The first wave of migrating birds, including hundreds of grey geese, arrived in wetland of Kani-Barazan, West Azerbaijan Province, IRNA quoted head of the provincial Department of Environment Kamran Hosseini as saying.
The geese, numbering over 300, have now settled in the wetlands. Their migration from upper latitudes coincides with beginning of the cold season.
The birds linger here for a while, resting and feeding, before continuing their journey further south as the weather gets colder.
The recent rainfalls and the optimal environmental conditions of the wetland attracted more birds this year compared to the same period last year.
Hosseini asked the nearby villagers to report to rangers and offices of Department of Environment, in case of spotting poachers and other profiteers who would endanger the biodiversity of the wetland.
At 83 cm length, the grey goose is the largest in the region. It has a stout pink beak. Its head and neck are grey, its feet are pink.
Grey geese fly in flocks. They dwell in wetlands, lagoons, torrential plains, lake coasts and river banks. Bogs are ideal locations for their nests.
Some 30 km north of Mahabad City, Kani Barazan Wetland covers an area of 900 sq hectares. The National Eco-Tourism Committee has ranked the wetland first among bird-watching sites of the country.
Mahabad county houses many other wetlands including Qupi-Baba-Ali, Hassan-Khan, Garus, Dash-Khane, and Qara-Qeshlaq.
Each year’s fall, high numbers of various birds, such as pheasants, herons, pelicans, flamingos, wild ducks and geese come to the wetlands to enjoy their sojourn.
