The International Day of Volunteers is an excellent opportunity to highlight the significant role volunteers play in preserving nature and the environment. This year alone, by the end of the year, 195 volunteers participated in the activities of the Biom Association, contributing a total of 4,975 hours to actively building a better society. Many were involved in citizen science initiatives, such as the traditional Winter Waterbird Census (IWC), where volunteers counted over 104,000 birds between January 10 and February 15.
Volunteers were also instrumental in the successful implementation of Eagle Owl monitoring, surveying potential habitats for this species across Croatia at 111 locations. They confirmed the presence of 67 singing males marking their territories, within which they will build their nests. This year, volunteers also monitored the nesting success of Eagle Owls, confirming active territories during the first monitoring period from June 1 to July 20 and identifying at least 36 chicks.
Our volunteers also participated in the Rook monitoring campaign from March 15 to April 30, during which they recorded 1,584 active nests of the Birds of the Year 2024. Additionally, from March 1 to April 30, volunteers surveyed locations in the Zagreb area where birds collide with glass surfaces, identifying 27 marks on the glass and six collision victims.
Our volunteers dedicate over 230 working hours to fieldwork on Cres, Krk, and in the Učka Nature Park, searching for sites where birds are electrocuted due to contact with electricity distribution network poles. They discovered seven injured animals, including four Griffon Vultures. Protective measures will be implemented at the identified hazardous poles in collaboration with the competent company, HEP ODS.
Our SUPpatrol volunteers also demonstrated great dedication to vultures, spending 556.5 hours over the summer patrolling the Kvarner islands of Prvić, Plavnik, Krk, and Cres. They participated in 17 rescue interventions for Griffon Vultures.
The six confirmed Golden Eagle nestings are the result of several months of effort by volunteers involved in monitoring this species. During the monitoring of bee-eaters, volunteers discovered illegal blockage of nesting openings at four locations. For instance, at one site, construction waste was found dumped directly at the entrance to a bird colony.
As part of the Ornithological Camp on Učka, our volunteers contributed 2,107 hours this summer. Thanks to their involvement in monitoring quail poaching, five criminal charges were filed.
Biom’s long-term volunteers have selflessly supported us in numerous other activities, such as translating materials and articles, giving lectures in schools, conducting green workshops, leading birdwatching sessions, reviewing camera trap footage, and participating in field trips to remote offshore islands in the Lastovo and Vis archipelagos.
For all of this, we are immensely grateful to everyone who invested their time and effort, contributing in various ways to the preservation of nature and setting an inspiring example for future generations.
Do you want to be part of this positive change? Join us!
