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Help protect Montenegro’s Ulcinj Saltpans – a vital migration resting site (1 Viewer)

MontenegroBirder

MontenegroBirder

Undiscovered Montenegro Birdwatching Tours
More than one million birds fly over Montenegro’s Ulcinj Saltpans (“Ulcinjske Solane”, locally) during spring and winter migration. Without this important resting stop on the Eastern Adriatic flyway, many migratory birds – especially garganeys and curlew sandpipers – would not be able to survive the tremendously long flight of up to 5,000km from Eurasia to Africa.

Very sadly, the saltpans – a recognised Important Bird Area - are under threat of development and only Montenegro’s Government has the power to step in.

In January, the Ulcinj Saltpans were due to be sold for a likely two hundred million euros to developers planning to create a large-scale tourist complex including golf courses. With this ecological treasure at risk of becoming a building site, the Centre for the Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro has organised a petition, at the time of writing more than 2500 signatures’ strong. Thousands more signatures will be needed, plus strong lobbying by international birding, wildlife and sustainable development NGOs, if Montenegro’s Government is to be persuaded to remove unconsulted amendments to its Spatial Plan which deleted the designation of Solana Ulcinj as a protected area and earmarked it for tourist land use.

Please add your support and sign the petition.

Further reading in the links below:
Centre for the Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro News Item
http://www.birdwatchingmn.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1324565329&archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&

Talking Naturally article
http://www.talking-naturally.co.uk/under-threat-could-eco-tourism-save-montenegros-ulcinj-saltpans/

Euronatur Press Release
http://www.euronatur.org/EuroNatur-News.english+M536488119b7.0.html?&cHash=91c382fb3e885f3d90608e30e655f3cd

Bird Forum Member Trip Report
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=212963
 
A "velika hvala" (big thanks) guys! We need as much publicity as we can get. I'm only linked into Montenegrin environment NGOs and Euronatur, but we need to get this on the radar of higher profile international conservationist bodies and media. If anyone here can help with that.....?
 
Also signed - I went to Ulcinj Saltpans in September 2011 and was amazed at the sheer scale and quality of the habitat they provide - a real gem!
 
Also signed, with some way still to go!

I'm going to Montenegro 23rd Sept-7th Oct. Not an all out birding holiday, maybe 99%! But will certainly be visiting the famous sites and a couple of national parks. Really looking forward to it!

Thanks for the report Stuart. I'm staying in Petrovac as well, so we'll be sure and head for the Buljarica area. Hopefully no nudists or hunters.
 
Last edited:
Some terrific news came out over Easter weekend - Montenegro's Government has issued an order to prevent any building at this site and voiced its intention to create a protected bird reserve here (given that IBA status clearly isn't enough!). Thanks to everyone who signed and supported this campaign. I've pasted a link to a news story by the Centre for Protection and Research of Birds Montenegro and pasted below that a translation as probably v few of you speak Crnogorski (Montenegrin)!!

http://http://www.birdwatchingmn.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334062613&archive&start_from&ucat=1&lng=cg&page=01

Government of Montenegro at its session last week issued a decision prohibiting the owner of 15 km2 Ulcinj salt pans to being turned from salt factories in tourism development complex with hotels and golf courses.

We want to thank the Secretariat of the Bern and Ramsar Convention, BirdLife International, European Commission, our partners and all of you who have us, signing the petition, supported and jointly participated in the struggle for the protection of Ulcinj salt pans, the most important gnijezdlišta, staging and wintering grounds in migrating birds on the east coast.

Also, we urge the government of Montenegro to the area of ​​Ulcinj salt pans and the formal protection of national legislation.
 
MontenegroBirder said:
Some terrific news came out over Easter weekend - Montenegro's Government has issued an order to prevent any building at this site and voiced its intention to create a protected bird reserve here (given that IBA status clearly isn't enough!). Thanks to everyone who signed and supported this campaign. I've pasted a link to a news story by the Centre for Protection and Research of Birds Montenegro and pasted below that a translation as probably v few of you speak Crnogorski (Montenegrin)!!

http://http://www.birdwatchingmn.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334062613&archive&start_from&ucat=1&lng=cg&page=01

Government of Montenegro at its session last week issued a decision prohibiting the owner of 15 km2 Ulcinj salt pans to being turned from salt factories in tourism development complex with hotels and golf courses.

We want to thank the Secretariat of the Bern and Ramsar Convention, BirdLife International, European Commission, our partners and all of you who have us, signing the petition, supported and jointly participated in the struggle for the protection of Ulcinj salt pans, the most important gnijezdlišta, staging and wintering grounds in migrating birds on the east coast.

Also, we urge the government of Montenegro to the area of ​​Ulcinj salt pans and the formal protection of national legislation.
Click to expand...

Thats the kind of news that keeps hope alive for people who support conservation :clap:
 
MontenegroBirder said:
Some terrific news came out over Easter weekend - Montenegro's Government has issued an order to prevent any building at this site and voiced its intention to create a protected bird reserve here (given that IBA status clearly isn't enough!). Thanks to everyone who signed and supported this campaign. I've pasted a link to a news story by the Centre for Protection and Research of Birds Montenegro and pasted below that a translation as probably v few of you speak Crnogorski (Montenegrin)!!

http://http://www.birdwatchingmn.org/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1334062613&archive&start_from&ucat=1&lng=cg&page=01

Government of Montenegro at its session last week issued a decision prohibiting the owner of 15 km2 Ulcinj salt pans to being turned from salt factories in tourism development complex with hotels and golf courses.

We want to thank the Secretariat of the Bern and Ramsar Convention, BirdLife International, European Commission, our partners and all of you who have us, signing the petition, supported and jointly participated in the struggle for the protection of Ulcinj salt pans, the most important gnijezdlišta, staging and wintering grounds in migrating birds on the east coast.

Also, we urge the government of Montenegro to the area of ​​Ulcinj salt pans and the formal protection of national legislation.
Click to expand...

Great news, looks like I'll be seeing them for myself this summer if I can book something soon.
 
Interesing

Is it worth going?? i have family currently living in both Montenegro and Serbia. What types of species are native to the region, and why is it endangered? I'd love to know...
M
 
Just signed! Visited the site last week and what a fanastic place. Highlights included Roller, Bee-eater, 300+ Greater Flamingoes and Collared Pratincole.

Cheers,
Dave.
 
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