A Directory of Wetlands in the Middle East

IRAQ (part 2)

[Go to Appendix]
____________________________________________________________________________

Haur Lafta (13)

Location: 3121'N, 4531'E; to the north of the Euphrates, about 20 km east of Samawa, Al Muthanna Governorate.

Area: c.20,000 ha.

Altitude: c.12 m.

Physical and ecological features: An isolated haur on a vast saline plain to the north of the Euphrates River, about 20 km east of Samawa. The haur is fed by floodwaters from the Euphrates, about 5 km away. There are sand dunes to the north and east.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Haur Lafta was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available. The site may have suffered major habitat degradation following the decline in the flow of the Euphrates since the 1970s (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Lafta was listed by Georg and Savage (1970b) as an important staging and wintering area for migratory Anatidae, but no details are available.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Delmaj (14)

Location: 3220'N, 4525'E; to the southwest of the Tigris River about 40 km southwest of Kut, Wasit Governorate.

Area: c.100,000 ha.

Altitude: c.25 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Delmaj (Dalmaj) is an isolated haur, about 50 km long by up to 15 km wide, on the west bank of the Tigris River. The haur receives overflow from irrigation canals and floodwater from the Tigris. There are extensive salt flats around the haur, and large areas of sand dunes to the south and west.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Haur Delmaj was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available. The site may have suffered habitat degradation due to flood control measures on the Tigris and expanding irrigation schemes in the area (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Delmaj was listed by Georg and Savage (1970b) as an important staging and wintering area for migratory Anatidae, but no details are available.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Shuwaija (Suwayqiyah) (15)

Location: 3242'N, 4555'E; on the plain north of the Tigris River, 25 km northeast of Kut, Wasit Governorate.

Area: c.50,000 ha.

Altitude: c.20 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Al Shuwaija (Suwayqiyah, Suweicha) is a large isolated haur on arid steppic plains about 10 km north of the Tigris River. This rather shallow, eutrophic lake formerly covered about 500 sq.km at high water level, but was partially drained in the early 1940s. It is fed by floodwaters from the Tigris as well as by numerous streams that flow into the lake from the Zagros Mountains during the rainy season. The water is reported to be slightly brackish (Koning & Dijksen, 1973). Little emergent vegetation was visible in January 1968 and December 1972. The haur is surrounded by a large area of semi-arid grassy steppe and Salicornia flats, with some arable land to the southwest and large areas of sand dunes to the east, north and west.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The haur was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No information is available on the current status of Haur Al Shuwaija, but it would seem likely that the site has suffered habitat degradation with the expansion of irrigated agriculture throughout the region. Duck-netting was much in evidence in December 1972, the hunters using clap-nets, and is presumably still a serious problem at the site.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Prior to about 1945, the area was noted for its wintering geese and ducks, regularly holding large numbers of Anser anser, A. albifrons, Anas platyrhynchos, A. strepera, A. crecca, A. penelope, A. acuta and A. clypeata. Anser erythropus was found in quite large numbers, and there is good evidence to suggest that several hundred to a thousand Branta ruficollis wintered in the area (Savage, 1968; Georg & Savage, 1970a). However, no B. ruficollis have been recorded in the area since the winter of 1954/55. According to Savage (1968), the area probably held one of the highest concentrations of geese in the Middle East. It also occasionally held large numbers of Phoenicopterus ruber, and was very important for Anas querquedula on passage. Three surveys between 1968 and 1979 revealed that the lake was still important for flamingos and shorebirds, while the surrounding steppic grasslands and Salicornia flats remained very important for geese and Tadorna ferruginea. Peak counts included 71 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 3 P. crispus, 133 Ardea cinerea, 600 Phoenicopterus ruber, 325 Anser albifrons, 70 A. erythropus (in December 1972), 460 A. anser, 1,280 Tadorna ferruginea, 250 T. tadorna, 2,700 Anas penelope, 435 A. strepera, 3,450 A. crecca, 2,630 A. platyrhynchos, 2,800 A. acuta, 3,000 A. clypeata, 70 Grus grus, 510 Fulica atra, 373 Recurvirostra avosetta, 725 Charadrius alexandrinus, 37 Vanellus leucurus, 130 Calidris minutus, 2,000 Philomachus pugnax, 650 Larus ridibundus, 645 L. cachinnans, 6 Gelochelidon nilotica, 11 Sterna caspia and 110 Chlidonias hybridus. Wintering birds of prey included Aquila heliaca (3), A. clanga and Circus aeruginosus.

Haur Al Shuwaija is known to have been a very important breeding area for waterfowl in the early part of this century, but little new information has become available since the 1930s. Species known to have bred at the lake include Pelecanus onocrotalus ("thousands"), Marmaronetta angustirostris (up to 100 birds), Glareola pratincola, Charadrius alexandrinus (150 pairs), Chlidonias leucopterus and C. hybridus, while Ardea purpurea, Plegadis falcinellus and Anser anser possibly bred (Ticehurst et al., 1921-22; Moore & Boswell, 1956-57). There are old records of Ardea goliath (2 in August 1943) and Grus virgo ("fair numbers") on passage.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1968, 1972 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Iraq Natural History Museum in Baghdad and the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970a, 1970b); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Koning & Dijksen (1973); Moore & Boswell (1956-57); Savage (1968); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993); Ticehurst et al. (1921-22).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. Known to have been an extremely important breeding, staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, including Anser erythropus and Marmaronetta angustirostris.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Umm Al Baram and Haur Al Abjiya (16)

Location: Haur Umm Al Baram 3232'N, 4607'E; Haur Al Abjiya 3225'N, 4603'E; to the south of the Tigris River and east of Shatt Al Gharraf, 20-25 km east and southeast of Kut town, Wasit Governorate.

Area: Haur Um Al Baram 5,000 ha; Haur Al Abjiya 5,000 ha.

Altitude: c.17 m.

Physical and ecological features: Two shallow, freshwater lakes with extensive marshes on the plains to the east of the Shatt Al Gharraf and south of the Tigris River. The two haurs are linked by the Dujaila Canal.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Both haurs were listed as wetlands of international importance by Carp (1980), and have been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The site may have suffered habitat degradation due to flood control measures on the Tigris and expanding irrigation schemes in the area (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Umm Al Baram and Haur Al Abiya were listed by Georg and Savage (1970b) as important staging and wintering areas for migratory Anatidae, but no details are available.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Hachcham and Haur Maraiba (17)

Location: 3205'N, 4612'E; on the plains to the east of the Shatt Al Gharaf, about 10 km southeast of Hai, Wasit Governorate.

Area: 8,000 ha.

Altitude: c.14 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Al Hachcham and Haur Maraiba are two small haurs largely overgrown with Phragmites reeds, on the plains to the east of the Shatt Al Gharraf and fed by water from that channel.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The two haurs were listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and have been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No information.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Al Hachcham and Haur Maraiba were listed by Georg and Savage (1970b) as important staging and wintering areas for migratory Anatidae, but no details are available.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Shatt Al Gharraf (18)

Location: 3230'N, 4550'E to 3125'N, 4610'E; from the Tigris River at Kut in the north to the region of Shatra in the south, Wasit and Dhi Qar Governorates.

Area: Unknown. Approximately 125 km in length.

Altitude: 12-15 m.

Physical and ecological features: The wetlands of the Shatt Al Gharraf comprise a series of small ponds and seasonal wetlands along the Shatt Al Gharraf waterway between Kut and Shatra.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available. However, the "Third River" canal passes through this area, and may pose a threat through facilitating the expansion of irrigated cultivation and attendant drainage schemes (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: This area is reported to be of particular importance as breeding habitat for Marmaronetta angustirostris (Savage, 1968). Birds observed during a brief survey in January 1979 included six Aquila heliaca, 177 Himantopus himantopus and 116 Vanellus leucurus (Carp & Scott, 1979).

