Darreh Tefi Village; the Host of Storks

In addition to its unique natural and historical sites, what makes the trip to Kurdistan Province more pleasant is the warm hospitality of its people, who not only welcome tourists but also show hospitality to migratory birds. Kurdistan Province hosts a significant number of migratory birds every year. Most of these birds choose a place to rest for a short time around the Zarivar Lake or ponds and forest areas. Among the habitats of migratory birds, Darreh Tefi Village is famous for receiving the annual migration of storks and is known as the “Village of Storks”.

Where Is Darreh Tefi Village?

Darreh Tefi Village is one of the rural areas of Marivan City in Kurdistan Province. The population of the village is about a thousand people and nearly 250 families live in it. The village is located on the edge of Zarivar Lake and its distance from Marivan city is about 15 km. Zarivar is the largest freshwater lake in Iran. Some parts of this lake with a depth of 2 to 5.5 meters have a wetland shape and provide a suitable environment for unique species. The total area of the lake and wetland along with the surrounding reeds is about 20 square kilometers. In addition to running water, the springs that usually boil out at the bottom of the lake play a role in its water supply. Zarivar Lake was inscribed on the list of Iran’s natural national heritage in the year 2011 AD.

In addition to the proximity to Zarivar Lake, the presence of tall and stout oak trees has made storks choose the Tefi Valley for their seasonal stay over the years. The upper branches of oak trees, which are usually more than five meters above the ground, are a safe and desirable option for storks to make their temporary nests.

When Do Storks Migrate to Darreh Tefi Village?

The second half of the month of March and the spring and summer seasons is the time when storks are present in Darreh Tefi Village and its surrounding areas and migrate to southern tropical regions when the weather begins to get cold. The green nature of the surrounding areas of Zarivar Lake is the best place for storks to lay eggs and hatch their chicks. According to environmental experts, Zarivar Lake is one of the best habitats for migratory birds. The contamination in this area is so low that no deaths due to the disease have been reported in the surrounding bird colonies.

Folk Beliefs and Stories about Storks

The people of Darreh Tefi Village consider the presence of storks as a sign of good luck and peace. Therefore, in addition to preparing a nest for them, they sometimes also provide food for these birds and if a stork is injured, they make sure it gets treated. The people of Darreh Tefi Village believe that if the storks are treated well, they will come to the village next year and bring other storks with them! It is said that years ago only one pair of storks stopped in the village and built a nest on top of an electric pole. Fearing that these two storks would get caught in the electric wires, the residents raised an iron pole and made a nest on it. The next year, the pair returned to the village and brought other storks with them. In this way, the number of storks increased year by year, and the young people of the village erected more poles and made handmade nests on them, as a result of which Darreh Tefi Village has become one of the main areas in the west of Iran for the migratory storks.

The people of Darreh Tefi Village refer to storks as “Haji Laklak”. Among Iranians, Haji is a respectful title and is given to those who have gone on the Hajj journey. Probably, such a nickname was given to the storks because, on their way for the Hajj pilgrimage, some people of the village saw the storks on the way and thought that they were also traversing the Hajj route! Therefore, this common belief arose among them that after leaving the village, the storks go to Hajj and return again the next year! “Haji Taqtaq” is another nickname of the village people for storks, because they sometimes produce a loud sound by clicking their beaks together that can be heard from far distances.

Darreh Tefi Village was inscribed as the habitat of Marivan storks on the list of Iran’s natural national heritage in the year 2024 AD.

In addition to its unique natural and historical sites, what makes the trip to Kurdistan Province more pleasant is the warm hospitality of its people, who not only welcome tourists but also show hospitality to migratory birds. Kurdistan Province hosts a significant number of migratory birds every year.