Rapid assessment of the Ecological Value of the Bojana ... · 29 Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006 over...

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Rapid Assessm

ent of the Ecological Value of the Bojana – Buna Delta (A

lbania/Montenegro)

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Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

5 Results of Euronatur Fieldwork in 2003/2004

Table 3: Field days spent in the Bojana-Buna Delta, April 10th 2003 - Jan 31st 2004

Observer 10 – 12 Apr 22 Apr – 9 May 10 – 19 June 31 Oct – 14 Nov 23 – 31 Jan Total

Taulant Bino (AL) - - - - 2 2

Klodian Aliu (AL) - - - - 2 2

Dritan Dora (AL) - - - 1 2 3

Borut Rubinic 7 4 - - - 11

Peter Sackl (A) 7 6 10 12 7 42

Darko Saveljic (CG) 7 5 1 - 1 14

Jakob Smole (SI) 7 6 - 12 - 25

Martin Schneider-Jacoby (D) 3 0 - 2 3 8

Borut Stumberger (SI) 9 7 10 7 7 40

Total 147

5.1 Study area and field methods

Field surveys where conducted along the whole Bojana-Buna river between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar (no. 1, 3 and 4 in Map 1). Within this area of 455 km2, which includes the Drinisa River upstream to Mjeda (power plant Vau Dejes) the floodplains of the river covering 250 km2 were investigated. The main objectives of our surveys including the whole recent delta (100 km2) were to collect data on the status and numbers of breeding and wintering waterbird populations, to locate breeding colonies and important feeding areas of waterbirds, and to assess the avifaunistic value of the wetlands of the Bojana-Buna Delta in the light of human impact (e.g. hunting). In addition to these main goals, we collected data on breeding and wintering non-aquatic birds, their densities at the habitat level and, so far as possible, on the occurrence of other animal and plant species. Surprisingly, almost nothing has been published on breeding densities and numbers during migration and wintering for the majority of bird species, in particular passerines, in Albania and Montenegro.

Fieldwork was conducted from April 2003 to January 2004 (Table 3). In total, different observers in the Bojana-Buna Delta spent 147 field days. On each field visit 2-6 ornithologists participated. For field surveys, topographical and satellite charts indicating habitat types were used on which all observation sites were marked. Different data sheets

were used according to the method or type of observation employed: 1) dispersed observations 2) point counting (monitoring from a specific point), 3) territory mapping – day, 4) territory mapping – night, 5) transect counting, 6) area counting – polygon, 7) area counting – circle, and 8) personal communications. During spring and summer, most study sites that constituted defined habitat types were investigated at least once or twice on each field visit (in total, at least four times) by territory mapping and transect counts. Transects were 100 m wide with 50 m-belts left and right of the survey line. Methods according to Bibby et al. (1992) were used for territory mapping while, for nocturnal species like Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla, Scops Owl Otus scops and European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, the playback method was applied.

5.1.1 Fieldwork and habitats

The intensity of our fieldwork in the Bojana-Buna Delta was greater towards the head of the delta and decreased with distance from the core floodplain areas along the river. In the same way the most accurate survey methods were used in the head of the delta and along the river (Map 4). Between spring 2003 and January 2004 we surveyed the whole area of floodplains (Table 4). During the breeding season of 2003 we carried out territory mapping (at least for selected species)

Table 4: Areas covered by field different methods in the Bojana-Buna Delta (April 2003 – January 2004)

method visit (area in km2)

22 Apr – 9 May 10 – 19 June 31 Oct – 14 Nov 23 – 31 Jan Total

monitoring from the point 9x - - - 9x

area mapping – day 42,68 43,54 - - 86,22

area mapping – night 1,63 19,34 - - 20,97

area counting – transect 2,69 2,60 0,92 0,83 7,04

area counting – polygon 95,60 65,80 100,33 82,84 344,57

area counting – circle 0,10 0,09 - - 0,19

personal communication 4x 3x - 1x 8x

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over an area of 107 km2 during the day and/or night, and over 183 km2 outside the breeding season. In the breeding season, area counts (polygon) were used in the impassable marshlands and for open water bodies, covering 161 km2 in total. Bird communities of different habitat types were investigated along a transect line of >70 km. Additionally, 2,643 dispersed observations covered those parts of the area to which standard methods could not be applied. Habitat types surveyed covered the following surface areas: prodelta (estuary and sea), 50 km2; salinas, 14.5 km2; small scale agricultural areas, 8.6 km2; marshlands, 8.2 km2; coastal sand dunes, 6.6 km2; lakes, 3.5 km2 (for the remainder see Chapter 10.7).

5.1.2 Data processing

After the first visit the project team developed a GIS-connected Access-database. A single data set (single observation per species/day/location) includes up to 36 parameters (Chapter 10.6). Besides analysing the data for this report the idea was to implement a database, which could be useful for conservationists, ornithologists and ecologists for further investigations requiring comparable and exchangeable data on both sides of the Bojana-Buna Delta.

The Bojana-Buna database actually (April 2004) includes 6,981 data sets collected during our visits: 6,668 concerning the Bojana-Buna Delta and 313 other coastal wetlands visited in Croatia, Montenegro (including Lake Skadar) and Albania. The distribution of data across taxa in the study area is presented in Table 5.

Table 5: Distribution of data across taxa, April 2003 – January 2004

(Bojana-Buna Delta, N = 6,668)

order data sets Individuals species

plants* 10 1,435 4

insects* 35 2,575 10 (+ 2 genera)

fishes* 1 10,003 1

amphibians 54 1,502 5

reptiles 37 93 8 (+ 1 genus)

birds 6,184 127,445 237 (+ 7 subspecies)

mammals 43 95 11

human* 224 3,264 1 (11 classifications)

domestic animals 80 4,622 9*mostly field estimates

5.2 Results of the Euronatur Research in 2003/2004

5.2.1 Birds

Between April 2003 and January 2004 we recorded 237 bird species in the Bojana-Buna Delta (including records of 3 extra-limital vagrants). These include 114 breeding birds (status: breeding confirmed and probably breeding) and 16 species possibly breeding in the area. In addition 52 species are classified as regular and 51 as occasional passage migrants

or winter visitors (Chapter 10.8). In comparison, Vasic (1979b) recorded 229 species around Ulcinj between 1969 and 1975, including 56 confirmed and 23 probably breeding species. For the Lake Skadar area, Vizi (1981) listed a total of 250 bird species. According to the species – area relationship for the Mediterranean region discussed by Blondel & Aronson (1999), the Bojana-Buna Delta (445 km2 study area, of which 250 km2 are floodplains) harbours an extraordinarily rich bird community. The number of breeding species (ca. 40) is also well above the average for areas of comparable size.

