December. Winter is here, the cold too, days are short. While some birds spend the winter nice and warm in more southern regions, others try to find seeds in the fields and meadows. Reptiles and amphibians hibernate while most insects are no longer observable, waiting for the nice season in the form of eggs, larvae or chrysalis. And humans? They are resting from an intense year… and taking advantage of it to take stock.
It’s been 6 months since I last wrote an article. It must be said that the year was intense: naturalist inventory, kids’ camp, trying to save rivers, hosting dozens of volunteers to talk about eco-construction, permaculture, energy or even biodiversity…
I am back in France for the winter, but I will return in February to Kosovo, in the heart of the beautiful and rich nature of the Kosovo hills. Did you say rich? Yes, it is! It’s time for the results.
In one year, I identified 16 species of mammals, 108 of birds, 12 reptiles, 7 amphibians, 114 of butterflies, 17 dragonflies, 52 orthopteras and 12 orchids. I didn’t expect to see so many species, and I’m sure I missed some! So that all these species are not just numbers, and so that you can realize the rich biodiversity of Bozevce, I will try to do an article for each group of species, as I did for reptiles and amphibians in my last article.
The rich biodiversity of Bozevce
This inventory included the village of Bozevce, its meadows, fields, forest… and its river. The magnificent Perlepnica River, very natural, where I had observed many species (including the otter, the dipper, several dragonflies). But, one day, I found out that excavators were destroying it. We managed to alert all relevant authorities, but we did not manage to stop them, even though we learnt that the River and the Rock are under preliminary protection as a Nature Monument. Basically, since May this year, the River and the Rock have been protected by the Ministry of Environment as a Nature Monument. Next year, the Kosovo Institute for Nature Conservation will conduct a study, after what the Municipality will proclaim the area as protected. If you want to learn more about why the cleaning of Kosovo’s rivers is an ecological, economic and social aberration, you can read my article on GAIA website : https://www.gaiakosovo.org/2024/10/09/why-is-the-cleaning-of-kosovos-rivers-an-ecological-economic-and-social-aberration/.
The river before (left) and after its destruction
In 2024, we also organized 2 kids’ camps for children from the surrounding villages. We talked about biodiversity, insects, birds, arts, camping, learned how to use binoculars or how to set up a tent… The experience was appreciated and successful, and 3 camps will be on the program next year!
See you soon for the Bozevce birdlife report!
Permaculture as a Path to Peace 