Birds and Oil

Island Pirallahy, Sangachal Gulf, lakes of Absheron peninsula

Agree to article of N.K. Vereshagin (1945) more 35 000 ducks and coots were perished from oil spill from pipeline from Pirallahy island to Absheron peninsula during a few weeks. Information about decease of birds from oil spills on the lakes of Absheron peninsula occur (Tuayev, Vasilyev, 1972, Sultanov, 1991).

The islands of Baku archipelago and Alat bay.

Factors (past, present or potential) adversely affecting the site's ecological character, including changes in land use and development projects:    (a) at the site: periodic oil spills in the sea are a severe threat for mass concentrations of birds, especially during wintering and migration seasons. So, for nesting birds the most relevant factor of threat is gathering of eggs in breeding colonies by inhabitants of inshore settlements. During season of wintering and migration the important factor of disturbance is the hunt. The closest islands especially suffer from visiting people (islands Gil, island system Babur - Gutan et c.).

The islands Khara – Zira and Sangi - Mugan are occupied. Therefore, if large breeding colonies occurred here in the past, now they practically are absent.

The site is in constant hazard of oil pollution. Marine oil platforms for output of oil, largest Sangachal trestle (estakada) with a length more than 35 kms, traffic of sea ships including oil ships - potential sources of regular oil spills. So, in April 1998 the mass loss of waterbirds was fixed around Gil island (it revealed not less 6 species: F. atra (99 %), Ph. carbo, A. ferina, A. platyrhynchos, A. crecca, and L. argentatus). As a result of oil spill our estimations show about 30 000 birds perished (Sultanov et c., 1998; Sultanov, 1998). In June, 1999 was revealed about 100 birds on 3 islands from group Dashlar (Rocks) near cape Alat and on island Zenbil, which have perished from petroleum, 7 dead seals, 2 sturgeon fishes have been thrown out on beach. 70-80 % of small Dashlar islands was covered by oil. After 40 days the repeated study of Zenbil Island and one of the smaller islands has shown, that the polluted surface has covered only 20 % of the territory small island and 25 dead birds were revealed, the majority of which were covered by oil.

The given region requires intensive ecological monitoring; it is necessary to develop measures for rescue of birds in case of oil spills.

(b) around the site: oil output and fishing.

Lake Hajigabul

Around the site: near to lake not only Western Export Oil pipeline drives, but also series of oil pipelines of local value too. Apparently, as a result of emergencies on one of them, approximately in 100 m to the east from the lake at the highway to Kurdamir town the oil spill with diameter 10-12 m occurred, which one introduces severe threat for fauna. Our regular examinations show, that fox, different insects (dragonfly, bugs), group of hedgehogs (apparently, whole family) and different birds. For example, in February 1999 two Herring gull were marked, and during October – November it was possible to see not less than 10 perished birds in oil. Almost each week it was possible to see not less 1-2 new birds. Unfortunately it was not possible to distinguish species of majority of birds; we could different as rule only size of birds, for example, size of herons or size of gull or wader.

Besides approximately in 200-300 m to the South from the lake the oil field is exploited and some oil derricks are established, around which there are oil spills. Our inspection has shown the absence of corpses of birds and other animals here. Probably, it is explained to that these pools are not met on the migratory path of birds. However it is possible to forecast, that after termination of oil extracting in these places and vanishing of the factors of disturbance (noise from work of mechanisms etc.) these pools can also become oil trap for birds and other animals.

Lake system Bozgobu – Sherbetgobu

Oil Lake was created in result of oil output near the lakes. It is real threat for birds, especially waterbirds. We can see oiled birds here enough often.

(look "Potential Ramsar sites of Azerbaijan", Baku, Wetlands International, - AEME Publ., 152 p.).

Birds and oil platformes

Increasing of nesting habitats for waterbirds as gulls, terns and cormorants is example of positive influence of oil works on birds. Gulls and terns use wood parts of old platforms and cormorants build nests in metallic constrictions of platforms (Potential Ramsar sites of Azerbaijan, Baku, 2000; Musayev, sultanov, 1999; Sultanov, 2000).

Look article in russian variant.

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