Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP)

Avian Influenza in Dalmatian Pelicans – Latest Update The phenomenon seems to be declining! Although we recorded 46 dead Dalmatian pelicans in Lesser Prespa and 11 in Cheimaditida since early February, everything now appears to be returning to normal, with the colonies hosting hundreds of nesting birds. One confirmed case in Kerkini. This concerns a Dalmatian pelican that was breeding in Cheimaditida and was being monitored via a satellite transmitter. During a visit to Kerkini on February 26, the bird died. In collaboration with the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA) of the Management Unit of Lake Kerkini National Park, we collected samples that confirmed avian influenza as the cause of death. Good news! The increasing number of sunny and warm days seems to be helping in limiting the virus’s spread. 🔹 We remain on alert, continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities, and will keep you updated! 

For the third consecutive year, the volunteers of Cleanigans, tireless waste collectors, were hosted by the Society for the Protection of Prespa to clean up the streams of the area. With the support of Municipality of Prespa and the participation of NECCA, we cleaned selected areas of the Agios Germanos-Laimos River and the streams of Mikrolimni and Kallithea. Once again, the waste collected was abundant and diverse, ranging from sofas, sinks, and mattresses to agricultural chemical packaging . We estimate that the amount of waste gathered reached approximately one ton. With enthusiasm and dedication, we ensured that our streams were left clean, hoping that this time, our volunteer effort will serve as an opportunity for reflection and a change in practices that harm Prespa and its valuable natural resources . Sign up at engage.poliprespa.gr to stay updated on activities in Prespa that need your participation!

🌿 Sarcoscypha coccinea – Spring is here! 🍄  As winter fades and spring arrives, one of the first organisms to appear in the forests of Prespa is Sarcoscypha coccinea. This striking ascomycete fungus, with its characteristic red color, fruits on dead branches of broadleaf trees, creating enchanting landscapes alongside the first blooming primroses. 🍃 As the days grow longer, the fungus takes advantage of the spring breeze to release its spores into the air, ensuring the survival of its species. A small yet vital part of the ecosystem, reminding us that nature is awakening!   📍 Have you spotted this unique mushroom on a walk in Prespa?  Share your photos and experiences with us! 📸✨ #Prespa #SarcoscyphaCoccinea #SpringAwakening #Biodiversity #NatureMagic   

🪽 Luc’s Story: The pelican who collided into power lines and is fighting for his life!  Luc, who nests in Prespa, has been monitored via a transmitter since 2023, providing us with valuable insights into his movements. A few days ago, his transmitter indicated that he had remained stationary in one spot, raising concerns. Fearing the worst, we set out to find him.   ⚡ We found him alive but injured beneath a high-voltage power transmission tower near Kleidi, Amyntaio, suffering from severe burns due to electrocution. The dense fog in the area turns obstacles into invisible threats, often leading to injuries or fatalities. This is the fifth recorded incident of this kind through our transmitters.  We immediately transported him to the Wildlife Action Care Center, where he is receiving care, though his condition remains uncertain. Thanks to his transmitter, Luc was found and given a second chance! However, his case is a stark reminder of the urgent need for measures to prevent such dangers. Pelicans face serious threats from power lines and wind turbines. Photo by Vaios Vitos

🌍 Three countries, two lakes, one joint effort to protect waterbirds! We were delighted to welcome our partners from PPNEA and Macedonian Ecological Society to jointly plan cross-border field actions for the study and monitoring of waterbirds in 2025! 🪽 During our two-day meeting, we had the opportunity to present our new Pelican Watch app—an innovative tool that helps us monitor the feeding success of pelicans, allowing volunteers from all three countries to contribute to their protection. 🤝 Our cross-border collaboration through PrespaNet is essential for preserving the unique ecosystem of Prespa and protecting its rare species. Together, we can ensure a better future for our natural heritage! #prespa #pelicanwatch #protect #togetherfornature

Together with Princeton University, Fighting Avian Influenza! One of the key collaborations at the Society for the Protection of Prespa is with the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University and Ph.D. student Qiqi Yang recently visited our area to conduct extensive sediment sampling at key sites in the two Prespa lakes, which are frequented by pelicans and other aquatic birds. 🐦 The goal of this partnership is to better understand avian influenza and contribute to mitigating its impact on wild birds, while the goal of the pilot study is to gain a deeper understanding of influenza in Dalmatian pelicans and contribute to mitigating the disease's impact on their populations.💧🔬 We are always happy to collaborate and exchange knowledge with such esteemed institutions and scientists from around the world!🌿 The study is supported by the High Meadows Environmental Institute at Princeton University through the Mary and Randall Hack ‘69 Research Fund. Field work is funded by the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies. #prespa #dalmatianpelican #avianinfluenza #princetonuniversity

Avian Influenza Reappears in Dalmatian Pelicans!  Two deceased Dalmatian pelicans from the colonies of Lesser Prespa and Cheimaditida lakes have tested positive for the avian influenza virus. The outbreak began in mid-February and is developing at a concerning pace, bringing back memories of the devastating 2022 outbreak, when 60% of the Lesser Prespa lake colony was wiped out by the H5N1 virus—over 1,800 adult pelicans died.  So far, 50 dead birds have been recorded across both colonies, with the majority (35 birds) found in Lesser Prespa. While this outbreak does not appear to be as aggressive as in 2022, there are indications that some survivors may have developed immunity, or that the virus strain is less infectious. However, the tripling of deaths in just one week raises serious concerns, and we cannot afford complacency. Discussions with relevant authorities are ongoing to determine the next steps.    #Prespa #DalmatianPelicans #AvianFlu #Cheimatida

📸Filmmaker and SPP’s collaborator Francisco Márquez created a unique video series called “Haiku nature”. As the title suggests, the artist in wildlife documentation offers us one-minute nature shots that spontaneously evoke smiles and an inexplicably deep identification with animals. “Hunter”, “Acrobats”, “Community”, “Innocence”, “Union”, “Family”, “Elegance” are some of the videos you can watch for free on the spanish streaming platform CaixaForum+. 🪽 *Prespa’s pelicans appear in the video titled “Comunidad” FRANCISCO MÁRQUEZ | Director, scriptwriter, cinematography. JOSÉ BAUTISTA | Editing, sound design. UNICORNIS films | www.unicornisfilms.com #prespa #prespalake #pelican #pelicanphotography

🐚 The "giant" mussel of Prespa!  🏞️ In the tranquil waters of rivers and lakes hides a true giant: Anodonta cygnea, also known as the "Swan Mussel"! It can grow up to 20 cm in length, and its shell displays a variety of colors, ranging from light green to dark brown.  This enormous mussel is a delicacy for pelicans, which swallow it whole and later expel the shell from their mouths. 🪽 So, if you find yourself on the lake’s shore where pelicans frequent or even near their nests, you might spot the shells of Anodonta—a clear sign that a good meal has taken place! 📸 #CapturedByNikosTsilis  #prespa #prespes #wildlife  

🍄 Walking along the trail from Psarades to Roti, and paying a little more attention to the ground, one might encounter one of the most unusual fungi, Geastrum minimum! This tiny basidiomycete, rarely exceeding 3 centimeters, often goes unnoticed, but it hides a unique reproductive mechanism! ☔ When it rains, the drops hit its spore sac, propelling the spores into the air, ready to travel and continue the life cycle. 📍Have you spotted it on your hikes? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️ 👀 When observance meets nature, unique images & stories are born! 🍄🌿 📸 #CapturedByNikosTsilis #GeastrumMinimum #Prespatrails #Naturewalk #biodiversity