Dynamics of the aquatic nesting bird populations in the mixed colonies from Vulpaşu, Chiriloaia and Cucova (Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park, Romania)

Abstract

This study presents the observations made during a three-year period of time (2007-2009) in the three mixed colonies of the Balta Mică a Brăilei Nature Park: Vulpaşu, Chiriloaia and Cucova. In the colonies, there was reported a number of ten aquatic nesting species, with specific differences for each colony separately. The 10 species are: Phalacrocorax carbo (Great Cormorant), Phalacrocorax pygmaeus (Pygmy Cormorant), Nycticorax nycticorax (Night Heron), Ardeola ralloides (Squacco Heron), Egretta garzetta (Little Egret), Egretta alba (Great White Egret), Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret), Ardea cinerea (Grey Heron), Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) and Platalea leucorodia (Spoonbill). The presence or absence of certain species in a colony is closely related to its ecological requirements, with the structural features of the ecosystems and the climatic conditions.