Current view: Text account
Site description (2005 baseline):
Site location and context
The territory presents water area size of 150000 ha and includes two big islands - Pirallahy and Jilov, some small islands like Boyuk and Kichik Tava, Yal, Koltish, Gu, Garabatdag and a scores of different very small islands. The old oil platforms in the sea is very important place for breeding of different species of birds.
Breeding birds include
Tadorna ferruginea,
Porphyrio porphyrio,
Larus cachinnans,
Sterna hirundo and (unconfirmed)
S. sandvicensis. Wintering area for 2,000-3,000 wildfowl, notably
Cygnus cygnus, also
Aythya fuligula,
A. marila,
A. ferina,
Bucephala clangula and
Fulica atra. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Circus macrourus (3-6 winter).
This region is one of important place for oil and gas industry - there are a lot of oil fields on islands and oil platforms on the sea. There is an hunting farm on the Pirallahy island. The oil and fish fleet are based on the dam of Pirallahy island.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area suffers from pollution by oil and industrial waste, disturbance from recreation and intensive hunting, including the use of power-boats for poaching (especially for
Cygnus,
Fulica atra, etc.). Few field investigations have been carried out.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
1. As a part of monitoring project was studied in 1996-1997 years by Azerbaijan Ornithological Society2. As a part of winter and autumn migration monitoring project of British Petroleum was studied in 2002-2005.3. As a part of student studies project regularly monitored in November 2004 - March 2005
National None
International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Absheron archipelago (north) and Pirallahi bay (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/absheron-archipelago-(north)-and-pirallahi-bay-iba-azerbaijan on 22/12/2024.
