Collaboration between Greek and Turkish scientists at Evros Delta

 

After many years of midwinter counts of waterfowl in Evros Delta, it is the first time that it takes place in the Greek and Turkish side, simultaneously.

Midwinter counts of waterfowl have been conducted in wetlands in whole Europe since decades. This action aims to estimate the European populations of waterfowl that mainly winter in wetlands in January.

In Greece, it is the longest lasting program of birds monitoring, which is conducted constantly, since 1968.

Evros Delta is a very important wetland for wintering and migration of birds in Greece and holds the second highest number of birds just about every year.

As known, in the estuary of the Evros River, a delta it is formed, which is shared between Greece and Turkey, and at that point the river forms the border between the two countries. The Greek part is a total of 180 km2 and the Turkish 70 km2.

It is a commonplace bird’s frequent movements during winter from one country to another because birds know no borders. Swans, geese, ducks pass continuously the river and head towards the rice fields and freshwater lake Gala to feed. They return again in the lagoons and salt marshes in the Greek Delta to roost and rest.

A simultaneous measurement of birds in both parts of the Delta was a dream of many years. The dream became a reality this year on Saturday, January 21.

The coordinated measurements were organized by the Management Agency of Evros Delta National Park, with the support of WWF Hellas and the Greek Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and conducted by the staff of the Management Agency with the help of volunteers, the Greek Ornithological Society and in the Turkish Delta by the environmental organization Doga Dernegi.

Numerous concentrations of birds for another year were recorded, despite the rain, especially on the Greek side, with 82.000 waterfowl and 8.000 of other species such as raptors, waders, herons, etc.

On the Turkish side, over 17.000 birds (waterfowl and other aquatic birds) were recorded.

Notable observations on the Greek Delta are 18 Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax, 39.000 Mallards Anas plathyrhynchos, 1,500 Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus, 2.780 Flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus, 11 Greater – Spotted Eagles Aquila clanga and 4 White – tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla. Similarly, on the Turkish side 126 Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus, 3.300 Teals Anas crecca, 8.500 Coots Fulica atra, 3 Goosanders Mergus merganser, 3 White – tailed Eagles Haliaeetus albicilla and much to our surprise 1 Flamingo of Phoenicopterus minor species, were observed.

As a total 107.000 birds were recorded in Evros Delta!

The collaboration between scientists from both countries on issues related to Evros Delta has just started. As said Oguz Mulayim of Doga Dernegi noted: «… the cooperation and exchange of ornithological information related to Evros Delta was the realization of a dream», while the Chairman of the National Park of Evros Delta Management Agency, Andreas Athanasiadis said «… in the past, there have been efforts in cooperation with WWF Hellas, to organize joint monitoring programs in Evros Delta, but they have not received funding. Today, the first step for a closer cooperation has been made, between Greek and Turkish ornithologists who work in the wetland. In the near future, we plan to invite the Turkish ornithologists of Doga Dernegi and set up together a coordinated program of scientific monitoring of birds in the Evros Delta. Only by doing so we will have a more complete view of the entire wetland, with the benefit of a better and more effective integrated management and protection of its valuable features».

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