MITIGATE ELECTROCUTION AND COLLISION ALONG MIGRATION CORRIDORS AND RECOVERY WHITE STORK POPULATION IN ALBANIA

Along the last 20 years the electricity transmitting network of Albania has been immensely increased, including the construction of numerous new transmitting powerlines and energy producing facilities. Prior to the construction of these power lines, unfortunately, it has not been carried out an evaluation on the possible impacts that this infrastructure could have on the migrating birds. As a consequence, a considerable number of power lines, lie across important migration corridors (such as in the case of Vjosa valley, Drino valley, Bistrica valley and Pavllo valley in southern Albania) and no measures have been taken to address the problem of electrocution and collision of birds. Though the implementation of this project PPNEA aims to reduce electrocution and collision threats along Vjosa valley, known as important corridor for large water birds and raptor migration.

Meanwhile, the same areas represent the breeding sites and the most frequented areas for foraging for the White stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Albania. This species is classified as Critically Endangered on the red list of the Albanian flora and fauna and the aim of this project is to work on the recovery of the White stork (Ciconia ciconia) population in Albania through building new artificial nesting platforms and insulating the nesting pylons.

This project aims to: (i) recovery the breeding population of the White stork in Albania (through building new artificial nesting platforms and insulating the nesting pylons) and (ii) make safer from electrocution and collision, the so far known, as the main corridors for migration of raptors in Albania, through installing anti-electrocution and anti-collision infrastructure in the most dangerous spots of the migrating corridors.

Time frame: 2018 – 2021

Funding: MAVA Foundation through EuroNatur

Country: Albania

Partners: EuroNatur, AOS

Contact persons: Zydjon Vorpsi | PPNEA