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Some waterfowl counts were undertaken in 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Savage (1968); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 2a. Known to have been an important breeding area for Marmaronetta angustirostris.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Uwainah (19)

Location: 3122'N, 4625'E; on the plains to the east of the Shatt Al Gharraf, about 20 km east and southeast of Shatra, Dhi Qar Governorate.

Area: c.32,500 ha.

Altitude: c.15 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Uwainah (also known as the Shatra or Chamuqa marshes) comprises a complex of large haurs and associated marshes on the plains to the east of the Shatt Al Gharraf, east and southeast of the village of Shatra. The two principal haurs are Haur Abu Ajul (3128'N, 4620'E; 7,500 ha) in the north, and Haur Chamuqa (3122'N, 4625'E; 25,000 ha) in the south (Savage, 1968; Georg & Savage, 1970b). They are fed mainly by the Shatt Al Gharraf waterway. Both haurs formerly supported extensive reed-beds, but Abu Ajul had been drained by December 1972. By 1979, this haur was completely under cultivation, while Haur Chamuqa had been somewhat reduced in size with the construction of an embankment and road around the northern perimeter. However, much of the haur remained in excellent condition with extensive Typha reed-beds and large areas of open water. The surrounding wet arable land and rain-fed pools provided excellent habitat for a variety of shorebirds.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Chamuqa and the surrounding marshes were listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and the site has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Agriculture.

Disturbances and threats: By 1979, Haur Abu Ajul had been completely drained for agriculture, and Haur Chamuqa had been reduced in size by an embankment. No new information has become available since then, but further, major habitat destruction or degradation is a probability (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: A very important wintering area for a wide variety of waterfowl, with over 17,000 waterfowl present in January 1979. Peak counts have included 140 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 20 P. crispus, 145 Ardea cinerea, 110 Tadorna tadorna, 315 Anas strepera, 820 A. crecca, 1,160 A. clypeata, 9,000 Fulica atra, 190 Himantopus himantopus, 380 Recurvirostra avosetta, 60 Charadrius alexandrinus, 110 Vanellus leucurus, 180 Calidris minutus, 260 C. alpina, 350 Limosa limosa, 730 Larus ridibundus, 140 L. cachinnans and 6 Gelochelidon nilotica. Wintering birds of prey have included Aquila heliaca (up to 6), Circus aeruginosus (up to 12), C. macrourus, Falco columbarius and F. peregrinus. No information is available on the breeding birds.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1972 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Iraq Natural History Museum in Baghdad and the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Koning & Dijksen (1973); Savage (1968); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for a wide variety of migratory waterfowl, including Pelecanus crispus.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Sa'adiyah (20)

Location: 3201'-3225'N, 4622'-4644'E; on the plains to the south of the Tigris River, 15 km southwest of Ali Gharbi, Wasit Governorate.

Area: c.140,000 ha.

Altitude: 14 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur As Sa'adiyah constitutes the largest in a chain of haurs stretching for 120 km from near Ali Gharbi in the north to Haur Al Hammar (Site 28) in the south. The haur is a vast shallow lake over 50 km long and covering about 1,400 sq.km, bordered in the east by the Tigris and in the west by the Dujaila Canal. The small northwestern section of the haur is known as Haur Umm Roij (3221'N, 4626'E; 1,500 ha). When visited in January 1979, there was little emergent vegetation at the east end. The Dujaila Canal eventually flows into the haur at its southernmost point and this area is known as Haur Dujaila. The haur is surrounded by fertile plains mostly under irrigated agriculture.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Haur Al Sa'adiyah was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The site may have suffered habitat degradation due to flood control measures on the Tigris and expanding irrigation schemes in the area (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Al Sa'adiyah was, at least until recently, an extremely important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, particularly geese, dabbling ducks, cranes and shorebirds, and was probably also an important breeding area for waterfowl. Partial counts in January 1967, January 1968 and January 1979 recorded over 15,000, 26,000 and 11,000 waterfowl, respectively. These included up to 17 Pelecanus sp., 920 Phoenicopterus ruber, 1,030 Anser anser, 65 Tadorna ferruginea, 190 T. tadorna, 2,850 Anas penelope, 5,000 A. strepera, 3,215 A. crecca, 2,500 A. platyrhynchos, 3,000 A. acuta, 760 A. clypeata, 30 Aythya nyroca, 2,600 Grus grus, 20 Recurvirostra avosetta, 7,000 Charadrius alexandrinus, 80 Vanellus leucurus, 4,050 Calidris minutus, 9,000-10,000 C. alpina, 150 Limosa limosa and 120 Larus cachinnans. Wintering birds of prey included Haliaeetus albicilla (2), Aquila heliaca (9), A. nipalensis, Circus aeruginosus, C. macrourus (4), C. pygargus, Falco columbarius and F. peregrinus. No information is available on the breeding birds.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Mid-winter waterfowl counts were undertaken in 1967, 1968 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a, 3b & 3c. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for a wide variety of migratory waterfowl and birds of prey, notably Anser anser, Anas strepera, Aythya nyroca, Aquila heliaca, Grus grus and Calidris spp.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Sarut (21)

Location: 3207'-3231'N, 4646'E; on the east bank of the Tigris River, east and southeast of the town of Ali Gharbi, Maysan Governorate.

Area: Unknown.

Altitude: c.30 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Sarut is a long narrow haur, largely overgrown with reeds, stretching for 50 km from north to south on the east bank of the Tigris River southeast of Ali Gharbi. The haur is fed by overflow from the Tigris River and seasonal streams from the hill ranges to the northeast.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The site may have suffered habitat degradation due to flood control measures on the Tigris and expanding irrigation schemes in the area (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Believed to be an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl. Only small numbers of waterfowl, including 50 Tadorna ferruginea, were recorded during a brief survey in January 1968.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: A mid-winter waterfowl survey was undertaken in 1968 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994); Georg & Vielliard (1970); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Believed to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Haushiya (22)

Location: 3205'N, 4654'E; on the east bank of the Tigris River, north of the village of Al Kumait, Maysan Governorate.

Area: Unknown.

Altitude: c.15 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Al Haushiya comprises a group of 14 artificial ponds (Al Kumait Ponds), constructed for wildfowl hunting, in the basin of the former Haur Al Haushiya on the east bank of the Tigris River.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: The ponds are used as private duck-hunting areas.

Disturbances and threats: Heavy hunting pressure was reported in the 1960s.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Apparently an important wintering area for migratory waterfowl, although only surveyed on one occasion. Atkinson-Willes (1976) tentatively identified the area as being of international importance for wintering Anas clypeata. Waterfowl observed during a survey of eight ponds in January 1968 included one Pelecanus crispus, 110 Ciconia ciconia, 40 Phoenicopterus ruber, 65 Tadorna ferruginea, 190 T. tadorna, 775 Anas penelope, 1,310 A. strepera, 3,200 Anas crecca, 1,270 A. acuta, 2,400 A. clypeata, 32 Grus grus, 500 Recurvirostra avosetta, 110 Charadrius alexandrinus, 500 Calidris minuta, 170 C. alpina, 125 Limosa limosa and 30 Tringa stagnatilis. Two Larus minutus were present at this time (only the second record of the species in Iraq). Birds of prey included Aquila heliaca, Circus aeruginosus and C. macrourus.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Eight of the 14 ponds were visited in January 1968 during a mid-winter waterfowl survey by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Atkinson-Willes (1976); Evans (1994); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 3b. Believed to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Chubaisah Complex (23)

Location: 3153'N, 4718'E; on the east bank of the Tigris River between Amara and Al Halfaya, about 20 km northeast of Amara, Maysan Governorate.

