SOFIA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Preliminary census results have showed an increase in the white stork population in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) said in a press release on Tuesday.
The census was held as part of the eighth edition of the International White Stork Census, which is conducted every 10 years, the BSPB said.
The international counting of the white stork is carried out every 10 years in over 40 countries around the world, the first census was organized in 1934 on the initiative of Germany. In Bulgaria, the counting of white stork nests began in the 1970s.
With a full census being conducted in 112 municipalities out of the 265 existing ones in Bulgaria, there are 4,482 active white stork nests and the average number of baby storks per nest was 2.52, according to the preliminary results. A detailed analysis of the data and a census of the rest of the country would be carried out in 2025, tje BSPB said.
"In most of the municipalities we visited, there has been an increase in the number of nesting white storks, compared to data from the previous census in 2014-2015," the BSPB said.
Compared with 10 years ago, nests in Haskovo municipality have risen to 191 from 147, in Madzharovo to 50 from 27, in Tundzha to 200 from 154, in Ruse to 43 from 18, in Svishtov to 81 from 50, in Sredets to 135 from 55, and in Gotse Delchev to 42 from 25, it noted.
There were also places where the number of nests decreased, such as Blagoevgrad, where there are 13 active stork nests, and the figure was 32 10 years ago, the census showed.
"However, we hope that this positive trend towards growth will continue in the remaining settlements that will be visited next year. Then we will have final information about the size and development of the species' population in the country," the BSPB said.
The white stork is one of the best known and loved birds in Bulgaria. It breeds mainly in Europe, but in North Africa, the Middle East and in Central Asia too. One of the busiest flyways of the white stork on its way to Africa and back to Europe passes through Bulgaria.
It is a synanthropic species and inhabits in populated areas and lives alongside humans. Therefore, it is considered one of the most sensitive indicators of the state of the environment in which people live. ■