Contributions to the study of water and semiaquatic birds in the Ramsar Wetland ”lower Prut lakes”

The Republic of Moldova has few wet areas. One of them was designated in the year 2000 with the status of Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar). The ecosystems of lakes and ponds are home to a multitude of bird species. Aquatic and semi-aquatic species make up a major component of the studied sector and consists of 94 species. Thousands of specimens transit the area during spring and autumn migrations; others retreat in the winter to be safe and to feed; the summer guests arrive in the warm period of the year to breed. Out of the total number of aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, 26 species are protected nationally and internationally. During the study period, rare or accidental species were recorded, such as: Bubulcus ibis, Cygnus columbianus, Branta ruficollis, Grus grus, Sterna caspia, Arenaria interpres, Larus ichthyaetus etc.