Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Drini delta is a complex of relatively intact coastal lakes, marshes and forests. The site is divided in two parts: Kune is the northern part of the Drini river and Ceka the southern part. The north and north-east borders of this site are formed by the Barbalush mountains, the south by the Drini river. The main habitats are brackish lagoons, sandbars and beaches, marshes, reedbeds and scattered woodland areas and pine plantations. The surrounding area is cultivated and has a large system of dykes, dams, ditches and channels.
The area is important for several waterbirds; winter waterbird censuses recorded 17,000 individuals in January 1995, and 9,000 individuals in January 1996.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Harvesting of wood has destroyed a large part of the broadleaved forest and older pine plantations. Birds in parts of the area are disturbed by tourists. There has been an EU-funded project to start management planning, including a workshop.
National Partial
International NoneThe IBA includes parts of four Natural Reserves, totalling 5,500 ha.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Drini Delta (Albania). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/drini-delta-iba-albania on 23/12/2024.
