THE 38TH CENSUS OF WINTERING WATERBIRDS WAS CARRIED OUT AT 10 degrees C
24.01.2014

The warm weather over the weekend made the birds stay north of the country

21 Jan 2014: In the period January 17 to 19, the 38th census of wintering waterbirds was successfully held.  The warm weather in the country resulted in reporting less "northern" birds than usual. Due to high temperatures, typical wintering birds had chosen to remain in the north instead of flying long distances to our country.

Traditionally, the main concentrations of birds were recorded along the Black Sea and the Danube, where tens of thousands of wintering geese were established. Geese, along with Coots and Mallards, are among the most numerous birds found during most of the winter censuses. In cold winters over 250,000 White-fronted geese and almost the entire population of the Red -breasted Goose concentrate in our country. For instance, in the winter of 2013 a record number of over 54,000 Red-breasted geese was established, while in 2014 they were less than 10 000.

In the area of Coastal Dobrudzha 3600 Red-breasted and 7500 White-fronted Geese were reported.  Half of the Red-breasted geese came from the northeast, which probably indicates south migration preceding the coming cold spell.

Among the interesting observations were the numerous sightings of Black-throated Diver in many inland water pools in different regions of the country, and the registration of species such as Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and Shelduck at unconventional places. Other interesting species that have been identified include Tundra Swans, White-tailed Eagles, Smews, Common Mergansers and many others.

The census of wintering waterbirds is conducted worldwide since 1967 and is one of the most popular events in the field of nature conservation. It assesses the status of waterfowl populations and the state of the places where they spend the winter, many of which are part of the Natura 2000 network.