Miracle in the marshes of Iraq _ Large flock of Marbled Teal sighted

19 January 2011 - A large flock of globally Vulnerable Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris have been sighted in the Mesopotamian Marshlands of Iraq in an area where they have not been seen for 20 years.

In winter 2010, Nature Iraq counted 46,000 Marbled Teal in the marshes, around twice the previous estimate of the entire global population. In total, Nature Iraq has undertaken six winter and six summer surveys of the Southern Marshes since 2005 – the most comprehensive survey of any wetland in the Middle East. The surveys have shown that no species of breeding bird has become extinct in the marshes, and that many are increasing as the marshes respond to re-flooding. Next to the Marbled Teal the marshes are also very important for other AEWA species such as the migrant Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and breeding Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca.

The Iraqi Marshlands are the largest wetland ecosystem in the Middle East and were almost destroyed by the former regime in the 1990’s. As from 2003 they had been partially re-flooded and were able to recover to a remarkable extent. The regeneration of Iraq’s Mesopotamian Marshlands recently have become part of a film documentary called the Miracle in the marshes of Iraq which has been shown under the BBC2’s Natural World series. A short film of the documentary can be seen here.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.birdlife.org/community/2011/01/miracle-in-the-marshes-of-iraq/