Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media a view of flocks of birds flying over Lake Shkodra in the village of Zogaj.

Zogaj is well-known as an old fishing village and, together with Shiroka, is among the most beautiful areas of Northern Albania. This area is also known for the production of traditional carpets, a tradition that is still fanatically preserved by the local women of the area. Weaving products have become a favorite among tourists over the years.

Zogaj is well-known not only for fishing, medicinal herbs, wild nature and alpine climate, but also for traditional cuisine. Here you can find the famous carp casserole, a traditional dish of this fish, which the residents preserve with passion.

This area offers many recreational opportunities, because it has clean waters and wild nature. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

As the seasons change, millions of migratory birds are embarking on their incredible journeys across fields, seas, and mountains, crossing numerous international borders along the way.

This year’s theme, “Creating Bird-friendly Cities and Communities” has inspired global action to raise awareness of the threats birds face.

The International Waterfowl Census that took place in January of the current year produced very positive results with 13 thousand more individuals and 5 more species compared to the 2024 census.

The year-on-year increase in the number of wintering waterfowl in Albania is an indicator of more favorable conditions for their reproduction, strengthening the country’s natural ecosystems and maintaining ecological balances

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This scientific instrument was created by Mirjan Topi, who is pursuing his PhD studies in the Biology department at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the lecturer at this faculty Ferdinand Bego.

Their creation has also been published in the International Scientific Journal of the Avian science, setting a benchmark for Albanian ornithology.

Topi has almost 15 years of experience in the field of ornithology. And he is the author of the first complete guide to the birds of Albania, several other books on birds, as well as many scientific articles in the field of the study and conservation of wild birds.

Speaking to ATA, Mirjan Topi said that this is not the first trap built for this purpose, as other international authors have created similar traps in the past.

However, he explained, the trap creates great advantages in terms of work efficiency per unit of time, bird welfare during the capture and study process. It is foldable and configurable in the shape of the terrain (so it takes up a small volume and can be configured in different shapes and for different sizes of birds)”.

“Through this new instrument, every researcher can accomplish the same work as they have done with similar traps, which exist today in the international market of research equipment (and can be purchased), but now with much smaller resources, financial, human and time, minimizing the disturbance towards the birds and avoiding any accident that could harm the bird during the capture and processing process (such as placing rings, satellite trackers, taking blood samples, etc.)”, said Topi.

Topi stated that, “We named the trap “Narta”, one of the best lagoons in Albania and the entire Mediterranean, a wonderful natural environment”.

“Due to the advantages that the “Narta” trap brings, I am confident that it will be widely used in the international ornithological research environment and may become the most widely used instrument for its intended purpose”, emphasized Topi.

Topi added that, “This trap is extremely safe; it does not create any chance based on testing to damage the egg or the bird; unlike other traps that the bird can enter and exit, this trap cannot be exited without our help, that is, without being processed, without being ringed and without having a GPS fitted or without having a blood sample taken”.

Lecturer of the Faculty of Natural Science Ferdinand Bego told ATA that, “Such instruments are common in scientific work, since when working with a difficult group of birds, like sandpipers, you have to use the right tool that is friendlier and less disturbing”.

“Such studies are of extraordinary interest because the sandpiper order is closely related with wetlands or remote places that are important ecosystems for the entire planet, including our country,” said Bego. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his pride today for this scientific discovery, which, as the head of government has put it, has received international attention in the field of ornithology as a new scientific instrument created entirely in Albania.

The innovative tool is called the ‘Narta’ foldable bird trap: An innovative tool for catching adult nesting waders. And is used for the controlled capture of birds for research purposes.

Their discovery has already been published in the International Scientific Journal of the Study of Birds, setting a benchmark for Albanian ornithology.

The protected areas in Albania are notable for the diversity of the living world, while initiatives for the conservation and study of fauna have been revitalized. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

According to the agency, the bird species in the National Park “Lake Prespa” are the cormorant with 56 individuals, the coot with 33 individuals and the white mew with 13 individuals.

The International Waterbird Census is a very important activity, which was also held in Albania last year.