Area: c.27,500 ha.

Altitude: c.25 m.

Physical and ecological features: The Haur Chubaisah (Chubaisha) complex comprises a group of large haurs with extensive marshes on the plains to the east of the Tigris, north of Suweid Marshes (Site 29). The three main haurs, Haur Jazrah in the west, Haur Chubaisah in the centre and Haur Sanaf in the east, lie close together and merge into one another at high water levels. They are bordered in the south by the Musharra Canal. Haur Sanaf is about 20 km long and consists mainly of open water with a few reeds and extensive fringing grasslands (Georg & Vielliard, 1970). The Chubaisah wetland includes the Bani Lam Marshes listed by Savage (1968).

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Haur Chubaisah was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available. However, it does not seem likely that this site has escaped some of the degradation suffered by other wetlands in southern Iraq (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: An important wintering for migratory waterfowl, and possibly also an important breeding area. Anhinga rufa and Marmaronetta angustirostris were said to breed in the area by Ticehurst et al. (1921-22), but no more recent information is available on the breeding birds. According to Savage (1968), the wetlands are particularly important for wintering Anser anser, A. erythropus and Tadorna ferruginea. Birds observed during very incomplete surveys in January 1968 and January 1979 included 6 Pelecanus crispus, 30 Pelecanus sp., 800 Nycticorax nycticorax, 18 Casmerodius albus, 32 Ciconia ciconia, 280 Anser anser, over 1,000 ducks, single Aquila heliaca and A. clanga, 5 Circus aeruginosus, a single Falco peregrinus, 900 Fulica atra, 55 Vanellus leucurus, 500 Larus ridibundus, 55 L. cachinnans and 27 Ceryle rudis. "Many" Numenius tenuirostris were recorded at a temporary lake in the desert 16 km north of Amara, and therefore presumably in the Haur Chubaisah area, in December 1917 (Ticehurst et al., 1921-22).

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Brief mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1968 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Savage (1968); Scott & Evans (1993); Ticehurst et al. (1921-22).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b (possibly also 2a). Known to have been an important breeding, staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Sanniya (24)

Location: 3155'N, 4648'E; on the west bank of the Tigris River, 30 km west of Amara, Maysan Governorate.

Area: c.40,000 ha.

Altitude: 12 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Sanniya is the second in the chain of large haurs stretching from Haur Sa'adiyah in the north to the Central Marshes (Site 27) and Haur Al Hammar (Site 28) in the south. The haur receives overflow from Haur Sa'adiyah (Site 20) to the north and from the Tigris River to the east.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The site may have suffered habitat degradation due to flood control measures on the Tigris and expanding irrigation schemes in the area (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Sanniya was listed by Georg and Savage (1970b) as an important staging and wintering area for migratory Anatidae, but no details are available.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Known to have been an important breeding, staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Rayan and Haur Umm Osbah (25)

Location: 3135'N, 4702'E; between the villages of Maymund and Salam, about 20 km south-southwest of Amara, Maysan Governorate.

Area: c.25,000 ha.

Altitude: 12 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Al Rayan and Umm Osbah (sometimes referred to as the Maymund and Salam marshes) are a complex of shallow lagoons and vast reed-beds with areas of sedge marsh, situated along the Shatt Al Maymunah, a distributary of the Tigris River. The southern end of these marshes lies a few kilometres to the north of Feraigat Marshes at the extreme northern end of the Central Marshes (Site 27).

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available. However, it does not seem likely that this site has escaped some of the degradation suffered by other wetlands in southern Iraq in recent years (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Known to be an important wintering area for a wide variety of waterfowl, notably pelicans, herons, egrets, ducks and shorebirds, and probably also an important breeding area. Birds recorded during two very incomplete surveys in January 1968 and January 1979 included 109 Pelecanus crispus, 750 P. onocrotalus, 120 Ardea cinerea, 36 Threskiornis aethiopicus (January 1979), 180 Ciconia ciconia, 4,000 Anas crecca, 2 Haliaeetus albicilla, 5 Aquila heliaca, 3 A. clanga, 25 Circus aeruginosus, a single Falco peregrinus, 32 Himantopus himantopus, 18 Recurvirostra avosetta, 30 Vanellus leucurus, 480 Limosa limosa, 90 Larus cachinnans, 29 Sterna caspia and 17 Ceryle rudis. No information is available on the breeding birds.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1968 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. Known to have been an important wintering area for migratory waterfowl (including Pelecanus crispus) and birds of prey (including Aquila heliaca), and probably also an important breeding area for waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Auda (26)

Location: 3133'N, 4651'E; to the west of the Shatt Al Maymunah, about 40 km southwest of Amara town.

Area: 7,500 ha.

Altitude: 12 m.

Physical and ecological features: Haur Auda (Al Awdah) is one of the chain of haurs stretching from Haur As Sa'adiyah in the north to Haur Al Hammar in the south. It lies on the west bank of the Shatt Al Maymunah, a distributary of the Tigris River, and overflows into the extreme northwestern portion of the Central Marshes (Site 27).

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Haur Auda was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available. However, it does not seem likely that this site has escaped some of the degradation suffered by other wetlands in southern Iraq in recent years (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Sanniya was listed by Georg and Savage (1970b) as an important staging and wintering area for migratory Anatidae, but no details are available. The area is likely to have been of considerable importance for breeding, staging and wintering waterfowl, given its size and proximity to wetlands of known importance.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Known to have been an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl.

Source: See references.

_______

Central Marshes (27)

Location: 3050'-3130'N, 4645'-4725'E; to the west of the Tigris River and north of the Euphrates River, in a triangle with Qalit Salih at the northern apex, Fuhud in the southwest and Qurna in the southeast. In Maysan, Dhi Qar and Al Basrah Governorates.

Area: c.300,000 ha.

Altitude: Mostly between 9 and 12 m above sea level.

Physical and ecological features: The Central Marshes comprise a vast complex of mostly permanent freshwater marshes with scattered areas of open water, to the west of the River Tigris and to the north of the River Euphrates. The marshes are fed by both rivers, and at maximum flooding cover an area of about 3,000 sq.km. Almost the entire area is covered in tall reed-beds of Phragmites and Typha. The marshes are bordered to the north and east by cultivated plains with extensive rice fields and sugar-cane polders. Portions of the Central Marshes which are known or thought to have been of special importance for wildlife include the following:

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The Euphrates Marshes around Haur Dima, Haur Umm Al Binni, Haur Az Zikri and Haur Birkat were listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and the entire area has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Disturbances and threats: Almost the entire area has been drained since the mid-1980s as a result of intensive hydrological engineering activity (see general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia).

