Abstract
The ornithological role of lake Hashengie and 10 selected reservoirs have been studied from January to February, 2012 in Tigray, Ethiopia. Birds were surveyed using total and Block count methods from suitable vantage points. Bird species diversity, dominance, and vegetation cover were estimated. A total of 22,845 birds of 67 species belonging to 19 families were recorded. Maximum numbers of species were recorded in Lake Hashengie (65) followed by Hzaeti Wedi Cheber (38) and minimum was recorded in Mai Della reservoir (15). Significant difference in bird species were recorded between the two sites which have maximum number of bird species (Mann-Whitney Test: W = 778.5, P = 0.00). The migratory status of bird species showed that 47 (70 %) were migrants and the rest 20 (29%) were residents. Vulnerable species, Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca, in Lake Hashengie and globally near threatened species, Rouget’s rail Rougetius rougetii in Teghane and Ruba Feleg reservoirs were recorded. The highest vegetation cover (65%) was estimated in Tsnkanet. We conclude that the reservoirs and the natural lake intended for irrigation harbor a number of bird species and are an important foraging, breeding, roosting and nesting grounds for the birds. Key words: Migratory, reservoirs, residential, Hashengie, threatened, vulnerable, Tigray, Ethiopia. 
Highlights
Ethiopia has a large natural and cultural diversity with a gigantic range of climates which result from its topography and latitudinal position
The natural Lake Hashengie is fed by a number of small streams from the surrounding areas during the rainy season only
One natural lake and ten reservoirs a total of 22, 845 birds of 67 species belonging to 19 families were recorded (Appendix 1)
Summary
Ethiopia has a large natural and cultural diversity with a gigantic range of climates which result from its topography and latitudinal position. It has a very diverse set of ecosystems ranging from humid forest and extensive wetlands to desert. The great plains of Ethiopia occur atop colossal highland plateaus, cloven into unequal halves by the Great Rift Valley. Many of these mountain ranges reach over 4100 m above sea level, and are home to plentiful endemic species of flora and fauna (Jacobs and Schloeder, 2001). The differences in altitude and latitude have resulted in a wide variation in climates (rainfall, humidity, temperature etc) and this improbable diversity of ecology is auxiliary mirrored by the diversity of fauna and flora (Jacobs and Schloeder, 2001; Yalden et al, 1996; Yalden and Largen, 1992)
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