The proposed project aims to enhance biodiversity in several coastal wetlands of Albania by supporting the colonially nesting water birds with nesting platforms as a replacement of the natural nesting habitats. Those habitats are lacking today as a result of human disturbance as well as erosion of lagoon islands serving as natural nesting habitats due to weather conditions linked with global warming and its effects in the coastal area of Albania.

The species that the project foresees to support through nesting platforms are the Common Tern Sterna hirundo and the Little Tern Sterna albifrons. Both species usually nest in lagoon islands, without or scarce vegetation. Unfortunately the nesting habitats are quite fragile due to erosion, floods and human disturbance. This is reflected in bird numbers which remain low. As such both species are considered endangered in Albania.

There is a vast experience of using artificial nesting platforms for a variety of birds, terns included, and the project would certainly profit from such an experience. This experience could be found in www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u15/downloads/.../guides/nestbox.pdf or www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Designofrafts_tcm9-212589.pdf.

The proposal aims to have multiples effects. It is not only supporting bird populations in several coastal wetlands of Albania but at the same time is using this central activity as a nucleus for other participatory activities including platform design through students participation, training of local biodiversity activists, promotion of nature conservation, eco-tourism development etc.