The 48th midwinter waterfowl census was conducted in Bulgaria from January 11 to 14. As part of the census, organized annually by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and the Executive Environment Agency, ornithologists and volunteers visited over 200 wetlands. The results from the count are now starting to come in from various parts of Bulgaria.
In the Eastern Rhodopes, teams of Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation and BSPB registered 5,654 waterfowl of 31 species in the reservoirs along the Arda River valley, the foundation reported. In comparison, last year there were 2,427 registered birds of 19 species, which was due to relatively high temperatures for January. Hristo Hristov of Rewilding Rhodopes said this year there were more birds both in terms of numbers and diversity of species, which is interesting given the low level of the reservoirs along the Arda River. The biggest population registered was that of the mallard duck (1,770 birds).
Along the Danube in the northwestern regions of Montana and Vidin, ornithologists registered 1,656 waterfowl of 18 species, down from last year's 3,965 birds of 17 species, said Valeri Parvanov, chief expert at the Regional Environment and Water Inspection in Montana. He told BTA that the main reason for the fewer birds wintering in the area is the warm winter in Northern Europe, which allows them to remain there instead of having to migrate south. The biggest population registered was that of the mallard duck (829 birds).
/DS/
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