We have completed the White-throated Dipper Monitoring Programme for this year, marking its eleventh consecutive year.

This year’s survey took place between  20–25 January, involving 27 teams and a total of 82 participants. The observers covered 11 rivers and recorded a total of 365 White-throated dippers.

In the 50 km stretch of the Mureș River, between Deda – Toplița , 30 volunteers carried out observations. This is the longest river section we monitor, so it is no surprise that the highest number of individuals was recorded here, with a total of 156 White-throated dippers.

For the first time, we managed to collect data along rivers such as the Vargyas stream, as well as certain sections of the Dâmbovița and Someș rivers. Additionally, we continued our regular monitoring on the Olt River, the Crișul Repede, the Târnava Mare, and smaller tributaries flowing into the Danube around the Iron Gates.

Long-term monitoring on the Mureș and Crișul Repede rivers shows slight negative trends. However, we cannot definitively say that the White-throated dipper population is in decline, as various factors may influence the observed numbers. For example, due to milder winters, dippers may no longer move down from the mountain streams as much as before, or during periods of high water levels, the larger rocks in the riverbed, where they usually perch, may be submerged.

The exact number of birds observed in each river section is presented in this table.