Experts of Balkani Wildlife Society and the Bulgarian Ornithological Centre at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences participate in the mapping of rare bird species the habitats of which are endangered by the construction of ski resorts in Rila and the Rhodopes. These are the resorts Pani`chishte-Ezerata-Kabul, Govedartsi-Iskrovete, Kartala, Super Borovets, Super Perelik and others. http://en.forthenature.org/nature/12
Although up to the moment only 50% of the mountain ski runs are explored the results are worrying. Almost all ski runs are planned in centuries-old coniferous forests which conserve unique relict bird species. In South Europe these birds are isolated only in the wildest and highest parts of the mountains, usually in north-facing slopes. In case all ski resorts are built up their survival could be questionable.
Since the autumn of 2009 experts have found out more than 15 couples of the Eurasian Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), a species which until recently has been regarded as almost vanished in Bulgaria. A little bit more frequently found but also endangered by the construction activities in the mountains are the other birds ascertained at the present bird mapping: the Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus), Capercaillie (T.urogallus), Hazel Grouse (B.bonasia), the Black Woodpecker (D.martius), Grey-headed Woodpecker (P.canus).
The research is performed with the support of the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation under the “Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria” Project financed by the European Economic Area.
Translated by: P. Ilieva