For the ninth consecutive year, on the weekend of 13 and 14 January 2018, MES employees and volunteers conducted bird counting on Macedonia’s three natural lakes, also including adjacent water reservoirs and wetlands. Despite the biting cold, the teams’ weather-defying spirit and enthusiasm made an enjoyable endeavour out of the International Waterfowl Census (IWC) in Macedonia, resulting in a total count of as much as 11,000 birds on Ohrid Lake and Prespa Lake, and 5,500 birds on Dojran Lake.
The International Waterfowl Census is the largest volunteer waterbird count with a long-standing tradition ever since 1967. Led by the Wetlands International and in cooperation with numerous local organisations, this event has become the much needed source of information pivotal to creating policies on wetland management and protection.