5.2.2 Cormorants, Herons, Spoonbill and Ibis

Statistics: Nspec

= 13, Nobs

= 435, Nind

= 2134, Ncolonies

= 838 bp (N

spec= 7, see Table 6)

Status: EOAC – breeding confirmed: Phalacrocorax carbo, P. pygmeus, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola ralloides, Egretta garzetta, Ardea cinerea, Platalea leucorodia; breeding probable: Ixobrychus minutus, Botaurus stellaris; breeding possible: Ardea purpurea, Plegadis falcinellus; non-breeding visitors: Phalacrocorax aristotelis, Egretta alba.

Seven species of colonial waterbirds were found nesting

in colonies on the islands of Paratuk and Ada, and in the marshes of Velipoja Reserve (Table 6). Purple Heron Ardea purpurea probably breed in the area, but could not be confirmed; the breeding population of the species is estimated at 4-8 bp. Numbers of booming males of Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris fluctuated between 7 and 15; the breeding population of Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus is estimated at 4 – 20 bp.

Nesting colonies are concentrated along the Bojana-Buna River, which constitutes the border between Albania and Montenegro (Map 4.2).

Table 6: Cormorant, Heron, Spoonbill and Ibis colonies in the Bojana-Buna

delta in 2003

species

Ada* Paratuk Velipoja** total

Phalacrocorax carbo - 2 - 2

Phalacrocorax pymeus 125 220 20 365

Nycticorax nycticorax 30 25 ? 55

Ardeola ralloides 36 30 10 76

Egretta garzetta 70 210 8 288

Egretta alba - - - -

Ardea cinerea 15 - - 15

Ardea purpurea ? - ? ?

Plegadis falcinellus - 58 ind*** - ?

Platalea leucorodia 19 8 10 37* colony destroyed by humans after May 12th

** satellite colony formed after May 12th

*** roosting site

Feeding habitats and feeding areas of nesting colonies are shown in map 4.2. The most important feeding habitat during the breeding period (April-June) throughout the river delta and along the lower Bojana-Buna river was the

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Ulcinj salina (44.7%), followed by marshlands (7.9%), lakes (9.0%), lagoons (7.3%), and ponds (4.8%). The other 26.3% are distributed across ten habitat types. The feeding habitats for each species are recorded in Table 7. A narrow scale of feeding habitat selection is shown by Eurasian Spoonbills Platalea leucorodia (salinas – in the basins with abating water level) and Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus (marsh – up to 20 cm flooded Carex-Juncus stands, which are grazed or mowed). Birds nesting on Ada and in Velipoja Reserve feed mainly on wetlands at the delta’s head, while birds from Paratuk colony generally feed on wetlands up to 5 km from the coast.

According to IBA criteria (BirdLife International 2000) breeding populations of three species nesting in the Bojana-Buna delta are of global or European conservation concern; these are Pygmy Cormorant, 365 bp (global criterion 82 bp), Eurasian Spoonbill, 37 bp (European criterion 28 bp) and Squacco Heron, 76 bp (European criterion 100 bp). Long-term population numbers of the latter species presumably fluctuate heavily, but, considering the extraordinarily low water levels during the extremely dry breeding season of 2003, it appears to be justified to list Squacco Heron under the species of conservation concern on a European scale.

During the period 1969-2003 the location of nesting colonies and focal centres changed continuously in the delta, where mixed-species colonies were reported from Lake Sasko, the island of Paratuk, river banks on the Albanian side, Ada, Velipoja Reserve, the island of Franz-Joseph, and Zogajsko blato (Vasic 1979b, Vangeluwe et al. 1996, Zekhuis & Tempelman 1998, Puzovic 2002, pers. comm.). Regular change of colony location was especially obvious after the demise of the Iron Curtain.

Threat status and conservation concept: Historical information shows a clear decrease in numbers of Great Cormorants, Eurasian Spoonbills and Glossy Ibises. The main reason for the permanent shift of nesting location appears to be human impact. In 2003, the colony on Ada was destroyed. Due to the fact that the river’s branch near the Ada colony is being increasingly overgrown and hence accessible to land

predators, this colony urgently needs conservation measures to be imposed. To prevent their final destruction the colonies on both Paratuk and Ada require urgent protection (the public should also be informed). In addition, suitable nesting habitats are being lost progressively throughout the Bojana-Buna delta by the disappearance of islands due to the erosion of the delta’s head, and drying up of wetlands in the wake of the impoverished river’s dynamics. From the nature conservation point of view, creation of new nest-sites in Velipoja Reserve would be more than reasonable.

5.2.3 Nesting Waders, Gulls and Terns

Statistics: Nspec

= 14, Nobs

= 1007, Nind

= 5,831Status: EOAC – breeding confirmed: Himantopus himantopus, Burhinus oedicnemus, Charadrius dubius,Charadrius alexandrinus, Larus cachinnans, Sterna hirundo, Sterna albifrons; probable breeding: Haematopus ostralegus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Glareola pratincola, Tringa totanus, Actitis hypoleucos; breeding possible: Larus genei; breeding status unclear: Sterna caspia (birds carrying food).

Three distinct breeding habitats exist in the Bojana-Buna Delta: the 10 km long furcation zone of the river, a 30 km long shoreline with sand-dunes and lagoons (both primary habitats), and the 1,449 ha Ulcinj salina (secondary habitat). The first habitat is inhabited by Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, almost half the nesting population of Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, and a smaller fraction of breeding Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus is nesting in the second area, together with the major proportion of Stone-curlew, half the nesting population of Little Ringed Plover, and a third of all Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus nesting in the area. The breeding populations of all other wader species, gulls and terns, are concentrated in the Ulcinj salina (Map 4.3, Table 8). The breeding distribution of Stone-curlew is shown in Map 4.6.

10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40%, 40-60 %, 60-80% and 80-100 %, + proportions below 10 %, – species was not registered. Habitat types: P – prodelta, Sh – shore, Sd – sand-dunes, M– marsh, L – lagoon, Sa – salina, La – lake, F – fishponds, B – backwater, R – river, So – softwood, H – hedgerows, Pa – pastures, A – arable land and small-scale agricultural land, C – channel, Sb – special biotopes. N

ind = 2041.

species P Sh Sd* M* L* Sa* La F* B R So* H* A Pa C Sb

Ph. carbo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ph. pymeus + - - + - + - - - - - + +

N. nycticorax - - - - - - - + - - + -

A. ralloides + - - - - + + - - - + -

E. garzetta + + + + + - + + + - - + + -

E. alba - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A. cinerea + - + - - - + - - - + -

A. purpurea - - - - + - - - - - + - - -

P. falcinellus - - - - + - - - - - - - - - -

P. leucorodia - - - - - - - - - + - - - - -

* habitat type is grazed by stock (in the salinas = levees, dams)

Table 7: Feeding habitats of colonial waterbirds in Bojana-Buna Delta. Circles indicate the proportion of birds recorded per habitat type:

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No species in this group currently reaches IBA criteria for breeding populations at global and European levels. Until recently, however, these criteria were met by Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola, with 150 bp in 1984 (Ham 1986). With suitable conservation, both criteria could be achieved for Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (criterion 300 bp), Collared Pratincole (criterion 60 bp) and Little Tern Sterna albifrons (criterion 200 bp). This is illustrated by Plazhi i Bax-Rrjolli (SE of Liqeni i Vilunit, Map 4.3). Here anthropogenic impact on the small Charadridae along the coast line is small. The breeding density of Kentish Plover and Little Ringed Plover is very high in the area and historical information from Reiser & Führer (1896) indicates that more regular nesting of waders and gulls along the shoreline could be expected after the implementation of conservation measurements.

