The 22nd EBCC conference was a huge success

In total, 250 researchers and ornithologists from 47 countries attended. We regret that due to the war in Ukraine and the Corona pandemic, some participants could not attend the conference, especially from Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Many European migratory birds winter in Africa, which is why 20 ornithologists from Africa were also invited to the EBCC 2022 conference. The aim was to share the experience gained in Europe with colleagues from Africa in order to have a solid database on the distribution of bird species there as well, which is ultimately the basis for all nature conservation work. In connection with the conference, a workshop was also held the following weekend at the Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach together with African ornithologists. The purpose was to further develop the African Bird Atlas Project (ABAP) aiming to mobilise data from ongoing national projects across the continent to create an up-to-date database of Africa’s birds.

The programme included five plenaries, almost 80 presentations, 50 poster contributions, four workshops related to EBCC projects and a post-conference workshop for the International Waterbird Census coordinators. Besides the valuable scientific programme and establishing new cooperations, the participants also enjoyed field excursions. The destinations ranged from the Fanel and Chablais de Cudrefin on Lake Neuchâtel, the plain of Wauwil and the Swiss Ornithological Institute with its visitor centre and library to pre-Alpine areas such as the Schrattenfluh massif and the Glaubenbergpass. An excursion to Lucerne’s local mountain Pilatus was also planned. However, this excursion destination had to be changed due to bad weather, so that the Rigi was visited.

At the conference dinner on Thursday evening, a quiz by the EBCC was on the agenda, which generated a lot of interest (and fun) among the participants.

The compilation of abstracts can be downloaded from the conference homepage. Later this year, the December issue of the journal Ornithologischer Beobachter will serve as a symposium volume and will contain contributions based on conference presentations or posters.

Many participants at EBCC conferences come from countries and organisations lacking funds for attending. Bringing the EBCC network to Switzerland as one of the most expensive countries in Europe therefore posed a special challenge. Thanks to external funding and coordination between the organisers of the project-related workshops Local Organising Committee and the EBCC managed to cover the costs for many participants and enable project coordinators to attend. The aim of bringing together participants was achieved.

We owe the Swiss Ornithological Institute, and in particular the team led by Peter Knauss, an immense debt of gratitude for all their hard work in organising such a superb event.

Thank you all for joining us in Lucerne, and see you in 2025 in Riga, Latvia!

Read the participants´ reflections of the conference and visit the conference photo gallery below. You also may visist Twitter @ebcc2022