Category: Volunteering in Bozevce

One evening, as I was going to bed, a sweet but faint sound reached my ears: “ououho … ououho…” Eagle-owl! Since that evening, we heard quite often the territorial calling of the biggest owl in the world. This song, only emitted by the male, is very powerful and can be heard up to 4 km! It’s used to delimitate the (huge) territory (15-80km²) of the eagle owl and for courtship.

But let’s start from the beginning and let me present to you the eagle-owl.

Sixty to seventy centimetres high, more than a meter and a half in wingspan, the eagle owl is the largest of the nocturnal birds of prey: it is almost the size of an eagle! It is distinguished by its large head decorated with 8 cm long egrets and its large orange-yellow eyes. Male and female look alike, the male simply being smaller than his mate.

The European eagle owl is widely distributed over all Eurasia, although patchily in Europe.

In its vast range, the eagle owl occupies quite varied habitats. In Europe, it is a bird of rocky country and/or forest habitats, away from human activities. Eurasian eagle-owls do not build nests or add material but nest on the surface or material already present. They nest on sheltered cliff ledges or in crevices, in a cave entrance, on the ground on steep slope or can occasionally use old tree nests of other species. One or two eggs (rarely three or four) are laid in late winter (February-March). The eggs are incubated for 35 days by the female and the young leave the nest after around 5 to 7 weeks. However, the young eagle owls stay with their parents and are fed by them until they become independent, between September to November. Eagle-owls don’t migrate but juveniles will disperse over variable distances, looking for a territory and a mate.

The eagle-owl can live for up to 20 years in the wild.

For hunting, it abandons the dense forest and hunts in open forest and in peripheral environments, including very open environments if they are rich in potential prey. It can even frequent places that are very marked by human activities during the day but are quiet at night, such as landfills and other dumpsites where the brown rat is abundant. It feeds mostly on mammals from small rodents to hares and birds to the size of herons and buzzards, but it also consumes reptiles, frogs, fish and larger insects. It also preys on other owl species. The Eurasian eagle-owl can attack and kill large prey far beyond the capacities of most other living owls. Another impressive fact is its diversity of prey, and its capacity to adapt to surprisingly small prey where it is the only kind available and to large prey where it is abundant.

During the 20^th century, the population of eagle-owls declined in Europe due to poisoning, hunting and other human-related causes. Now protected in a lot of countries, its population is increasing. It’s estimated that 25 000 pairs breed in Europe. However, some threats remain. It still suffers from human persecution and poisoning from mercury seed-dressings, and deaths through road traffic, barbed wire and overhead wires are not insignificant. It is also extremely sensitive and the slightest disturbance can cause the abandonment of the nest.

After hearing it sing, let’s now try to see it, and why not find its nest… without disturbing it of course!

(And if you want to listen to it, you can go here : https://xeno-canto.org/species/Bubo-bubo)

Source: BirdLife International. 2021. Bubo bubo (Europe assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22688927A166223956. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22688927A166223956.en. Accessed on 20 February 2024.

In all my articles so far, I have only talked about birds. However, birds are not my favourite groups of animals! In fact, I love insects and I even worked a few months as an entomologist (specialist of insects). But there is another group that interests me a lot: amphibians. Why? Thanks to my father. He used to work for the French office for water and aquatic environments and is very sensitive to the fate of aquatic habitats, and that of their most emblematic inhabitants: amphibians. With him, and since I was a child, we have been going to count frog clutches, walking in the forest at nightfall to find salamanders, looking for the great crested newt, a fairly rare species, in the ponds in the middle of the fields with the cows keeping us company… We have explored hundreds of ponds around our home (and fall in some of them), and the amphibians of the Pays de Bray, where I live in Normandy, no longer have (too many) secrets for us.

After the Pays de Bray, now it’s time for Bozevce! During my stay here, I will try to inventory the amphibians in the village.

All amphibians (at least in Kosovo, there are a few exceptions of species living in the soil or in caves) require aquatic habitats for at least part of their life cycle. So, to find the amphibians, I first had to find the ponds, rivers, and other habitats that are favourable for them in Bozevce. Unfortunately, I know only one small ditch and one pond in Bozevce. Although the soil is rich in clay, the bedrock is limestone, a very porous rock that easily absorbs water., which could explain why there are not more ponds. However, there are several streams, some of which dry up in the summer, and a larger river, which I have already told you about, and which flows into Perlepnica Lake.

The only pond that I know… is ours! Scouts dug it last summer, and even if it is quite small, it’s already a nice habitat for amphibians with plants starting to grow and plenty of aquatic insects (preys for amphibians). And the ditch, which is fed by a spring and therefore never dry, is also very close to our property.

Since October, and despite knowing only a few places favourable for amphibians, I have already observed 5 species.

