Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Broadleaved forests and scrub in the Astara-chai valley. When part of the Soviet Union, the area had been within the restricted border zone, requiring a special pass to enter (`Other' land-use).
The only area in Azerbaijan where the
P.c. talishensis subspecies of
Phasianus colchicus has a good chance of survival (up to 75 breeding pairs).
Accipiter badius possibly breeds, though there have been no definite records since 1953. There are a number of restricted-range passerine subspecies. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site:
Aquila pomarina (3+ pairs).
Alcedo atthis,
Coracias garrulus and
Dendrocopos medius are all very common breeding birds.
Milvus milvus is a rare visitor, especially in the winter, and possibly breeds.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Current threats include illegal tree-felling (`Other' threat) and poaching of
Phasianus colchicus.
National None
International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Astara-chai valley (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/astara-chai-valley-iba-azerbaijan on 24/11/2024.
