Ashgabat, 25 January 2010. Scientific researchers of the Hazar state reserve and National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of Turkmenistan recently held planned survey of birds, wintering in Turkmen part of the Caspian Sea, which stretches from Kazakhstan border in the north till the border with Iran in the south, with the aim to identify the number of birds and their species variety. The event was held within the framework of "Conservation and sustainable use of globally significant biological diversity in Hazar state reserve on the Caspian sea coast", financed by the Global Environmental Facility and jointly implemented by the UNDP and the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan.

The obtained results, would allow scientists to identify the population dynamics of waterbirds and close to water birds at the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, and would facilitate development of scientifically grounded recommendations for conservation and rational use of biological resources in the country in accordance with international obligations of Turkmenistan on conservation of biodiversity and wetlands of global significance.

The survey has shown that the number of wintering birds this year is lower, than it was in 2007, but higher than in 2009. The possible explanation to this could be extremely cold winter of 2008, when due to natural reasons many birds died because of cold and lack of food. Cold and frosts have damaged vegetation and animal organisms especially in shallow waters, having reduced feeding base for birds. Now, the situation is improving in the area, attracting more birds for wintering.

The helicopter survey, within the framework of the joint project, has already been held for the third time for the last four years.