Steel Wetland

With its unique natural setting, Steel Wetland is one of the beautiful natural sights of Iran. The wetland lies among the lush Hyrcanian forests, next to the Caspian Sea, and covers an area of about 200 hectares. Its shores are lined with hornbeam and alder trees, which not only give the area a captivating beauty but also provide a suitable habitat for a variety of birds and animals.

Because it is fed by both fresh and saline water sources, the wetland has a high level of biodiversity. This ecosystem hosts large numbers of migratory birds, particularly in autumn and winter. Birds such as ducks, geese and flamingos come to Steel Wetland, which has made it known as an important area for birdwatching. This variety of birds, together with aquatic plants such as reeds and algae, creates a beautiful and natural scene. In the west of the wetland there are dense, lush forests that make for a stunning view. In addition, reeds, water lilies and ferns are among the other plant species found in the area.

Among the important features of this wetland are well-known fish such as carp and pike. This natural wetland is also home to rare birds that migrate here to breed from Central Europe, Transcaspia and the polar regions, the most important of which is the red-billed gull-billed tern (locally called chingir nok-sorkh). The alder trees in the wetland give it a striking appearance. One of the distinctive features of Steel Wetland in Astara is that, because the roots of its trees stand in the water, the trees constantly shift and move across the expanse of the wetland. For this reason, Steel Wetland is also known as the wetland of floating trees.

Since Steel Wetland is only a short distance from Astara, its climate is also very similar to that of the city. Apart from hot summer days, when heavy evaporation may make it feel warmer by the wetland, the weather is generally pleasant for the rest of the year. Because Astara lies in the north of Gilan Province, it is about 3 to 4 degrees cooler than cities further south, such as Rasht. Rain can also fall on many days, especially in autumn and winter. Keep in mind that winters at Steel Wetland are rainy and fairly cold, so if you are going birdwatching, be sure to bring warm clothing and equipment.