Science, Technology & Environment

Several thousands waterbirds identified in Batna from first day of survey

BATNA- The winter waterfowl survey was launhced Monday in the province of Batna (450km south of Algiers) at the wetland Chott Gadaine allowing the identification, from the first day, of thousands of waterbirds, said Hind Samai, Representative of the National Network of Algerian birdwatchers (RNOOA).

The eurasian coot with more than 1,200 individuals, the shelduck with a thousand individuals, the Northern shoveler (several hundred) and the mallard (several hundred) were the species most strongly present on the complex of water bodies of the Gadaïne wetland site, the same source said.

The winter teal, the marbled teal, the wigeon, the white stilts, the elegant pink flamingo and Falcinella Ibis were also observed on this wetland straddling several communes of the province of Batna, the source added.

This winter census will continue until January 26th and will concern about twenty wetlands in the province of Batna, said Hind Samai who is also member of the National Park of Belezma (Batna).

"This strong presence of birds on the site of Gadaïne confirms the vitality of this wetland on which 5,400 birds had nested during the spring of last year, including 900 shelduck Shelduck," the source concluded.