In a remarkable milestone for Albania’s biodiversity, flamingos have nested for the first time in the country at the Narta Lagoon. This significant development marks a new chapter for bird conservation efforts in the region.
Xhemal Xherri, project manager for the protection of wild birds, shared the news during a Skype interview on the “Sot Live në Shqipëri” program on Report TV with journalist Nertil Agalliu. Xherri confirmed that over 280 flamingo nests have been identified in the Narta area.
“We’ve been active for several years in monitoring this species, paying close attention to their behavior. This year, we are fortunate to witness flamingos nesting in the Narta Lagoon,” Xherri explained. “The nesting process is nearing completion, and with over 280 nests currently present, we expect the chicks to hatch within the next two weeks. This could be the largest flamingo nesting colony in the Balkans—even larger than those recorded in Greece, where the numbers are significantly lower.”
However, this natural success story may face serious challenges. Xherri expressed concern over the construction of the Vlora Airport near the lagoon, which could disrupt the flamingos’ presence due to noise pollution.
“If there’s any disturbance near the nesting sites, the flamingos may abandon their nests and never return, halting the entire breeding process,” Xherri warned. “The development of Vlora Airport in that area could make nesting impossible. The birds may not be able to withstand the acoustic pollution, potentially leading to their disappearance from the lagoon.”
The situation presents a critical choice for policymakers and conservationists: preserve one of the most promising natural habitats for flamingos in the Balkans or risk losing it to infrastructure development.