Threat status and conservation concept: The impact of disturbance to shorebirds by unregulated recreation activities, fishing, hunting and poaching, is dramatic. All the colonies and nesting territories of Collared Pratincole, Common Tern Sterna hirundo (Figure 9), Little Tern and Oystercatcher along Velika Plaza and the river mouth were found in late spring 2003 to be deserted! This was also the case for the small islets in the Bojana-Buna River’s furcation zone. Only birds nesting in the Ulcinj salina are, to some extent, protected against disturbance by unregulated tourism, etc. Conservation problems in the salina, however, arise from inadequate management of water level (e.g. until June 20th, 2003 G. pratincola had no breeding success due to high water levels). For conservation concepts for the shoreline and in the river’s furcation zone, see section 5.2.5. In cooperation with the Solana Ulcinj (»Solana Bajo Sekulic, Ulcinj«) a management plan for the salina is actually under consideration.

5.2.4 Species of global conservation concern

According to BirdLife International (2000), 4 species of global conservation concern (SPEC 1) were recorded in the

Bojana-Buna Delta: Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Great Bustard Otis tarda, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca; the latter species nesting in the area.

Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus

Statistics: Nobs

= 7, Nind

= 112, Nbp

= 0, Pop. min-max = 2 – 56 indStatus: BL – summer and winter visitor inside range

With the nearest, traditional nesting site on Lake Skadar, the Ulcinj salina are the most important locality for the species in the Bojana-Buna Delta. Although the origin of the individuals we saw in the salina was unclear, the Ulcinj salinas appear to be key habitats for Dalmatian Pelicans outside the breeding season (Table 9, e.g. Map 4.4). Peak numbers of 56 pelicans in autumn 2003 indicate that Dalmatian Pelicans observed in the salina must include individuals from origins other than the Lake Skadar population. In 2003 the colony numbered 7 pairs, and 11 pairs nested there in 2004 (O. Vizi, pers. comm.). That pelicans frequent both areas is further supported by the observation of 11 birds in June 2003 flying in from the direction of the Drini delta and, after making a couple of circles, returning in the same direction. The importance of flooding for Dalmatian Pelicans frequenting the river corridor is unknown. Two records during the floods in November 2003, when most of the floodplains along the river were flooded, show that pelicans may search for fish more regularly in shallow flooded areas. On November 11th, 2003, 6 pelicans descended on an inundated pasture at Lake Sasko, while on November 4th 11 pelicans were seen leaving the Ulcinj salina (Figure 5) and descending steeply into the inundated Fraskanjelsko polje. During floods, fish migrate inland and the pelicans follow. In the second half of January 2004 no pelicans were seen in the Bojana-Buna Delta. However, during the same period, 14 pelicans were present at Lake Skadar (V. F. Vasic, pers. comm.).

Table 8: Breeding populations of waders, gulls and terns in Bojana-Buna Delta, 2003 (MN = Montenegro, AL = Albania, Nobs = number of observations,

Nind = number of individuals)

species pairs 2003-2004 main breeding habitat

∑ min-max MN AL Nobs Nind

Haematopus ostralegus 8-10 3 7 18 137 shore, sand dunes

Himantopus himantopus 82-107 81 1 109 279 salina

Recurvirostra avosetta 1 1 0 2 3 salina

Burhinus oedicnemus 39-50 30 9 74 122 sand-dunes, salina, river

Glareola pratincola 38 34 4 54 115 salina, sand-dunes, fishponds

Charadrius dubius 66-80 21 49 82 149 river, sand-dunes, salina

Charadrius alexandrinus 77 60 17 125 256 salina, shore, sand-dunes

Tringa totanus 48-70 46 2 83 589 salina, lagoon (marsh)

Actitis hypoleucos 5-20 1 4 48 87 river

Larus cachinnans 29-32 28 1 189 3,519 salina, sand-dunes

Larus genei 2 2 0 7 20 salina

Sterna caspia 2 ? ? 6 12 lake?, river?

Sterna hirundo 27-33 27 0 72 225 salina

Sterna albifrons 96-133 96 0 138 318 salina

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Rapid Assessment of the Ecological Value of the Bojana – Buna Delta (Albania/Montenegro)

Table 9: Observations of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus in the Bojana-

Buna Delta

date place habitat number behaviour

24 Apr 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 5 ind flying communal roosting

25 Apr 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 2 ind flying over downstream

14 Jun 2003 Bax-Rrjolli sea 11 ind circling

1 Nov 2003 Lake Sasko lake 6 ind feeding

4 Nov 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 56 (9 1y, 47 ad)

feeding

4 Nov 2003 Fraskanjelsko polje

pastures 11 ind* landing

13 Nov 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 21 (4 1y, 17 ad)

resting

* birds were part of the group of 56 individuals at Ulcinj salina

Threat status and conservation concept: The most obvious problems for pelicans are excessive disturbance from hunting activities. No undisturbed areas are available for the species in the whole area! The Ulcinj salina provide some protection due to the size of the pans, where pelicans have 2-4 km for escape. Implementation of hunting regulations is urgently needed.

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca

Statistics: Nobs

= 7, Nind

= 18, Nbp

= 6, Pop. min-max = 6 – 8 bpStatus: EOAC – probable breeding

The species breeds, with at least 6 bp, on the Albanian side of the Bojana-Buna Delta, and most probably in the marshlands around Ulcinj salina (Mala Kneta, April 2004). In Albania the population is concentrated in Velipoja Reserve (Map 4.4). An isolated nest-site with 1-2 bp is situated in the shallow Lake Murtemes. The species prefers shallow waters with dense floating and submersed vegetation, e.g. Nyphaea alba, Nyphoides peltata, Nuphar luteum, Trapa natans, surrounded by taller stands of reed, like Typha sp. and Phragmites australis (Szabo & Sandor 2003). These conditions exist in Lake Murtemes and in one of the shallow lakes with spiral ditchgrass Ruppia cirrhosa. The presence of this submersed plant indicates salty or brackish environments, such as those it inhabits in the Bojana-Buna Delta.

