Azerbaijani ornithologist: Climate change to cause serious shifts in Azerbaijan

Does the expansion of protected environmental land areas in the country help conservation of bird populations?

A total of 53 important ornithological areas have been identified in Azerbaijan, half of which belongs to national and state parks and game reserves.

How many species of birds inhabit in Azerbaijan currently?

The book by Patrikeyev who lived in Azerbaijan about 15 years and studied local birds, described 372 species of birds he met in the country. Later a book about Azerbaijan’s nature was published in the UK. Foreign scientists have found here over 394 species of birds. This data is the most recent and accurate.

Are you able to record the birds that enter Azerbaijan while passing through country’s territory?

Number of registered birds is rising not because the bird grow in number. But because there are very few scientists in the country who conduct such studies. They fail to notice some species of migratory birds that inhabit in the country for several weeks. It is impossible to see them through lens or binoculars every time. We need more modern equipment.

Most recorded species of birds in Azerbaijan are either wintering or breeding or settled birds. The number of migrant birds among them are small. For comparison, 500 species of birds identified in the UK are all migrant birds.

Climate is changing influenced by global processes all around the world including Azerbaijan. Is it possible that birds will fly away from their centuries-old habitats?   

Experts have made predictions on issue in Europe. According to them, diversification center of birds in the Old World will move to Finland, which is well-known for its northern cold climate. There are no so many birds here. Changes will be very serious.

Climate of southern countries like  Greece and Italy, where there are now many populations of birds, will become much drier, and many moisture-loving birds will migrate north.

And what fate awaits Azerbaijan?

Climate in the lowlands of the country will be similar to those that characteristic for Uzbekistan now, where last winter saw severe frosts which killed a large number of birds.

But in the mountains the climate will become more favorable where it will be mitigated by higher humidity, which will attract moisture-loving birds.


R. Ashrafli