What is the IWC?
The International Waterbird Census (IWC) is a site-based counting scheme for monitoring waterbird numbers, organized since 1967 by Wetlands International, formerly the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau (IWRB). The Census operates at a global level, and the former division into four separate continental-scale surveys was superseded in 2003 by a new strategy for global coordination. The species counted include all types of waterbirds regularly encountered at wetlands, including grebes, cormorants, pelicans, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, spoonbills, flamingos, ducks, geese, swans, cranes, rails, jacanas, shorebirds, gulls, terns, and skimmers. In addition raptors, kingfishers and other birds largely dependent on food resources in these habitats are often reported.
IWC in Albania
The International Waterbird Census (IWC) is not unknown to Albania – for more than 25 years IWC has been present in Albania through our representatives and the results provided by IWC are recognized as a reliable reference to national & international experts, ornithologists, biologists, institutions and agencies for the population of waterbird species. January is here which means that IWC 2020 is coming – AOS team together with the partners and supports are getting ready to count and observe waterbird species.
On 11-12th January, AOS (National Coordinator of IWC Albania) together with biologists, ornithologists, international experts, conservation organizations, Regional Agencies of Protected Areas and volunteers will organize IWC 2020. IWC 2020 in Albania will be extended in national level, several working groups will observe and cover different types of natural and man-made wetlands, including lakes, reservoirs, ponds, swamps, rivers, coastal Protected Areas. The results that will be recorded from the working groups will be collected from AOS – as the national coordinator will evaluate and report the results to the main center of Wetlands International. Hopefully, ICW 2020 will provide promissory results regarding the population of endangered species.
Good Luck to ICW 2020 team!
The International Waterbird Census 2020 supported by CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund) within the framework of ‘Let’s make Divjaka Natural Again’ project in collaboration with PSEDA-Iliria and ResPublica.