Ferruginous Duck populations of the southern and western Balkans have largely decreased by wetland drainage and hunting (Schneider-Jacoby 2003). The population in Velipoja Reserve and Lake Murtemes is currently the only known nesting site in Albania (Taulant Bino, pers. comm.). In neighbouring Macedonia, where Ferruginous Duck was originally a frequent breeder (Makatsch 1950), the species has also declined; the only known population, of 10 bp, inhabits the pond complex of Pelagonia (Stumberger & Velevski 2002).

Threat status and conservation concept: Strict prohibition of hunting will probably enable Ferruginous Duck to increase to the international criterion of 20 bp in Velipoja Reserve, and the reserve to reach the status of a site of global conservation concern.

Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga

Statistics: Nobs

= 3, Nind

= 3, Nbp

= 0, Pop. min-max = 2 – 3 indStatus: BL – winter visitor, passage migrant

Greater Spotted Eagles (at least two individuals) were seen three times between November 4th, 2003, and January 25th, 2004, in the inundated pastures of Kneta Darze (Figure 7), in Velipoja Reserve and the Ulcinj salina (Map 4.4). Two birds were also recorded on January 30th, 2004, at Lake Skadar (V. F. Vasic, pers. comm.). The wintering population in the river corridor and at Lake Skadar is thus estimated at 4-8 individuals. In 1993, 7 birds were recorded in wetlands along the Albanian coast (Hagemeijer 1994).

Threat status and conservation concept: The heavy persecution of raptors, exploitation of wintering waterfowl by hunting and large-scale destruction of wetlands on the Balkan Peninsula are probably the most important factors to be considered in conserving the species.

Great Bustard Otis tarda

Statistics: Nobs

= 1, Nind

= 5, Nbp

= 0, Pop. min-max = 0 – 5 indStatus: BL – vagrant

On March 15th, 2003 a male was shot, one of a group of 5 individuals in the sand dunes of Velika plaza (Map 4.4). Apart from severe winter conditions in the breeding areas, the appearance of the species on the Adriatic coast is today unexpected.

5.2.5 Selected bird species depending on different habitats

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes

Statistics: Nobs

= 13, Nind

= 14, Nbp

= 11, Pop. min-max = 11 – 40 pairsStatus: EOAC - breeding confirmed, migratory

Core nesting areas of Levant Sparrowhawk correspond with the distribution of floodplain forests or their fragments on the Montenegrin side of the Bojana-Buna delta (Map 4.6). Linear densities along transects varied between 0.6 – 1.2 ind/10ha in Montenegro and up to 0.3 ind/10 ha on the Albanian side of the river (Velipoja Reserve). In the whole forest area covered by transect counting (10 transects), the species was present in 6 and absent in 4 transects. Two nests were found, one in Velipoja Reserve on hybrid poplar and the other in Donji Stoj on Querqus sp. trees. It is possible that the species also breeds in deciduous forests along the edge of the floodplain areas (e.g. Klezna). In the floodplains near Ulcinj we also saw Levant Sparrowhawks on transects in meadows with some solitary trees and hedges (breeding site?). During more than half our observations Levant Sparrowhawks performed territory marking by circling, or showed courtship behaviour. Hunting habitats were found to include scrub and marshlands.

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Table 10: Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus population in the Bojana-

Buna Delta

place biotope size (ha)

pairs density (bp / 1 km2)

grazing *

Montenegro

Velika plaza sand-dunes 191 12 6,2 +

Ulcinj salina salina 1449 9 0,6 ++

Ada sand-dunes 49 3 6,1 +

Spatula dry pastures 83 2 2,4 ++

Stoj dry pastures 166 2 1,2 +++

Spatula sand pit 9 1 - +

Albania

Derragjati river islands 110 4 1,8 +

Plazhi i Velipojes sand-dunes 101 4 3,9 +

Plazhi i Bax-Rrjolli sand-dunes 124 2 1,6 +

Velipoja Reserve sand-dunes 2 1 - +* grazing intensity: + = low, ++ = medium (ca 2 cattle/ha), +++ = high

Breeding of Levant Sparrowhawk is almost completely confined to Europe (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). According to BirdLife International (2000), Greece holds 1000-1200 bp, the rest of the Balkans just 41-190 bp. With an estimated 11-40 bp, the Bojana-Buna Delta reaches or even surpasses IBA/SPA criteria. Furthermore, random observation of the species, on June 10th 2003, in the floodplain area on the northern edge of Lake Skadar indicates a larger local population in an area that also includes the Lake Skadar basin. Together with the very small, recent population in the Konaveljsko polje, Croatia (Stumberger 2005), the Bojana-Buna and Skadar Lake basin comprise the most north-western limit for breeding of this species.

Threat status and conservation concept: The population is threatened by the felling of floodplain forests and their remaining fragments, by urbanisation, expansion of weekend cottages and hunting. Just two pairs are recorded on the largely deforested Albanian side of the corridor. The species requires protection and management of its nesting habitats throughout the floodplain forests, as well as strict prohibition of hunting during the breeding season. The dense population at the northern edge of its breeding range has most probably survived due to the former Iron Curtain. For effective protection, basic research on its breeding biology and ecology (both poorly understood) is needed.

Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus

Statistics: Nobs

= 74, Nind

= 121, Nbp

= 39, Pop. min.-max = 39 – 50 pairsStatus: EOAC - breeding confirmed, migratory

75.6% of the breeding population in the area inhabit primary habitats (sand-dunes and river islands) and 24.4% anthropogenic habitats (salina, pastures, sand pits). The highest breeding densities were found in the first sand-dune belt behind the coast line, which harbours more than half the total breeding population in the Bojana-Buna Delta (Table 10, Map 4.3).

Stone curlew nesting on sand-dunes of the barrier island Velika Plaza feed at night in pastures in Spatula. The pastures around the Ulcinj salinas are used for feeding by Stone

curlew nesting in the salina. All habitat types used by Stone-curlews for breeding or feeding are grazed by sheep, goats, cattle, horses and donkeys. There is an inverse relationship between breeding density and grazing intensity (Table 10). In the salina, Stone-Curlews breed on the basins’ levees with medium intensity grazing (limited linearly structured habitat). The coverage of ground vegetation in nesting territories of Bojana-Buna population ranges from 25 to 75% (median 50%). Further suitable nesting areas for the species, which were incompletely surveyed, may exist in the furcation zone of the Drinisa river upstream from Shkodra town and in the extensive pastures of Gjo-Lulit. The absence of Stone Curlews during late autumn and mid-winter indicates that the local population leaves the area outside the breeding season.

Population estimates for the Balkan Peninsula are incomplete (e.g. Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). The numbers for the Balkans are estimated at 1,000 pairs, with negative trends (BirdLife International 2000). The sparse field data suggest that the situation is even worse: in Bulgaria, numbers decreased from a few thousand to no more than 150-200 pairs (Uhlig & Baumgart 1995). Recently in Pelagonia (Macedonia), in an area of ca. 1,100 km2, just 7 pairs could be found in an area of some 30-40 km2 of short-grass pastures (Stumberger 2002a). The numbers within the Bojana-Buna Delta – 37-50 bp – are thus high, with exceptionally high densities of up to 6.2 bp/km2 in primary habitats. According to Hagemeijer & Blair (1997), breeding densities generally vary between 1.5 and 3 bp/1km2.

