THE DALMATIAN PELICAN, PELECANUS-CRISPUS, NESTING IN MEDITERRANEAN LAGOONS IN ALBANIA AND TURKEY

The majority or breeding colonies uf Dalmatian Pelicans (Peleranus cri spus), a vulnerable species are located in freshwater inland wetlands. However, in the Mediterranean region, a few breeding colonies are fou nd in lagoon systems. One of them (Karavasta, Albania) was already kno wn early this century and two others (Camalti Tuzlasi and the Menderes Delta, Turkey) are recent, established probably during the 1970s foll owing the abandonment of breeding colonies located in freshwater inlan d wetlands. Breeding success (from 0 to 0.85 chicks nest(-1)) is gener ally lower than that in breeding colonies located in freshwater inland wetlands. Disturbance (fishery activities. bird watchers, photographe rs), predation by gulls and limited availability of food late in the b reeding season might explain this observed lower breeding success. Eel s (Anguilla anguilla), mullet (Mugil spp.), gobies (Gobius spp.), and sand smelt (Atherina spp.) are the main food items eaten by Dalmatian Pelicans in these systems. All these fish are commercial specie for th e traditional fisheries within the lagoons, and the Dalmatian Pelican might compete with fisheries. The maintenance of these breeding coloni es of Dalmatian Pelicans within lagoon systems are under threat becaus e of the alteration of the functioning of these lagoons, increasing di sturbance and coastal development (tourism). Conservation measures sho uld be rapidly implemented.