Rapid Assessment of the Ecological Value of the Bojana – Buna Delta (/Montenegro)

26 Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

5 Results of Euronatur Fieldwork 27 in 2003/2004

5.1 Study area and field methods were used according to the method or type of observation employed: 1) dispersed observations 2) point counting Field surveys where conducted along the whole Bojana- (monitoring from a specific point), 3) territory mapping Buna river between the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar (no. 1, – day, 4) territory mapping – night, 5) transect counting, 3 and 4 in Map 1). Within this area of 455 km2, which includes 6) area counting – polygon, 7) area counting – circle, and the Drinisa River upstream to Mjeda (power plant Vau 8) personal communications. During spring and summer, Dejes) the floodplains of the river covering 250 km2 were most study sites that constituted defined habitat types were investigated. The main objectives of our surveys including investigated at least once or twice on each field visit (in the whole recent delta (100 km2) were to collect data on the total, at least four times) by territory mapping and transect status and numbers of breeding and wintering waterbird counts. Transects were 100 m wide with 50 m-belts left and populations, to locate breeding colonies and important right of the survey line. Methods according to Bibby et al. feeding areas of waterbirds, and to assess the avifaunistic (1992) were used for territory mapping while, for nocturnal value of the wetlands of the Bojana-Buna Delta in the light species like Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla, Scops Owl Otus of human impact (e.g. hunting). In addition to these main scops and European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, the goals, we collected data on breeding and wintering non- playback method was applied. aquatic , their densities at the habitat level and, so far as possible, on the occurrence of other animal and plant species. Surprisingly, almost nothing has been published on breeding densities and numbers during migration and 5.1.1 Fieldwork and habitats wintering for the majority of species, in particular passerines, in Albania and Montenegro. The intensity of our fieldwork in the Bojana-Buna Delta was greater towards the head of the delta and decreased with Fieldwork was conducted from April 2003 to January distance from the core floodplain areas along the river. In 2004 (Table 3). In total, different observers in the Bojana- the same way the most accurate survey methods were used Buna Delta spent 147 field days. On each field visit 2-6 in the head of the delta and along the river (Map 4). Between ornithologists participated. For field surveys, topographical spring 2003 and January 2004 we surveyed the whole area of and satellite charts indicating habitat types were used on floodplains (Table 4). During the breeding season of 2003 we which all observation sites were marked. Different data sheets carried out territory mapping (at least for selected species)

Table 3: Field days spent in the Bojana-Buna Delta, April 10th 2003 - Jan 31st 2004

Observer 10 – 12 Apr 22 Apr – 9 May 10 – 19 June 31 Oct – 14 Nov 23 – 31 Jan Total Taulant Bino (AL) - - - - 2 2 Klodian Aliu (AL) - - - - 2 2 Dritan Dora (AL) - - - 1 2 3 Borut Rubinic 7 4 - - - 11 Peter Sackl (A) 7 6 10 12 7 42 Darko Saveljic (CG) 7 5 1 - 1 14 Jakob Smole (SI) 7 6 - 12 - 25 Martin Schneider-Jacoby (D) 3 0 - 2 3 8 Borut Stumberger (SI) 9 7 10 7 7 40 Total 147

Table 4: Areas covered by field different methods in the Bojana-Buna Delta (April 2003 – January 2004)

method visit (area in km2) 22 Apr – 9 May 10 – 19 June 31 Oct – 14 Nov 23 – 31 Jan Total monitoring from the point 9x - - - 9x area mapping – day 42,68 43,54 - - 86,22 area mapping – night 1,63 19,34 - - 20,97 area counting – transect 2,69 2,60 0,92 0,83 7,04 area counting – polygon 95,60 65,80 100,33 82,84 344,57 area counting – circle 0,10 0,09 - - 0,19 personal communication 4x 3x - 1x 8x

Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006 over an area of 107 km2 during the day and/or night, and or winter visitors (Chapter 10.8). In comparison, Vasic (1979b) over 183 km2 outside the breeding season. In the breeding recorded 229 species around Ulcinj between 1969 and 1975, season, area counts (polygon) were used in the impassable including 56 confirmed and 23 probably breeding species. marshlands and for open water bodies, covering 161 km2 For the Lake Skadar area, Vizi (1981) listed a total of 250 bird 29 in total. Bird communities of different habitat types were species. According to the species – area relationship for investigated along a transect line of >70 km. Additionally, the Mediterranean region discussed by Blondel & Aronson 2,643 dispersed observations covered those parts of the (1999), the Bojana-Buna Delta (445 km2 study area, of which area to which standard methods could not be applied. 250 km2 are floodplains) harbours an extraordinarily rich Habitat types surveyed covered the following surface areas: bird community. The number of breeding species (ca. 40) is prodelta (estuary and sea), 50 km2; salinas, 14.5 km2; small also well above the average for areas of comparable size. scale agricultural areas, 8.6 km2; marshlands, 8.2 km2; coastal sand dunes, 6.6 km2; lakes, 3.5 km2 (for the remainder see Chapter 10.7). 5.2.2 , Herons, Spoonbill and Ibis

