At the end of March the team of the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) was in Messolonghi for a series of actions within the initiative Pelican Way of LIFE, financed by the LIFE Program of the European Commission.

In February Dimitris Vavylis, the Greek conservationist and photographer, visited Messolonghi and other wetlands of Western Greece aiming to shoot the gorgeous Dalmatian pelicans, their protected habitats, local communities, and more. Read the exciting blog of the photographer about the mission and of course enjoy the great photos from the region.

The dalmatian pelican population is severely affected by an avian influenza outbreak that is currently in progress at the Prespa National Park in Greece, in the Lesser Prespa Lake Dalmatian pelican colony that is the largest colony of the species in the world.

On the 10th of December 2021 “Maria”, the first Dalmatian pelican with a satellite transmitter in Bulgaria, has died. The cause of death was a collision with the overhead powerline.

During June, waterbirds belonging to protected species were discovered dead on three occasions, due to collision with power lines inside the protected area of the Mesolonghi Lagoon National Park, western Greece.

The Green Fund with its Board Decision No. 181.1/2020/27.05.2020 co-finances the LIFE18 ΝΑΤ/NL/000716 – “Pelican Way of LIFE” Project for year 2020 with the total amount of €12,000 for the implementation of the Hellenic Ornithological Society / BirdLife Greece actions.

Coordinated by Rewilding Europe, the “Pelican way of LIFE” project formally kicked off in Bucharest on November 20. Its pan-European, multi-partner efforts will hopefully boost populations of this important and iconic bird.