Reflections on the EBCC conference

Read the participants´ impressions on the 22nd EBCC conference Bird Numbers 2022 in Lucerne.

I had very mixed thoughts during the conference. On one hand, I was very happy to meet many colleagues, and have good conversations about ornithological topics (which I lack here in my country), but on the other hand, it was difficult to focus on the lectures because of the tragic events in Ukraine which were unfolding right during our stay in Luzern (I remember that exactly then were discovered the mass killings that took place in Bucha and Irpin). For this reason, I simply could not focus on important issues discussed during the conference and had a permanent feeling of guilt. Still, I am very grateful for the nice, civilized and peaceful atmosphere during the event and the welcoming attitude toward all the participants.

Still, there were important reflections that I took out with me back home: after every EBCC conference, I feel energized and ready to do more, especially knowing that there is a network of people across Europe. So this year I had the same feeling, especially after chatting with different European colleagues and finding out that they have the same challenges as we do.

It was also important for me to learn about the trends and preliminary results of the studies regarding the changes happening in bird distribution in the light of climate change. I value a lot the opportunity to be connected with first-hand information and findings of this topic.

Silvia Ursul, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

Project assistant, Mișcarea Ecologistă din Moldova (www.mem.md)

Communication and project officer, Societatea Pentru Protecția Păsărilor și a Naturii (www.sppn.md)

This conference was a very special one because of its “human dimension” Most important and valuable spirit of the conference was people. It actually surprised me how MUCH did people enjoy each other, although this appreciation was expected after two years without any conferences. We spent most of our time discussing, chatting and welcoming someone. Plenty of meetings were set and agreed with the greatest pleasure of eye contact.

The most touching was Tania Kuzmenko’s talk. Tania did not speak about outputs, she spoke about her colleagues being suddenly thrown in the middle of a war and I think her talk was really impressive and important for all of us at the conference. It was an essence of the tragedy since any of us was unable to help in a way we would wish. At the same moment, we could feel a sense of our work, which is to connect European countries with respect to their cultures and to reach a goal of sensible nature protection. This huge contrast between the war in Ukraine and the excitement present at the conference was really striking.

The third very touchy moment was Verena Keller’s talk. There has been already told very much about EBBA2, but Verena’s talk was about the community, which created this book. She stressed the importance of cooperation within the whole of Europe from Portugal to European Russia, which now seems like a dream since all the Russian colleagues are every day more and more locked against the world. I hope the next conference will be held in the air of joy of freedom and no fear of any of the participants.

Eva Šilarová, PECBMS interantional coordinator

Czech Society for Ornithology, Prague, Czechia

• It was great to see people face to face after such a long period when only online contacts were possible.
• Several presentations showed that improved population estimates are possible often the data is available, proper techniques need to be used then.
• Technical advances in PECBMS are promising and should enhance further use of monitoring data.
• Personal meetings with national delegates or coordinators of monitoring schemes were extremely helpful in planning new monitoring schemes and filling the gaps in Europe.
• The absolutely perfect and smooth organisation of the conference by SOI incl. support to participants deserves special acknowledgement.
• A lot of enthusiasm for the idea of a live atlas.
• Shame that colleagues from eastern Europe couldn’t attend and happiness that Tatiana Kuzmenko from Ukraine managed to attend.

Petr Voříšek, PECBMS senior advisor and EBCC office manager

EBCC, Czech Society for Ornithology, Prague, Czechia

I think every lesson learned during this conference is valuable because we had an opportunity to hear a lot about some exciting methodologies used during research, problems that might occur during the research of specific species, and new findings regarding different topics. Although this aspect is essential, one thing that mattered to me is the connection with other people. As this was my first time at the conference, I had an opportunity to meet many great people, to exchange some concerns regarding bird research and conservation issues that we are facing at the moment in my country, and I am really grateful for that.

Jovana Drobnjak,  Center for Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro, BirdLife Montenegro

It was nice (and a bit surprising) for me that many young people (PhD students, postdocs) attended the conference, which was not always the case at EBCC conferences.
Overall a very successful conference!

Jiří Reif, Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University Prague

 

It was fantastic to see you all at the conference after a long period! The conference was great – so inspiring and wonderful atmosphere. EBCC community is unique – diverse, supportive and encouraging! Such a privilege to be part of it. I Look forward to meeting you again!

Very relaxed and inspiring conference!

Aleksi Lehikoinen, Senior Curator, Monitoring Team, The Helsinki Lab of Ornithology, LUOMUS – Finnish Museum of Natural History

Research and Data Research Officer, Bird Census News editor

A brilliant EBCC conference, wonderfully well organised and with great warmth.

Richard D. Gregory, Head of Monitoring, Conservation Science RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, The Lodge, Sandy, UK & Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London

I thought the conference was excellent and well planned. One chat I did have with fellow delegates during the week was the idea of having a session based on volunteer engagement. Sharing ideas for coverage expansion and keeping volunteers engaged (and finding them in the first place!). With time for discussion too.

Sarah Harris, BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey and the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, UK

EBCC2022 was an essential conference in many aspects. Europe is going through very dark days; getting together in this central place of the continent after so many months of sitting in front of our computers was very emotional. I came back with a new motivation for our work and the feeling that it is important not only for birds and sciences but also as a means of building a diverse community of people working together and enjoying this diversity of culture, language and ways of seeing life. A perfect organisation by our Swiss colleagues was key. Also, the fact that we could finally celebrate “in real life” outstanding achievements of the past few years in EBCC’s three main projects. I am grateful to all participants and organisers for this great and memorable conference.

Jean-Yves Paquet, EBCC Communications Officer, Birdlife Belgium, Department of Studies Namur