Threat status and conservation concept: the nucleus of the population along the first sand-dune belt is threatened by uncontrolled recreation and tourism (camping, picnics, parking, promenading) and illegal road construction (habitat fragmentation). These activities presumably restrict numbers and breeding success (viz. the reduction of the number of pairs on Velika Plaza between April and June 2003 from 12 to 6). Breeding birds on islands and river banks are affected in the same way by recreation activities; local people also visit these areas. In the Ulcinj salina, habitat quality is affected by reduced grazing (Figure 6), resulting in overgrowing of levees. Stone-curlews are further endangered by changing grazing practices – increasingly, pastures in Montenegro are fenced in.

A clear line needs to be drawn between the beaches and sand-dunes used for recreational purposes and those dedicated to conservation. The latter must be excluded from any touristic activities, and access by the common public should be prohibited till 1st August. The separation of beaches from sand-dune nesting areas could be implemented simply by fencing off, warning tables and regular control by rangers. In the Ulcinj salina a system of levee management by grazing and the restoration of damaged dams should be implemented. At all breeding sites extensive grazing should be retained or introduced with local old breeds.

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Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla

Statistics: Nobs

= 56, Nind

= 79, Nbp

= 55, Pop. max.-min. = 55 – 70 pairs (callers)Status: EOAC – probable breeding, migratory

We mapped calling birds (males!?) at nighttime (20:00 – 23:30 CET), with the help of taped playbacks, covering the marshlands behind the first sand-dune belt in Montenegro in late April. Correcting for possible double-counts between April 26th and 27th, 51 birds/181 ha (28.2 callers/km2) were found, with the densest concentration of 21 callers/20 ha (105,0 callers/km2) in Spatula (Table 11). During later surveys in early May, only 4 birds were heard, and no callers were found in the same area in mid-June. Like other Porzana species, Baillon’s Crakes are known to reduce their nocturnal calling drastically after pair formation and egg laying; the observed seasonality of calling is thus strong evidence for nesting in the area (e.g. Sackl et al. 2003).

Table 11: Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla population in the Bojana-Buna

Delta in Montenegro

place biotope Method size (ha)

calling males

density (M / km2)

Ada softwood* transect (day) 16 1 6,3

Spatula marsh mapping (night) 20 21 105,0

Velika plaza W marsh mapping (night) 18 8 44,4

Velika plaza E marsh mapping (night) 143 22 15,4

Velika plaza E marsh mapping (night) 143 16 11,2

Kodra-Stoj softwood* transect (day) 14 3 21,4

Total (pop. min-max) 211 55-70 26,1-33,2* with marsh patches or very close to extensive marsh area

In late April and early May, calling sites were restricted to flooded, dense vegetation dominated by Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Cladium mariscus, Juncus acutus and Schoenus nigricans, with water levels fluctuating between 7 and 20 cm and some isolated, 45 cm deep, pools of water. In contrast to the flat terrain of the inter-dune pans behind Velika Plaza, the marshes in Spatula are interspersed among higher sand-dunes, intermingled with pans of deeper water and fragmented stands of young forest. In addition, scattered callers were found, during daytime transects, in seasonally flooded marshlands within the riverine forests of Ada (1 bird) and Kodra-Stoj close to the Ulcinj salina (3 birds). With no records in the freshwater marshes further inland and on Lake Sasko, the species appears to be concentrated in the inundated depressions close to the shoreline (Figure 4.5). Potential nesting habitats exist in Velipoja Reserve, near the Buna river mouth, Viluni Lagoon and along Plazhi i Bax-Rjolli but, like earlier visits by Vangeleuwe et al. (1996), our surveys in Albania in mid-June were presumably too late for finding the species by calling.

Due to its largely secretive habits, little information is available concerning the distribution and abundance of the species. In particular, the western Palearctic race intermedia has declined considerably since the 19th century and is now regarded as a rare, very local and ephemeral breeding bird in most of its European range (Tucker & Heath 1994, Bijlsma 1997, Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Along the rocky coast of

the eastern Adriatic, the species appears to be restricted to coastal Albania and the large river deltas in Dalmatia, where a small population was (re)discovered in the lower Neretva river valley in 2001 (Sackl et al. 2003). Excluding Romania, which harbours 100 – 1000 bp in the Danube river delta, fragmented breeding populations in the lowlands of the Balkan Peninsula and coastal Albania are estimated at 65 – 210 bp (BirdLife International 2000). With the population in Montenegro estimated at 55 – 70 bp in 2003, and densities close to or exceeding abundances reported for the western Mediterranean, tropical Africa and Australia (Marchant & Higgins 1993, SEO/BirdLife 1997, Taylor & van Perlo 1998), the Bojana – Buna Delta harbours an important proportion of the Balkan population. Taking into account suitable nesting habitats in Albania and the extraordinarily low water levels, with large sections of wetland dried out in spring 2003, our surveys may even underestimate the potential of the area. However, the occurrence of the species in the Albanian part of the Bojana-Buna Delta should be investigated.

Threat status and conservation concept: Depending on undisturbed marshlands with seasonally fluctuating water levels, the population along Velika Plaza is threatened by drainage and reclamation of wetlands for tourism, urbanization and road building. For example, the new Copacabana road built in May 2003 and existing roads probably affect water level and salinity by segmenting the formerly continuous wetland depression along Velika Plaza. In the same way, drainage of adjoining land for agriculture, intensification of agricultural practices and new settlements have the potential to harm wetlands by changing water levels, and by introducing sewage from housing estates and spilling fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural land. Thus, besides formal protection of all wetlands inhabited by the species, the effects of further developments on the level and quality of water and effects of uncontrolled grazing of wetlands should be considered carefully.

European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus

Statistics: Nobs

= 112, Nind

= 119, Nbp

= 111, Pop. min.-max = 111 – 500 pairsStatus: EOAC - breeding confirmed, migratory

The highest densities of European Nightjar – up to 12.5 bp/km2 – are in the psammo-halophilous vegetation of the second belt of sand-dunes (Table 12). The delta’s sand-dunes constitute one of the centres of the species’ population in the Bojana-Buna Delta. The breeding densities from other habitats lead to an estimate of up to 500 pairs of European Nightjars breeding in the area.

