A Study of Wintering Wetland-Dependent Waterbirds in Mazandaran Province

This study reveals the distribution, abundance and status of all 115 species of wintering wetland-dependent waterbirds in Mazandaran province during the period 2005–2014, and gives their last decade population estimations and their importance in national and international scope. Divers & Grebes (7), Pelicans (2), Cormorants and Darter (2), Herons and Egrets (8), Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills (4), Flamingos (1), Geese, Swans and Ducks (24), Cranes (2), Rails, Gallinules and Coot (4), Waders (32), Gulls, Terns and Skua (18), Raptors (8), Little and Great Bustards (2), and Turkestan Shrike (1) are wintering migratory species in wetlands of Mazandaran province. In 2005 mid-winter census, minimum population size of all waterbird species recorded was 320.037 birds. The most abundant population census was for 2007 with 1.490.357 birds. The population size of Common CootFulica atrain these two years was 71.127 and 1.075.850 birds, respectively. The survey showed that Miankaleh international wetland attracts an average population of over 52 thousand of Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus ruber in winter and serves one of the most important winter habitats for this species in the region. 37 species of migratory birds to Mazandaran wetlands are under national conservation legislation and 12 species are included in IUCN threatened species categories. Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus (CR), Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis(EN), Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus(VU), Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus(VU), Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus(EN), Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca(VU), White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (VU), Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga(VU), Pallid HarrierCircus macrourus(NT), Little BustardTetrax tetrax(NT), Great Bustard Otis tarda(VU), and Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius(CR) are the most important wintering migratory threatened species to wetlands of northern Iran in Mazandaran province. In average, every year more than 800 thousand migratory birds of more than a hundred species spend at least one stage of their life cycle in these wetlands.