Again Pygmies...

[watcher]

Hi again!

After the last warm spell the situation with Pygmies in their biggest night roost in Bulgaria has changed again! Now the number of Pygmy Cormorants exceeded 1000 birds, while the Great Cormorants were decreased to less than 500. Flock of about 10 000 starlings also found the same island appropriate for spending the night. Skylarks and Blackbirds were singing.... seems that spring is coming!

http://www.birdwatchingbulgaria.com

Ivailo

[Roller]

Though protected by the European and Bulgarian law, there are a lot threats to the globally endangered Pygmy Cormorant in Bulgaria. The main are: habitat destruction (most of the riverside trees have beed illigally logged and the river is polluted), constant disturbance and overfishing. All this results in high mortality of the wintering population along Maritsa River, Bulgaria.

Just for your informaiton. The species is very conservative to its night roosts. The biggest night roost in Bulgaria that the Watcher is talking about has been formed in 1988 or 1989 and has been used since than.
I would like to know about other night roosts of the Pygmy Cormorant in Europe. Any info will be appreciated.

[Dimitris]

Though protected by the European and Bulgarian law, there are a lot threats to the globally endangered Pygmy Cormorant in Bulgaria. The main are: habitat destruction (most of the riverside trees have beed illigally logged and the river is polluted), constant disturbance and overfishing. All this results in high mortality of the wintering population along Maritsa River, Bulgaria.

Just for your informaiton. The species is very conservative to its night roosts. The biggest night roost in Bulgaria that the Watcher is talking about has been formed in 1988 or 1989 and has been used since than.
I would like to know about other night roosts of the Pygmy Cormorant in Europe. Any info will be appreciated.

We have a few in Greece.Apparently the wintering population at lake Kerkini is said to be very large.Said to be sometimes larger then the GreatCormorant Population.There.Other roosts are found at Evros and Prespas lakes.(no info on numbers sorry).Smaller numbers found at the gulf of Amvrakikos and lake Petron.BTW the breeding population is said to have increased in Greece. :bounce: