Winter bird census in Albania/ Positive results with diversity in Pogradec and Prespa

2026-01-18 11:25:00, Aktualitet CNA

Winter bird census in Albania/ Positive results with diversity in Pogradec and

The census of wintering birds continues in Albania's lake areas, as part of a national monitoring process that takes place every year during January. The count is carried out in 34 lake areas across the country, with the aim of assessing the state of biodiversity and the impact of environmental factors.

In Korça Region, the main focus has been Lake Prespa, where the process has been completed, while today monitoring continues in Lake Pogradec. According to protected areas specialist Gani Bego, 10 permanent counting points have been determined in this lake and two monitoring groups have been engaged.

"The bird census is a process of counting birds in the lake areas of Albania. There are a total of 34 places to be counted throughout Albania. In our region, the main focus is on Lake Prespa, which ended yesterday and continues today in Lake Pogradec. In Pogradec we have 10 designated, permanent points for counting birds. We have two counting groups, one has started near the Tushemisht customs and the other group in Lin", said Beqo.

Preliminary data show a higher number of birds compared to previous years, which according to specialists proves a stable ecosystem of Lake Pogradec. Meanwhile, threats from human activity or climate change have not had a significant impact on waterfowl populations.

"The process continues normally and the first results are satisfactory. This year we have a higher number of birds and this shows that the ecosystem of Lake Pogradec is stable. Threats, whether from humans or climate change, have not affected the birds. The census ends today and is also being carried out in the Ohrid part to have an accurate result and to avoid overlapping bird numbers," the specialist says.

Winter bird census in Albania/ Positive results with diversity in Pogradec and

From the data so far, the presence of any new or rare species in Lake Pogradec has not been ascertained. The most common birds remain the grebes, various types of ducks and swans.

"This year, no new birds have been encountered. Among the birds that visit Lake Pogradec, we mention the grebes, various types of ducks, swans, so we have not encountered any rare species," says Beqo.

Young people from the city of Pogradec have also become part of this monitoring process, participating for the first time in the winter bird census.

"I am a young man from the city of Pogradec and a student at the '14 Angels' high school. Today we participated in the winter waterfowl census that is held once a year in January. For me, as the first time, it was a very beautiful and fantastic experience, because we live in Pogradec and have our own lake, but we did not know that there was such a great variety of birds", says student Sparti Dervishaj.

The involvement of young people in this process is seen as an important step towards raising awareness about the protection of nature and biodiversity.

Winter bird census in Albania/ Positive results with diversity in Pogradec and

"We also learned about some special bird species, like the great crested grebe and the great red-backed grebe, and it was truly an experience to remember," said the student.

The winter bird census remains an important process for monitoring biodiversity and the state of lake ecosystems.

The data collected from Prespa and Pogradec will serve as a basis for the design of protection policies and sustainable management of these natural resources, while the involvement of young people in this process increases awareness and responsibility for environmental conservation. /CNA