At least fragments of sand-dunes without vegetation are present in nearly all marshes, within settlements, and in pastures (Table 12). We found singing nightjars also in alkaline marshes with some dry and slightly elevated patches of sand. The coverage of the herb layer in habitats where singing males were recorded was between 25% and 100% (median 50%). Intensive stock grazing is characteristic of the nightjar’s habitat. However, the species even breeds within closed floodplain forest interspersed by sand-dunes in Velipoja Reserve. Surprisingly the species was not found on the salina levees in Ulcinj, although the area was surveyed

5

6 7

8 9

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twice. Nightjars were also absent from areas with high noise pollution (Velipoja discos). Habitat preferences are indicated by the proportion of records/territorial males per habitat type: 83.9% sand-dunes, 9.8% settlements, 3.5% softwood, 1.7% marsh and pastures, 0.8% salina and other specific habitats (e.g. Map 4.6).

We estimate that 5-10% of the Montenegrin and Albanian population (e.g. 2000 – 4000 bp for Albania; BirdLife International 2000) breed in the area. Data on breeding densities in Central Europe and the northern Mediterranean karst vary between 1 and 1,5 bp/km2 (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997, Polak 2000), while in the Bojana-Buna delta we found considerably higher breeding densities.

Threat status and conservation concept: threats are similar to those discussed for Stone-curlew, except that the European Nightjar is further threatened by sand digging (especially in Montenegro), the expansion of built-up areas (particularly in Albania), and the wild recreational sand-racing on psammo-halophytes. In areas with high noise pollution, the species was totally absent. The conservation concept for the coastal sand-dune breeders is identical to that for the Stone-curlew, while for breeders in floodplain forests extensive grazing, providing an abundant herb layer, is probably essential.

Woodlark Lullula arborea

Statistics: Nobs

= 33, Nind

= 2169, Mid-winter pop. min-max = 1,732 – 20,000 indStatus: EOAC – winter visitor, passage migrant

Woodlarks do not breed in the Bojana-Buna Delta. We obtained only one record in the breeding season: on April 26th, 2003, a solitary Woodlark feeding at Velika plaza. On November 3rd, 2003, migration took place across the area. In three study plots, the number of Woodlarks migrating in a SE direction, many following the coast line, varied between 15 and 69 birds/h. Throughout the river Delta the species reached peak numbers in winter, when it was found predominantly in habitats covered with short grass grazed by domestic animals (Table 13, Map 4.6). Group size fluctuated greatly (> 30 ind.). In autumn the largest flocks recorded numbered 40 individuals (median 5), while in winter (median flock size 40 ind.) the largest flocks contained up to 500 birds.

Table 13: Woodlark Lullula arborea densities in transects (autumn and

winter 2003/04)

place biotope size (ha) density (ind/10 ha)

grazing*

autumn

Ulcinjsko polje (MN) meadows 10 11.0 +++

Ulcinjsko polje (MN) hedgerows 9 3.3 ++

Velipoja (AL) arable land 17 6.4 +

Gornji Stoj (MN) pastures 15 1.3 +++

Velipoja (AL) small scale 10 8.9 +++

winter

Velipoja (AL) channel 8 88.7 +++

Velipoja (AL) small scale 10 54.0 +++

Velipoja (AL) arable land 17 41.7 +

Gjo Lulit (AL) meadows 13 50.0 +++

Gornji Stoj (MN) pasture 15 58.0 +++

Ulcinjsko polje (MN) hedgerows 9 17.8 ++* grazing intensity: + = low, ++ = medium (ca 2 cattle/1 hectare), +++ = high

In January, the highest densities were found in the pastures of Gjo-Lulit. We estimate the winter population in this area of about 20 km2, which is grazed by 10,000 sheep, to be ca. 10,000 birds. The whole wintering population for our study area we conservatively estimate to be 15,000-20,000 birds (January 2004).

Table 12: Breeding densities of the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus in the Bojana-Buna Delta

halophytes

place biotope Size (ha)

singing males density (bp / 1 km2)

stripe 1 stripe 2

Montenegro

Velika plaza marsh 143 1 0.6

Velika plaza sand-dunes 191 5 2.6 +

Bregvija pastures** 249 7 2.8

Spatula marsh* 85 3 3.5 fragments

Ada sand-dunes 187 7 3.7 +

Ada sand-dunes 49 2 4.0 +

Spatula sand-dunes 135 17 12.5 +

Albania

Reserve Velipoja marsh* 527 16 3.0

Plazhi i Bax-Rrjolli sand-dunes 124 4 3.2 +

Velipoja pastures* 85 3 3.5 fragments

Velipoja (Bregdeti) settlements*** 185 10 5.4 fragments

Plazhi i Velipojes sand-dunes 101 8 7.9 +

Bax-Rrjolli sand-dunes 286 22 7.6 +* with up to 25% of sand-dunes (hills or patches)** in Montenegro, pastures mean strips of pastures, wet meadows and alluvial forest mixed with extensive to intensive grazing, while in Albania they are small parcelled pastures, meadows and some crops with low grazing pressure*** with up to 75% of sand-dunes

Figure 5: Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: P. Sackl)

Figure 6: Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: P. Sackl)

Figure 7: Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Kneta Darze (Photo: P. Sackl)

Figure 8: Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: B.

Stumberger)

Figure 9: Common Tern Sterna hirundo, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: P. Sackl)

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No data are presently available on population numbers of Woodlarks in winter for western parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Our data indicate that the Bojana-Buna Delta is an important wintering area in the Eastern Mediterranean which may hold, according to published data, about 1% of the species’ European population. Important wintering grounds for the species are known to exist along the Atlantic coast in SW France and Spain (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997).

Threat status and conservation concept: Wintering populations are threatened by abandonment of grazing, which has already started on the Montenegrin side of the river corridor. At present the species is particularly endangered by hunting. According to statements of local hunters up to 300 passerines are shot in a single morning from hides with the help of taped playbacks.

5.2.6 International Waterfowl Counts (IWC)

The results of the International Waterfowl Census (IWC) have enabled us to monitor waterfowl and wader populations (Rose & Scott 1997). On the basis of quantitative data it is possible to estimate large-scale population numbers of many species of waterbirds and to evaluate the importance of different wetland areas for migration and wintering on a national and international scale. According to Ramsar Convention criteria, wetland areas are of international importance, regularly supporting 20,000 waterbirds or 1% of the world population of any waterbird species or subspecies.

The Bojana-Buna Delta appears to be an important connection between wetland areas along the coast of the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar, the largest inland lake on the Balkan Peninsula. The Bojana-Buna/Lake Skadar wetland complex annually supports up to 224,000 migrating or wintering waterbirds (e.g. Vasic et al. 1992). But species and population numbers differ greatly between Lake Skadar and the river corridor (see Table 14). During winter most divers (Gaviidae), Egretta garzetta, Anas acuta, Anas clypeata, sea ducks, 18 species of waders and Sterna sandvincensis are mainly or exclusively found in coastal wetlands or in the estuary of the Bojana-Buna river.

