Between April and June 2021, the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation together with external contractor DOPPS, Birdlife Slovenia, organized a river bird census. We conducted a census of river birds on the Mura River in the section between Ceršak and Dekanovec. 

We covered the entire Mura riverbed with some larger side arms and gravel pits on this section. We have focused on 5 river birds, which are breeding on the river. These are common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius), sand martin (Riparia riparia), kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), bee-eater (Merops apiaster).

Nevertheless, we had an opportunity to observe many different bird and animal species, as well as the breeding conditions (gravel bars, gravel islands, steep river banks) at different river flow rates. We have also observed the impact of the invasive plant species, especially Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), on the steep river banks, decreasing the breeding sites availability for sand martin and kingfisher. The river bird census is a part of WP T1, River birds breeding report, D.T1.1.2. The joint report of all three river bird census will be presented at the midterm conference in November.

All photos are provided by the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation.