lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus in Nakhchivan of Azerbaijan during 20-24 January 2015. J Entomol Zool Stud 2017;5(5):1062-1066.