Data Zone
Country/territory: Azerbaijan
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, B1i (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 2,500 ha
Site description (2000 baseline)
Adjacent to Kizil Agach Zapovednik (IBA 048). A very shallow lake (0.5-1.0 m in depth) which is mainly covered by reeds. It occasionally dries out in very hot years, but can flood the surrounding area during autumn rains. The water-level is also affected by irrigation. Land-use includes grazing domestic cattle and buffaloes.
Key biodiversity
Significantly, many wildfowl wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve come to this IBA to feed and about 10,000-15,000 wildfowl and shorebirds winter. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Branta ruficollis (very rare winter visitor), Marmaronetta angustirostris (summer visitor, probably breeds), Aythya nyroca (breeds), Oxyura leucocephala (very rare on passage), Haliaeetus albicilla (5-8 birds, sometimes only 1-2, wintering). The site holds breeding herons, Plegadis falcinellus, Platalea leucorodia (status uncertain, possibly breeds), Porphyrio porphyrio, etc.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Ych-chala (Novogolovka-chala) (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-ych-chala-(novogolovka-chala)-iba-azerbaijan on 24/11/2024.