Pygmy Cormorant Protection

Protection of the Pygmy Cormorant and the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Greece LIFE96 NAT/GR/003217

Since its foundation, the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP) has had the goal of addressing the most important ecological issue for large waterbirds in Lesser Prespa Lake: the ideal waterbird feeding areas, the shallow waters at the edge of the lake, are extensively dominated by reeds due to the absence of traditional mowing and grazing management practices, resulting in a densely vegetated area where waterbirds cannot feed. In 2001, the SPP prepared a preliminary scientific study on this topic, which was partially financed by the LIFE-Nature project: “Protection of the Pygmy Cormorant and the Lesser White-fronted Goose in Greece, 1997-1999” and included experimental management of reedbeds and restoration of wet meadows in the area of Pyli at Lesser Prespa lake. In addition, the project saw the completion of a National Action Plan on the conservation of pygmy cormorants, a rare species which also nests in the reedbeds of Lesser Prespa Lake.