Hydrological and biophysical values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Social and cultural values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy fauna: Formerly, at least, an extremely important breeding, staging and wintering area for huge numbers of waterfowl of a wide variety of species. No serious ornithological investigations have been carried out during the breeding season in recent decades, and very little information is available. Species reported to breed commonly in the marshes prior to about 1960 included Tachybaptus ruficollis iraquensis, a species of pelican Pelecanus sp., Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Anhinga rufa, Ardea goliath, Threskiornis aethiopicus, Marmaronetta angustirostris and Porphyrio porphyrio (Cheesman, 1922; Maxwell, 1957; Thesiger, 1964; Ticehurst et al., 1921-22 & 1926). Thesiger (1964) noted that "occasional Greylag remain to breed". Other known and likely breeding species are described in the general account of the wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia. Feraigat Marshes are known to have supported huge concentrations of ducks in the winter months, while Haur Umm Al Binni and Fartus Marshes were said to be important wintering areas for Aythya ferina (Savage, 1968). Fartus Marshes were also reported to be very important for wintering geese Anser spp. Haur Az Zikri was said to be very important for wintering waterfowl (Savage, 1968), and Ardea goliath is known to have occurred in this area until at least 1980 (K.Y. Al-Dabbagh, in litt.). Waterfowl recorded during very incomplete surveys in January 1968, December 1972 and January 1979 included up to 413 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 72 P. crispus, 31 Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, 70 Egretta garzetta, 190 Ardea cinerea, 9 A. purpurea, 12 Casmerodius albus, 50 Bubulcus ibis, 1,020 Nycticorax nycticorax, 100 Ciconia ciconia, 150 Plegadis falcinellus, 4,850 Fulica atra, 180 Charadrius alexandrinus, 34 Vanellus leucurus, 1,100 Larus ridibundus, 500 L. cachinnans and 100 Chlidonias hybridus. Birds of prey included up to 73 Circus aeruginosus, 3 C. macrourus, 4 Aquila clanga, 2 A. nipalensis and 3 A. heliaca.

According to Thesiger (1964), otters (Lutra sp.) were common in the marshes in the early 1950s, particularly at Haur Az Zikri, and the endemic subspecies of the Smooth-coated Otter, Lutra perspicillata maxwelli, was recorded on two occasions in Al Azair Marshes in the late 1950s. For other fauna, see general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Large portions of the marshes are difficult of access, and have seldom been visited by biologists. Thesiger (1964) and Maxwell (1957) travelled extensively in the marshes in the early 1950s, and give general accounts of the wildlife, but no thorough surveys have ever been undertaken. Mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1968, 1972 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Iraq Natural History Museum in Baghdad and the Museum of Natural History in Basrah, but only tiny portions of the marshes could be surveyed.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Carp & Scott (1979); Cheesman (1922); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Koning & Dijksen (1973); Maltby (1994); Maxwell (1957); Prentice (1993); Savage (1968); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993); Thesiger (1964); Ticehurst et al. (1921-22, 1926).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a & 3c. See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Hammar (28)

Location: 3035'-3100'N, 4625'-4745'E; south of the main channel of the Euphrates River from about 20 km east of Nasiriya in the west to the region of Basrah in the east. In Dhi Qar and Al Basrah Governorates.

Area: At least 350,000 ha.

Altitude: Mostly between 4.5 and 9.0 m above sea level.

Physical and ecological features: The Haur Al Hammar, its surrounding marshes and neighbouring haurs and areas of temporary inundation comprise some 3,500 sq.km of almost contiguous wetland habitat south of the River Euphrates and west of the Shatt Al Arab. The haur itself is the largest lake in the lower Euphrates, approximately 120 km long by up to 25 km wide. It is bordered in the north by the Euphrates, in the west by the Southern Desert and in the east by the Shatt Al Arab. The lake is eutrophic and generally shallow, with a maximum depth of about 1.8 m at low water levels in early winter and about 3.0 metres at high water levels in late spring. Large parts of the littoral zone dry out during periods of low water and banks and islands appear in many places. The temperature of the water varies between about 16C in winter (February) and 31C in summer (August). A pH of 8.0 has been recorded in winter, and a pH of 7.5 in summer. The main source of water is the Euphrates River, which flows along the northern edge of the marshes and joins the Tigris at Qarmat Ali, where the combined flow becomes the Shatt Al Arab. However, the lake may also receive a very substantial amount of water from the Tigris River via the Central Marshes (Site 27), and there is presumably also some recharge from groundwater. Portions of this vast wetland which are known to be of special importance for wildlife include the following:

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The entire area was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The IWRB/Basrah University Expedition of 1979 recommended the establishment of a protected area at Haur Al Hammar, but no further action was taken (Carp & Scott, 1979).

Land use: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Disturbances and threats: Flood control, drainage and irrigation schemes upstream on the Euphrates River in central Iraq, Turkey and Syria have been progressively reducing the amount of water flowing in the Euphrates and thus into the marshes, especially from the 1970s onwards. This has resulted in a gradual contraction in the extent of the permanent wetland area. By January 1975, a large part of Haur Aluwez in the southeast had been cut off from the main wetland by an embankment 10 km long and was being drained (Carp, 1975a & 1975b). By January 1979, much of this area was criss-crossed by a network of embankments constructed by the State Petroleum Company for oil exploration (Scott & Carp, 1982). Over 80,000 ha of marsh at the northeastern end of Haur Al Hammar had been drained by 1985 to facilitate exploitation of the West Qurna oilfield (Evans, 1994). Satellite images reveal that between 1984 and 1991/92 large areas of wetland along the southern shore of Haur Al Hammar and at its extreme eastern end near its outflow into the Shatt Al Arab were drained. The total loss of wetland habitat in the Haur Al Hammar system during this period has been estimated at over 60,000 ha (Maltby, 1994). Intensive hydrological engineering activity throughout Lower Mesopotamia since 1991 has caused further major changes to the system, and it seems likely that very little of the original wetland habitat still remains intact (see general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia).

Hunting occurs on a massive scale, and has posed a serious threat to many species of wildlife since the introduction of fire-arms and efficient flight nets and clap nets early in the century. Huge numbers of waterfowl were shot or netted each year for local consumption and sale in markets in nearby towns. Resident species, notably the large breeding waterbirds, have been most seriously affected, since these have been persecuted year-round (see general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia).

Hydrological and biophysical values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Social and cultural values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Al Hammar and its associated marshes comprise one of the most important areas for waterfowl in the Middle East, both in terms of numbers of birds and diversity of species. The vast reed-beds of Typha and Phragmites are known to have supported large breeding populations of species such Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardea purpurea, Marmaronetta angustirostris, Gallinula chloropus, Porphyrio porphyrio and Fulica atra. Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Ardea goliath and Anser anser are known to have bred in the early part of this century (Marchant, 1962; Thesiger, 1964; Ticehurst et al., 1921-22). Other known and likely breeding species are described in the general account of the wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

In general, the large open areas of water are too deep for most species of waterfowl other than pelicans, diving ducks, Fulica atra, gulls and terns. The broad mud shoreline along the southern edge of the main Haur Al Hammar provides excellent habitat for shorebirds, while sedge marshes and marsh-edge habitat to the east and west of the main haur are particularly suitable for herons, egrets, Platalea leucorodia, Plegadis falcinellus, dabbling ducks and some shorebirds. Moist arable land, irrigation ponds and rain-water pools on the surrounding plains provide excellent feeding areas for geese, dabbling ducks, Grus grus and many shorebirds. The eastern end of Haur Al Hammar is especially important for ducks and Fulica atra. Over 30,000 ducks and coots were present in January 1979. Haur Aluwez, in the southeast, is especially important for pelicans, diving ducks and coots. A survey in 1975 recorded 1,300 pelicans in this area, while a survey in 1979 found over 40,000 ducks, mainly Aythya fuligula, and 73,000 Fulica atra, as well as large numbers of shorebirds and gulls. Over 8,000 shorebirds, mainly Charadrius alexandrinus, Calidris minuta and C. alpina, were recorded along a short stretch of the southern shore of the main haur in January 1979; also present were six Numenius tenuirostris. The extensive reed-beds and open water areas in the region of Fuhud and Hammar villages in the northwest are especially important for pelicans and dabbling ducks. The 1979 survey recorded over 1,500 pelicans and 30,000 dabbling duck in this area, along with a day roost of about 1,000 Nycticorax nycticorax. The Nasiriya Marshes are important for a wide variety of waterfowl, notably herons, egrets and dabbling ducks, and a single Numenius tenuirostris was recorded in this area in autumn 1979. The observation of N. tenuirostris at two locations around Haur Al Hammar in 1979 suggests that this area may be a regular staging and wintering area for this highly endangered species (Gretton, 1991).

