Current status of the Dalmatian pelican and the great white pelican populations of the Black Sea/Mediterranean flyway

Abstract

The Dalmatian pelican (DP) Pelecanus crispu s and the great white pelican (GWP) Pelecanus onocrotalus are listed as 'Vulnerable' and 'Least Concern', respectively, in the IUCN Red List. We present an updated estimation of the Black Sea / Mediterranean flyway population status of both species, based on data provided by experts working in all 7 countries of the region where pelicans breed and/or overwinter, who came together at the 1st Workshop on Pelican Research and Conservation in Prespa, Greece. The DP breeding population in the Black Sea and Mediterranean countries increased from 1730−2105 pairs in the years 2000−2010 to 2154−2437 pairs in 2011−2012. Approximately 40% of the Palaearctic breeding population of GWP occurred in Southeast Europe and Turkey. In 2011−2012 the GWP population in this region was estimated to be 4702−5175 pairs, and has remained more or less stable during the last decade. Although all the breeding sites for both species are in protected areas, disturbance at nesting places was considered to be the main threat. Direct persecution and electric power lines still cause occasional problems. In deltaic lagoons, erosion and inundation of nesting sites cause breeding failures in DPs, while in inland wetlands large water level fluctuations are a widespread problem. Decrease of fish stocks is a threat, especially in coastal areas. Many stop-over wetlands along GWP migration routes between Southeast Europe and Africa have been seriously degraded or have disappeared, resulting in serious implications for their populations. Conservation needs are listed, but further research is recommended for both species.

The Impact of Warming and Nutrients on Algae Production and Microcystins in Seston from the Iconic Lake Lesser Prespa, Greece

“…Noteworthy are the increasing numbers of breeding colonies of pelicans, especially in Vromolimni Pond but also at the northern part of Lake Lesser Prespa [ 37 ], which, because of their predominantly out of the lake system foraging behaviour, will definitely have a considerable impact on further enrichment of the waters. Estimates of the nutrient (N and P) inputs of Dalmatian Pelicans, Great White Pelicans, Great Cormorants and Pygmy Cormorants yielded minimal 1189 kg N and 1614 kg P during the whole breeding season into Lesser Prespa and minimally 1253 kg N and 1015 kg P into the much smaller Vromolimni Pond [ 4 ].…”

Seasonal differences in energy expenditure, flight characteristics and spatial utilization of Dalmatian Pelicans Pelecanus crispus in Greece

“…, Catsadorakis et al . ). In 2012–15, these sub‐populations bred exclusively in five breeding sites: Lake Mikri Prespa in the north‐west is the main breeding site with c .…”

“…85% of the Greek breeding population, Kerkini Reservoir in the north is a growing breeding colony, and three other smaller breeding colonies are found outside the range of the studied pelicans, two in the western coast of Greece and one 200 km south of Prespa Lakes (Catsadorakis et al . ). Kerkini Reservoir is also an important site throughout the year, serving as a wintering site and a major stopover site for migrating Dalmatian Pelicans (Crivelli et al .…”

Effects of guanotrophication and warming on the abundance of green algae, cyanobacteria and microcystins in Lake Lesser Prespa, Greece

“…In October 2015 similar nutrient concentrations were found (this study). In the Lesser Prespa area two pelican colonies breed namely: the Dalmatian Pelican with an abundance of >1100 breeding pairs in 2008-2012 and 500 pairs of Great White Pelicans in 2011-2012 [5], aside with cormorants and herons. The pelicans breed during spring/summer at the northern part of the lake [2].…”

“…In the northern part of Lesser Prespa there is a high abundance of breeding piscivorous pelicans in summer [2,5] and as their excrements are rich in nutrients they can locally contribute…”