Resources

In 2023, the fourth simultaneous waterbird count along the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF) engaged over 13,000 observers from 36 countries. The EAF census national reports provide an overview of the countries involved in the counts.

Despite actions to reduce pressures, important habitats for migratory birds are gradually disappearing along the East Atlantic Flyway. Fragmentation of habitats, modification of natural habitats, increasing urbanisation of coastal areas, overexploitation of resources, hunting and pollution are all anthropogenic activities that constitute threats and contribute to the decrease of bird populations.

Mitigation and data collection strategies for avian influenza in bird colonies in the Wadden Sea

This document has been developed to guide site managers (including wardens and rangers), bird counters, researchers and other people that will get in contact with colonially breeding birds in the Wadden Sea. The guide provides advice on several topics such as management options, research and monitoring needs, and not the least, what safety precautions need to be taken.

To successfully conduct the 2023 waterbird counts in Togo, the Government of Togo has requested support from the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative and Wetlands International in organizing a capacity building training workshop for the national waterbird monitoring team in Togo.

Morocco is part of several bird migration routes between Europe and tropical Africa, providing key stopover sites for millions of birds. The southern coastline between Dakhla and Lagouira (Cap Blanc) is numerically one of the most important wintering sites for waders along the East Atlantic Flyway, supporting hundred-thousands of waders during the northern winter.

 Encouraged by the experience at the first East Atlantic Flyway Youth Forum (EAFYF) held in 2021, the organising team from Youth Engaged in Wetlands, the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, and the Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative organised a fundraising training for EAFYF 2022, building on the outcomes of the first forum. The aim was to increase the youths’ capacity to write successful grant proposals to raise money for their conservation projects. A progress report on the EAFYF 2022 and related activities has now been published.

The breeding season of 2022 was characterised by a massive outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) among Sandwich terns (Thalasseus sandvicensis) in the North Sea region. In October 2022, the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS) organized an online workshop to discuss the possible drivers of the outbreak, its consequences on Sandwich tern populations and future management options.

The Sierra Leone Nature Guides Association (SLNGA) celebrated World Migratory Bird Day in October 2022 by organising a birdwatching trip to Tissana point along the Youri Bay coastal reserve area. The aim of this initiative was to strengthen a new network of committed Nature tour guides, birdwatching lovers and nature clubs who were keen to share their passion with the locals, especially the young people.