Mazandaran Waterbird Census
Winter Monitoring of Waterbird Populations Across Coastal and Wetland Systems in Northern Iran
In January 2026, the Department of Environment (DOE) of Mazandaran Province, in collaboration with AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, conducted a comprehensive winter waterbird census across the province under the framework of the International Waterbird Census (IWC).
This initiative aimed to systematically monitor key habitats, assess waterbird population size and species diversity, and improve the consistency of long-term monitoring across coastal, wetland, and agricultural landscapes. In parallel, the project served as a platform for field-based training, knowledge exchange, and strengthening collaboration between governmental institutions, experts, and local participants.
Scale of the Project and Results
The census covered 36 sites across Mazandaran Province, including coastal zones, wetlands, damgah complexes, and Ab-bandans (traditional man-made water reservoirs).
A total of 54,889 birds from 112 species were recorded. Of these, 54,269 individuals from 84 species were classified as waterbirds, forming the core of the observed population.
The survey was conducted over a 10-day period, providing a province-wide snapshot of wintering waterbird populations.
Methodology
The census followed IWC standards and combined multiple field methods, including vehicle-based transects, on-foot surveys, and stationary counts.
Observers used binoculars and spotting scopes to identify and count birds. In high-density areas, simultaneous counts by multiple observers were used to improve accuracy. All survey points and movement routes were recorded using GPS, enabling greater spatial consistency and comparability for future monitoring efforts.
Key Findings
• A significant proportion of the total bird population was concentrated in a limited number of key sites, particularly Miankaleh Wetland and the damgah complexes.
• Bird distribution patterns were strongly shaped by gradients of human disturbance, habitat security, and access control, rather than habitat type alone.
• Sites with restricted access or lower human disturbance consistently supported higher bird densities and more stable aggregations.
• In several Ab-bandans and modified sites, reduced habitat quality and increased human pressure were associated with lower species diversity and abundance.
• Coastal areas showed clear spatial variation in species composition, including differences between eastern and western parts of the province.
The findings highlight that waterbird distribution in Mazandaran is not determined solely by ecological conditions, but is deeply influenced by human presence, disturbance regimes, and patterns of access.
In particular, areas with indirect protection or restricted access functioned as effective refuges for birds. This underscores the importance of integrating human-use dynamics, security conditions, and site accessibility into conservation planning and monitoring design.
Training and Collaboration
A central component of this project was the active involvement of local participants. Volunteers, birdwatchers, and environmental staff participated in both training sessions and field surveys, gaining practical experience in waterbird monitoring.
This approach not only strengthened the implementation of the census but also contributed to building long-term local capacity for conservation and monitoring across the province.
Why This Matters
This census represents one of the most comprehensive recent datasets on waterbird populations in Mazandaran Province.
Beyond providing baseline ecological data, the results contribute to improving monitoring frameworks, supporting evidence-based management decisions, and strengthening the integration of ecological insights with social and management realities in conservation practice.
Acknowledgments
AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society sincerely thanks the Department of Environment of Mazandaran Province and all experts, rangers, and volunteers who contributed to the planning and implementation of this project.
We extend our special appreciation to Dr. Mohammadreza Konani, Director General of the Mazandaran DOE, whose support and coordination were essential to the successful completion of this project.
