site.bta Up to 4,000 Red-breasted Geese Winter on Lakes Shabla and Durankulak

Up to 4,000 Red-breasted Geese Winter on Lakes Shabla and Durankulak

Dobrich, Northeastern Bulgaria, January 8 (BTA) - Some 3,000-4,000 red-breasted geese, which are a globally threatened species, are wintering on Lakes Shabla and Durankulak in the country's northeast, Nikolai Petkov of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds told BTA. In recent years, some 80 per cent of the world population of red-breasted geese have migrated from the Siberian tundra to winter here.

Due to the warmer weather this year the wintering population of red breasts in coastal Dobrudzha is small with birds probably staying in Ukraine and Romania closer to their nesting grounds. A mid-winter bird census on January 16-17 will give the exact number of the population.

According to the latest data, the world population of red-breasts has recovered to some 56,000 birds after a nearly 50 per cent decline in 2000, said Petkov, who coordinates an international working group under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). Some of the conservation efforts have been channeled in a project entitled "Safe Ground for the Red Breasts", implemented by the Society in coastal Dobrudzha under the EU LIFE + Programme.
The birds' wintering grounds have become safer thanks to satellite tracking, a count of sleeping locations, environment-friendly agriculture and an assessment of feeding habits.

In January and February, when more birds are expected to arrive on Lakes Shabla and Durankulak, the Society will implement joint inspections with authorities in the protected area to prevent violations during hunting trips, said Petkov.