birdwatching inAggol National Park
The Aggol National Park, located in western-central Azerbaijan near the town of Agjabadi, features a vast lake surrounded by steppe and semi-desert. The lake, named Aggol, formed as a result of flooding of the Kura and Araz rivers (Azerbaijan’s two major rivers) and is a haven for birds all year round. The park is home to over 140 bird species and its global significance is highlighted by its inclusion on the Ramsar List of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 2001. The name “Aggol” means “White Lake” in Azerbaijani and comes from the abundant white plumage of birds found all along the shoreline. Besides birds, the park is home to gazelles, wolves, reed cats, foxes, wild boar, snakes, turtles and various other interesting animals.
Target species:
In winter:
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)
Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)
In summer:
Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris)
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)
When to visit:
Late autumn to late spring.
Where to stay:
Simple hotels can be found in the nearby towns of Agjabadi and Barda.
