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© Elvin Mammadsoy

Besh Barmag bottleneck

40.99862 , 49.22049

Azerbaijan

Despite it is known for centuries that a huge number of migrating birds pass along the Caspian coast and through Azerbaijan, the area around Mount Besh Barmag (Beşbarmaq) was just recently identified as a globally important bird migration bottleneck. Here, at the easternmost foothills of the Greater Caucasus, migrating birds that avoid crossing the high mountain range and also the nearby Caspian Sea are funnelled through a narrow coastal plain. 2-3 million birds pass the counting station in autumn. On good days more than 100.000 individuals can be counted. In total, more than 320 bird species have been recorded.

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The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 40.9986/49.2205 (2020-12-09 22:06:35 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Besh Barmag Bottleneck" (2020-12-09 22:06:35 )

Edited by Zülfü Ferecli on 2023-10-29 18:20:40
Despite it is known for centuries that a huge number of migrating birds pass along the Caspian coast and through Azerbaijan, the area around Mount Besh Barmag (Beşbarmaq) was just recently identified as a globally important bird migration bottleneck. Here, at the easternmost foothills of the Greater Caucasus, migrating birds that avoid crossing the high mountain range and also the nearby Caspian Sea are funnelled through a narrow coastal plain. 2-3 million birds pass the counting station in autumn. On good days more than 100.000 individuals can be counted. In total, more than 320 bird species have been recorded.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Garganey (Spatula querquedula)
Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax)
Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius)
Black-winged Pratincole (Glareola nordmanni)
Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus)
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Black-winged Pratincole (Glareola nordmanni) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:28:00)

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:27:34)

Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:27:22)

Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:26:54)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:26:41)

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:26:26)

Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:24:27)

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:24:17)

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:24:05)

Garganey (Spatula querquedula) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:23:28)

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:21:59)

Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:21:45)

Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) was added by Zülfü Ferecli (2023-10-29 18:21:16)

  • Timing and strategy

Good thing is that spot offers almost year-around birding. However, the best time would be autumn migration where in September you can see thousands of Black-winged Pratincoles, lots of bee-eaters, rollers, yellow wagtails etc. In late September and October you get chance to migrating herons (Great White, Grey, Purple, Little Egret), and lots of Cormorants. Above the hill you can see the kettles of Marsh Harriers, Steppe Eagles, Imperial Eagles and Storks soaring and so on. Seaside will always be interesting from mixed flocks of waders, to hundreds of terns or thousands of ducks migrating in a day!

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Zülfü Ferecli on 2023-10-29 18:31
Good thing is that spot offers almost year-around birding. However, the best time would be autumn migration where in September you can see thousands of Black-winged Pratincoles, lots of bee-eaters, rollers, yellow wagtails etc. In late September and October you get chance to migrating herons (Great White, Grey, Purple, Little Egret), and lots of Cormorants. Above the hill you can see the kettles of Marsh Harriers, Steppe Eagles, Imperial Eagles and Storks soaring and so on. Seaside will always be interesting from mixed flocks of waders, to hundreds of terns or thousands of ducks migrating in a day!
  • How to get there

Due to the new highway only accesiblity to reach the spot is from Zarat village (~7 km south) by following the "coast road"

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Zülfü Ferecli on 2023-10-29 18:32
Due to the new highway only accesiblity to reach the spot is from Zarat village (~7 km south) by following the "coast road"

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

Along with its importance for the birds the area is home to many other wildlife such as Jungle Cats, Golden Jackals, Red Foxes, Levantine Vipers (be careful!), Asian Speedrunner and Caspian Gecko lizards, lots of interesting insects such as dragonflys, butterflies (Hummingbird Hawk-Moths, Crimson Speckled Flunkeys, Death-head Moth, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, etc.).

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Zülfü Ferecli on 2023-10-29 18:35
Along with its importance for the birds the area is home to many other wildlife such as Jungle Cats, Golden Jackals, Red Foxes, Levantine Vipers (be careful!), Asian Speedrunner and Caspian Gecko lizards, lots of interesting insects such as dragonflys, butterflies (Hummingbird Hawk-Moths, Crimson Speckled Flunkeys, Death-head Moth, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, etc.).

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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