In early July 2023, a team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) organized a boat expedition along the Danube River to monitor the populations of rare bird species, including the iconic Dalmatian Pelican. This year’s goal was also to raise awareness among local communities about the conservation of the species and the river, through events held at two nesting sites – Persina Nature Park and the Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Area.

It’s been two years since the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds began monitoring the travels and escapades of Vaya, the Great White pelican.

The multi-faceted Living Danube Delta education campaign is bringing young people from three countries closer to the nature and wildlife of the delta, and educating them about the importance and benefits of rewilding.

The second volunteer conservation camp organized by the Directorate of the “Persina” Nature Park as part of the “Pelican Way of Life” initiative has successfully concluded. It was attended by students from the Erasmus+ project at “Dimcho Debelianov” High School in Belene.

At the end of August, a team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) successfully captured and tagged an adult male Great White Pelican with a satellite transmitter in the Burgas Lake area. Furthermore, the team also affixed a ring to an adult female pelican of the same species.

The Nature Conservation Camp “Atanasovsko Lake”, organised by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) in 2023 brought together almost 100 volunteers from August 19th to 27th for the 34th consecutive year. They dedicated their time to the preservation of nature and the well-being of birds.

In July, experts from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) successfully captured and tagged with a GPS transmitter a Dalmatian pelican in Albania. The action was done on request and in cooperation with the team of Protection and Preservation of Nature in Albania (PPNEA), as BSPB experts have big experience and expertise in capturing and tagging pelicans.

A Danube Delta-based educational camp held in June saw over 50 participants from four countries come together to learn more about Dalmatian pelicans – and the important role that rewilding can play in recovering populations of this iconic bird across Europe.

Unlike last year, 2023 turned out to be much more favorable for the Dalmatian Pelicans nesting in Persina Nature Park and Kalimok-Brushlen Protected Area. The main reason for this is the relatively high-water level of the Danube River from February to June, which is crucial for the wetland areas along the river and the water-loving bird species nesting there.

The “Festival of the Dalmatian Pelican” third edition organized by Persina Nature Park Directorate collected many smiles and beaming children’s faces. The event took place on May 26 and 27 on the yard of the park’s visitor center as part of the “Pelican Way of LIFE” initiative.