Statistics: Nspec = 13, Nobs = 435, Nind = 2134, Ncolonies=

5.1.2 Data processing 838 bp (Nspec= 7, see Table 6) Status: EOAC – breeding confirmed: Phalacrocorax After the first visit the project team developed a GIS- carbo, P. pygmeus, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola connected Access-database. A single data set (single ralloides, Egretta garzetta, Ardea cinerea, Platalea observation per species/day/location) includes up to 36 leucorodia; breeding probable: Ixobrychus parameters (Chapter 10.6). Besides analysing the data for minutus, Botaurus stellaris; breeding possible: this report the idea was to implement a database, which Ardea purpurea, Plegadis falcinellus; could be useful for conservationists, ornithologists and non-breeding visitors: Phalacrocorax aristotelis, ecologists for further investigations requiring comparable Egretta alba. and exchangeable data on both sides of the Bojana-Buna Delta. Seven species of colonial waterbirds were found nesting The Bojana-Buna database actually (April 2004) includes in colonies on the islands of Paratuk and Ada, and in the 6,981 data sets collected during our visits: 6,668 concerning marshes of Velipoja Reserve (Table 6). Purple Heron Ardea the Bojana-Buna Delta and 313 other coastal wetlands purpurea probably breed in the area, but could not be visited in Croatia, Montenegro (including Lake Skadar) and confirmed; the breeding population of the species is Albania. The distribution of data across taxa in the study area estimated at 4-8 bp. Numbers of booming males of Great is presented in Table 5. Bittern Botaurus stellaris fluctuated between 7 and 15; the breeding population of Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus is Table 5: Distribution of data across taxa, April 2003 – January 2004 estimated at 4 – 20 bp. (Bojana-Buna Delta, N = 6,668) Nesting colonies are concentrated along the Bojana-Buna order data sets Individuals species River, which constitutes the border between Albania and plants* 10 1,435 4 Montenegro (Map 4.2). insects* 35 2,575 10 (+ 2 genera) fishes* 1 10,003 1 Table 6: , Heron, Spoonbill and Ibis colonies in the Bojana-Buna amphibians 54 1,502 5 delta in 2003 reptiles 37 93 8 (+ 1 genus) birds 6,184 127,445 237 (+ 7 subspecies) species mammals 43 95 11 Ada* Paratuk Velipoja** total human* 224 3,264 1 (11 classifications) Phalacrocorax carbo -2-2 domestic animals 80 4,622 9 Phalacrocorax pymeus 125 220 20 365 *mostly field estimates Nycticorax nycticorax 30 25 ? 55 Ardeola ralloides 36 30 10 76 Egretta garzetta 70 210 8 288 5.2 Results of the Euronatur Research in Egretta alba ---- 2003/2004 Ardea cinerea 15 - - 15 Ardea purpurea ?-?? Plegadis falcinellus - 58 ind*** - ? Platalea leucorodia 1981037 5.2.1 Birds * colony destroyed by humans after May 12th ** satellite colony formed after May 12th *** roosting site Between April 2003 and January 2004 we recorded 237 bird species in the Bojana-Buna Delta (including records of 3 extra-limital vagrants). These include 114 breeding birds Feeding habitats and feeding areas of nesting colonies (status: breeding confirmed and probably breeding) and 16 are shown in map 4.2. The most important feeding habitat species possibly breeding in the area. In addition 52 species during the breeding period (April-June) throughout the are classified as regular and 51 as occasional passage migrants river delta and along the lower Bojana-Buna river was the

Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

Ulcinj salina (44.7%), followed by marshlands (7.9%), lakes predators, this colony urgently needs conservation measures (9.0%), lagoons (7.3%), and ponds (4.8%). The other 26.3% to be imposed. To prevent their final destruction the are distributed across ten habitat types. The feeding habitats colonies on both Paratuk and Ada require urgent protection for each species are recorded in Table 7. A narrow scale of (the public should also be informed). In addition, suitable 31 feeding habitat selection is shown by Eurasian Spoonbills nesting habitats are being lost progressively throughout the Platalea leucorodia (salinas – in the basins with abating Bojana-Buna delta by the disappearance of islands due to water level) and Glossy Ibises Plegadis falcinellus (marsh – up the erosion of the delta’s head, and drying up of wetlands to 20 cm flooded Carex-Juncus stands, which are grazed or in the wake of the impoverished river’s dynamics. From the mowed). Birds nesting on Ada and in Velipoja Reserve feed nature conservation point of view, creation of new nest-sites mainly on wetlands at the delta’s head, while birds from in Velipoja Reserve would be more than reasonable. Paratuk colony generally feed on wetlands up to 5 km from the coast. Table 7: Feeding habitats of colonial waterbirds in Bojana-Buna Delta. Circles indicate the proportion of birds recorded per habitat type: 10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40%, 40-60 %, 60-80% and 80-100 %, + proportions below 10 %, – species was not registered. Habitat types: P – prodelta, Sh – shore, Sd – sand-dunes, M– marsh, L – lagoon, Sa – salina, La – lake, F – fishponds, B – backwater, R – river, So – softwood, H – hedgerows,

Pa – pastures, A – arable land and small-scale agricultural land, C – channel, Sb – special biotopes. Nind = 2041.

species P Sh Sd* M* L* Sa* La F* B R So* H* A Pa C Sb Ph. carbo ------Ph. pymeus +- -+ -+-----++ N. nycticorax ------+- -+ - A. ralloides +- - -- ++ - - - + - E. garzetta +++ + +-+++--++- E. alba ------A. cinerea +- +- -- +- - -+- A. purpurea --- -+-----+-- - P. falcinellus --- -+------P. leucorodia ------+----- * habitat type is grazed by stock (in the salinas = levees, dams)

According to IBA criteria (BirdLife International 2000) 5.2.3 Nesting Waders, Gulls and breeding populations of three species nesting in the Bojana-

Buna delta are of global or European conservation concern; Statistics: Nspec = 14, Nobs = 1007, Nind = 5,831 these are Pygmy Cormorant, 365 bp (global criterion 82 bp), Status: EOAC – breeding confirmed: Himantopus Eurasian Spoonbill, 37 bp (European criterion 28 bp) and himantopus, Burhinus oedicnemus, Charadrius Squacco Heron, 76 bp (European criterion 100 bp). Long- dubius,Charadrius alexandrinus, Larus cachinnans, term population numbers of the latter species presumably Sterna hirundo, Sterna albifrons; probable fluctuate heavily, but, considering the extraordinarily low breeding: Haematopus ostralegus, Recurvirostra water levels during the extremely dry breeding season of avosetta, Glareola pratincola, Tringa totanus, 2003, it appears to be justified to list Squacco Heron under Actitis hypoleucos; breeding possible: Larus genei; the species of conservation concern on a European scale. breeding status unclear: Sterna caspia (birds carrying food). During the period 1969-2003 the location of nesting colonies and focal centres changed continuously in the Three distinct breeding habitats exist in the Bojana-Buna delta, where mixed-species colonies were reported from Delta: the 10 km long furcation zone of the river, a 30 km Lake Sasko, the island of Paratuk, river banks on the Albanian long shoreline with sand-dunes and lagoons (both primary side, Ada, Velipoja Reserve, the island of Franz-Joseph, and habitats), and the 1,449 ha Ulcinj salina (secondary habitat). Zogajsko blato (Vasic 1979b, Vangeluwe et al. 1996, Zekhuis The first habitat is inhabited by Common Sandpiper Actitis & Tempelman 1998, Puzovic 2002, pers. comm.). Regular hypoleucos, almost half the nesting population of Little change of colony location was especially obvious after the Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, and a smaller fraction of demise of the Iron Curtain. breeding Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus. Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus is nesting in the second area, Threat status and conservation concept: Historical together with the major proportion of Stone-curlew, half information shows a clear decrease in numbers of Great the nesting population of Little Ringed Plover, and a third Cormorants, Eurasian Spoonbills and Glossy Ibises. The main of all Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus nesting in the reason for the permanent shift of nesting location appears to area. The breeding populations of all other wader species, be human impact. In 2003, the colony on Ada was destroyed. gulls and terns, are concentrated in the Ulcinj salina (Map Due to the fact that the river’s branch near the Ada colony is 4.3, Table 8). The breeding distribution of Stone-curlew is being increasingly overgrown and hence accessible to land shown in Map 4.6.

Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

Table 8: Breeding populations of waders, gulls and terns in Bojana-Buna Delta, 2003 (MN = Montenegro, AL = Albania, Nobs = number of observations, Nind = number of individuals)

species pairs 2003-2004 main breeding habitat 33

∑ min-max MN AL Nobs Nind Haematopus ostralegus 8-10 3 7 18 137 shore, sand dunes Himantopus himantopus 82-107 81 1 109 279 salina Recurvirostra avosetta 1 1 0 2 3 salina Burhinus oedicnemus 39-50 30 9 74 122 sand-dunes, salina, river Glareola pratincola 38 34 4 54 115 salina, sand-dunes, fishponds Charadrius dubius 66-80 21 49 82 149 river, sand-dunes, salina Charadrius alexandrinus 77 60 17 125 256 salina, shore, sand-dunes Tringa totanus 48-70 46 2 83 589 salina, lagoon (marsh) Actitis hypoleucos 5-20 1 4 48 87 river Larus cachinnans 29-32 28 1 189 3,519 salina, sand-dunes Larus genei 2 2 0 7 20 salina Sterna caspia 2 ? ? 6 12 lake?, river? Sterna hirundo 27-33 27 0 72 225 salina Sterna albifrons 96-133 96 0 138 318 salina

No species in this group currently reaches IBA criteria Bojana-Buna Delta: Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Great for breeding populations at global and European levels. Bustard Otis tarda, Aquila clanga and Until recently, however, these criteria were met by Collared Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca; the latter species nesting Pratincole Glareola pratincola, with 150 bp in 1984 (Ham in the area. 1986). With suitable conservation, both criteria could be achieved for Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (criterion 300 bp), Collared Pratincole (criterion 60 bp) and Little Sterna albifrons (criterion 200 bp). This is Statistics: Nobs = 7, Nind = 112, Nbp= 0, illustrated by Plazhi i Bax-Rrjolli (SE of Liqeni i Vilunit, Map Pop. min-max = 2 – 56 ind 4.3). Here anthropogenic impact on the small Charadridae Status: BL – summer and winter visitor inside range along the coast line is small. The breeding density of Kentish Plover and Little Ringed Plover is very high in the area and With the nearest, traditional nesting site on Lake Skadar, historical information from Reiser & Führer (1896) indicates the Ulcinj salina are the most important locality for the that more regular nesting of waders and gulls along the species in the Bojana-Buna Delta. Although the origin of the shoreline could be expected after the implementation of individuals we saw in the salina was unclear, the Ulcinj salinas conservation measurements. appear to be key habitats for Dalmatian Pelicans outside the breeding season (Table 9, e.g. Map 4.4). Peak numbers of 56 Threat status and conservation concept: The impact pelicans in autumn 2003 indicate that Dalmatian Pelicans of disturbance to shorebirds by unregulated recreation observed in the salina must include individuals from origins activities, fishing, hunting and poaching, is dramatic. All other than the Lake Skadar population. In 2003 the colony the colonies and nesting territories of Collared Pratincole, numbered 7 pairs, and 11 pairs nested there in 2004 (O. Vizi, Common Tern Sterna hirundo (Figure 9), Little Tern and pers. comm.). That pelicans frequent both areas is further Oystercatcher along Velika Plaza and the river mouth were supported by the observation of 11 birds in June 2003 flying found in late spring 2003 to be deserted! This was also the in from the direction of the Drini delta and, after making case for the small islets in the Bojana-Buna River’s furcation a couple of circles, returning in the same direction. The zone. Only birds nesting in the Ulcinj salina are, to some importance of flooding for Dalmatian Pelicans frequenting extent, protected against disturbance by unregulated the river corridor is unknown. Two records during the floods tourism, etc. Conservation problems in the salina, however, in November 2003, when most of the floodplains along the arise from inadequate management of water level (e.g. until river were flooded, show that pelicans may search for fish June 20th, 2003 G. pratincola had no breeding success due more regularly in shallow flooded areas. On November 11th, to high water levels). For conservation concepts for the 2003, 6 pelicans descended on an inundated pasture at shoreline and in the river’s furcation zone, see section 5.2.5. Lake Sasko, while on November 4th 11 pelicans were seen In cooperation with the Solana Ulcinj (»Solana Bajo Sekulic, leaving the Ulcinj salina (Figure 5) and descending steeply Ulcinj«) a management plan for the salina is actually under into the inundated Fraskanjelsko polje. During floods, fish consideration. migrate inland and the pelicans follow. In the second half of January 2004 no pelicans were seen in the Bojana-Buna Delta. However, during the same period, 14 pelicans were 5.2.4 Species of global conservation concern present at Lake Skadar (V. F. Vasic, pers. comm.).

According to BirdLife International (2000), 4 species of global conservation concern (SPEC 1) were recorded in the Rapid Assessment of the Ecological Value of the Bojana – Buna Delta (Albania/Montenegro)

Table 9: Observations of Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus in the Bojana- Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Buna Delta

Statistics: Nobs = 3, Nind = 3, Nbp= 0, 34 date place habitat number behaviour Pop. min-max = 2 – 3 ind 24 Apr 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 5 ind flying communal Status: BL – winter visitor, passage migrant roosting 25 Apr 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 2 ind flying over Greater Spotted Eagles (at least two individuals) were seen downstream three times between November 4th, 2003, and January 25th, 14 Jun 2003 Bax-Rrjolli sea 11 ind circling 2004, in the inundated pastures of Kneta Darze (Figure 7), in 1 Nov 2003 Lake Sasko lake 6 ind feeding Velipoja Reserve and the Ulcinj salina (Map 4.4). Two birds 4 Nov 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 56 (9 1y, feeding were also recorded on January 30th, 2004, at Lake Skadar 47 ad) 4 Nov 2003 Fraskanjelsko pastures 11 ind* landing (V. F. Vasic, pers. comm.). The wintering population in the polje river corridor and at Lake Skadar is thus estimated at 4-8 13 Nov 2003 Ulcinj salina salina 21 (4 1y, resting individuals. In 1993, 7 birds were recorded in wetlands along 17 ad) the Albanian coast (Hagemeijer 1994). * birds were part of the group of 56 individuals at Ulcinj salina Threat status and conservation concept: The heavy Threat status and conservation concept: The most persecution of raptors, exploitation of wintering waterfowl obvious problems for pelicans are excessive disturbance from by hunting and large-scale destruction of wetlands on the hunting activities. No undisturbed areas are available for the Balkan Peninsula are probably the most important factors to species in the whole area! The Ulcinj salina provide some be considered in conserving the species. protection due to the size of the pans, where pelicans have 2-4 km for escape. Implementation of hunting regulations is Otis tarda urgently needed.

