Tens of thousands of waterfowl winter in Flanders every year. The numbers and distribution of the various species are closely monitored through standardized counts in more than 1000 areas. This monitoring project is necessary to comply with the obligations arising from various international treaties or directives such as the European Birds Directive, the Ramsar Convention and the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA).
The coordination of the counts is done by INBO in collaboration with Natuurpunt Study . They are mainly voluntary employees who are responsible for the field work. A network of regional coordinators ensures the practical organization of the counts in 24 sub-regions.