Albanian environmental organizations that participated in this year's global waterfowl census say that three unusual sightings were recorded in the Bulo Reservoir in Gjirokastër, in the Butrint National Park, and in the Vjosa-Nartë protected landscape.
According to organizations, 2 black storks (Ciconia nigra) were observed in the Bulo reservoir, an unusual occurrence, as the black stork is a summer resident in Albania and at this time should be in Africa.
In the Butrint Park, according to organizations, a flock of 12 krill (Grus grus) was observed. The observation of krill during this period is, according to organizations, again unusual, as this species normally winters in Africa.
However, the organizations say, during mild winters, individuals of this species have also been recorded as wintering in Germany, France, and more so in countries further south such as Spain, Portugal, and Turkey.
In the Vjosa-Narta protected landscape, an individual of the red herring (Tadorna ferruginea) was encountered, which had not been previously recorded in Albania.
All three of these observations, according to the organizations, are related to climate factors in Albania, as this year's winter has been mild and this affects the behavior of birds.
The waterfowl census was conducted in Albania in mid-January, as part of an international waterfowl monitoring program that originated in 1967 and involves 143 countries.
The census was carried out by the National Agency for Protected Areas and several environmental organizations, with the participation of 120 ornithological specialists and experts who were stationed at 34 designated points for bird counting, to carry out a study that has been ongoing in Albania for 32 years.
This year's census was conducted in Albania amid concerns about the spread of influenza in wild birds, where in some wetlands of the country, laboratory tests proved the spread of the disease in birds found dead./ VOA (A2 Televizion)
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