Statistics: Nobs = 1, Nind = 5, Nbp= 0, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Pop. min-max = 0 – 5 ind Status: BL – vagrant

Statistics: Nobs = 7, Nind = 18, Nbp= 6, Pop. min-max = 6 – 8 bp On March 15th, 2003 a male was shot, one of a group of Status: EOAC – probable breeding 5 individuals in the sand dunes of Velika plaza (Map 4.4). Apart from severe winter conditions in the breeding areas, The species breeds, with at least 6 bp, on the Albanian the appearance of the species on the Adriatic coast is today side of the Bojana-Buna Delta, and most probably in the unexpected. marshlands around Ulcinj salina (Mala Kneta, April 2004). In Albania the population is concentrated in Velipoja Reserve (Map 4.4). An isolated nest-site with 1-2 bp is situated in 5.2.5 Selected bird species depending on the shallow Lake Murtemes. The species prefers shallow different habitats waters with dense floating and submersed vegetation, e.g. Nyphaea alba, Nyphoides peltata, Nuphar luteum, Trapa natans, surrounded by taller stands of reed, like Typha sp. and Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes Phragmites australis (Szabo & Sandor 2003). These conditions

exist in Lake Murtemes and in one of the shallow lakes Statistics: Nobs = 13, Nind = 14, Nbp= 11, with spiral ditchgrass Ruppia cirrhosa. The presence of this Pop. min-max = 11 – 40 pairs submersed plant indicates salty or brackish environments, Status: EOAC - breeding confirmed, migratory such as those it inhabits in the Bojana-Buna Delta. Core nesting areas of Levant Sparrowhawk correspond with Ferruginous Duck populations of the southern and the distribution of floodplain forests or their fragments on the western Balkans have largely decreased by wetland drainage Montenegrin side of the Bojana-Buna delta (Map 4.6). Linear and hunting (Schneider-Jacoby 2003). The population in densities along transects varied between 0.6 – 1.2 ind/10ha in Velipoja Reserve and Lake Murtemes is currently the only Montenegro and up to 0.3 ind/10 ha on the Albanian side of known nesting site in Albania (Taulant Bino, pers. comm.). the river (Velipoja Reserve). In the whole forest area covered In neighbouring Macedonia, where Ferruginous Duck was by transect counting (10 transects), the species was present originally a frequent breeder (Makatsch 1950), the species in 6 and absent in 4 transects. Two nests were found, one in has also declined; the only known population, of 10 bp, Velipoja Reserve on hybrid poplar and the other in Donji Stoj inhabits the pond complex of Pelagonia (Stumberger & on Querqus sp. trees. It is possible that the species also breeds Velevski 2002). in deciduous forests along the edge of the floodplain areas (e.g. Klezna). In the floodplains near Ulcinj we also saw Levant Threat status and conservation concept: Strict Sparrowhawks on transects in meadows with some solitary prohibition of hunting will probably enable Ferruginous trees and hedges (breeding site?). During more than half Duck to increase to the international criterion of 20 bp in our observations Levant Sparrowhawks performed territory Velipoja Reserve, and the reserve to reach the status of a site marking by circling, or showed courtship behaviour. Hunting of global conservation concern. habitats were found to include scrub and marshlands. Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

Breeding of Levant Sparrowhawk is almost completely curlew nesting in the salina. All habitat types used by Stone- confined to Europe (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). According to curlews for breeding or feeding are grazed by sheep, goats, BirdLife International (2000), Greece holds 1000-1200 bp, the cattle, horses and donkeys. There is an inverse relationship rest of the Balkans just 41-190 bp. With an estimated 11-40 between breeding density and grazing intensity (Table 10). 35 bp, the Bojana-Buna Delta reaches or even surpasses IBA/SPA In the salina, Stone-Curlews breed on the basins’ levees criteria. Furthermore, random observation of the species, with medium intensity grazing (limited linearly structured on June 10th 2003, in the floodplain area on the northern habitat). The coverage of ground vegetation in nesting edge of Lake Skadar indicates a larger local population in an territories of Bojana-Buna population ranges from 25 to 75% area that also includes the Lake Skadar basin. Together with (median 50%). Further suitable nesting areas for the species, the very small, recent population in the Konaveljsko polje, which were incompletely surveyed, may exist in the furcation Croatia (Stumberger 2005), the Bojana-Buna and Skadar Lake zone of the Drinisa river upstream from Shkodra town and basin comprise the most north-western limit for breeding of in the extensive pastures of Gjo-Lulit. The absence of Stone this species. Curlews during late autumn and mid-winter indicates that the local population leaves the area outside the breeding Threat status and conservation concept: The population season. is threatened by the felling of floodplain forests and their remaining fragments, by urbanisation, expansion of Population estimates for the Balkan Peninsula are weekend cottages and hunting. Just two pairs are recorded incomplete (e.g. Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). The numbers on the largely deforested Albanian side of the corridor. The for the Balkans are estimated at 1,000 pairs, with negative species requires protection and management of its nesting trends (BirdLife International 2000). The sparse field data habitats throughout the floodplain forests, as well as strict suggest that the situation is even worse: in Bulgaria, prohibition of hunting during the breeding season. The numbers decreased from a few thousand to no more than dense population at the northern edge of its breeding range 150-200 pairs (Uhlig & Baumgart 1995). Recently in Pelagonia has most probably survived due to the former Iron Curtain. (Macedonia), in an area of ca. 1,100 km2, just 7 pairs could be For effective protection, basic research on its breeding found in an area of some 30-40 km2 of short-grass pastures biology and ecology (both poorly understood) is needed. (Stumberger 2002a). The numbers within the Bojana-Buna Delta – 37-50 bp – are thus high, with exceptionally high Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus densities of up to 6.2 bp/km2 in primary habitats. According to Hagemeijer & Blair (1997), breeding densities generally 2 Statistics: Nobs = 74, Nind = 121, Nbp= 39, vary between 1.5 and 3 bp/1km . Pop. min.-max = 39 – 50 pairs Status: EOAC - breeding confirmed, migratory Threat status and conservation concept: the nucleus of the population along the first sand-dune belt is threatened 75.6% of the breeding population in the area inhabit by uncontrolled recreation and tourism (camping, picnics, primary habitats (sand-dunes and river islands) and 24.4% parking, promenading) and illegal road construction (habitat anthropogenic habitats (salina, pastures, sand pits). The fragmentation). These activities presumably restrict numbers highest breeding densities were found in the first sand- and breeding success (viz. the reduction of the number of dune belt behind the coast line, which harbours more than pairs on Velika Plaza between April and June 2003 from 12 to half the total breeding population in the Bojana-Buna Delta 6). Breeding birds on islands and river banks are affected in (Table 10, Map 4.3). the same way by recreation activities; local people also visit Stone curlew nesting on sand-dunes of the barrier island these areas. In the Ulcinj salina, habitat quality is affected Velika Plaza feed at night in pastures in Spatula. The pastures by reduced grazing (Figure 6), resulting in overgrowing of around the Ulcinj salinas are used for feeding by Stone levees. Stone-curlews are further endangered by changing grazing practices – increasingly, pastures in Montenegro are Table 10: Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus population in the Bojana- fenced in. Buna Delta A clear line needs to be drawn between the beaches place biotope size pairs density grazing and sand-dunes used for recreational purposes and those (ha) (bp / 1 km2) * dedicated to conservation. The latter must be excluded Montenegro from any touristic activities, and access by the common Velika plaza sand-dunes 191 12 6,2 + public should be prohibited till 1st August. The separation of Ulcinj salina salina 1449 9 0,6 ++ beaches from sand-dune nesting areas could be implemented Ada sand-dunes 49 3 6,1 + simply by fencing off, warning tables and regular control by Spatula dry pastures 83 2 2,4 ++ rangers. In the Ulcinj salina a system of levee management Stoj dry pastures 166 2 1,2 +++ by grazing and the restoration of damaged dams should be Spatula sand pit 9 1 - + implemented. At all breeding sites extensive grazing should Albania be retained or introduced with local old breeds. Derragjati river islands 110 4 1,8 + Plazhi i Velipojes sand-dunes 101 4 3,9 + Plazhi i Bax-Rrjolli sand-dunes 124 2 1,6 + Velipoja Reserve sand-dunes 2 1 - + * grazing intensity: + = low, ++ = medium (ca 2 cattle/ha), +++ = high

Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla the eastern Adriatic, the species appears to be restricted to coastal Albania and the large river deltas in Dalmatia, where

Statistics: Nobs = 56, Nind = 79, Nbp = 55, a small population was (re)discovered in the lower Neretva Pop. max.-min. = 55 – 70 pairs (callers) river valley in 2001 (Sackl et al. 2003). Excluding Romania, 37 Status: EOAC – probable breeding, migratory which harbours 100 – 1000 bp in the Danube river delta, fragmented breeding populations in the lowlands of the We mapped calling birds (males!?) at nighttime (20:00 Balkan Peninsula and coastal Albania are estimated at 65 – 23:30 CET), with the help of taped playbacks, covering the – 210 bp (BirdLife International 2000). With the population in marshlands behind the first sand-dune belt in Montenegro Montenegro estimated at 55 – 70 bp in 2003, and densities in late April. Correcting for possible double-counts between close to or exceeding abundances reported for the western April 26th and 27th, 51 birds/181 ha (28.2 callers/km2) were Mediterranean, tropical Africa and Australia (Marchant & found, with the densest concentration of 21 callers/20 ha Higgins 1993, SEO/BirdLife 1997, Taylor & van Perlo 1998), (105,0 callers/km2) in Spatula (Table 11). During later surveys the Bojana – Buna Delta harbours an important proportion of in early May, only 4 birds were heard, and no callers were the Balkan population. Taking into account suitable nesting found in the same area in mid-June. Like other Porzana habitats in Albania and the extraordinarily low water levels, species, Baillon’s Crakes are known to reduce their nocturnal with large sections of wetland dried out in spring 2003, our calling drastically after pair formation and egg laying; the surveys may even underestimate the potential of the area. observed seasonality of calling is thus strong evidence for However, the occurrence of the species in the Albanian part nesting in the area (e.g. Sackl et al. 2003). of the Bojana-Buna Delta should be investigated.

Table 11: Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla population in the Bojana-Buna Threat status and conservation concept: Depending on Delta in Montenegro undisturbed marshlands with seasonally fluctuating water levels, the population along Velika Plaza is threatened place biotope Method size calling density by drainage and reclamation of wetlands for tourism, (ha) males (M / km2) urbanization and road building. For example, the new Ada softwood* transect (day) 16 1 6,3 Copacabana road built in May 2003 and existing roads Spatula marsh mapping (night) 20 21 105,0 probably affect water level and salinity by segmenting the Velika plaza W marsh mapping (night) 18 8 44,4 formerly continuous wetland depression along Velika Plaza. Velika plaza E marsh mapping (night) 143 22 15,4 In the same way, drainage of adjoining land for agriculture, Velika plaza E marsh mapping (night) 143 16 11,2 intensification of agricultural practices and new settlements Kodra-Stoj softwood* transect (day) 14 3 21,4 have the potential to harm wetlands by changing water Total (pop. min-max) 211 55-70 26,1-33,2 levels, and by introducing sewage from housing estates and * with marsh patches or very close to extensive marsh area spilling fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural land. Thus, besides formal protection of all wetlands inhabited by the In late April and early May, calling sites were restricted species, the effects of further developments on the level to flooded, dense vegetation dominated by Phragmites and quality of water and effects of uncontrolled grazing of australis, Typha angustifolia, Cladium mariscus, Juncus wetlands should be considered carefully. acutus and Schoenus nigricans, with water levels fluctuating between 7 and 20 cm and some isolated, 45 cm deep, pools European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus of water. In contrast to the flat terrain of the inter-dune pans behind Velika Plaza, the marshes in Spatula are interspersed Statistics: Nobs = 112, Nind = 119, Nbp= 111, among higher sand-dunes, intermingled with pans of deeper Pop. min.-max = 111 – 500 pairs water and fragmented stands of young forest. In addition, Status: EOAC - breeding confirmed, migratory scattered callers were found, during daytime transects, in The highest densities of European Nightjar – up to 12.5 seasonally flooded marshlands within the riverine forests of bp/km2 – are in the psammo-halophilous vegetation of the Ada (1 bird) and Kodra-Stoj close to the Ulcinj salina (3 birds). second belt of sand-dunes (Table 12). The delta’s sand-dunes With no records in the freshwater marshes further inland constitute one of the centres of the species’ population in and on Lake Sasko, the species appears to be concentrated the Bojana-Buna Delta. The breeding densities from other in the inundated depressions close to the shoreline (Figure habitats lead to an estimate of up to 500 pairs of European 4.5). Potential nesting habitats exist in Velipoja Reserve, near Nightjars breeding in the area. the Buna river mouth, Viluni Lagoon and along Plazhi i Bax- Rjolli but, like earlier visits by Vangeleuwe et al. (1996), our At least fragments of sand-dunes without vegetation surveys in Albania in mid-June were presumably too late for are present in nearly all marshes, within settlements, and finding the species by calling. in pastures (Table 12). We found singing nightjars also in alkaline marshes with some dry and slightly elevated Due to its largely secretive habits, little information is patches of sand. The coverage of the herb layer in habitats available concerning the distribution and abundance of the where singing males were recorded was between 25% and species. In particular, the western Palearctic race intermedia 100% (median 50%). Intensive stock grazing is characteristic has declined considerably since the 19th century and is now of the nightjar’s habitat. However, the species even breeds regarded as a rare, very local and ephemeral breeding bird within closed floodplain forest interspersed by sand-dunes in most of its European range (Tucker & Heath 1994, Bijlsma in Velipoja Reserve. Surprisingly the species was not found 1997, Taylor & van Perlo 1998). Along the rocky coast of on the salina levees in Ulcinj, although the area was surveyed 5

6 7

89 Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

Table 12: Breeding densities of the European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus in the Bojana-Buna Delta

halophytes place biotope Size singing males density stripe 1 stripe 2 39 (ha) (bp / 1 km2) Montenegro Velika plaza marsh 143 1 0.6 Velika plaza sand-dunes 191 5 2.6 + Bregvija pastures** 249 7 2.8 Spatula marsh* 85 3 3.5 fragments Ada sand-dunes 187 7 3.7 + Ada sand-dunes 49 2 4.0 + Spatula sand-dunes 135 17 12.5 + Albania Reserve Velipoja marsh* 527 16 3.0 Plazhi i Bax-Rrjolli sand-dunes 124 4 3.2 + Velipoja pastures* 85 3 3.5 fragments Velipoja (Bregdeti) settlements*** 185 10 5.4 fragments Plazhi i Velipojes sand-dunes 101 8 7.9 + Bax-Rrjolli sand-dunes 286 22 7.6 + * with up to 25% of sand-dunes (hills or patches) ** in Montenegro, pastures mean strips of pastures, wet meadows and alluvial forest mixed with extensive to intensive grazing, while in Albania they are small parcelled pastures, meadows and some crops with low grazing pressure *** with up to 75% of sand-dunes twice. Nightjars were also absent from areas with high noise Woodlarks do not breed in the Bojana-Buna Delta. We pollution (Velipoja discos). Habitat preferences are indicated obtained only one record in the breeding season: on April by the proportion of records/territorial males per habitat 26th, 2003, a solitary Woodlark feeding at Velika plaza. On type: 83.9% sand-dunes, 9.8% settlements, 3.5% softwood, November 3rd, 2003, migration took place across the area. In 1.7% marsh and pastures, 0.8% salina and other specific three study plots, the number of Woodlarks migrating in a SE habitats (e.g. Map 4.6). direction, many following the coast line, varied between 15 and 69 birds/h. Throughout the river Delta the species reached We estimate that 5-10% of the Montenegrin and Albanian peak numbers in winter, when it was found predominantly population (e.g. 2000 – 4000 bp for Albania; BirdLife in habitats covered with short grass grazed by domestic International 2000) breed in the area. Data on breeding animals (Table 13, Map 4.6). Group size fluctuated greatly (> densities in Central Europe and the northern Mediterranean 30 ind.). In autumn the largest flocks recorded numbered 40 karst vary between 1 and 1,5 bp/km2 (Hagemeijer & Blair individuals (median 5), while in winter (median flock size 40 1997, Polak 2000), while in the Bojana-Buna delta we found ind.) the largest flocks contained up to 500 birds. considerably higher breeding densities. Table 13: Woodlark Lullula arborea densities in transects (autumn and Threat status and conservation concept: threats are winter 2003/04) similar to those discussed for Stone-curlew, except that the European Nightjar is further threatened by sand digging place biotope size (ha) density grazing* (especially in Montenegro), the expansion of built-up areas (ind/10 ha) (particularly in Albania), and the wild recreational sand- autumn racing on psammo-halophytes. In areas with high noise Ulcinjsko polje (MN) meadows 10 11.0 +++ pollution, the species was totally absent. The conservation Ulcinjsko polje (MN) hedgerows 9 3.3 ++ concept for the coastal sand-dune breeders is identical to Velipoja (AL) arable land 17 6.4 + that for the Stone-curlew, while for breeders in floodplain Gornji Stoj (MN) pastures 15 1.3 +++ forests extensive grazing, providing an abundant herb layer, Velipoja (AL) small scale 10 8.9 +++ is probably essential. winter Velipoja (AL) channel 8 88.7 +++ Woodlark Lullula arborea Velipoja (AL) small scale 10 54.0 +++ Velipoja (AL) arable land 17 41.7 + Gjo Lulit (AL) meadows 13 50.0 +++ Statistics: Nobs = 33, Nind = 2169, Mid-winter pop. min-max = 1,732 – 20,000 ind Gornji Stoj (MN) pasture 15 58.0 +++ Status: EOAC – winter visitor, passage migrant Ulcinjsko polje (MN) hedgerows 9 17.8 ++ * grazing intensity: + = low, ++ = medium (ca 2 cattle/1 hectare), +++ = high

Figure 5: Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: P. Sackl) In January, the highest densities were found in the pastures Figure 6: Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: P. Sackl) of Gjo-Lulit. We estimate the winter population in this area Figure 7: Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Kneta Darze (Photo: P. Sackl) of about 20 km2, which is grazed by 10,000 sheep, to be ca. Figure 8: Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: B. 10,000 birds. The whole wintering population for our study Stumberger) area we conservatively estimate to be 15,000-20,000 birds Figure 9: Common Tern Sterna hirundo, Solana Ulcinj (Photo: P. Sackl) (January 2004).

Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

species autumn 2003 mid-winter 2004 No data are presently available on population numbers Solana BB Solana BB Lake of Woodlarks in winter for western parts of the Balkan Ulcinj Delta Ulcinj Delta Skadar Peninsula. Our data indicate that the Bojana-Buna Delta is G. stellata - 40 - 14 - an important wintering area in the Eastern Mediterranean G. arctica - 24 - 45 1 41 which may hold, according to published data, about 1% T. ruficollis - 9 2 45 1,534 P. cristatus - 43 1 86 1,351 of the species’ European population. Important wintering P. grisegena -8 -3 - grounds for the species are known to exist along the Atlantic P. auritus -2 - - coast in SW France and Spain (Hagemeijer & Blair 1997). P. nigricollis 68 69 - 21 317 P. carbo* 94 627 37 1,150 4,320 Threat status and conservation concept: Wintering P. pygmeus 99 169 2 2 1,874 populations are threatened by abandonment of grazing, P. crispus* 56 56 - 14 which has already started on the Montenegrin side of E. garzetta* 283 384 58 83 3 E. alba* 74 116 67 135 88 the river corridor. At present the species is particularly A. cinerea 171 198 62 89 233 endangered by hunting. According to statements of local P. falcinellus 22 - - - hunters up to 300 passerines are shot in a single morning P. leucorodia 33 - - - from hides with the help of taped playbacks. C. olor -- -7- A. anser -- -5- T. tadorna 12 12 4 4 - 5.2.6 International Waterfowl Counts (IWC) A. penelope 60 90 440 612 227 A. strepera -1 -2156 A. crecca - 21 - 152 200 The results of the International Waterfowl Census (IWC) A. platyrhynchos 1 21 - 98 8,802 have enabled us to monitor waterfowl and wader populations A. acuta 435 530 575 581 - (Rose & Scott 1997). On the basis of quantitative data it is A. clypeata - 16 13 156 - possible to estimate large-scale population numbers of N. rufina -1 -- - many species of waterbirds and to evaluate the importance A. ferina - 124 - 341 23,920 of different wetland areas for migration and wintering on A. nyroca -3 - a national and international scale. According to Ramsar A. fuligula - 2 - 12 947 S. mollissima -- -9- Convention criteria, wetland areas are of international M. fusca -- -4- importance, regularly supporting 20,000 waterbirds or B. clangula - - - 14 3,001 1% of the world population of any waterbird species or M. albellus -- - 25 subspecies. M. serrator -5 -11 R. aquaticus 9 13 4 18 10 The Bojana-Buna Delta appears to be an important G. chloropus 3 11 1 14 301 connection between wetland areas along the coast of the F. atra - 1,962 - 1,876 57,100 R. avosetta 610- - - Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar, the largest inland lake on the C. dubius 89 - - - Balkan Peninsula. The Bojana-Buna/Lake Skadar wetland C. alexandrinus* 181 194 100 113 - complex annually supports up to 224,000 migrating or P. apricaria -- -14- wintering waterbirds (e.g. Vasic et al. 1992). But species and P. squatarola 212 212 233 236 - population numbers differ greatly between Lake Skadar and V. vanellus 53 - 426 1,325 8 the river corridor (see Table 14). During winter most divers C. canutus 66 - - - (Gaviidae), Egretta garzetta, Anas acuta, Anas clypeata, sea C. minuta 950 950 113 119 - C. alpina 7,555 7,573 7,027 7,052 - ducks, 18 species of waders and Sterna sandvincensis are P. pugnax -- 399- mainly or exclusively found in coastal wetlands or in the G. gallinago 65 71 1,108 1,148 352 estuary of the Bojana-Buna river. S. rusticola -- -11- N. arquata 8 8 18 20 - In November 2003 and January 2004 waterfowl and T. erythropus* 1,471 1,472 95 95 - waders were counted on both sides of the Bojana-Buna T. totanus 1,211 1,213 1,304 1,309 - river. We visited also some smaller wetland areas that had T. stagnatilis 33 - - - T. nebularia 28 28 7 8 - not previously been covered by IWC. 18,000 to 19,000 T. ochropus 12 13 10 15 - waterbirds and waders of 59 species were counted on L. melanocephalus 57 -2 - both dates. 6 species reach the 1% criterion of the Ramsar L. minutus -- -63- Convention 3c (compare Table 14). The majority of divers, L. ridibundus 1,020 1,860 578 1,650 7,247 cormorants and ducks were found in the river delta and its L. canus -1 -512 prodelta, whereas large numbers of waders use the Ulcinj L. cachinnans 45 135 62 256 654 salina during migration and winter (Map 4.7). S. sandvicensis - 163 - 23 - A. atthis 34 62 4 2 - Total 14,243 18,552 12,354 19,147 112,698 Table 14: Results of the IWC in the Bojana-Buna Delta: Solana Ulcinj * 1 % (regional) population level (separate column) and total for Bojana-Buna Delta (including Solana) in ** data: Midwinter Waterfowl Count (IWC) Vojislav Vasic (S-M) and Taulant Bino (AL) via Euronatur autumn 2003 and January 2004 (mid-winter count) in comparison to Lake Skadar IWC total in January 2004.

Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006

5.2.7 Breeding species of conservation concern Table 15: Number of breeding species of European conservation concern on the European scale (SPEC 1-4) SPEC 1 – 4* per main habitat type (landscape insert): 1 = prodelta and marsh, 2 = sand-dunes and pastures, 3 = meadows and hedgerows, 4 = salinas, 5 = marshes, 6 = lake, 7 = river, 8 = pastures, 9 = small-scale 43 Bird species of conservation concern in Europe have been agricultural land (interspersed with small pastures), 11 = fishponds, 12 = identified by Tucker and Heath (1994). In the Bojana-Buna small-scale agricultural land, 13 = lagoons and marsh, 14 = sand-dunes, 15 Delta, 67 breeding species (= 59% of all species breeding in = alluvial forests the area) belong to one of 4 SPEC categories: 1 species – SPEC 1, 11 species – SPEC 2, 33 species – SPEC 3, and 24 species – landscape insert SPEC 4. While Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca is listed under 123456789101112131415 SPEC 1, Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes, European SPEC 1 100000000100000 Nightjar Camprimulgus europaeus, European Roller Coracias SPEC 2 746534112215355 garrulus, Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala, SPEC 3 18 13 11 10 6 10 11 5 56376127 Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor, Wood Chat Shrike Lanius SPEC 4 14 14 13 6 12 9 10 2 2328249 senator, Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica, Scops * SPEC 1 – species of global conservation concern SPEC 2 – species concentrated in Europe with unfavourable conservation status in Owl Otus scops, Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Europe Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia and Common SPEC 3 – species not concentrated in Europe with unfavourable conservation status Redshank Tringa totanus are classified under SPEC 2 (see in Europe SPEC 4 – species concentrated in Europe with favourable conservation status in Appendix 10.8). Europe

Most areas (landscape inserts) that should be included into the core protection zone, such as Lake Sasko, Velika plaza, 5.2.8 Hunting impact on birds Plazhi i Bax – Rrjolli, the riverine forests along the lower Bojana-

Buna, Ada and Velipoja Reserve, harbour 5-7 SPEC 2-species. Statistics: Nobs =190 (Nshooting = 43, Ngun = 60,

With only 3-4 SPEC 2 species per area, due to overhunting Ncartridge= 21, N hide = 66), and fishing, most marshlands in Montenegro (Knetas) and Pop. estimate hunter = 450 (MN) Velipoja Lagoon in Albania have lost their significance for and 600-1500 (AL) many waterbird and wader species. In the wake of large- Status: year-round hunting activities by local scale drainage and deforestation during the communist era, and foreign hunters the northern part, in particular, of the Bojana-Buna Delta in Albania at present harbours only 1-2 SPEC 2 species. With some 2,000 local hunters and hunting tourism (mainly But in remnants of the formerly more extensive wetlands, Italians), hunting makes an important impact on the bird scattered records of Aythya nyroca, Circus aeruginosus, Ardea faunas of the Bojana-Buna Delta (375 km2). Apart from Wild purpurea and other rare species were still noted during the Boar Sus scrofa, there is very little big game hunting, but all breeding season. The most important areas, according to species of birds constitute an important quarry for hunters. the occurrence of SPEC species, are shown in Map 4.5 and Official closing times and/or non-hunting reserves are not Table 15. accepted. Hunting is practiced at any time, in any place, by almost anybody; even children and shepherds have been

Table 16: Hunting impact in the Bojana-Buna Delta. Filled circles indicate proportion of the total number of hunters per habitat type: 10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40%, 40-60 %, 60-80% and 80-100 %, + proportions below 10 %, – hunter was not registered. (Sh – shore, Sd – sand-dunes, M– marsh, L – lagoon, Sa – salinas, La – Lake, R – river, So – softwood, Pa – pastures, Ma – meadows, A – arable land and small scale agriculture). Nobs = 190. behaviour Sh Sd* M* L Sa La R So* Pa* M A* Se Montenegro Gun -+ - --+---- shooting -+ - --+ --- cartridge - - --- +- - Hunting hide +------Albania Gun --+------shooting + - -+- -+- cartridge ------Hunting hide ------Country

Montenegro - --+++-- Albania ++ + - +++ - + Total + + +++++ + * habitat type is grazed by stock Rapid Assessment of the Ecological Value of the Bojana – Buna Delta (Albania/Montenegro)

44 Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006 seen carrying guns for shooting birds. Apparently, all wild individuals. (M. Zenka, pers. comm.). However, regarding birds and other animals are hunted, with the peak-shooting habitat availability, Jackal numbers seem to be largely season during the spring migration of birds between January overestimated by hunters. According to our data the species and April. We found obviously shot birds of many species, appears to be concentrated in two areas, Velipoja and Ada 45 like Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Ardea cinerea, Buteo buteo, Fulica Reserve, where hunting is officially banned. These are most atra, Tringa totanus, Haematopus ostralegus, Larus ridibundus probably the core areas for the species in the southern and Pica pica. Bojana-Buna Delta (Map 4.1).

In the Ulcinj salina, linear densities of used cartridges Threat status and conservation concept: Jackals need varied between 30 and 150 cartridges/100 m of levees, while more non-hunting areas in the floodplain forests and marshes along local roads we found an average of 86.6 cartridges/ along the river. Further fragmentation of floodplain forests 100 m. Point densities reach up to 71 used cartridges/stand by weekend cottages or other uncontrolled developments and 868/hunting hide, the highest on Velika plaza. Hunting could rapidly reduce the current population nucleus. Hunting impact per habitat type is shown in Table 16. Apart from hill pressure on the species is clearly extensive: a management country adjoining the river corridor on the Montenegrin side, plan should be implemented and acceptance of the species hunting is centred in wetlands and coastal sand-dunes, while by hunters enhanced. on the Albanian side local people were also seen hunting in pastures in autumn and winter. In wetlands, predominantly Brown Bear Ursus arctos waterbirds and waders are shot, while in coastal sand-dunes and pastures mainly passerines (e.g. larks) and shorebirds Statistics: Nobs = 3, Nind = 4, Nterritories= 1, are hunted. Most bird shooting takes place during migration Pop. min.- max = 2 – ? ind and winter. In addition to other forms, night hunting with the aid of taped playbacks is practiced by local people and On June 12th and 14th 2004, tracks of an adult, a young foreign hunters. bear and, parallel to them, of an adult and its young were found in the sand-dunes south of Bax-Rjolli (Map 4.1). In Hunting by local people and hunting tourism increased November 2003 and January 2004 the area was largely after the Balkan Wars, resulting in the whole area being inundated and no tracks of bears were found (hibernation?). heavily overhunted (Map 4.8). The impact on bird populations Behind the Bax Rrjolli beach, there is an area of some 50 is disastrous, with many populations of migrants using km2 unpopulated by people. Semi-feral asses, horses, freely the Adriatic flyway largely shot out (e.g. Aythya nyroca, grazing sheep, goats and cattle, all of indigenous old breeds Numenius tenuirostris, Ciconia ciconia, Gelochelidon nilotica (Busha cattle, Karakatchan sheep), as well as rubbish along (?) – compare with Reiser & Führer (1896). A management the coast line, offer feeding opportunities for Brown Bears in plan and hunting scheme are needed for the area; the the area’s marshes and sand-dunes. coastal line, with the sand dunes and key wetlands, must be a no hunting zone. Hunting standards and existing spatial Threat status and conservation concept: It is currently not prohibitions of hunting also have to be enforced. clear whether bears frequent the area, and a more thorough investigation is needed. However, the proposed protection 5.2.9 Mammals area should enclose the mountainous hinterland as well. It is unique for the Mediterranean to have the Brown Bear on Although the investigation was not focused on mammals, the coast. we recorded 11 species. For 3 species we are able to make rough estimates of population densities in the Bojana-Buna Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Delta.

Statistics: Nobs = 9, Nind = 23, Ngroups= 2-3, Golden Jackal Canis aureus Pop. min.- max = 10 – 15 (20) ind

Statistics: Nobs = 13, Nind = 40, Nfamilies= 10, We saw the species on 5 occasions in the river, 3 times in Pop. min.- max = 30 – 60 ind the prodelta and only once at sea. The largest groups were 5 92.3% of all observations of the species show that the and 6 individuals (median 2). In mid-July 2003, a dead young distribution of Jackals is concentrated in the forests and was found near the island of Franz-Joseph (Arben Gjuraj, the marshes of the riverine floodplains. The most densely mayor of Dajci, pers. comm.). Under field conditions, young inhabited area is Ada, where three howling groups were females of the species are known to give birth regularly to heard regularly in summer 2003. In the intensively visited stillborn babies (Hussenot & Robineau 1994). It is estimated southern Bojana-Buna area there are obviously large areas that, during the majority of our observations, the dolphins without jackals; for the area north of Lake Sasko in particular were feeding. On July 7th, 2003, a playful group was present the occurrence of Jackals could not be confirmed. Excluding in the Bojana-Buna near the island of Paratuk. During spring an observation of a “solitary” female with obviously active and summer dolphins were regularly seen 17 km upstream mammary glands on Ada, our estimate is based on records the Bojana-Buna River, right up to Lake Sasko, some of them of at least 39 howling individuals. even 35 km upstream in Derragjati (Map 4.1). In autumn and winter no dolphins were recorded in the river, possibly due The local hunting association in Ulcinj estimates the to muddy waters, but they were present in the prodelta. population for the Montenegrin part of the area to 1,000 Bottlenose Dolphins prefer coastal waters and river deltas, Rapid Assessment of the Ecological Value of the Bojana – Buna Delta (Albania/Montenegro)

46 Schneider-Jacoby et al. 2006 which offer rich fish prey (s. Hussenot & Robineau 1994). During summer the Bojana-Buna delta appears to be important for giving birth and rearing young for the local group. 47

Threat status and conservation concept: After the fall of the Iron Curtain the Bojana-Buna delta was heavily overfished with nets and dynamite fishing, with negative effects on fish stocks. Similar effects hold true for increasing traffic (speedboats!) on the river. Fishermen have adopted a neutral position or are even well disposed towards dolphins. The species will benefit from strict legal and operative protection of the Bojana-Buna river (right up to Lake Sasko) and its prodelta. Here the left fork of the river is most important for the species.