Atlas of nesting birds in Bulgaria

 White-winged Tern

(Chlidonias leucopterus)

Category of conservation concern (IUCN, 2020) – Least Concern

Population size: 2020: 0-42 pairs (2007: 0-50 pairs)

Distribution pattern

With single breeding sites along the eastern part of the Danube River. For the first time the breeding of the species in Bulgaria was proved on June 27, 2000, (and on the following day) when two nests with eggs were found at the periphery of a Chlidonias hybrida colony in a flooded meadow on the northern part of the Srebarna Lake. On May 30, 2005 two nests with incubating birds were found (again at the periphery of a Chlidonias hybrida colony) in flooded meadows northwest of the Kalimok Fishponds, and on June 2, 2005 another two pairs in a Chlidonias hybrida colony were found in flooded fields east of the same fishponds. In 2010, a colony of the species was established in the Protected Area Chairya, Dobrich District.

Population estimation for the period 2013 – 2020: During the period 2013-2020, the species was not found in four squares, where it was found before the year 2013. New localities were found in two squares.

Population size in Special Protection Areas of Natura 2000: 0-42 pairs (100% of the population). It is found only in the Special Protection Areas “Kalimok Complex” (0-37 pairs) and “Srebarna” (0-5 pairs).

Big size map

Breeding distribution 2013 – 2020 – The distribution and the estimation of the population size of the species for the period 2013 – 2020 is presented –

Comparative distribution of the species compared to the first breeding birds atlas (Iankov, 2007): Breeding locality until 2007 | Breeding locality until 2007, confirmed after 2015 – | New breeding locality after 2015. – The breeding localities after 2015 are identified on a base of raw data from smartbirds.org.

Habitats

The breeding sites established in the years 2000, 2005 and 2010 are located in temporary spills in meadows and fields close to riparian and spring wetlands.

Trends in population changes for the period 2013-2020

Short-term trend of population size:

No clear trend

Long-term trend of population size:

No clear trend

Short-term trend of distribution:

No clear trend

Long-term trend of distribution:

No clear trend

Threats

Drainage of wetlands, changes in the water levels and in the hydrological regime of water bodies during the breeding season, disturbance.

Svilen Chesmedjiev, Petar Shurulinkov