Seminar in Podgorica as a beginning of an international cooperation for Greater Spotted Eagle conservation.

A seminar  GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE – A BIRD LIKE NO OTHER, on conservation of Greater Spotted Eagles and other birds of prey  took place on 12th March in Podgorica. Three months after the death of Bruzda, shot dead on the border of Lake Skadar National Park, we were discussing improvements in protecting birds migrating through Balkans.

The meeting was organised by National Parks of Montenegro, while the whole seminar was held under the patronage of Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Montenegro.

The event called attention of experts in birds of prey research and environmental protection, medias and diplomatic representatives.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Director of National Parks of Montenegro (comprised of five Montenegrin national parks), Zordan Mrdak. He greeted the gathered and stressed that this meeting should act as a foundation for future cooperation between National Parks of Montenegro and Poland in the scope of environmental protection. He also mentioned the Bruzda incident, but assured that we are on a right path to prevent such cases in the future.

Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Montenegro, Mrs. Grażyna Sikorska, also took the floor. While greeting the assembled, she stated that the meeting may be more important than many others concerning political issues. “Can a seminary on birds compete with politics? Of course. We are not discussing topics of war and peace here, but our discussions can have an impact on the future of Europe we share together, on our health and common natural heritage.” While thanking the organisers for the meeting, she expressed satisfaction, that the Polish Embassy can support events so important to propagating ecological consciousness in Montenegro – a country still full of wild and undiscovered nature.

We, in turn, would like to thank the Ambassador for her invaluable help in organising the seminar, as well as for support and active participation in our activities. Mrs Grażyna Sikorska has become the first Polish Ambassador of Greater Spotted Eagles.

Among the guest speaking on the seminar opening there were also Ivana Vojnovi, Director-General of Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Lydia Šćepanović, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro and Lovita Ramguttee, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Montenegro.

Grzegorz Maciorowski (Eagle Conservation Committee), Science Coordinator of the Project, was the first speaker to take the floor. He presented the biology, threats and conservation of Greater Spotted Eagles. Anna Pilarska (Polish Birds), PR & Communication Officer explained all about LIFE project GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE – A BIRD LIKE NO OTHER! Third partner in the project, Biebrza National Park was represented by Adam Bernatowicz, who presented most interesting facts concerning nature of Biebrza. Monika Kotulak (Naturalists’ Club)  described the advantages of developing a special conservation areas networks Natura 2000 and Emerald.

We also had a chance to hear about conservation plans for the Skadar Lake National Park, presented by Nela Vešović Stroller, spokesperson for the park. Plenary part was closed with an important presentation of Darko Savijevic (Environmental Protection Agency) on illegal bird hunting taking place on the territory of Lake Skadar National Park and in the Ulcij Salija region.

Seminary participants agreed that most effective method of protecting Greater Spotted Eagles and other birds of prey migrating through Montenegro is by international agreement and exchange of experiences.

Suiting actions to words.

The next day we visited the seat of Montenegrin National Parks, where we met representatives of non-governmental organisations of Montenegro, ambassador of the Republic of Poland, representative of UNDP and the management of the Parks. During this workshop meeting we managed to plan actions that we will carry out together in the near future.

Apart from discussing and planning, we also had a chance to admire the nature of the Skadar Lake National Park. Right after busy meetings, we rested on the waters of Skadar Lake. No photos or descriptions could fully express the impression that made on us the blue of the lake entirely surrounded by mountain ranges.

We are talking here about 505,8 km2 of surface, 168 km of shoreline and average depth of 10m (whereas the deepest parts reach 60 meters down). 2/3 of the lake lies within the borders of Montenegro, the remaining part belongs to Albania.

The lake is famous for its richness of birds. Among 280 species we could find here, there are the  Dalmatian Pelicans with their floating nests, night herons and Chinese Pond Herons. The lake is also a stop for migrating birds (as it was in the case of Bruzda), and some of them decide to spend the whole winter here.

The world of nature is mixed here with tradition and culture of many nations, whose history was connected to the history of Skadar Lake. Archaeological researches prove migration of many different cultures through this region over the centuries. This is why we can find here so many monasteries, towers, fortresses and picturesque villages with stone huts cosily nestled  into the surrounding mountains.

Apart from LSNP, Montenegro can also be justifiably proud of four additional national parks, just as mysterious and admirably rich in wildlife diversity. Among them is Biogradska Gora National Park being, just like Białowieża  National Park, one of the last remaining primeval forest in Europe.
Thanks to the commitment of our partners form Montenegro, the meeting in Podgorica started a new, unexpected and promising chapter in our work for conservation of Greater Spotted Eagles.