In the ditch, three species reproduce. In august, I observed adults and tadpoles of Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), a very beautiful species which appreciates temporary (or not), warm and sunny habitats. Two weeks ago, I went there with a lamp after sunset, and I observed two more species. Agile frogs (Rana dalmatina) were already into the ditch, with males singing and around fifteen egg clutches. Common toads (Bufo bufo) however, were on their way: some of them were walking on the road, whereas a few males (which are much smaller than females) were already in the ditch. Two weeks ago, there were not yet eggs, but when I went yesterday, 7-8 “ribbons” of eggs were there. In fact, whereas the eggs from frogs are laid in clutches, who look like balls, toads’ eggs are laid in ribbons.

Agile frog (Rana dalmatina), Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) and the toads’ egg ribbons in the ditch.

Male toads compete for females (which, contrary to common belief, are not frogs, as there are different species of toads, and different species of frogs). To be sure to mate with a female, they can even mount the females’ backs before she arrives at the pond, in a posture called amplexus, and travel all the way to the pond like this!

Although our pond is recent, Agile frogs are already breeding in it! We observed 4 egg clutches there, and at least five adults. Last year, we also had some tadpoles from Yellow-bellied toad in the pond, but because scouts brought them… This is not a very good idea: if your pond is favourable for amphibians, they will find it on their own… as Agile frogs did!

In one small stream (which after leaving Bozevce goes to Berivojce and then flows into Kriva River), I observed two more species. Fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra) are strictly terrestrial during their adult life but larvae grow in small brooks or ponds with clean water. During the autumn, we saw on two occasions a salamander crushed on the road. I was wondering where they were reproducing and the finding of larva in this stream gave me the answer. Contrary to frogs and toads, salamanders don’t lay eggs but give birth to larva.

And finally, I also observed on this stream Greek stream frog (Rana graeca). It is very similar to the agile frog, but unlike the latter, it breeds in streams, not ponds. Unlike the other 4 species, which breed throughout Europe, this species lives only in the Balkan Peninsula.

The 5 species that we have observed so far are not considered threatened on a European scale. They are also quite common and well distributed in Kosovo. However, amphibians are one the most endangered groups of vertebrates. Climate change, destruction of wetlands, fragmentation of habitats, diseases, invasive species… The threats are numerous and amphibian populations are declining around the world. Therefore, even these “common” species and above all their habitats should be protected. And offering new habitats to amphibians, like ponds, is also useful to help these slugs eaters (and therefore, helpers of the gardeners) to cope with all these challenges.

So, for now, we know that 5 species of amphibians breed in Bozevce. In Kosovo, 14 species of amphibians are known. 3 of them live only in the mountains (notably the very rare black salamander) and there is very little chance of finding them in Bozevce. But the 6 other species are quite well distributed around the country, and we can hope to find them, to extend the list of amphibians in Bozevce!

Today, I’m going to tell you about a bird with a very particular lifestyle: the dipper!

It’s a passerine, like Tits, Sparrows, or Jay… but a passerine that spends a lot of time in water!

The dipper is a small, stocky bird. Its head and nape are chocolate-colored, and its plastron is white. It can be observed in fast-flowing, clear-water rocky streams and rivers with riffles and exposed rocks, and with abundant invertebrate prey. A good part of his time is spent doing a series of dives in all seasons – up to 600 times a day! It enters underwater for a few seconds (where it sees very well) and stabilizes itself upright on the bottom thanks to its long legs, spreading its wings slightly to resist the current. When the water is deeper or choppy, it spreads its stubby tail and uses its wings to propel itself and resist the current more. It is particularly fond of Gammarus, which are small freshwater crustaceans, as well as aquatic larvae and insects, small fish and even spiders. Perfectly adapted to aquatic life, the dipper benefits from waterproof plumage and a membrane covering its nostrils which can be blocked when underwater.

When time to breed comes (i.e. mid-March to May), the parents build a nest of moss which they line with leaves and grass with an entrance on the side, nest which they install in a crevice or under a bridge. Male and female both sing. The female incubates 3 to 6 small eggs for a little over 2 weeks. The parents then feed the young who can swim before they can fly! The juveniles, recognizable by their grey streaked colour on the chest, then leave their parents to establish themselves on their own territory.

The dipper is patchily distributed across Eurasia, and around 200,000 pairs are believed to nest in Europe. Sedentary, dippers move only during harsh winters to lower altitude. Dippers are very sensitive to pollution of rivers and streams, notably because pollution adversely affects aquatic invertebrates, its preys. Habitat degradation, water abstraction and water impoundment are also threatening dippers.

So, are our river in Bozevce of good quality? Probably, because we observed dippers there!

We observed this agile bird on the river which aliments Perlepnica lake. On this beautiful river there are a lot of small dams, and each time, we observed dippers just above dams. Even if dams can threaten dippers because they break ecological continuity and create deeper water which becomes less favourable for the dipper’s prey, it looks like our smart birds still manage to find its food.

Pictures of two of the places where we observed Dippers and the only picture that I succeed to take of this elusive bird.

Sources:

BirdLife International. 2018. Cinclus cinclus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22708156A131946814. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22708156A131946814.en. Accessed on 13 January 2024.

Last weekend, when snow was falling and temperatures were below zero, I went to Perlepnica lake to count Waterbirds as part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC).

IWC is an international programme that has been organized since 1967 in 143 countries, and which uses waterbirds as an indicator of the status of wetlands. In fact, Waterbirds are a key part of wetland ecosystems and therefore, their presence, numbers and trends at a site can tell us a lot about the health and quality of a wetland. Moreover, this program also aims to monitor the status of waterbirds for themselves, and to increase public awareness on issues related to wetland and waterbird conservation. To achieve these goals, waterbirds (grebes, cormorants, herons, egrets, ducks, gulls…) are counted every year in January by thousands of volunteers in thousands of wetlands around the world. The census should be done in a short period (ideally, during a weekend) to avoid counting birds twice. It should also be done every year at the same site and with the same methodology to obtain long-term data, which are needed to evaluate the status of waterbirds and wetlands.

Left : Map of inventoried sites in 2024. Right : World map of the sites participating in the IWC

In Kosovo, the International Waterbirds Census took place for the first time only in 2019. It is coordinated by the Kosova Environmental Education & Research Center (KEERC) in partnership with the Kosovar Ornithological Association and the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA).

Last Saturday, I joined Qenan Maxhuni, the coordinator of the IWC for Kosovo, at Perlepnica lake. Only 26 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were present, but Perlepnica lake is not the main wintering site for Waterbirds in Kosovo. Dr Maxhuni was kind enough to send me the report from last year: 11 sites were monitored for a total of 6200 Waterbirds of 15 species. Even if this looks like a lot (or at least much more than our 26 ducks), it is not so much, but it could easily be explained by the location and hydrography of Kosovo. There are no very big rivers with floodplains in Kosovo, and we are also not so far from the sea. Coastal lakes in Albania and Greece and the Danube floodplain are much more interesting for Waterbirds for wintering, and the diversity and number of Waterbirds counted there is therefore much higher.

Perlepnica lake in Summer and the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (CC-BY-2.0, Charlesjsharp)

Happily, I didn’t go to Perlepnica only for 26 mallards, as I observed 26 species of birds under a magnificent snowy landscape.

Jules

Winter is a harsh season for birds: frozen ground and snow prevents birds from finding their food. Moreover, modern agricultural techniques tend to reduce the food resources available (seeds left standing in crops, berries in shrubs, etc.). Therefore, feeding birds can help them get through the winter.

Winter starts quite strong here: 20 cm of snow at the end of November (which melt quite fast), and since then, frost almost every morning (except this week). Therefore, we decided to install 4 birdfeeders, to offer food to the birds, but also to study them. In fact, bird feeders are good opportunities to have a close look at birds that are usually difficult to see.

When done incorrectly, feeding birds can be harmful to them. Therefore, some precautions should be taken:

–          Feeders and waterers should be in an open area, away from walls, bushes and side branches in order to avoid easy access to predators (cats, martens, etc.).

–          Birds compete for food, so providing them with more birdfeeders can loosen competition and help less aggressive species.

–          Big gathering of birds means more opportunities for disease to spread. Cleaning feeders and waterers is therefore useful to reduce the risk of disease spread.

–          Regarding food, each species of bird has specific needs. It is best to choose seed mixtures, which will suit many species regardless of the size of their beaks. Black sunflower seeds, very rich in lipids, are particularly suitable. You can also give them seasonal fruits (apples, pears, grapes) as well as cracked corn and peanuts (unroasted and unsalted). Milk and bread should be avoided because birds cannot digest them. Leftovers are also non suitable for birds as they are often too salty, too sweet, or too cooked for their body.

–          Finally, don’t forget to give them water

Even after taking all these precautions, feeding birds can still have impacts. Some species take more advantage than others of birdfeeders and this can modify the balance of competition. One striking example comes from Great Britain, where millions of people feed birds. Great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) are among the most regular and abundant passerines visiting European feeders: they take full advantage of this additional supply of food, which allows them to survive better during winter and then to reproduce more, thus contributing to a sharp increase in their populations over the past fifty years. During the same period, Marsh Tits (Poecile palustris) and especially Boreal Tits (P. montanus) declined strongly (-78 and -92%) in Great Britain. According to several studies, this opposite trend is linked to increased competition from Blue and Great Tits, two species which are favoured by feeding.

