Gadzhibek Dzhamirzoev

Preserve Islands for Birds – Study and Conservation Water Birds and their Habitats in Caspian Sea Islands

Town/RegionCountryCategoriesDate
DaghestanRussian FederationBirds, Europe25 Feb 2008

Caspian Sea is the biggest isolated water body on the Earth, with great variety of coast ecosystems and wetlands. The distribution and flyways of many rare waterbird species from Europe are related to Caspian Sea basin and its islands. Recently many breeding and migration grounds of birds are under threat of transformation or destruction. In future the development and exploitation of oil fields could result in new threats for birds on islands.

In these conditions the investigation and development of action plans for conservation of waterbirds and their habitats at Caspian sea islands, determination of status “Important bird Area” for this islands, preparation of ornithological backgrounds for new protected areas and increasing of ecological importance has great importance. Two islands: Tjulenij and Chechen are in the focus of the project.

We plan to arrange several expeditions to these islands in different seasons to study bird migration routs and colonial breeding grounds. The main attention will be given to contacts with local people including ecological education, training of land-users in studying and protection of birds. Several excursions will be organised for children. Foto- and video-materials will be collecting during studying period of the project will be used for preparation of colourful posters and video about birds of islands and problems of nature protection. Description of “Important bird Areas” and Action plans for bird habitats protection will be prepared for both islands. In addition ornithological description and backgrounds for establishing of new protected areas will be prepared for local Governmental nature protection organisations.

For more information contact dzhamir@mail.ru

Project Update: May 2008

In 11-14. 05. 2008 was organized the first expedition to Caspian islands for investigation birds and their habitats.
We worked in shoal and coast of the Chechen islands. We can not collected enough data about breeding birds, but collected more information about birds habitats and limiting factors. We made some good photo and video. The next expedition planned in 10-15 June.

Project Update: August 2008

From June 5 till June 13, 2008 we organized the large expedition on an island "Tjulenij". In connection with inaccessibility of an island and possible risks for the people we were compelled to use the large research vessel. It has resulted in some change of the budget, but in the whole financial maintenance of the project remains sufficient. All potential nesting places on an island are surveyed. In particular we find the small colony of terns and gulls, and the biggest in Russia colony of blue-cheeked bee-eaters. 14 June repeatedly surveyed island “Chechen”. In both islands we are assembled by a photo and video materials, on the basis of which in a near future will be made the poster, colorful stand and film about a nature of islands.

In September the third expedition on islands «Chechen» and job on organization workshop for the local inhabitants and excursions of children is planned. Will be continued also the ornithological research. The next expedition to “Tjulenij” island will plan in November 2008. In project activities are involved Russian bird conservation Union, reserve “Dagestanskij”, institute of biogeography and landscape ecology, Dagestan geographical society and other organizations. We negotiate with the Caucasian office WWF Russia for expansion of researches of islands and development ecology-economic substantiations for expansion of territory of reserve “Dagestanskij” in future.

Final Report

Read about the activities undertaken and findings of this project in the final report below.

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Final Report699.5 KB

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