Results and population estimates from the 1997/98 Non-Estuarine Coastal Waterbird Survey in Croatia

The results of the 1997/98 Non-Estuarine Coastal Waterbird Survey in Croatia (Croatia-NEWS) are presented.Of the 5,725 km of the Croatian non-estuarine coast, 6.3% was covered in this survey. A total of 39 species was recorded, including 12 species of wader. For waders and 19 other regularly wintering species, population estimates for the whole Croatian non-estuarine coast are given. Among waders, the most numerous species was Dunlin Calidris alpina. Among other species, aside from Yellow-legged Gull Larus (cachinnans) michahellis and Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus, the most numerous species were Arctic Loon (Black-throated Diver) Gavia arctica, Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis and Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator. The north-west part of north Dalmatia was the most important area for wintering waders and other waterbirds in Croatia. Population estimates are also given for the whole country for those species which predominantly winter in non-estuarine habitats – there are no previous Croatian population estimates for these species.