site.btaBulgaria's Eastern Rhodopes Home to over 2,500 Birds of 20 Waterfowl Species, Population Down from 2025

As part of the 50th Midwinter Waterfowl Census campaign in Bulgaria, 2,514 birds of a total of 20 species of waterfowl were observed in the Eastern Rhodopes. Last year, the census registered 4,514 birds of 27 species in that area, show data of the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation.

The Foundation, whose team participated for another year in the annual census, reported that among the most significant observations in this year's census in the Eastern Rhodopes were the crested grebe, the white-headed duck, and the Dalmatian pelican, a globally endangered species. The most numerous species were the mallard duck (715 individuals), the tufted duck (347), and the great cormorant (296).

In the Eastern Rhodopes area, the census covered the Arda River basin and reservoirs, Neli Naydenova from the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation told BTA. 

The Midwinter Waterfowl Census is one of the longest-running and most significant initiatives for monitoring biodiversity in Bulgaria and in Europe. This year's census was conducted between January 15 and 18 with the participation of institutions, scientists, nature conservation organizations, and volunteers. Once processed, the collected data will be entered into the Information System of the National Biodiversity Monitoring System and will also be reported to Wetlands International, the international organization for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The data helps track trends in the number of wintering waterbirds in the country - an indicator of the state of biodiversity and wetlands in Bulgaria.