In November 2003 and January 2004 waterfowl and waders were counted on both sides of the Bojana-Buna river. We visited also some smaller wetland areas that had not previously been covered by IWC. 18,000 to 19,000 waterbirds and waders of 59 species were counted on both dates. 6 species reach the 1% criterion of the Ramsar Convention 3c (compare Table 14). The majority of divers, cormorants and ducks were found in the river delta and its prodelta, whereas large numbers of waders use the Ulcinj salina during migration and winter (Map 4.7).

Table 14: Results of the IWC in the Bojana-Buna Delta: Solana Ulcinj

(separate column) and total for Bojana-Buna Delta (including Solana) in

autumn 2003 and January 2004 (mid-winter count) in comparison to Lake

Skadar IWC total in January 2004.

species autumn 2003 mid-winter 2004Solana Ulcinj

BB Delta

Solana Ulcinj

BB Delta

Lake Skadar

G. stellata - 40 - 14 -G. arctica - 24 - 45 1T. ruficollis - 9 2 45 1,534P. cristatus - 43 1 86 1,351P. grisegena - 8 - 3 -P. auritus - 2 - -P. nigricollis 68 69 - 21 317P. carbo* 94 627 37 1,150 4,320P. pygmeus 99 169 2 2 1,874P. crispus* 56 56 - 14E. garzetta* 283 384 58 83 3E. alba* 74 116 67 135 88A. cinerea 171 198 62 89 233P. falcinellus 2 2 - - -P. leucorodia 3 3 - - -C. olor - - - 7 -A. anser - - - 5 -T. tadorna 12 12 4 4 -A. penelope 60 90 440 612 227A. strepera - 1 - 2 156A. crecca - 21 - 152 200A. platyrhynchos 1 21 - 98 8,802A. acuta 435 530 575 581 -A. clypeata - 16 13 156 -N. rufina - 1 - - -A. ferina - 124 - 341 23,920A. nyroca - 3 -A. fuligula - 2 - 12 947S. mollissima - - - 9 -M. fusca - - - 4 -B. clangula - - - 14 3,001M. albellus - - - 25M. serrator - 5 - 1 1R. aquaticus 9 13 4 18 10G. chloropus 3 11 1 14 301F. atra - 1,962 - 1,876 57,100R. avosetta 6 10 - - -C. dubius 8 9 - - -C. alexandrinus* 181 194 100 113 -P. apricaria - - - 14 -P. squatarola 212 212 233 236 -V. vanellus 53 - 426 1,325 8C. canutus 6 6 - - -C. minuta 950 950 113 119 -C. alpina 7,555 7,573 7,027 7,052 -P. pugnax - - 3 99 -G. gallinago 65 71 1,108 1,148 352S. rusticola - - - 11 -N. arquata 8 8 18 20 -T. erythropus* 1,471 1,472 95 95 -T. totanus 1,211 1,213 1,304 1,309 -T. stagnatilis 3 3 - - -T. nebularia 28 28 7 8 -T. ochropus 12 13 10 15 -L. melanocephalus 5 7 - 2 -L. minutus - - - 63 -L. ridibundus 1,020 1,860 578 1,650 7,247L. canus - 1 - 5 12L. cachinnans 45 135 62 256 654S. sandvicensis - 163 - 23 -A. atthis 34 62 4 2 -Total 14,243 18,552 12,354 19,147 112,698* 1 % (regional) population level** data: Midwinter Waterfowl Count (IWC) Vojislav Vasic (S-M) and Taulant Bino (AL) via Euronatur

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5.2.7 Breeding species of conservation concern on the European scale (SPEC 1-4)

Bird species of conservation concern in Europe have been identified by Tucker and Heath (1994). In the Bojana-Buna Delta, 67 breeding species (= 59% of all species breeding in the area) belong to one of 4 SPEC categories: 1 species – SPEC 1, 11 species – SPEC 2, 33 species – SPEC 3, and 24 species – SPEC 4. While Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca is listed under SPEC 1, Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, European Nightjar Camprimulgus europaeus, European Roller Coracias garrulus, Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala, Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor, Wood Chat Shrike Lanius senator, Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica, Scops Owl Otus scops, Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia and Common Redshank Tringa totanus are classified under SPEC 2 (see Appendix 10.8).

Most areas (landscape inserts) that should be included into the core protection zone, such as Lake Sasko, Velika plaza, Plazhi i Bax – Rrjolli, the riverine forests along the lower Bojana-Buna, Ada and Velipoja Reserve, harbour 5-7 SPEC 2-species. With only 3-4 SPEC 2 species per area, due to overhunting and fishing, most marshlands in Montenegro (Knetas) and Velipoja Lagoon in Albania have lost their significance for many waterbird and wader species. In the wake of large-scale drainage and deforestation during the communist era, the northern part, in particular, of the Bojana-Buna Delta in Albania at present harbours only 1-2 SPEC 2 species. But in remnants of the formerly more extensive wetlands, scattered records of Aythya nyroca, Circus aeruginosus, Ardea purpurea and other rare species were still noted during the breeding season. The most important areas, according to the occurrence of SPEC species, are shown in Map 4.5 and Table 15.

Table 15: Number of breeding species of European conservation concern

SPEC 1 – 4* per main habitat type (landscape insert): 1 = prodelta and

marsh, 2 = sand-dunes and pastures, 3 = meadows and hedgerows, 4

= salinas, 5 = marshes, 6 = lake, 7 = river, 8 = pastures, 9 = small-scale

agricultural land (interspersed with small pastures), 11 = fishponds, 12 =

small-scale agricultural land, 13 = lagoons and marsh, 14 = sand-dunes, 15

= alluvial forests

landscape insert

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

SPEC 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

SPEC 2 7 4 6 5 3 4 1 1 2 2 1 5 3 5 5

SPEC 3 18 13 11 10 6 10 11 5 5 6 3 7 6 12 7

SPEC 4 14 14 13 6 12 9 10 2 2 3 2 8 2 4 9* SPEC 1 – species of global conservation concernSPEC 2 – species concentrated in Europe with unfavourable conservation status in EuropeSPEC 3 – species not concentrated in Europe with unfavourable conservation status in EuropeSPEC 4 – species concentrated in Europe with favourable conservation status in Europe

5.2.8 Hunting impact on birds

Statistics: Nobs

=190 (Nshooting

= 43, Ngun

= 60, N

cartridge= 21, N

hide = 66),

Pop. estimate hunter = 450 (MN) and 600-1500 (AL)Status: year-round hunting activities by local and foreign hunters

With some 2,000 local hunters and hunting tourism (mainly Italians), hunting makes an important impact on the bird faunas of the Bojana-Buna Delta (375 km2). Apart from Wild Boar Sus scrofa, there is very little big game hunting, but all species of birds constitute an important quarry for hunters. Official closing times and/or non-hunting reserves are not accepted. Hunting is practiced at any time, in any place, by almost anybody; even children and shepherds have been