So, should we stop feeding birds? Difficult to say, as some other studies show that the population of many species are increasing thanks to bird feeding. What is pretty sure, is that birds should be fed only in winter (mi-November-March). Feeding birds during the breeding season could increase the risk of disease transmission, increase predation, generate physiological disturbances, and modify the balance of competition.

After all this theory, let’s talk about our feeder in Bozevce.

From now, we have observed 9 species! Great Tits (Parus major) are clearly the most numerous, followed by Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus). Chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs) are also quite frequent. Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) were only observed once. Finally, Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius), Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and Sombre Tit (Poecile lugubris) were only detected thanks to the camera trap! 

I just started my volunteering in Bozevce with GAIA, since maybe one month, when I participated to the training for coordinators in natural building. I didn’t know what to expect to it, except to meet new people and to learn technics of natural building. Actually, I only had a dim idea of what non formal education was, and I thought that it could be relevant to have more knowledges about natural building before to plan to teach it.

Still today, I don’t think to be able to explain, with words, what is non formal education, but I can tell what this collective experience, which was very different of all the learning ways I had known when I was student, looked like.

Read More “Training on coordinating groups in natural building”

Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to take part in a PDC (Permaculture Design Course) at Gaia Kosovo. Permaculture is an ethical system for living in harmony and balance with the earth and with each other. The ethics of permaculture are Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. There is also a set of principles that demonstrate how to carry out these ethics. For example, using biological resources instead of man-made ones both cares for the earth and helps us to share resources fairly, as it leads to less consumption. 

Before I attended the course, I had heard a lot about permaculture and even worked in several gardens that claimed to be based on permaculture principles, but I still didn’t know exactly what permaculture was. The PDC showed me that permaculture is a lot more than a set of gardening guidelines or ideas; instead, it’s a system that we can apply to every area of our lives.

There is a growing awareness about the field of Social Permaculture, which includes valuable principles such as integrating rather than segregating, as establishing healthy relationships strengthens systems. We can also apply the concept of zones to social permaculture. Zone 0 represents you, zone 1 is your family (birth or chosen), and so on until we get to zone 5, which represents the world. 

The PDC also contained a lot of practical, hands-on activities. My favorite activity was learning how to measure contour lines using a simple A-frame. Water always flows at a 90-degree angle to contour lines, so knowing where they are on your land can show you where to build swales, which catch and retain water. We also built a hot compost pile and got to try out some different natural building techniques. 

Gaia Kosovo was an ideal place to hold the course. The residents there have a lot of experience with natural building and it was the perfect place to see concepts like thermal mass and passive heating put into practice. The residents and volunteers at Gaia Kosovo also cooked us a bounty of delicious food, and mealtimes were a highlight of everyone’s day.

There are several permaculture concepts that are easily applicable both in the garden and across our lives. One of these concepts is the idea of zones. In permaculture, zones are used to delineate different areas of a property. Zone 0 is the area that is closest to you (i.e. your house), zone 1 is an area that you visit multiple times per day and is a good place for intensive gardening. Zone 2 is an area that you visit maybe once or twice a day and is a good place to keep animals or grow vegetables. Finally, we reach zone 5, which is a wild zone that we never visit. 

Our facilitators on the course were Mihail Kossev and Annelies Buggenhout. Having good teachers can make or break a course, and having Misho and Annelies as our trainers was the main reason that the course was so interesting and meaningful. Not only were they both very knowledgeable, but they used a variety of interactive and alternative teaching techniques that really helped to demonstrate the different concepts. They also helped us to bond as a group and kept us laughing! 

At the end of the course, we worked in small groups to create a permaculture design for different plots of land at Gaia Kosovo. This was an invaluable experience as we got to actively experience the different steps of the process, from the initial observation period and client interview, to mapping out the different zones, sectors and flows and integrating the different elements and concepts that we learned about throughout the course. Of course, we stopped short of actually implementing our designs, although not everyone wanted to! 

I’m very grateful that I got to participate in the course. I think that taking a PDC is a meaningful experience for everyone, regardless of whether or not you have land or feel ready to start gardening. You can apply the principles and concepts of permacultures everywhere; after all, you’re only limited by your imagination. 

Claire Stephens
30 Nov 2021

Pictures taken by Kim-Lien Nguyen, Anca Bilciurescu and Ayşe Özgü Ötünç.

Permaculture as a Path to Peace 2.0 is Erasmus+ supported project coordinated by GAIA Kosovo. It includes several activities, such as PDC Training course and Permaculture Teachers Training. The next PDC will take place in May and the Teachers Training is planned for June 2022. Stay tuned for the news.