The western Caspian coast of Azerbaijan is an important stop-over site for migrating waders, with Gyzylagach State Reserve holding the highest numbers of them. Despite the importance of this area it is under-surveyed, as the last counts took part in 1990. According to recent publications, 53% of the wader species of the West-Asian/East-African-flyway have negative population trends.

With this project I want to contribute to the conservation of Steppe Whimbrels, which population is estimated at 100 birds or fewer, and the rapidly declining eastern population of Black-tailed Godwits. I want to use satellite telemetry to identify migration routes as well as wintering- and breeding grounds of these two species.

Additionally I want to conduct several counts of resting waders in the area, to bring the 20-year-old data up-to-date.

Within this project, several conservation approaches are combined. Standard wader counts and species-specific research tasks will reveal an enormous increase of the preliminary knowledge of this area. This will help to understand the threats of the populations of Black-tailed Godwits and Steppe Whimbrels, which will lead to a direct conservation output.

Furthermore, environmental education provides the possibility of long-term conservation efforts in this region.

Your support will help to provide recent data from this under-surveyed area of the Western Palaearctic. You can contribute to the conservation of these charismatic species and even adopt a Black-tailed Godwit or Steppe Whimbrel. By donating the costs of a backpack, you can name a bird and follow its journey. For further information please take a look at the project description and don´t hesitate to contact me.
The waders and I are deeply grateful!
Project description:
http://www.waderquest.org/2017/04/research-on-waders-in-one-of-last-under.html