Fall guests of Anzali Pond arriving

Anzali, Gilan Prov, Nov 8, IRNA – With the approach of cold weather the colorful winged passengers enjoying nice voice are arriving from the snowy lands in the north to be the guest of ponds in Iran. The Anzali Pond generously opens its arms to receive its old friends among which white feathered Eurasian teals as the pioneers fly hundreds of kilometers to reach the pond as their winter inn. Then the greenhead, the blackhead and the fawn head ducks, the coots, gray and white forehead ducks, pelicans and flamingos and last the swans arrive in full dignity to rest in the blessed pond. The pond tulips present the seeds of their hearts to the beautiful swans in an effort to observe the tradition of hospitality. The songbirds like musicians in an orchestra sit in their specific position and perform their heart tendering symphony. In the absence of association of these adorable migratory birds perhaps the heart of the pond had been hurt long before due to the unfriendly attitude of the people and bulk of wastes, sewage and pesticides. Head of the Environment Office of Anzali told IRNA on Saturday that the pond had the largest number of migratory birds last year while in terms of species the Boujaq National Park received more birds. Akbar Mighi said the first birds which arrived to the pond were the white feathered Eurasian teals which left their habitat in Siberia and north of the Caspian Sea for the International Anzali Pond. According to the official, the southern part of the pond is not yet prepared for migratory birds due to water shortage. He said last year 216 thousand of migratory birds from 79 species were reportedly received by pond stations in Gilan Province among which Anzali Pond by receiving 125 thousand birds was the largest winter habitat for the birds. Anzali Pond with a span of 19 thousand hectares is one of the most important habitats for migratory birds in southern part of the Caspian Sea, in north of Iran./end