The first ever 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. In this short movie the method and the first results are presented.

In 2023-2024 the second round of translocation is being implemented in Poland. 100 chicks from Biebza wetlands will be transfered to Rozwarowo marshes at the border of Poland-Germany.

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 revive 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 have disappeared during the last century and the 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.

As many as 99 of them were successfully grown and released into the fenmire by naturalists. Already after the first year of translocation, naturalists were happy about the success of this method. Bird countings revealed that out of the 49 birds brought from Belarus and released into freedom last year, at least 11 (22%) have returned from wintering in Africa to Žuvintas, and translocated female birds are successfully raising nestlings. This indicator exceeded even the natural return rate of first year birds (20%). In the second year, 7 translocated birds from the last year were found in Žuvintas. Also 3 males that were brought here two years ago were observed. After translocation, the population of Aquatic Warbler‘s in Žuvintas hit record high. In 2020 historically the biggest population of these rare birds were observed. This shows that the translocation method works and is effective. In 2021 during national counting in Žuvintas 3 translocated singing males were noticed. One of them was transferred here in 2018, so, it had been singing 3 seasons in Žuvintas. If we consider that warblers live approx. 3-4 years, we would conclude with kind of happy fact that translocated birds raised in the new place, spend almost whole their life in a new home. In 2022 there were no translocated birds found in Žuvintas.

While preparing for the translocation all details were thought through in the Programme of Aquatic Warbler translocation. The document was developed together with Scientific Advisory Board having the most prominent experts and researchers of the species. It was also approved by national institutions in Lithuania. Simplified version of the programme was prepared for the local inhabitants and nature lovers.

More about this unique expedition you can find out by looking into impressions from 2018 and 2019 bellow.

Impressions from 2018 in videos & pictures

In 2018, the first stage of Aquatic Warbler translocation took place. 50 Aquatic Warbler chicks were brought to Žuvintas from the Zvaniec swamp. It was the first time anyone had tried out the translocation method with this species, so we were very focused and we felt a great responsibility. We did our best to raise all the babies, so that they would learn to live in freedom and return to Žuvintas after the wintering in Africa. It was an exciting and challenging experience.

Find out more by looking into videos and pictures.

Impressions from 2019 in video blog stories and pictures

Go on a Journey together with Aquatic Warbler babies!

You can join the journey of the Aquatic Warbler babies from Belarus to Lithuania in 2019 by watching our video blog. Shortened video series are now available in English! In our video stories you will get to know how all expedition took place, what challenges we faced, what joyful and nervous moments we had. Join our unique journey!

In 2019 the second stage of Aquatic Warbler translocation took place. 50 juveniles were translocated from Zvaniec mire, in Belarus to  Zuvintas, in Lithuania.