A volunteer conservation brigade, organized by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) in the area of Burgas, brought together nearly 60 volunteers from August 24 to September 1 to help protect nature and birds.
The brigade focused on the Burgas Lakes, where participants carried out numerous conservation activities over the course of several days. With their help, a new wooden raised platform for Dalmatian pelicans, with a total area of 32 square meters, was built, and two floating platforms located in the oxidation lakes of Lukoil Neftochim were repaired. These platforms, constructed by BSPB in 2021, have become one of the most important resting and roosting sites for Dalmatian pelicans in Bulgaria. It is expected that soon, the pelicans will begin nesting there. The participants also managed to cut enough reeds and bundle them to cover the new platform and the two floating platforms in the oxidation lakes of Lukoil Neftochim, making them as attractive as possible for the pelicans.
The volunteers carried out maintenance and repair work on the two artificial islands in Atanasovsko Lake. These islands, created as part of the conservation brigades, are among the most important resting and roosting sites for Dalmatian pelicans in Bulgaria, accommodating up to 150 individuals each night. During the breeding season, the islands also support large populations of nesting terns and avocets.
All participants underwent two types of bird identification training – observing the migration of soaring birds from a stationary point near the village of Zidarovo and observing waterbirds. From the bird observation point, over 50,000 White storks were counted, along with many other soaring species. The volunteers also participated in monitoring the Burgas Lakes and Pomorie Lake, where they observed various rare and interesting bird species.
The brigade participants had the opportunity to engage in the regular monitoring of the dangerous power distribution network in the Burgas area. This activity helps identify priority areas for securing dangerous sections of the power grid where many birds are killed. During the camp, inspections of hazardous power lines were conducted, and over 100 victims were found.
“BSPB sincerely thanks all participants, volunteers, experts, and friends for their help, dedication, discipline, and the spirit of cooperation and support they created and maintained throughout the brigade! Your participation inspires us to continue and already dream of next August when we will meet again!” – says Svilen CHeshmedziev from BSPB.
The actions on species conservation are carried out within the framework of the “Pelican Way of LIFE“ initiative (LIFE18/NAT/NL/000716), coordinated by Rewilding Europe and funded by the LIFE Programme of the European Union and Arcadia Foundation, and with the assistance in Bulgaria of the Whitley Fund for Nature.