About 143 countries from all over the world carry out such an important study. Where different populations of waterbirds require different monitoring schemes.

The International Waterbird Census includes all types of natural and man-made wetlands, as well as all bird species found in these habitats.

The National Agency for Protected Areas, experts and volunteers from environmental organizations who regularly participate in this important moment for fauna in Albania contributed to its realization. /p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media moments from the International Waterbird Census activity.

“The National Agency of Protected Areas, but also dozens of experts, volunteers and people passionate about nature and biodiversity are on the ground to document the wetland sites”, wrote Rama.

The census is being conducted in 33 sites across the country.

About 143 countries from around the world operate this very important programme, as different waterbird populations require different monitoring schemes.

The International Waterbird Census includes all types of natural and man-made wetlands, as well as all bird species found in these habitats.

Albania has joined the International Waterbird Census since 1993, where initially this census took place in the coastal habitats and the Lake of Shkodra. At the international level, the census has started since 1967./m.m/p.s./

This kind of tourism is a good opportunity to bring people closer to birds and show them what characteristics and values each bird has.

The Administration of the Protected Areas Vlora has developed bird watching in the Narta lagoon so that to get acquainted more closely with the current situation.

“The Narta lagoon is an oasis of waterfowl, which creates habitats quite suitable for the winter period and a large number of migratory birds have begun to populate the lagoon”, emphasized the National Agency of Protected Areas.

The bird watching tourism is already turning into a real tourist movement for our country, as well.

This lagoon represents a territory with a variety of birds. These birds find there a perfect habitat for nesting or wintering. This lagoon, a key part of the eastern Adriatic migration corridor, constitutes one of the most important wetland ecosystems in Albania.

This territory supports a considerable number of birds, many of which are listed in the European bird directive. /p.s./

Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro posted today on social media photos from this forest writing that it is part of the protected areas.

“The Pheasant Forest in Maliq, a fantastic oasis of 50 hectares, part of the protected areas, also frequented by nature-loving tourists in the Korça region,” wrote Kumbaro.

The pheasant forest located only 10 km from the city of Korça is one of the most interesting attractions in the southeast of the country. With a fantastic landscape, this forest enjoys the status of a natural monument, with pheasants as its symbol.

Today, this forest is the shelter of pheasants, roe deers, wild rabbits and foxes; it is the forest of poplars, willow, lime tree, pine and fir.

The clean air, the amazing landscape, the greenery that accompanies you everywhere, the diverse flora and fauna are some of the reasons why everyone chooses this natural wonder. /gj.m/p.s./

This is a good opportunity to bring people closer to the birds and to show them what features and values ​​each bird has.

Equipped with binoculars and telescopes, the group of bird enthusiasts aims to show that enthusiasm for birds should also serve to protect them.

Director of the Administration of Protected Areas in Fier Ardian Koçi told ATA that, “Recently, a group of English tourists visited this park. Besides bird watching, they enjoyed the fresh air offered by the pine forest and the stunning and relaxing landscape”.

Koçi said that thanks to the favorable characteristic temperatures of the season there have been many visitors to the park. School students who already conduct environmental classes in the park, various local and foreign visitors, and researchers of different habitats have been in Divjakë-Karavasta National Park these days”.

According to him, bird-watching or wildlife tourism is already turning into a real tourist movement for our country as well.

Present-day Divjaka is one of the most visited natural parks in the country for marine, natural, landscape tourism, waterfowl observation and history. A panoramic tower, boats to sail along the waterline of the entire park, lush forest and bird diversity, are some of the adventures not to be missed when visiting this revitalized park./p.s./

Gjeçi also said that the government is taking care of the exterminating the birds and disinfecting the relevant areas.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development also announced that the sale of chickens will be prohibited at open markets since they cannot guarantee its quality.

Gjeçi reminded citizens that bird flu cannot be transmitted to humans and the main issue remains the decimation of bird flocks and the financial losses to chicken farmers.

An outbreak of bird flu was registered in the coastal cities of Durrës and Shijak, and chicken farmers requested help from the government to manage the situation.

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