On June 2, the spring expedition to study the state of the habitats, number and density of populations of seabirds and cetaceans ended. A team of Green Balkans experts traveled over 400 km on board a fishing vessel over a period of 4 days in order to register, describe and analyze any observation related to the ecology of these ecosystem-important species.
Despite the expectations for few observations of the target species of seabirds for the study - Yelkouan shearwater and European shag - due to the active nesting period, our team was able to collect interesting data. Flocks of wandering and feeding Yelkouan shearwaters were observed.
Of interest are the numerous observations of the species Sandwich tern, which rank second in number after those of the Yellow-legged gull, which are traditionally the most numerous. Among the more interesting facts is the presence of the species in relatively high numbers during the nesting period in the area of the Bulgarian Northern Black Sea coast.
The inspection of the nesting habitats of the European shag a few days earlier showed a good condition of the population, as about 300 occupied nests were registered. The activities for research of the condition of the populations of these species, as well as of the habitats important for them, will continue in the coming months, when we will be able to provide you with the final results from them.
Interesting observations were also recorded durin the study of marine mammals. The relatively high number of the species Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), as well as its active migration in the SE-NW direction, made a special impression. Our experts had the chance to witness and document the relatively rare phenomenon of individuals of this species jumping over the water. One of the most beautiful views were those of mothers with calves, as well as feeding groups. Unfortunately, the other two species - the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - were with very few observations.
We hope that the next expedition to study the state and ecology of these Black Sea species will bring us more interesting, useful and numerous observations so that we can continue to monitor the ecological situation and processes in this delicate ecosystem and take care of its proper functioning.
For additional information:
Dimitar Popov - Green Balkans, Phone: 0885 108712; e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
Galina Meshkova - Green Balkans, e-mail: gmeschkova@greenbalkans.org
Despite the expectations for few observations of the target species of seabirds for the study - Yelkouan shearwater and European shag - due to the active nesting period, our team was able to collect interesting data. Flocks of wandering and feeding Yelkouan shearwaters were observed.
Of interest are the numerous observations of the species Sandwich tern, which rank second in number after those of the Yellow-legged gull, which are traditionally the most numerous. Among the more interesting facts is the presence of the species in relatively high numbers during the nesting period in the area of the Bulgarian Northern Black Sea coast.
The inspection of the nesting habitats of the European shag a few days earlier showed a good condition of the population, as about 300 occupied nests were registered. The activities for research of the condition of the populations of these species, as well as of the habitats important for them, will continue in the coming months, when we will be able to provide you with the final results from them.
Interesting observations were also recorded durin the study of marine mammals. The relatively high number of the species Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), as well as its active migration in the SE-NW direction, made a special impression. Our experts had the chance to witness and document the relatively rare phenomenon of individuals of this species jumping over the water. One of the most beautiful views were those of mothers with calves, as well as feeding groups. Unfortunately, the other two species - the Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) - were with very few observations.
We hope that the next expedition to study the state and ecology of these Black Sea species will bring us more interesting, useful and numerous observations so that we can continue to monitor the ecological situation and processes in this delicate ecosystem and take care of its proper functioning.
For additional information:
Dimitar Popov - Green Balkans, Phone: 0885 108712; e-mail: dpopov@greenbalkans.org
Galina Meshkova - Green Balkans, e-mail: gmeschkova@greenbalkans.org
