A proposed Important Bird Area and Internationally Important Wetland: Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran

摘要

The criteria given by Birdlife International and the Ramsar convention on wetlands were evaluated to identify Meyghan wetland, west-central Iran, as a potential new IBA and Internationally Important Wetland. Field surveys were conducted October 2007-January 2009. The wetland meets seven criteria of BirdLife International(Al, A3, A4iii, Bli Bliv, B2, B3)and criteria 1-6 of the Ramsar convention on wetlands. This wetland supports large numbers of migrating Common Cranes Grus grus(3300 individuals in October 2007). Five avian species recorded from the wetland are categorized as globally threatened: Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius(CR), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug(VU), Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga(VU), Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca(VU), Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris(VU)and three are near threatened(NT): Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa and European Roller Coracias garrulus. Meyghan wetland suffers from various human and natural threats and suggestions are made on how to overcome them.