Description
Mahmudchala Lake is easily accessible for birders as the main highway heading south to Masalli cuts through the area. Located about 160km south of Baku, this is a worthwhile stop-off en route to the bigger birdwatching sites of Gizil Aghaj National Park and the Talish Mountains further south. From November to April it is a refuge for tens of thousands of wetland birds. Target species in winter: beloglavka, črnonoga čigra, mali škrjanček, plamenec, ribji galeb and rdečegrla cipa. In summer: marmorna raca and mali škrjanček. The area is most interesting during spring and late autumn/winter.
Details
Access
Mahmudchala Lake is located about 45 km from Shirvan National Park, 1 km from the main road to Bilasuvar region. Especially tourists going for a 3-4 day observation in the southern direction want to visit this point after Shirvan National Park. On the way to Astara, to return to the lake from the main road, you need to find the Bilasuvar inscription in the right direction. You can travel 1 km from the lake to the main road in the same way and return to the right in the direction of Astara.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Steppe , Lake , Grassland , Moors/heathland , City/villageConditions
Wet , Open landscapeCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , Autumn , WinterBest time to visit
Spring , AutumnRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
The lake is located 22 meters below sea level. The total area is 8,000 hectares. The total area of the Mahmudchala wetland system is 23,000 hectares (including Lake Agchala). The climate around the lake is dry subtropical. Summers are dry, very hot, and winters are mild. The temperature in the surrounding areas is 29 + 35 ° С in summer and + 3 + 6,5 ° С in winter. Rainfall falls mainly in spring and autumn. The salinity of the water is 16-18 g / l. The temperature is 22-29 ° С in summer and 4-7,5 ° С in winter.
