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Experts from the Central Balkan National Park participated in the international Midwinter Waterfowl Census

20 January 2025
Experts of the Park Directorate participated in the Midwinter Waterfowl Census initiative in the country. They were responsible for surveying 6 large and several smaller water bodies not within the boundaries of the Park, where they reported the presence of more than 3,000 waterfowl, among which the most numerous were representatives of the species mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), coot (Fulica atra), great egret (Ardea alba), etc. Among the species with less numerous numbers that were identified during the census are the common grebe (Anas crecca), common tern (Tadorna tadorna), little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), great grebe (Podiceps cristatus), etc. In addition to waterfowl, the observed flocks of the species of greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) - over 1000 individuals and common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) - more than 1500 were also of interest. Two of the reservoirs - Koprinka Dam and Ribarnitsi "Nikolaevo" were visited together with representatives of the NGO "Green Balkans".

The campaign, which is held in the second week of January each year, aims to establish the number and species diversity of birds, as well as their dynamics. The objects of investigation are also the places of aggregation where they winter, the condition of these habitats, the potential and real threats to the species and their habitats, in order to identify and take action for their protection, as well as sustainable use of resource species, if necessary.