birdwatching inShirvan National Park
Easily accessible along the Baku-Astara Main Road, 90 km south of Baku, Shirvan National Park is one of Azerbaijan’s top all-round nature sites, best known as the home of the iconic goitered gazelle. This gazelle is a real Azerbaijan success story, since their numbers had dropped to just a few hundred animals in the 1960s, but now count between 7,000 and 8,000 in Shirvan alone. Today, you are guaranteed to see them during a visit.
This huge area (54,000 hectares) is a paradise for birdwatchers, one of the most accessible sites in Azerbaijan with over 270 distinct species recorded. The reason for such an abundance is its location on the Caspian coast bird migration route and its importance as breeding, resting and wintering grounds. Keen birdwatchers are also likely to catch sight of Greater Sandplover, White-tailed Lapwing, Greater Flamingo, Pygmy Cormorants, Lesser Kestrel, Steppe Buzzards, Imperial Eagle, both species of bee-eaters, Rollers and Black Francolins, among many others.
When to visit:
All year there is good birdwatching but try November-February for the flocks of Little Bustards and April-June for the breeding species. A visit from September to October will also produce a good range of raptors and passerines, as well as ducks and waders on the lakes.
Where to stay:
Kur Hotel (+994514130011) is a comfortable and affordable option in the nearby town of Salyan.
