Bulgaria Commemorates 50th Midwinter Waterbird Census Amidst Global Monitoring Efforts

Bulgaria Marks Half-Century of Waterbird Monitoring

Bulgaria is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its Midwinter Waterbird Census, an annual initiative vital for environmental monitoring and conservation. The census is scheduled to take place from January 15 to 18, 2026, involving extensive fieldwork across the country's diverse aquatic habitats.

The event is jointly organized by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and the Executive Environment Agency (ExEA). It forms a critical part of the larger International Waterbird Census (IWC), a global project coordinated by Wetlands International, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

A Legacy of Citizen Science and Conservation

Bulgaria first joined the international initiative in 1977, with systematic annual counting commencing that same year. The census was initially spearheaded by ornithologists Tanyo Muchev and Bozhidar Ivanov, who later became founders of the BSPB. Since its registration in 1988, the BSPB has been actively involved in organizing and conducting the census.

The primary objective of the census is to gather precise data on the numbers, species, and distribution of waterbirds. This information is then utilized to assess changes in bird populations, serving as a key indicator of the overall health of the environment, which impacts both wildlife and human populations. The surveys are particularly pertinent in the context of global climate change.

Extensive Coverage and Volunteer Involvement

For the 50th census, more than 100 volunteers and BSPB members, alongside representatives from partner organizations, will form over 40 teams. These teams will survey more than 250 to 320 wetlands across Bulgaria. The areas covered include:

• The Danube River and its basin
• The Black Sea coast
• Various inland reservoirs, fish farms, and rivers where waterbirds overwinter

The collected data will be entered into the Information System of the National Biodiversity Monitoring System and subsequently reported to Wetlands International.

Recent Trends in Waterbird Populations

Analysis of past census data reveals fluctuations in waterbird numbers. The 49th census in 2025 recorded 90 species with a total of 249,958 individuals, a decrease from the 97 species and 280,956 individuals counted in 2024. However, these figures were higher than those observed in 2023 (88 species, 206,239 individuals) and 2022 (90 species, 206,688 individuals).

Historically, numbers were significantly higher, with 404,410 waterbirds recorded in 1999 and 652,418 in 2000. Globally threatened species such as the Red-breasted Goose, Common Pochard, Horned Grebe, and Common Scoter have been identified in previous censuses, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts.