A very recent update from Srebarna Dalmatian Pelican colony

In 2011, a third two-metre high wooden pile breeding platform was erected in the Srebarna Biosphere Reserve in Bulgaria designed to attract new pairs of Dalmatian Pelicans and allow nests to be built above flood water levels.

On October 15, 2011 during a field survey, observers from Branta-Tours made an exciting observation of a group of Dalmatian Pelicans (mainly first and second winter birds) fishing just a few meters from the artificial platforms, which had been built to protect the Pelican nests from predators and flood water levels.

The construction of the three platforms is made in the frame of the Srebarna Dalmatian Pelican Conservation Project, carried out by Le Balkan Foundation with the financial support of Swarovski Optik and the technical assistance of Branta-Tours Birdwatching Company.

The year 2012 will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the successful long term partnership between Le Balkan, Swarovski Optik and Branta-Tours. Further details of the celebrations will follow in due course.

Pavel Simeonov

Project-manager of the Srebarna Dalmatian Pelican Project &

Co-leader of the Red-breasted Goose Bulgaria-U.S. project initiative