A Milestone for Common Bird Monitoring in Albania

The Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS) has taken an important step in bird conservation by launching the International Census Plot for Breeding Birds as part of the Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (CBMS). This initiative, implemented for the first time in Albania, aims to establish a sustainable long-term bird population monitoring framework.

During the 2024 breeding season, a team of six experts from AOS surveyed seven randomly selected 2×2 km census plots in the country. Monitoring was conducted along 1 km line transects with two visits per plot—between April 15th and May 10th, and May 15th and June 10th. The team recorded 1,064 observations representing 107 different bird species, showcasing the richness of Albania’s avian biodiversity.

Building on prior contributions to the European Breeding Birds Atlas, this study utilises standardised CBMS methodologies to track population trends of common and key bird species, which are vital indicators of ecosystem health. The data collected offers valuable insights into species distribution and habitat use, providing a strong foundation for national conservation strategies and contributing to broader European conservation initiatives.

The project highlights the importance of standardised monitoring in understanding population trends and ensuring effective conservation strategies for Albania’s birdlife, further embedding the nation into pan-European ornithological efforts.

Another Albanian NGO, PPNEA, also participates actively in the International Census Plots and will contribute to the common data set of monitoring data from the country.

Tao Bino, AOS