10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40%, 40-60 %, 60-80% and 80-100 %, + proportions below 10 %, – hunter was not registered. (Sh – shore, Sd – sand-dunes, M– marsh, L – lagoon, Sa – salinas, La – Lake, R – river, So – softwood, Pa – pastures, Ma – meadows, A – arable land and small scale

agriculture). Nobs

= 190.

behaviour Sh Sd* M* L Sa La R So* Pa* M A* Se

Montenegro

Gun - + - - - + - - - -

shooting - + - - - + - - -

cartridge - - - - - + - -

Hunting hide + - - - - - - - -

Albania

Gun - - + - - - - - -

shooting + - - + - - + -

cartridge - - - - - - -

Hunting hide - - - - - - - - -

Country

Montenegro - - - + + + - -

Albania + + + - + + + - +

Total + + + + + + + +* habitat type is grazed by stock

Table 16: Hunting impact in the Bojana-Buna Delta. Filled circles indicate proportion of the total number of hunters per habitat type:

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seen carrying guns for shooting birds. Apparently, all wild birds and other animals are hunted, with the peak-shooting season during the spring migration of birds between January and April. We found obviously shot birds of many species, like Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Ardea cinerea, Buteo buteo, Fulica atra, Tringa totanus, Haematopus ostralegus, Larus ridibundus and Pica pica.

In the Ulcinj salina, linear densities of used cartridges varied between 30 and 150 cartridges/100 m of levees, while along local roads we found an average of 86.6 cartridges/100 m. Point densities reach up to 71 used cartridges/stand and 868/hunting hide, the highest on Velika plaza. Hunting impact per habitat type is shown in Table 16. Apart from hill country adjoining the river corridor on the Montenegrin side, hunting is centred in wetlands and coastal sand-dunes, while on the Albanian side local people were also seen hunting in pastures in autumn and winter. In wetlands, predominantly waterbirds and waders are shot, while in coastal sand-dunes and pastures mainly passerines (e.g. larks) and shorebirds are hunted. Most bird shooting takes place during migration and winter. In addition to other forms, night hunting with the aid of taped playbacks is practiced by local people and foreign hunters.

Hunting by local people and hunting tourism increased after the Balkan Wars, resulting in the whole area being heavily overhunted (Map 4.8). The impact on bird populations is disastrous, with many populations of migrants using the Adriatic flyway largely shot out (e.g. Aythya nyroca, Numenius tenuirostris, Ciconia ciconia, Gelochelidon nilotica (?) – compare with Reiser & Führer (1896). A management plan and hunting scheme are needed for the area; the coastal line, with the sand dunes and key wetlands, must be a no hunting zone. Hunting standards and existing spatial prohibitions of hunting also have to be enforced.

5.2.9 Mammals

Although the investigation was not focused on mammals, we recorded 11 species. For 3 species we are able to make rough estimates of population densities in the Bojana-Buna Delta.

Golden Jackal Canis aureus

Statistics: Nobs

= 13, Nind

= 40, Nfamilies

= 10, Pop. min.- max = 30 – 60 ind

92.3% of all observations of the species show that the distribution of Jackals is concentrated in the forests and marshes of the riverine floodplains. The most densely inhabited area is Ada, where three howling groups were heard regularly in summer 2003. In the intensively visited southern Bojana-Buna area there are obviously large areas without jackals; for the area north of Lake Sasko in particular the occurrence of Jackals could not be confirmed. Excluding an observation of a “solitary” female with obviously active mammary glands on Ada, our estimate is based on records of at least 39 howling individuals.

The local hunting association in Ulcinj estimates the population for the Montenegrin part of the area to 1,000

individuals. (M. Zenka, pers. comm.). However, regarding habitat availability, Jackal numbers seem to be largely overestimated by hunters. According to our data the species appears to be concentrated in two areas, Velipoja and Ada Reserve, where hunting is officially banned. These are most probably the core areas for the species in the southern Bojana-Buna Delta (Map 4.1).

Threat status and conservation concept: Jackals need more non-hunting areas in the floodplain forests and marshes along the river. Further fragmentation of floodplain forests by weekend cottages or other uncontrolled developments could rapidly reduce the current population nucleus. Hunting pressure on the species is clearly extensive: a management plan should be implemented and acceptance of the species by hunters enhanced.

Brown Bear Ursus arctos

Statistics: Nobs

= 3, Nind

= 4, Nterritories

= 1, Pop. min.- max = 2 – ? ind

On June 12th and 14th 2004, tracks of an adult, a young bear and, parallel to them, of an adult and its young were found in the sand-dunes south of Bax-Rjolli (Map 4.1). In November 2003 and January 2004 the area was largely inundated and no tracks of bears were found (hibernation?). Behind the Bax Rrjolli beach, there is an area of some 50 km2 unpopulated by people. Semi-feral asses, horses, freely grazing sheep, goats and cattle, all of indigenous old breeds (Busha cattle, Karakatchan sheep), as well as rubbish along the coast line, offer feeding opportunities for Brown Bears in the area’s marshes and sand-dunes.

Threat status and conservation concept: It is currently not clear whether bears frequent the area, and a more thorough investigation is needed. However, the proposed protection area should enclose the mountainous hinterland as well. It is unique for the Mediterranean to have the Brown Bear on the coast.

Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus

Statistics: Nobs

= 9, Nind

= 23, Ngroups

= 2-3, Pop. min.- max = 10 – 15 (20) ind

We saw the species on 5 occasions in the river, 3 times in the prodelta and only once at sea. The largest groups were 5 and 6 individuals (median 2). In mid-July 2003, a dead young was found near the island of Franz-Joseph (Arben Gjuraj, the mayor of Dajci, pers. comm.). Under field conditions, young females of the species are known to give birth regularly to stillborn babies (Hussenot & Robineau 1994). It is estimated that, during the majority of our observations, the dolphins were feeding. On July 7th, 2003, a playful group was present in the Bojana-Buna near the island of Paratuk. During spring and summer dolphins were regularly seen 17 km upstream the Bojana-Buna River, right up to Lake Sasko, some of them even 35 km upstream in Derragjati (Map 4.1). In autumn and winter no dolphins were recorded in the river, possibly due to muddy waters, but they were present in the prodelta. Bottlenose Dolphins prefer coastal waters and river deltas,

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which offer rich fish prey (s. Hussenot & Robineau 1994). During summer the Bojana-Buna delta appears to be important for giving birth and rearing young for the local group.

Threat status and conservation concept: After the fall of the Iron Curtain the Bojana-Buna delta was heavily overfished with nets and dynamite fishing, with negative effects on fish stocks. Similar effects hold true for increasing traffic (speedboats!) on the river. Fishermen have adopted a neutral position or are even well disposed towards dolphins. The species will benefit from strict legal and operative protection of the Bojana-Buna river (right up to Lake Sasko) and its prodelta. Here the left fork of the river is most important for the species.

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