Haur Al Hammar is known to have held internationally important concentrations of at least 13 species of waterfowl in winter. The maximum counts of waterfowl recorded during very incomplete surveys of the Haur Al Hammar area in December 1972, January 1975 and January 1979 are given in Table 4. There is almost no ornithological information from spring and autumn, but the site is likely to be as important for migratory waterfowl in these seasons as in winter.

The wetlands also provide extremely important wintering habitat for birds of prey. Thirteen species have been recorded during the mid-winter waterfowl censuses, including up to 11 Pandion haliaetus, 89 Milvus migrans, 185 Circus aeruginosus, 8 C. macrourus, 12 Buteo rufinus, 8 Aquila clanga, 1 A. nipalensis, 3 A. heliaca, 3 Falco columbarius and 2 F. peregrinus.

For other fauna, see general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1972, 1975 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Iraq Natural History Museum in Baghdad and the Museum of Natural History in Basrah. P. Ctyroky made some waterfowl counts in the area in 1979.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1975a, 1975b, 1980); Carp & Scott (1979); Ctyroky (1987); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Gretton (1991); Koning & Dijksen (1973); Maltby (1994); Marchant (1962); Savage (1968); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993); Thesiger (1964); Ticehurst et al. (1921-22).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a & 3c. See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Source: See references.

_______

Suweid Marshes (29)

Location: 3145'N, 4725'E; to the east of the Tigris River, 30 km southeast of Amara, Maysan Governorate.

Area: c.15,000 ha.

Altitude: 6 m.

Physical and ecological features: Suweid Marshes (also known as Haur Om Al- Nyaj or Sudan Marshes) is a large wetland on the Al Kahala (Chahala) River, about 30 km southeast of Amara. The wetland comprises extensive Typha reed-beds with many areas of open water (up to 2.0 m deep) and fast-running creeks, and is partly permanent and partly seasonal. The haur lies at the northwestern extremity of Haur Al Hawizeh (Site 30), and is fed by the Al Kahala River, a distributary of the Tigris.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No recent information is available specifically for this site. However, it would appear from a satellite image taken in August 1992 that much of this area has been drained and converted into agricultural land (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Probably an important breeding, staging and wintering area for a wide variety of waterfowl, but poorly known. Waterfowl observed during a very incomplete survey in January 1975 included 6 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 12 Pelecanus onocrotalus, 224 unidentified pelicans, at least 100 Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, 3 Ardea purpurea, 100 Anas platyrhynchos, 2,500 Fulica atra, 114 Limosa limosa and 30 Chlidonias hybridus (Carp, 1975a & 1975b). There was a breeding colony of about 200 Nycticorax nycticorax on the Al Kahala River in the 1970s (Evans, 1994).

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: A mid-winter waterfowl survey was undertaken in 1975 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1975a, 1975b); Evans (1994); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3b. Believed to have been an important breeding, staging and wintering area for waterfowl, notably Phalacrocorax pygmaeus.

Source: See references.

_______

Haur Al Hawizeh (30)

Location: 3100'-3145'N, 4725'-4750'E; to the east of the Tigris River between Amara and Qurna, extending east to the Iranian border. In Maysan and Al Basrah Governorates.

Area: c.220,000 ha.

Altitude: Mostly at about 6 m above sea level.

Physical and ecological features: Situated to the east of the River Tigris, Haur Al Hawizeh (Hawaizah) and its associated marshes extend for about 80 km from north to south and 30 km from east to west. A small portion of the haur extends over the border into Iranian territory, where it is known as Hoor Al Azim. The wetland is fed by floodwaters from the River Tigris in the west and the Karkheh river in the east; it is bordered in the north by the Musharra Canal and in the south by the Shatt Al Arab. The marsh is part seasonal and part permanent. The permanent part has extensive Phragmites reed-beds alternating with open sheets of water. The Nahrsabla Marshes (3130'N, 4735'E) are an area of predominantly seasonal marsh in the northeastern portion of the haur, near the Iranian border. The marshes on the Iranian side of the border comprise a complex of permanent and seasonal, freshwater to brackish marshes and seasonally flooded arable land on the floodplain of the Karkheh river, about 60-90 km west of the city of Ahwaz (see Site 34 in the Iran chapter).

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Haur Al Hawizeh was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Disturbances and threats: Reports from sources in Iraq and Iran suggest that the Haur Al Hawizeh marshes on both sides of the border were badly damaged during the Iran/Iraq war (1980-88). Several of the largest battles occurred in and around these marshes, and involved heavy bombing and shelling, extensive burning and the use of chemical weapons. Large areas of reed-bed were cut or burned in the search for rebels after the 1980-88 war and also after the 1990-91 Gulf War. A satellite image taken in August 1992 reveals that large areas of the northwestern, western and southern shores have been drained, using river control and dyke-building, apparently for security reasons. It has been estimated that the total wetland area was reduced by about 33% during the period 1984/85 to 1991/92 (Maltby, 1994). However, the haur does not appear to have been drastically affected by the recent massive river diversion projects and drainage schemes which have devastated the Central Marshes and Haur Al Hammar, since it receives much of its water from the Karkheh and other rivers rising in Iran. From the August 1992 satellite image, it would seem that the southern quarter of the marshes is now saline, since it appears to be shallow (less than 1 m deep), yet does not support any emergent vegetation. Furthermore, compared to a satellite image taken in 1984, it appears that the southern edge of the emergent vegetation (Phragmites) has retreated northwards by 20 km, implying that any such salinization is a recent development (Evans, 1994). Persistent pesticides are reported to have been used to kill and catch fish (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Social and cultural values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy fauna: Haur Al Hawizeh was, and probably still is, one of the most important wetlands in Iraq for breeding and wintering waterfowl. Unfortunately, no proper ornithological surveys or waterfowl counts have ever been undertaken in the Iraqi portion of these marshes, and no recent information is available. Species recorded commonly in the marshes by Maxwell (1957) and Thesiger (1964) in the early 1950s, and presumably breeding, included Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Anhinga rufa, Ardea goliath, Threskiornis aethiopicus, Marmaronetta angustirostris and Porphyrio porphyrio. Thesiger (1964) heard Botaurus stellaris booming. Other known and likely breeding species are described in the general account of the wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia. According to Savage (1968), Haur Al Hawizeh provided wintering habitat for some of the largest concentrations of Anatidae in the world. Large numbers of Anser anser, Anas platyrhynchos, A. strepera, A. crecca, A. penelope, A. acuta, A. clypeata, Netta rufina, Aythya ferina, A. fuligula, Phoenicopterus ruber and Fulica atra were believed to occur in winter, while A. querquedula was reported to be common on passage (Georg & Savage, 1970b). The Nahrsabla Marshes were reported to be a wintering area for Anser erythropus (Savage, 1968).

