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Results of the International Waterbird Census in Kosovo in period 2019-2021

Conference Paper · June 2022

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Qenan S. Maxhuni Rrahman Ferizi

Alma Mater Europaea Campus College "Rezonanca" University of Prishtina " Hasan Prishtina"
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RESULTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL WATERBIRD CENSUS IN KOSOVO IN PERIOD
2019-2021
Qenan Maxhuni1 Rrahman Ferizi2 Taulant Bino3 Erald Xeka3
rrahman.ferizi@uni-pr.edu
1University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”, Faculty of Education, 50000 Gjakova, Kosovo
2University of Pristina “Hasan Prishtina”, Faculty of Medicine, 10000 Prishtine, Kosovo
3Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS), 1001 Tirane, Albania

Abstract

This paper represents the results of the International Waterbird Census, made for the first time
in Kosovo within the period 2019-2021. Here are included summarized data from all locations
that were gathered during the January period. A total of 26.760 birds were recorded in all
surveyed sites during three years. The most common species is the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
with about 70% of the total number of waterbirds where Obiliq, Radoniq and Batllava lakes,
registered the highest number of waterbirds, which indicates the most important water habitats
in the country

Keywords: IWC, Kosovo, birds

Introduction

The International Waterbird Census(IWC) is an international programme that is organized since

1967 and is focused on monitoring the status of waterbirds and wetlands. It also aims to
increase public awareness of issues related to wetland and waterbird conservation. The census
is carried out each January as a voluntary activity at the national and local levels. The WC is
coordinated by Wetlands International as part of the global programme, the “International
Waterbird Census”.

In Kosovo, IWC for the first time has started only in 2019 with support from Albanian
Ornithological Society – AOS, to continue this activity with its own capacities. This paper
presents a summary of the results of the IWC in Kosovo in the period 2019 - 2021.
 Objective

In accordance with IWC guidelines the census had the following major objectives:
 to obtain information on an annual basis of waterbird populations during the non-
breeding period as a basis for evaluation of sites and monitoring of populations,
 to monitor on an annual basis the status and condition of wetlands,
 to encourage greater interest in waterbirds and wetlands amongst people, and thereby
promote the conservation of wetlands and waterbirds in the region.

Methodology

The census took place during a period of time when populations of wintering waterbirds seem
more stable and attached to a particular site. The census was done with binoculars and spotting
scopes. Both direct and estimation counts (Bibby et al. 2000) were used. The counting points
used during the survey were the same in all periods. The counting points were chosen in function
of accessibility, visibility and the best coverage of the area. Considering the harsh winter in 2019
most of the water surfaces visited were frozen in contrast to other years where the winter was
milder and the majority of the visited places were without frost. For each site has been collected
the number of species and the number of individuals per each species.

Results/Findings

In total, there were 22 species of waterbirds registered during this period in Kosovo with a
number of 26.760 individuals, distributed in the 10 wetlands part of the IWC. The most common
species was the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) with about 70% of the total number of waterbirds
(19.424 ind.) followed by the Teal (Anas crecca) with 5.713 individuals. With regards to the sites
visited, Obiliqi lake registered the highest number of waterbirds with 16.847 individuals followed
by Radoniqi lake with 7.147 and Batllava lake with 1.819 individuals.
In Radoniqi lake in 2019, among other birds we found the presence of Gavia arctica. Also
Mergus merganser was noticed in Batllava lake in 2021. Those findings were considered a
surprise not only for those areas but in general for the country since there was no previous data
on their presence in our country.

Future Research

IWCs conducted for the first time in Kosovo open the way for improvement of this activity in the
coming years. In addition, there will be included other water surfaces.

References

 Wetlands International, 2010: Guidance on waterbird monitoring methodology: Field

Protocol for waterbird counting

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