COMMON CRANE RECOGNIZED AS BIRD OF 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.01.2010 19:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As a result of a recent public opinion poll conducted
by the Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB) and LOLO
children’s journal, the Common Crane was recognized as `Bird of 2010
` in Armenia.

The poll was conducted in Yerevan, as well as in settlements situated
within the Important Bird Areas (IBAs).

Of the total number of 1025 respondents, 481 (47%) voted for the
Crane. The second popular bird was Golden Eagle (297 votes, 29%);
Kestrel (184 votes, 18%) came next.

Crane is a very rare bird in Armenia, breeding only in the southern
and south-western provinces. The population of this species is in
critical condition; according to the current data, there are only 2
to 6 pairs within the surroundings of Arpi Lake.

"There is no doubt", says Luba Balyan, ASPB National IBA Coordinator,
"that cranes merit serious attention and care If proper measures are
not taken, they will be at risk of becoming vanishing species the
nearest future."

The common crane is a large, stately bird at 110-120, with a wingspan
of 220-245 cm. It breeds in wetlands in northern parts of Europe
and Asia. The global population is in the region of 210,000-250,000,
with the vast majority nesting in Russia and Scandinavia. It breeds
in wetlands in northern parts of Europe and Asia.

The Common Crane is one of the species to which the Agreement on the
Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

ASPB is the representative of BirdLife International in Armenia.

LOLO is a children’s intellectual journal intended for children. as
well as their parents. Adhering to the motto "Gay, Smart and Bold", the
magazine is aimed at broadening children’s scope of mind, developing
their taste and boundaries of cognition. It covers various themes
including sports, music, painting, literature, zoology, science,
history and intellectual games.