Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan located in a “crossroad” where paths to the south, south-east and south-west diverge.has a very favorable geographical position.

With relatively mild winters, a lot of food, and lakes, which accommodate wintering waterfowl and do not almost frozen in cold season Azerbaijan is home of many birds seeking for warm corners in winter.

Birds of northern latitudes, flying over Azerbaijan, often stop here -- some of them just to rest during migration, some generally prefers not to fly to distant lands because there are all natural conditions for wintering here.

However, changes in some steppe areas of the country in recent years puts the lives of some migratory birds in danger.

Elman Yusifov, Director of the Zoology Institute of the ANAS, said that there are certain changes in migration routes of birds.

“Birds have several migration routes. However, today some changes are observed in these migration routes. Buildings built in steppe areas, new agricultural systems and drainage of some lakes have lead to these changes,” he noted.

Yusifov informed that those who migrate are often waterfowls. He said that earlier, birds migrated strictly following the line and stopped in certain lakes and areas.

“However, draining lakes and construction of buildings had negative impact on ecosystem,” he said, in particular mentioning some villages in the outskirts of Baku -- Mahammadli and Kurdakhanli.

“Some species knew about existing of lakes here and planned to stop here to feed themselves. But, now, they cannot find water here. They have no energy to continue their journey, and subsequently cannot find food and die,” the expert explained.

The most favorite places of migration birds in Azerbaijan are Aggol National Park, Sarisu lakes system in Bilasuvar-Kurdamir area and shores of the Caspian Sea.

Scientists claim that birds are very conservative in choosing their habitats. With the general biological point of view, affection to a particular place can be explained by the fact that optimal conditions of existence at a certain time of the year for each bird is home.

Migration in general plays an important role in the life of birds. Every autumn birds of northern latitudes fly to winter in southern countries. Azerbaijan is the most convenient way through which birds can fly to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, on the territory of ancient Mesopotamia or far -- to the south of the African continent, and to the shores of the Indian Ocean.

This path is also called “Caspian Sea flyway”. That’s why, Azerbaijan plays a big importance in the life of the representatives of the Bird kingdom.

--

Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz