Members of the national scouting organization “Plast” paid a visit to the “Everyone Can Help” Volunteer Center in Berehove, bringing with them the Bethlehem Fire. Following the formal ceremony of transferring the Bethlehem Fire, they took a stroll around the count’s yard, where they observed the avian residents. Leonid Pokrytyuk, an expert ornithologist at the IRCEF, acquainted the scouts with the feathered inhabitants of the center, including storks, bantams, and unexpected visitors – owls – that had made their way to the count’s yard.
Bantams are compact chicken breeds with short legs and petite bodies. They are cherished by poultry enthusiasts for their small size, friendly nature, and distinctive appearance. Generally, bantams exhibit intriguing and lively behaviors, making them delightful birds to observe and raise. While feeding the storks, the scouts learned how to differentiate between adult and young birds, what their diet comprises, and where they spend the winter.
A delightful surprise awaited them as they encountered long-eared owls. Previously perched on deciduous trees near the Orthodox Church, the owls had now flown off in search of cozier spots with the falling leaves. The scouts got the opportunity to closely observe the owls while using binoculars provided by the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies (IERS).
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF
