The flooded paddy fields of Sorkhrud Wetland in Mahmoud Abad county, Mazandaran Province, is especially beautiful in fall and winter, as they are home to migratory swans flying long distances from Europe and Siberia to take shelter in the wetland region of 60 acres.
Just last year, about 5,000 mute and whooper swans migrated to this area. Considering the limited space and the large number of swans, the natural food sources in the wetland are adequate only for a week; therefore environmental activists have started to collect corn and distribute it among these graceful, albeit noisy birds.
Masoud Mohammadi, head of migratory birds’ protection agency in Sorkhrud told Mehr News, the “agency is involved in collecting and providing food for the swans, and contributed immensely last year.”
The migrants are mainly two types: Mute Swans and Whooper, he said. “Nowhere in the world at this time of the year such a huge number of swans taking shelter at one place, is witnessed.”
Mayor of Sorkhrud Mohammad Mahdi Mousavinezhad, referring to the unique wetland urged for it to be globally registered.
“We hope to overcome the problems in the way of registering this wetland and will soon be witness to the development of tourism in this city,” he added.