A subspecies of the Smooth-coated Otter Lutra perspicillata maxwelli, endemic to the marshes of Lower Mesopotamia, was described from a skin and a live cub acquired by Maxwell (1957) in the marshes of Haur Al Hawizeh in early 1956. There are, however, no further records of this otter from these marshes. For other fauna, see general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Maltby (1994); Maxwell (1957); Prentice (1993); Savage (1968); Scott & Evans (1993); Thesiger (1964); Ticehurst et al. (1921-22).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 1c, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a & 3c. See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Source: See references.

_______

Shatt Al Arab Marshes (31)

Location: 3100'N, 4725'E to 2955'N, 4830'E; from the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates at Qurna to the head of the Gulf at Fao, Al Basrah Governorate.

Area: Unknown. About 165 km in length.

Altitude: Sea level to 6 m.

Physical and ecological features: The Shatt Al Arab flows for some 165 km from the confluence of the main branches of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers at Qurna to the head of the Gulf. Along the lower 80 km of its length, the waterway forms the international border between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For much of its length, the river flows between steep earthen banks and supports little if any aquatic vegetation. There are, however, some significant marshes on the banks of the waterway, mainly between Qurna and Basrah. These include Haur ash Shaibah (15 km north of Basrah), Qarmat Ali wetland, Khamisiyah wetland and Shafi wetland. Shafi wetland (3053'N, 4731'E), the site of a small research station run by the University of Basrah, is a small reed marsh near the town of Shafi on the Basrah to Amara road, 30 km from Basrah. The lower marshes below Basrah are presumably changing their character as less fresh water is reaching the sea and there is increasing encroachment of sea water.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetland has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: The Shatt Al Arab is an extremely busy waterway, carrying heavy boat traffic to and from the ports of Basrah, which straddles the central section of the river, and Abadan on the Iranian shore.

Disturbances and threats: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Hydrological and biophysical values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Social and cultural values: See general account of wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia.

Noteworthy fauna: According to Savage (1968), the marshes along the Shatt Al Arab were formerly important for wintering Anser anser and dabbling ducks, mainly Anas platyrhynchos and A. crecca. Marmaronetta angustirostris was also reported to breed in the area. The muddy shores of the Shatt Al Arab are known to be important for passage and wintering shorebirds. Birds recorded during surveys of some of the wetlands along the Shatt Al Arab in January 1968, January 1975 and January 1979 included a single Pelecanus crispus, 3 Ardea purpurea, 10 Ardeola ralloides, 10 Nycticorax nycticorax, 105 Ciconia ciconia, 305 Milvus migrans, a single Aquila heliaca, 50 Himantopus himantopus, 50 Charadrius alexandrinus, 50 Vanellus leucurus, 70 Gallinago gallinago, 100 Tringa totanus, 53 T. stagnatilis, 400 Calidris minuta, 500 C. alpina, 4,000 Larus ridibundus, 130 L. cachinnans and 24 Chlidonias hybridus.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: In 1975, the University of Basrah established a small research station and bird-ringing centre at Shafi wetland. Mid-winter waterfowl surveys were undertaken in 1968, 1975 and 1979 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1975a, 1975b); Carp & Scott (1979); Evans (1994); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Savage (1968); Scott & Carp (1982); Scott & Evans (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3b. Known to have been an important breeding, staging and wintering area for waterfowl, including Marmaronetta angustirostris.

Source: See references.

_______

Khawr Al Zubair (32)

Location: 3012'N, 4754'E; at the head of the Gulf, 30 km south-southeast of Basrah, Al Basrah Governorate.

Area: 20,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Physical and ecological features: A huge tidal inlet, over 25 km in length and up to 15 km wide, at the head of the Gulf. The inlet receives freshwater inflow from the Shatt Al Basrah (canal) at its northern end, and opens up into Khawr Abdallah (Site 33) in the southeast. Large areas of intertidal mudflat are exposed at low tide. The khawr is bordered by extensive bare dry saline flats. Tidal amplitude is likely to be high (more than 3 m).

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Khawr Al Zubair was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980), and has been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: During the Iran/Iraq war (1980-88), the Shatt Al Basrah canal was constructed as a safer shipping route to Basrah, leading northwards from the Gulf directly through Khawr Al Zubair to connect with the extreme eastern end of Haur Al Hammar near its discharge into the Shatt Al Arab. This is likely to have led to a major and permanent flooding of the khawr. In addition, since December 1992 the "Third River" canal has been discharging saline water into the Shatt Al Basrah and hence into the khawr. The volume of this discharge may increase substantially in future. It is not known what impact all of these developments have had on the khawr and its wildlife (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Probably a major staging and wintering area for migratory shorebirds, and listed as such by Summers et al. (1987). However, the site appears never to have been visited by an ornithologist, and no information is available on its fauna.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Summers et al. (1987).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Thought to be an important staging and wintering area for migratory shorebirds, but very poorly known.

Source: See references.

 [Bottom] 

_______

Khawr Abdallah and the Fao Area (33)

Location: 2955'N, 4826'-4834'E; near the mouth of the Shatt Al Arab at the head of the Gulf, 100 km southeast of Basrah, Al Basrah Governorate.

Area: c.126,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Physical and ecological features: A large area of swampy flats (c.90,000 ha) and intertidal mudflats (c.36,000 ha) extending from the region of Fao at the mouth of the Shatt Al Arab west along the northern shore of Khawr Abdallah for at least 50 km (the southern shore of Khawr Abdallah is along the northern edge of Bubiyan Island in Kuwait). The mudflats and swampy flats are backed by a belt of date palms and then by extensive bare silt flats. Tidal amplitude is large (3 m or more). There is a major oil terminal near the site.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Khawr Abdallah and the mudflats in the Fao area were listed as wetlands of international importance by Carp (1980), and have been identified as an "Important Bird Area" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No information is available on current threats, but oil pollution is presumably a constant threat. The huge oil spills in 1991 caused by bombing of tankers and the Mina al-Bakr offshore oil terminal apparently did not have any significant impact on this coast, presumably due to prevailing winds and currents carrying the slicks away from the shore (Evans, 1994).

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The mudflats are believed to be a major staging and wintering area for migratory shorebirds, and were listed as such by Summers et al. (1987), but very little information is available. Waterfowl recorded during a survey of the Fao area in January 1968 included 50 Egretta gularis, 30 Ardea cinerea, one Threskiornis aethiopicus, 10 Platalea leucorodia, 200 Ciconia ciconia, 35 Phoenicopterus ruber, 600 Anas penelope, 1,200 A. platyrhynchos, 200 A. acuta, 60 Haematopus ostralegus, 230 Charadrius alexandrinus, 10 C. leschenaultii, 13 Pluvialis squatarola, 510 Numenius arquata, 110 Limosa lapponica, 100 Tringa cinerea, 1,000 Calidris alpina, 16 Limicola falcinellus, 1,100 Larus genei, 700 L. cachinnans, 200 Gelochelidon nilotica and 30 Sterna caspia. Phoenicopterus ruber is reported to have nested on Bubiyan Island (Kuwait), to the south of Khawr Abdallah (Savage, 1968). Threskiornis aethiopicus was recorded as "plentiful" in the 1910s (Cumming, 1918), and Dromas ardeola was said to be a common breeding bird (Ticehurst et al., 1921-22).

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: A mid-winter waterfowl survey was undertaken in 1968 by the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB) in collaboration with the Museum of Natural History in Basrah.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Carp (1980); Cumming (1918); Evans (1994); Georg & Savage (1970b); Georg & Vielliard (1968, 1970); Savage (1968); Summers et al. (1987); Ticehurst et al. (1921-22).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a & 3b. Believed to be an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, especially shorebirds, but poorly known.

Source: See references.

