The Constant Effort Sites (CES) programme is primarily designed to understand changes in breeding bird populations. The programme builds on the CES programme initiated by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). It operates in several European countries.
The Riparia Association of Environmentalists joined the programme in 2018 and is running it in partnership with the public enterprise Palics-Ludaš in the “Lake Ludaš” Special Nature Reserve.
The programme provides us with information that can be used in nature conservation and bird protection for more effective conservation work, by means of scientific bird ringing (unique marking method) carried out regularly at appropriate intervals during the breeding season (15 April to 15 July).
We carry out bird ringing in the field at least 9 times over several years (minimum 4 times per year), under standard conditions (same place, same number of mist nets, same time of day, same duration), so that the results can be compared.
The results are reflected in the number of adult birds captured per year, which shows the population change. The ratio of fledglings to adults allows us to calculate the breeding success and gives us information about the factors that positively or negatively influence breeding success. From the recaptures (previously ringed and recaptured birds), the survival rate can be determined. For the time being, only this method provides a basis for obtaining this information. It also contributes much useful data to other monitoring programmes in the area.
500-1500 birds are ringed annually at Lake Ludaš under this programme.
There is no other programme of this or similar type in Serbia.
All interested people are welcome to participate in field activities.
Coordinator: Szekeres Ottó
Contact:tel 064 11 33 781, e-mail: otus.riparia@gmail.com
