“Eurobirdwatch” takes place every year on the first weekend of October to raise awareness and draw attention to the risks and threats that birds face during migration. During the European migratory bird weekend, organizations that work in nature conservation encourage people of all ages to visit and become part of the observation points to explore, count and enjoy birds.
This year, more than 29,000 people became part of Europe’s largest birdwatching event, organized by 44 national partner organizations of BirdLife International. During EuroBirdwatch 19, more than 4.2 million birds were observed in various countries in Europe and Asia.
AOS became part of the European weekend dedicated to migratory birds held over the first weekend of October, #EuroBirdwatch19, with five different events: observation, counting, awareness talks, bird ringing session, and crossing point surveys of migratory birds.
One of the main objectives of the AOS team for #EuroBirdwatch19 consisted of bringing threat factors that migratory birds face during the migration journey to the attention of local and national stakeholders, participants and locals. Therefore, AOS decided to extend EuroBirdwatch19 to 4 different locations: Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape, the lagoon of Orikum and the Karaburun Managed Nature Reserve.
AOS representatives, as well as representatives from BirdLife Hungary (MME), the Regional Agency for Protected Areas of Vlora, the Regional Agency of Protected Areas of Fier, young people and supporters of the conservation efforts undertaken by AOS participated in the events organized by AOS during EuroBirdwatch19.
The number of birds observed by the AOS team during the weekend of migratory birds reached 5579. The three species with the highest records during the observation by AOS team are Common Coot (Fulica atra) – 1001; Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) – 856; Pied Avocet (Recurvirosta avosetta) – 835. The EuroBirdwatch19 weekend’s surprise is the registration and presence of the Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) with more than 40 individuals observed.
Throughout this weekend, the ringing of migratory birds, as part of one of the events that AOS organized within #EuroBirdwatch19, aimed to introduce the participants to bird ringing techniques, the importance of the ringing process and the contribution and activity of AOS in this area. The bird ringing session was supported by the presence and assistance of (MME) BirdLife Hungary team. Together with the BirdLife Hungary team, we exchanged experiences and knowledge about the potential and further steps for bird ringing in our country.
In conclusion AOS team evaluated and processed the results that were recorded during the observations. The data of AOS and other national partners were collected, evaluated and published by European Center, which is the Slovak BirdLife Partner. The official results recorded by AOS and other BirdLife International partner organizations from other countries in Europe and Central Asia can be accessed on EuroBirdwatch website.
EuroBirdwatch19 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.