_______

New Reservoirs in Northern Iraq

In recent years, several large dams have been constructed on the Euphrates River, Tigris River and major tributaries of the Tigris in northern Iraq. Intended for water storage for irrigation purposes and generation of hydro-electric power, the reservoirs formed behind these dams are developing significant fisheries and, with the rapid loss of natural wetlands throughout the region, are likely to become important as staging and wintering areas for migratory waterfowl. The largest reservoirs to have been completed to date are:

Other large dams currently under construction include a dam on Al Authaim River, a seasonal tributary of the Tigris, about 20-30 km northeast of Shari Lake. Work was started on the construction of a large dam at Bakhma (3645'N, 4415'E) on the Great Zab River, about 110 km east-northeast of Mosul, but this has apparently been abandoned.

Haditha Reservoir, in the main Euphrates valley, and Aski Mosul Reservoir, in the main Tigris valley, are situated on major bird migration routes, and are likely, therefore, to be used as staging areas by large numbers of migratory waterfowl (K.Y. Al-Dabbagh, in litt.). No details are, however, available. The valleys of the Great Zab, Little Zab and Diyala Rivers are known to have supported large numbers of wintering ducks in the 1960s (Savage, 1968), and any reservoirs in these valleys are also likely to be important for migratory waterfowl. Two of the dams, Dukan and Darbandikhan, and the hillsides adjacent to them, as well as the proposed Bakhma dam site have been identified as "Important Bird Areas" by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994). The Department of Biology at the University of Mosul is currently carrying out hydrological investigations at Aski Mosul Reservoir, while the Department of Biology at the University of Salahdinn (formerly Sulaiymania) has carried out some research, mainly limnological studies, at Dukan Reservoir.

REFERENCES

Carp, E. (1975b). Waterfowl counts in Iraq. IWRB Bulletin 39/40: 51-55.

Marchant, S. (1963a). Migration in Iraq. Ibis 105: 369-398.

Marchant, S. (1963b). The breeding of some birds in Iraq. Ibis 105: 516-557.

Meinertzhagen, R. (1914). Notes from Mesopotamia. Ibis (10) 2: 387-395.

Thesiger, W. (1964). The Marsh Arabs. Penguin, Harmondsworth. 233 pp.

Young, G. (1989). Return to the marshes. Penguin, Harmondsworth. 184 pp.

Young, G. & Wheeler, N. (1976). Water Dwellers in a Desert World. National Geographic 149 (4): 502-523.

_____________

 [Bottom] 

____________________________________________________________________________

The following set of tables constitutes an APPENDIX.
[HTML conversion of the following tables did not preserve original formatting.]
____________________________________________________________________________

Table 1: The Principal Wetlands of Lower Mesopotamia

Wetland Coordinates Area in ha
_________________________________________________________________________

Haur Lafta 31°21'N, 45°31'E 20,000

Haur Delmaj 32°20'N, 45°25'E 100,000

Haur Al Shuwaija (Suwaiqiya) 32°42'N, 45°55'E 50,000

Haur Um Al Baram 32°32'N, 46°07'E 5,000

Haur Al Abjiya 32°25'N, 46°03'E 5,000

Haur Al Hachcham & Haur Maraiba 32°05'N, 46°12'E 8,000

Shatt Al Gharraf 32°30'N, 45°50'E - 31°25'N, 46°10'E ?

Haur Uwainah 31°22'N, 46°25'E 32,500

Haur Abu Ajul 31°28'N, 46°20'E 7,500

Haur Chamuqa 31°22'N, 46°25'E 25,000

Haur Al Sa'adiyah 32°10'N, 46°38'E 140,000

Haur Umm Roij 32°21'N, 46°26'E 1,500

Haur Sarut 32°07'-32°31'N, 46°46'E ?

Haur Al Haushiya 32°05'N, 46°54'E ?

Haur Chubaisah complex 31°53'N, 47°18'E 27,500

Haur Chubaisah ?

Haur Jazrah ?

Haur Sanaf ?

Haur Sanniya 31°55'N, 46°48'E 40,000

Haur Al Rayan & Umm Osbah 31°35'N, 47°02'E 25,000

Haur Auda 31°33'N, 46°51'E 7,500

Central Marshes 30°50'-31°30'N, 46°45'-47°25'E 300,000

Feraigat Marshes 31°30'N, 47°10'E ?

Al Azair Marshes 31°17'N, 47°23'E ?

Haur Umm Al Binni Marshes 31°15'N, 47°05'E ?

Fartus Marshes 31°10'N, 46°55'E ?

Haur Az Zikri 31°10'N, 47°10'E ?

Chabaish Marshes (Chibbaish) 31°00'N, 47°00'E ?

Al Jazair Marshes 31°00'N, 47°15'E ?

Haur Al Hammar 30°35'-31°00'N, 46°25'-47°45'E 350,000

Eastern end of Haur Al Hammar 30°35'N, 47°45'E ?

Haur Aluwez 30°35'N, 47°35'E ?

Southwestern Haur Al Hammar 30°40'N, 46°55'E ?

Fuhud and Hammar 30°57'N, 46°46'E ?

Nasiriya Marshes 31°00'N, 46°25'E ?

Suweid Marshes (Haur Om Al-Nyaj) 31°45'N, 47°25'E 15,000

Haur Al Hawizeh 31°00'-31°45'N, 47°25'-47°50'E 220,000

Nahrsabla Marshes 31°30'N, 47°35'E ?

Shatt Al Arab Marshes 31°00'N, 47°25'E - 29°55'N, 48°30'E ?

Shafi wetland 30°53'N, 47°31'E ?

_________________________________________________________________________

Table 2: Summary of Waterfowl Counts in Lower Mesopotamia

Surveys

1. J. Vielliard and P.V. Georg Kainady 21.12.67 - 18.01.68

2. F.J. Koning and L.J. Dijksen 19.12.72 - 29.12.72

3. E. Carp 08.01.75 - 02.02.75

4. E. Carp, P.V. Georg Kainady and D.A. Scott 10.01.79 - 03.02.79

1.    2.   3.   4.
____________________________________________________________________________

Tachybaptus ruficollis 19 2 6 32

Podiceps cristatus - - - 14

Podiceps nigricollis - 15 - 3

Pelecanus onocrotalus 440 873 34 3,004

Pelecanus crispus 119 53 1 244

Unidentified pelicans - 426 1,573 74

Phalacrocorax pygmaeus - 6 100 48

Phalacrocorax carbo 1 2 1 36

Egretta garzetta 17 21 7 170

Ardea cinerea 141 550 67 493

Ardea purpurea - 6 6 35

Casmerodius albus 23 13 82 56

Bubulcus ibis - - - 50

Ardeola ralloides - - 10 20

Nycticorax nycticorax 1 25 11 1,820

Ixobrychus minutus - - - 1

Botaurus stellaris 1 - - 1

Ciconia ciconia 656 13 226 346

Plegadis falcinellus - - - 150

Threskiornis aethiopicus 1 - - 40

Platalea leucorodia 10 175 - 59

Phoenicopterus ruber 735 874 - 1,857

Oxyura leucocephala - 1 - -

Cygnus columbianus - - - 1

Anser albifrons 290 12 - 325

Anser erythropus - 70 - -

Anser anser 1,479 991 - 1,502

Unidentified geese - 150 - 516

Tadorna ferruginea 126 38 6 1,345

Tadorna tadorna 3 37 - 975

Anas penelope 3,361 4,620 6,000 2,184

Anas strepera 21 110 - 13,074

Anas crecca 9,167 63,150 2,135 31,190

Anas platyrhynchos 3,574 15,220 875 1,623

Anas acuta 3,091 13,760 3,051 7,334

Anas querquedula - - - 3

Anas clypeata 5,571 2,217 120 6,100

Netta rufina - - - 7

Aythya ferina 10 70 52 1,955

Aythya fuligula - 6,800 50 39,292

Aythya marila - - - 2

Mergellus albellus - 63 - 4

1.    2.   3.   4.
____________________________________________________________________________

