Current view: Text account
Site description (2005 baseline):
Site location and context
A bay in the Caspian Sea with sandy beaches and some small wetlands stretch along the sea coast, many of which are becoming overgrown with reeds and typical coastal vegetation. Part of the bay is rented by the Society of Hunters and Fishers. The semi-desert area is range on the west and include some arid hills - Bozdaglary. All this area has very dry climate.
The site is notable mostly for migration and wintering waterbirds. 177 species of birds were note at the place in different seasons. Most of birds are migratory visitors. Numbers of winter birds can reach 25,000 individuals. At least 20,000 diving ducks and 30,000
Fulica atra stage here every autumn. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Pelecanus crispus (very rare migrant),
Branta ruficollis (extremely rare, not seen every year),
Circus macrourus, Aquila clanga, A. heliaca (all raptors are rare migration visitors),
Falco naumanni (1-2 pairs breed)
, Tetrax tetrax. Other passage visitors include
Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax carbo, Anser anser,
Himantopus himantopus (200+),
Chlidonias leucopterus,
Sterna caspia and many others.
Non-bird biodiversity: The typical desert ephemeral plants are present at the site. There are some overgrows of reed along the sea coast. Some mammals like Lepus europeus, Canis lupus, Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes occur at the site.
This area is under strong human impact. There are Sangachal Oil Terminal of British Petroleum with pier, terminal of "Azpetrol" company with pier, Sangachal settlement, settlement of refugees, big custom post for truck control, main highway etc. Some pressure of grazing presents in winter time.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threat for this site is industrial expansion. Some damage is already exist by this reason - drainage of small wetlands and as result reduction of nesting habitat for many birds, construction of piers and as result disturbance for wintering birds etc. The area also suffers from pollution (oil and other industrial waste) and some poaching and active fishing (including fishing with nets).
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
1. As a part of monitoring project was studied in 1996-1997 years by Azerbaijan Ornithological Society.2. As a part of winter and autumn migration monitoring project of British Petroleum was studied in 2002-20053. Special project of British Petroleum "Sangachal Breeding Bird Survey" 2002, 2004-2005.4. Regular monitoring is conducted by ornithologist of Azerbaijan Ornithological Society
National None
International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sangachal Bay (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sangachal-bay-iba-azerbaijan on 22/11/2024.
