A full tour of the wintering grounds of the endangered Red-breasted goose in Bulgaria was carried out by the Green Balkans team in the period February 8-11. The monitoring included the area of Coastal Dobrudzha - the lakes Durankulak, Shabla and Ezerets; Burgas lakes - Atanasovsko, Vaya, Mandra and the arable lands around them. The data collected over the last three years by our teams shows a gradual decrease in the number of the species in our country, which coincides with the changes in climatic conditions during this period. Observations show a sharp and lasting warming of the winter months, characterized by relatively high average temperatures and lack of snow cover.
Traditionally, several geese species are wintering here, including the endangered Red-breasted goose, with birds flying approximately 6,000 kilometers each year to avoid adverse weather conditions in Siberia in winter - thick snow cover and lack of food base. The winter migration of these amazing travelers usually takes them to the snow cover boundary, where they can find enough food and suitable conditions to spend the harsh winter months. Climate change in recent years, however, has caused this boundary to be shifted to the north, which is probably the reason why we see them less frequently in our country lately.
During the last monitoring in the region of Coastal Dobrudzha a total of about 500 Red-breasted and 1000 White-fronted geese were recorded. In the area of the Burgas lakes traditionally the numbers are much higher recently - a total of about 15 000 geese, of which only 20 are Red-breasted.
Among the more interesting observations was a relatively large group of Whooper and Tundra swans in the region of the Burgas lakes - a total of 320 birds, 14 of which are Tundra swans.
The wintering season for the geese is not over yet, although due to the warming in recent days, as evidenced by the early spring migration, flocks are expected to travel north to breeding grounds earlier this year. The Green Balkans team will continue to monitor these vulnerable creatures - an important part of the biodiversity that we all rely on so much - to keep you informed about the status of our environment.
Contacts:Traditionally, several geese species are wintering here, including the endangered Red-breasted goose, with birds flying approximately 6,000 kilometers each year to avoid adverse weather conditions in Siberia in winter - thick snow cover and lack of food base. The winter migration of these amazing travelers usually takes them to the snow cover boundary, where they can find enough food and suitable conditions to spend the harsh winter months. Climate change in recent years, however, has caused this boundary to be shifted to the north, which is probably the reason why we see them less frequently in our country lately.
During the last monitoring in the region of Coastal Dobrudzha a total of about 500 Red-breasted and 1000 White-fronted geese were recorded. In the area of the Burgas lakes traditionally the numbers are much higher recently - a total of about 15 000 geese, of which only 20 are Red-breasted.
Among the more interesting observations was a relatively large group of Whooper and Tundra swans in the region of the Burgas lakes - a total of 320 birds, 14 of which are Tundra swans.
The wintering season for the geese is not over yet, although due to the warming in recent days, as evidenced by the early spring migration, flocks are expected to travel north to breeding grounds earlier this year. The Green Balkans team will continue to monitor these vulnerable creatures - an important part of the biodiversity that we all rely on so much - to keep you informed about the status of our environment.
Dimitar Popov - phone number +359885108712, e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
