TIRANA, January 28 /ATA/ There have been identified at least 5 common cranes (Grus grus) that for the first time have spent the winter in Albania. They have been observed in Bulo reservoir, Gjirokastra.
During this year’s waterfowl census, the team consisting of Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania PPNEA, the “Albanian Birds” Center and National Agency of Protected Areas Gjirokastra registered for the first time in Albania the presence of common crane during the winter period.
This census represents a unique survey to date, given that in our country this species is encountered only during the migration period, in relatively large herds and mainly in the central and northern coastal area of Albania, based on reports in recent years.
The common crane is a large bird, with a body up to 120 cm long and a wingspan of up to 222 cm. Most of the common crane population is migratory nesting in an area from Northern Europe to Central China and in the Far East of Russia; also in Turkey, Caucasus, Armenia. Popular winter destinations of this type are France, Iberian Peninsula, Northwest and Northeast Africa, Middle East, Pakistan, India, South and East China.
PPNEA announced that this is not the first case with surprises or rare observations during the waterfowl census. It is worth mentioning the observation of a stork individual in Bulo, the registration as wintering of the big turkey in Vjosa-Narta, the purple heron in the lagoon of Orikum, etc. /r.e/p.s./
