Publications

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society contributes to scientific research, technical publications, and conservation knowledge on birds, wetlands, biodiversity, and the human dimensions of conservation in Iran.

This page brings together peer-reviewed research, reports, and other publications produced by or with the participation of AvayeBoom and its team. Our work spans field conservation, ecological research, community engagement, conservation psychology, and evidence-based approaches to biodiversity conservation.

Peer-Reviewed Research

Birdwatching vs. nature walks: a randomized trial to compare mental health outcomes in Iran

Iman Ebrahimi, Fateme Kazemi, and Mohammad Ali Agha Ebrahimi

Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 2025

A randomized controlled trial involving 170 urban participants in Iran, comparing the mental health effects of structured birdwatching with general nature walks. Birdwatching produced greater reductions in anxiety and stress, while no significant difference was found in depression outcomes.

View article

Personality Traits Influence Birdwatching Interest: A 6-Month Study in Iran

Iman Ebrahimi, Fateme Kazemi, and Mohammad Ali Agha Ebrahimi

Ecopsychology, 17(2), 108–118, 2025

This six-month study examined how personality traits shape interest in birdwatching among 85 participants in Isfahan, Iran. Openness to Experience was the strongest predictor of both immediate and sustained interest, while Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were also positively associated with engagement.

View article

Rapid shift in clutch size distribution of white-cheeked terns Sterna repressa following feral cat removal on Shidvar Island, Persian Gulf

Iman Ebrahimi, Ali Ranjbaran, Maysam Ghasemi, Fateme Kazemi, Farshad Eskandari, and Fahime Goudarzi

Conservation Evidence Journal, 23, 20–25, 2026

This study tracked white-cheeked tern clutch-size distributions before, during, and after the presence of introduced feral cats on Shidvar Island. Following complete cat removal, two-egg clutches became substantially more common, indicating a rapid reproductive response within a single breeding season.

View article

Effectiveness of Spiral Diverters in Preventing Asian Houbara Power Line Collisions in Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge, Iran

Iman Ebrahimi, Fateme Kazemi, and Mohammad Ali Agha Ebrahimi

ECOPERSIA, 12(4), 405–412, 2024

Using field observations and stakeholder reports, this study evaluated 450 spiral diverters installed along a seven-kilometre collision hotspot within a 21-kilometre power-line section. No Asian Houbara collisions were recorded in the year following installation.

View article

Selecting a flagship species for Arjan International Wetland in Iran

Iman Ebrahimi, Ran Dai, Fateme Kazemi, and Amin Seifii

Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 8(4), 364–383, 2024

This study combined a literature review and local questionnaire data to compare three candidate waterbirds using ten flagship-species criteria. The Ruddy Shelduck received the highest score due to strong local recognition, positive associations, and cultural relevance.

View article

Potential short-stopping of migratory waterbirds in the Caspian region: a climate-driven scenario based on the expanding Volga delta

Iman Ebrahimi, Fateme Kazemi, Sanaz Tamimzadeh, Maryam Kazemi-Najafabadi, Negin Sheikholeslami, and Sahar Najafi

Wetlands Ecology and Management, 34, Article 48, 2026

This article proposes a climate-driven scenario in which Caspian Sea retreat, expanding shallow-water habitats around the Volga Delta, and milder winters may lead some migratory waterbirds to winter farther north. It highlights the need to interpret changes in southern Caspian counts within a basin-wide ecological context.

View article

Technical Reports and Data

Waterbird Census of Hormozgan Province, Iran, 2023 and Comparison with 2022

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society and the Hormozgan Provincial Department of Environment

Technical Report, 2024

This report presents the results of the 2023 waterbird census across Hormozgan Province and compares them with the 2022 findings, documenting changes in waterbird abundance and distribution across the province’s wetlands and coastal habitats.

View report

Winter Waterbird Census in Fars Province, Iran, 2023

Fateme Kazemi, Iman Ebrahimi, Amin Seifii, Mahsa Hashemi, Mohammad Tavakoli, and Mohammad Ali Agha Ebrahimi

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society and the Fars Provincial Department of Environment, 2023

Covering 13 wetland and waterbody sites across Fars Province, this census recorded 20,027 birds representing 76 species. The report provides site-level results, species records, coverage estimates, and recommendations for improving future monitoring.

View report

Scientific and Field Participation in the Migratory Bird Census of Mazandaran Province, Iran, 2026

Iman Ebrahimi and Fateme Kazemi

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society and the Mazandaran Provincial Department of Environment, 2026

The census documented 54,889 birds representing 112 species across 36 sites in Mazandaran Province. In addition to site-level results, the report identifies monitoring limitations and provides recommendations for improving spatial coverage, standardization, and future waterbird assessments.

View report

Bird Checklist of Iran

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society and the Department of Environment of Iran

Living Dataset, Version 1.3

An open-access and continuously updated checklist of the birds recorded in Iran. It includes Persian and scientific names, taxonomic families, conservation status under international agreements, occurrence patterns, migration status, and seasonal distribution.

View dataset

Policy and Conservation Resources

Reforming Songbird Trapping Permits in Iran: A Policy Brief

Iman Ebrahimi and Fateme Kazemi

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, May 2026

This policy brief examines the regulation of songbird trapping permits in Iran and presents recommendations for strengthening species protection, improving monitoring and enforcement, and developing a more evidence-based permitting framework.

View policy brief

Bee-eaters and Conflict Mitigation: A Practical Guide for Beekeepers (Persian)

AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society and Nazr-e Tabiat

Educational Catalogue

A Persian-language educational guide introducing bee-eaters, their ecological role, and practical non-lethal approaches to reducing conflict between these birds and beekeepers.

View catalogue

Infographics

A growing collection of Persian-language educational infographics and posters on birds, wetlands, and bird conservation.

Annual Reports

Available English-language annual reports from AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, documenting the organization’s projects, partnerships, field activities, educational work, and institutional development.

Year	Report
2025	Annual Report 2025
2023	Annual Report 2023
2022	Annual Report 2022
2021	Annual Report 2021
2020	Annual Report 2020
2017	Annual Report 2017
2016	Annual Report 2016

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Research

Birdwatching vs. nature walks: a randomized trial to compare mental health outcomes in Iran

Personality Traits Influence Birdwatching Interest: A 6-Month Study in Iran

Rapid shift in clutch size distribution of white-cheeked terns Sterna repressa following feral cat removal on Shidvar Island, Persian Gulf

Effectiveness of Spiral Diverters in Preventing Asian Houbara Power Line Collisions in Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge, Iran

Selecting a flagship species for Arjan International Wetland in Iran

Potential short-stopping of migratory waterbirds in the Caspian region: a climate-driven scenario based on the expanding Volga delta

Technical Reports and Data

Waterbird Census of Hormozgan Province, Iran, 2023 and Comparison with 2022

Winter Waterbird Census in Fars Province, Iran, 2023

Scientific and Field Participation in the Migratory Bird Census of Mazandaran Province, Iran, 2026

Bird Checklist of Iran

Policy and Conservation Resources

Reforming Songbird Trapping Permits in Iran: A Policy Brief

Bee-eaters and Conflict Mitigation: A Practical Guide for Beekeepers (Persian)

Infographics

Annual Reports

Quick Access

Contact Information