Unidentified ducks - 24,300 37,100 50,317

Grus grus 2,617 4 7 116

Rallus aquaticus 1 - - 1

Porzana pusilla - - - 1

Porphyrio porphyrio - - - 14

Gallinula chloropus 1 2 - 155

Fulica atra 1,029 14,090 37,520 127,966

Himantopus himantopus 268 53 58 631

Recurvirostra avosetta 531 460 20 806

Pluvialis squatarola - - - 6

Charadrius hiaticula 2 1 - 108

Charadrius alexandrinus 7,378 1,404 50 6,943

Charadrius mongolus - - - 1

Charadrius leschenaultii - - - 15

Eudromias morinellus - 1 - -

Vanellus vanellus 78 30 1 159

Vanellus indicus 10 ++ ++ 79

Vanellus leucurus 45 ++ 80 568

Gallinago gallinago 33 3 66 122

Lymnocryptes minimus 2 - 1 1

Limosa limosa 484 280 117 880

Numenius tenuirostris - - - 6

Numenius arquata - - - 1

Tringa erythropus 54 187 21 114

Tringa totanus 86 ++ 36 514

Tringa stagnatilis 116 5 1 144

Tringa nebularia 7 9 - 70

Tringa ochropus 48 3 1 15

Tringa glareola 7 - 1 9

Tringa cinerea - 1 - -

Tringa hypoleucos 4 1 - 2

Calidris minuta 5,063 42 40 2,612

Calidris temminckii 18 2 - 26

Calidris alpina 9,242 126 800 2,775

Calidris ferruginea - - - 10

Philomachus pugnax 2,278 - 1 16

Larus canus - - - 3

Larus cachinnans/armenicus 643 265 330 2,698

Larus ichthyaetus - - - 50

Larus ridibundus 343 1,060 110 9,525

Larus genei - ++ 16 464

Larus minutus 2 - - -

Sterna nilotica 35 35 2 65

Sterna caspia 29 22 2 109

Chlidonias hybridus 67 140 30 500

____________________________________________________________________________

Table 3: International Significance of the Mesopotamian Marshes for Waterfowl

Key to symbols

Figures indicate the proportion (%) of the relevant flyway or regional population which utilizes the wetlands of Mesopotamia.

+ - proportion believed to exceed 1% but no count data available

++ - proportion believed to exceed 10% but no count data available

Wintering  Migration seasons  Breeding season
__________________________________________________________________________

Tachybaptus ruficollis >50 >50

Pelecanus onocrotalus 30-60 ++

Pelecanus crispus 20-30 ++ +

Phalacrocorax pygmaeus 10-20 +

Anhinga rufa >90 100

Egretta garzetta 3-5 ++

Ardea cinerea 15-30 +

Ardea goliath >90 >90

Ardea purpurea + ++ ++

Casmerodius albus 3-6

Bubulcus ibis + ++

Ardeola ralloides ++

Nycticorax nycticorax 30-50 ++ +

Ixobrychus minutus ++ ++

Ciconia ciconia 5-10 ++

Plegadis falcinellus 1-2 ++ +

Threskiornis aethiopicus 50 100

Platalea leucorodia 1-2 ++ +

Phoenicopterus ruber 1-2 +

Anser albifrons 3-5

Anser erythropus +

Anser anser 3-5

Tadorna ferruginea 7-10

Tadorna tadorna 1-2

Anas penelope 5-10

Anas strepera 15-20

Anas crecca 5-10

Anas platyrhynchos 2-5

Anas acuta 3-6 ++

Anas querquedula ++

Anas clypeata 8-15 ++

Marmaronetta angustirostris ++ 40-60

Aythya ferina 1-2

Aythya nyroca 1-2 ++

Aythya fuligula >20

Grus grus 15-20

Porphyrio porphyrio >50 >50

Fulica atra 10-20

Himantopus himantopus 5-10 + +

Wintering  Migration seasons  Breeding season
__________________________________________________________________________

Recurvirostra avosetta 20-40 ++ +

Glareola pratincola + +

Charadrius dubius +

Charadrius alexandrinus 15-25 + +

Vanellus indicus + +

Vanellus leucurus 10-20 ++ ++

Gallinago gallinago + +

Limosa limosa 8-15

Numenius tenuirostris ++

Tringa erythropus 5-10 +

Tringa totanus 2-5 +

Tringa stagnatilis 2-5 +

Tringa nebularia + +

Tringa ochropus +

Tringa glareola +

Calidris minuta 5-10 ++

Calidris temminckii +

Calidris alpina 10-15

Calidris ferruginea +

Philomachus pugnax + ++

Larus cachinnans/armenicus 5-10

Larus ichthyaetus 1-2

Larus ridibundus 5-10

Larus genei 1-2 +

Sterna nilotica 1-2 + +

Sterna caspia 2-5 + +

Sterna hirundo + +

Sterna albifrons + +

Chlidonias hybridus 2-5 +

__________________________________________________________________________

Table 4: Maximum Counts of Waterfowl at Haur Al Hammar (Site 28)

Based on mid-winter waterfowl censuses in December 1972, January 1975 and January 1979.

____________________________________________________________________________

Tachybaptus ruficollis 22 Gallinula chloropus 77

Podiceps cristatus 14 Fulica atra 121,455

Pelecanus onocrotalus 1,741 Himantopus himantopus 277

P. crispus 139 Recurvirostra avosetta 122

Phalacrocorax pygmaeus 11 Pluvialis squatarola 6

P. carbo 31 Charadrius hiaticula 40

Egretta garzetta 58 C. alexandrinus 6,383

Ardea cinerea 272 C. mongolus 1

A. purpurea 24 C. leschenaultii 15

Casmerodius albus 81 Vanellus vanellus 42

Ardeola ralloides 20 V. indicus 11

Nycticorax nycticorax 1 V. leucurus 145

Botaurus stellaris 1 Gallinago gallinago 79

Ciconia ciconia 79 Lymnocryptes minimus 1

Platalea leucorodia 175 Limosa limosa 355

Phoenicopterus ruber 110 Numenius tenuirostris 6

Oxyura leucocephala 1 Tringa erythropus 181

Cygnus columbianus 1 T. totanus 263

Anser anser 785 T. stagnatilis 43

Tadorna ferruginea 30 T. nebularia 51

T. tadorna 369 T. ochropus 3

Anas penelope 6,000 T. glareola 6

A. strepera 10,830 T. cinerea 1

A. crecca 59,600 Actitis hypoleucos 2

A. platyrhynchos 12,300 Calidris minuta 1,900

A. acuta 12,200 C. temminckii 17

A. querquedula 3 C. alpina 2,125

A. clypeata 2,130 Philomachus pugnax 2

Netta rufina 3 Larus canus 2

Aythya ferina 1,888 L. cachinnans/armenicus 878

A. fuligula 42,280 L. ichthyaetus 2

A. marila 2 L. ridibundus 1,550

Mergellus albellus 63 L. genei 394

Grus grus 10 Gelochelidon nilotica 36

Rallus aquaticus 1 Sterna caspia 104

Porzana pusilla 1 Chlidonias hybridus 356

Porphyrio porphyrio 14