The second day of the regional workshop on monitoring and recording cases of the illegal killing of birds (IKB) in the Balkans and North Africa, held in Zrenjanin, Serbia, included a combination of theoretical sessions and field activities. Key activities included:

🔹 Official presentation of the National Report on the Status of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Serbia for 2017–2023, along with presentations of national reports on Important Bird Areas from participating countries. These presentations provided an opportunity to exchange information and experiences on the status of these sites and their importance for bird conservation.

🔹 A visit to Lujza Farmstead in the village of Belo Blato, which included meetings with journalists, the production of video materials and interviews to highlight the project’s activities, as well as an intensive field survey to monitor and document the presence of waders and birds of prey in the area.

🔹 A nocturnal field survey to monitor illegal hunting of Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), conducted as part of the practical activities designed to introduce participants to methods for monitoring and documenting cases of illegal killing and hunting of birds.

These activities demonstrate the importance of combining scientific data collection, field monitoring, and public communication to strengthen bird conservation efforts and address the threats they face. They also highlight the value of regional cooperation and knowledge exchange between countries across the Balkans and North Africa.

📍 Zrenjanin, Serbia
📅 24–28 September 2026