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Bardena - Galugah Raptor Count

Mazandaran  >  Iran

Since 2020, Bardena Hill near Galugah has been an official autumn raptor count site, mainly for large eagles, managed by the Galugah Raptor Count team.

Added* by Mitra Daneshvar
Most recent update 31 marca 2026

Description

Galugah, the name of the nearby city, literally means “Bottleneck,” which perfectly describes this unique corridor for thousands of migratory raptors during the autumn season. While the summit of Bardena Hill is private property, the owner is a dedicated supporter of the Galugah Raptor Count Project. Since the project's inception in 2020, he has developed the area by constructing a local guesthouse and a facility building that includes a restaurant, specifically dedicating the rooftop to the counting team. Additionally, the road to the summit is now in good condition, making the site accessible to all visitors. While spotting numerous raptors, such as Steppe Eagle and Imperial Eagle, visitors may also see migratory birds like Common Crane or even large flocks of Greater Flamingo resting in the nearby Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge.

Details

Access

The best way to reach the top of Bardena Hill is by private car or taxi; it is located just a few kilometers from Galugah City. Parking is easily available at the summit, though it can become crowded on weekends due to the paragliding site located adjacent to the raptor count spot. It is recommended to stay for at least one or two hours, as migration patterns can be difficult to predict daily. Furthermore, visitors can enjoy birdwatching around the site to spot various passerines.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest

Conditions

Hilly

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Autumn , Spring

Best time to visit

Autumn migration , Spring migration

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

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