Every January, dedicated volunteers and scientists across Cyprus gather for an important mission: counting waterbirds as part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC). This vital scientific endeavour helps us understand the health of our wetlands and contribute to global bird conservation efforts.
The science behind the count
Waterbird counting is more than just spotting and tallying birds – it’s a standardized scientific process that provides crucial data about wetland ecosystems. Our surveyors follow specific protocols, visiting the same sites in the same way each year to ensure data consistency and reliability.
The census covers all types of wetland habitats in Cyprus, from natural wetlands to man-made reservoirs and sewage treatment plants. Surveyors document every waterbird species they encounter, including grebes, herons, flamingos, ducks, and waders.
2025 waterbird census highlights
During 17-20 January 2025, our dedicated team of 36 volunteers from BirdLife Cyprus and our partners at KUŞKOR surveyed 72 wetland sites across the island. This collaborative effort resulted in documenting 72 different species and counting a total of 21,592 individual waterbirds.
Notable findings from this year’s count include:
- The total number of waterbirds recorded has shown an increase following two years of lower-than-average numbers.
- Northern Shoveler emerged as the most numerous species, with 6,217 individuals recorded, followed by Common Teal, with 3,035 individuals.
- Significant populations of Common Shelduck and European Golden Plover were also observed, which was good news after several years of low numbers of these wintering species.
- Unfortunately, however, Greater Flamingo numbers were very low for a third consecutive year, as the numbers of the species that overwinter in Cyprus appear to be in decline for the last decade.
- Paralimni Lake hosted the largest number of waterbirds, with 4,097 individuals recorded, followed by Larnaca Salt Lakes, with 3,421, and Mia Milia (Haspolat) Sewage Works, with 3,141.

Why these counts matter
The IWC represents one of the world’s longest-running and largest citizen science programs, active since 1967. BirdLife Cyprus has been contributing to this global initiative since 1983, helping monitor over 870 waterbird species across more than 25,000 sites in 143 countries.
These counts are crucial because:
- They help assess the health of wetland ecosystems
- They track waterbird population trends over time
- They inform international conservation efforts
- They help identify important wetland areas needing protection
A collaborative island-wide effort
The success of the waterbird census in Cyprus relies on collaboration between communities across the island. BirdLife Cyprus coordinates with the Turkish-Cypriot organisation KUŞKOR to ensure comprehensive coverage of wetland sites across Cyprus, demonstrating how nature conservation can bring people together across communities.
Looking forward
BirdLife Cyprus extends its gratitude to all volunteers and partners, especially Kuşkor, whose dedication makes this annual census possible. As we continue this important monitoring work, we remain committed to tracking and protecting Cyprus’s wintering waterbirds for future generations.
How you can help
Become a volunteer
Want to join our team of citizen scientists? Register for our Bird ID course to learn the skills needed for bird monitoring. This course will give you the foundation to participate in future waterbird counts and other bird monitoring activities.
Donate
Your financial support helps us continue our vital monitoring work. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us protect Cyprus’s waterbirds and their habitats. Donations support our ongoing monitoring programs, training of volunteers, and conservation efforts. Donate here today.