ARAK, Central Province The first group of migratory birds, mainly gray cranes, have arrived in Central Province from the frigid planes of Siberia. The birds every year around mid-October fly to the province which constitutes their winter habitat and stay for about six months. The director general of the provincial Environment Protection Department Mohammad Baqer Sadouq added that in years the province is hit with heavy snow storms, the cranes continue their journey further south or head for African countries.

The number of the birds, which are on the protected species list, spending the winter in the province's wetlands and river coasts reaches 12,000 every year, the official added. (IRNA)