A total of 308 Dalmatian pelicans were counted in Bulgaria as part of the sixth international pelican census in Southeast Europe, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) reported. From May 24 to 26, BSPB teams collected data in Bulgaria’s wetlands of greatest important to this bird species, which is listed as critically endangered in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria and as near threatened in the IUCN Red List. Also counted were 2,396 great white pelicans.
The largest number of Dalmatian pelicans were found at the species’ three nesting sites in Bulgaria: the Kalimok-Brashlen protected area (160 birds), in the marshes of Persin Island (93), and in Srebarna Lake (24). There currently are hatchlings in all pelican colonies there.
The largest number of great white pelicans were observed in the Burgas Lakes area (1,551 birds), near the coastal city of Varna (400), and in the area of the Kardzhali and Studen Kladenets dams (267).
The data on the two pelican species’ numbers and distribution will contribute to the conservation efforts in Southeast Europe. The pelicans nesting in Bulgaria have an important role to play in that respect.
In this country, the conservation activities for the Dalmatian pelican are carried out within the Conservation of the Dalmatian Pelican along the Black-Sea Mediterranean Flyway project (Pelican Way of LIFE), the principal conservation project for the species in Europe.
/DS/
news.modal.text
