A few weeks ago, one more Dalmatian pelican was ringed and tagged with a satellite transmitter in the Kleisova lagoon in Messolonghi.
The female bird was named “Ostria” in honor of the warm southerly winds that were blowing in the area of the National Park those days. The mission was carried out by the team of the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) with the support of specialised staff of the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP).
The protected area of Messolonghi lagoon is particularly important as a foraging and breeding site for the Dalmatian pelicans, so the data from the Ostria’s transmitter will enrich the scientists’ knowledge of the movements and threats faced by Dalmatian pelicans in Western Greece.
“Ostria” is the 4th Dalmatian Pelican tagged with a satellite transmitter in Western Greece,” says Victoria Saravia Mullin, the HOS “Pelican Way of LIFE” Project Coordinator. “We also have valuable data from the two transmitters of the previously tagged birds –“Maestros” and “Anna”. Unfortunately, the third bird “Tramontana”, tagged in spring 2022, died after a few months after tagging.”
Thanks to satellite transmitters, scientists can follow the birds on their journeys, locate the areas they use to feed, roost and breed, as well as gather information about altitude and speed of flight – often in real-time. All the collected data contribute to increasing the knowledge of specific species but, most importantly, it can be used for designing and implementing appropriate and urgent conservation measures. You can track the previously tagged pelicans with the help of the interactive map on our website.
“Ringing also helps to get additional information about the birds. During the previous years we have ringed nearly 50 Dalmatian pelican fledglings,” adds Victoria Saravia Mullin. “So, we ask people, in case they observe ringed pelicans, to inform our team by sending the observation location, as well as relevant photos through the HOS Facebook page or via e-mail. They can also call us at +30 210 8228704”
The tagging mission was carried out by HOS in the framework of a conservation project for the Dalmatian Pelican and the White Stork commissioned by the Management Unit of Messolonghi National Park and Protected Areas of Western Central Greece with the funding of the Operational Programme “YMEPERAA”, and was implemented in collaboration with the Pelican Way of LIFE initiative.