In the short video you can find out about the first results of Aquatic Warbler translocation.
In 2018-2019 the first ever Aquatic Warbler translocation was implemented. In two years, 100 chicks have been relocated from the biggest world population of Aquatic Warblers in Belarus – Zvaniec fenmire – to a small and and decreasing population in Žuvintas, Lithuania. This tested a nature conservation method that has never been used with the species before – translocation.
This method works just like a blood donation: a small portion of birds are taken from a healthy, viable population in order to save another – sick and endangered – population. In this way we could revie these weak populations or even save ones that are completely gone. This method is radical and risky, but one of the few options left to help this species. 95% of Aquatic Warblers disappeared during the last century and world population is still decreasing, especially at the edges of the range. Here populations cannot recover naturally even if habitats are restored to excellent condition.
Naturalists managed to raise and release 99 out 100 juveniles. Already after the first year 11 out of 49 released birds came back to Žuvintas after wintering in Africa – that is 22 % of all birds. This indicator even exceeded the natural return rate of the first-year juveniles. In the second year 7 birds that were translocated here in the previous year were found in Žuvintas and 3 more that were transferred here 2 years ago. After translocation Aquatic Warbler populations in Žuvintas jumped to record highs. In 2020, the largest historical population of these rare birds was recorded. It shows that the method works.
More about this unique expedition: About the second year experience in our video blog series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3gcieVioSk&list=PLh66DQlmkQsZbZcYl6D22s5XlxmXWB1Tu
After the first count of rare birds – Aquatic Warblers – in the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Lithuania, naturalists are extremely happy – 27 singing males … read more
The results of research that lasted for more than two years have revealed that Lithuanian and Belorusian Aquatic Warblers are wintering farther than expected – … read more
This week, 50 aquatic warbler nestlings brought from Belarus and successfully raised by naturalists at the Žuvintas biosphere reserve, Lithuania were finally released. The birds … read more
The first female Aquatic Warbler count was completed this week in the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve, Lithuania. It revealed that out of the 49 birds brought … read more
As teachers and children are moving to online learning space, the young nature rangers platform, created by naturalists, is increasingly becoming more popular. During one … read more
In May, Lithuanian and Belorussian ornithologists managed to catch returned Aquatic Warblers that were carrying special devices that were put on their back last year … read more
Dr. Martin Flade, the chairman of the BirdLife International Aquatic Warbler Conservation Team, who was visiting Lithuania this month, expresses his support and satisfaction of … read more
Under favourable conditions, on February 7th in the world’s largest habitat of Aquatic warbler – Zvanets fen mire – a controlled burning took place. This … read more
On 5 October, the opening ceremony of new biomass processing facility took place in Dreverna. This manufactory is special because when processing biomass, the priority will … read more
No comments!