Vitebsk residents took on the role of ornithologists

In Vitebsk, as in some other cities of the country, birds were observed and counted on October 5. The educational event was held as part of the annual European Autumn Birdwatch (EuroBirdwatch-2013), which is coordinated in Belarus by the public organization "Aхова птушак Бацькаўшчыны" (APB).

In Vitebsk, birds were observed in one of the most beautiful green corners of the city – in Frunze Park, near the Vitba River. Schoolchildren, teachers, and all interested passers-by took part in the event. Nature lovers observed the feathered creatures using binoculars and under the guidance of ornithologists, members of the Vitebsk Regional Branch of APB.

The European Autumn Birdwatch traditionally takes place on the first weekend of October. The international nature conservation event is organized to raise public awareness about birds and the specifics of their migration.

This year, 35 countries of Europe and Central Asia are participating in EuroBirdwatch-2013. In Belarus, this event has been held since 1999. Last year, more than 3,000 people participated in the observations. Nature lovers managed to see 33,063 birds of 112 different species. The most common birds observed by Belarusians were rooks, jackdaws, and mallards. Starlings, house sparrows and tree sparrows, black-headed gulls, rock doves, and great tits were also registered in large numbers.