14. May 2011
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (northern Germany) 49 hector of critical habitat for Lesser Spotted Eagle (one of the rarest and most endangered raptors in Germany) have been destroyed. The habitat were valuable grasslands use for foraging by 3 pairs of. Now they have been turned into fields which are not nearly as good a foraging habitat as the grasslands were.
According to Birdlife Germany, this is illegal as this was done in a protected area.
You can help and protest against this development by sending a letter to the regional government. More information (in German) incl. information about where to send protest letters can be found here.
http://mecklenburg-vorpommern.nabu.de/themen/landwirtschaft/13746.html
More information about the Birdlife Germany and their conservation work for the Lesser Spotted Eagle and how you can help can be found here:
www.schreiadlerschutz.de
http://www.nabu.de/tiereundpflanzen/voegel/vogelschutz/schreiadler/pate/index.html
10. May 2011
After a successful conference in April 2011 in Budapest, the Budapest Declaration on bird protection and power lines has been adopted by the participants of the Budapest Conference “Power lines and bird mortality in Europe”.
The Conference was co-organised by MME/BirdLife Hungary, the Ministry of Rural Development of Hungary and BirdLife Europe and was kindly hosted by MAVIR (the Hungarian Transmission System Operator Company Ltd.), as part of the official programme of the Hungarian EU Presidency in 2011. It was attended by 123 participants from 29 European and Central Asian countries,the European Commission, UNEP-AEWA, six energy and utility companies, experts, businesses and NGOs.
13 conference presentations, 12 posters, the Budapest Declaration and the list of conference participants are available for download on the following MME website:
http://www.mme.hu/termeszetvedelem/budapest-conference-13-04-2011
1. May 2011
White-tailed Eagle chick in nest
© Alv Ottar Folkestad
I am happy to announce a new interview, this time about the White-tailed Eagle in Norway.
The White-tailed Eagle is one of the largest eagles in the world with a wingspan of up to around 245cm. During the last decades, the species has increased dramatically in many countries. In Europe, the largest population lives in Norway where Alv Ottar Folkestad has been studying the species for many years.
In this new interview, Alv explains the current situation of the White-tailed Eagle in Norway, how the population has developed over the last years, what threat’s it faces in the future (incl. wind farms) and why the European Otter is important for the White-tailed Eagle in Norway and many other interesting facts about this spectacular species.
See the interview for more information:
Interview with Alv Ottar Folkestad about the White-tailed Eagle in Norway
28. April 2011
The Griffon Vulture is a rare or extinct raptor species across most of Europe. Only in Spain are the numbers high and currently not threatened.
In other countries, a lot of effort is made by dedicated conservationists to help to increase the population.
In Bulgaria a reintroduction effort is underway that will help to increase and secure the population in Bulgaria and on the Balkan.
In order to learn more about the birds and their survival and movements, 5 more Griffon Vultures where fitted with GPS/GSM transmitters by the team from Green Balkans. 4 of the birds are from the 4 different release sites of the reintroduction program.
For more information, see the Green Balkan’s website:
Five more Griffon Vulture were tagged with GPS/GSM transmitters and are now ready for release into the wild
More about vulture conservation in Bulgaria:
VULTURES IN BULGARIA
Soon there will also be a new interview about the Griffon Vulture in Bulgaria.
17. April 2011
Tracking raptors with radio or satellite transmitters is not only important for science but also for conservation, for example when learning more about migration routes or mortality of raptors.
In Bulgaria, radio tracking of a female Eastern Imperial Eagles called Gabriela by the team at Green Balkans has now allowed the timely location of the new area occupied by the Gabriela and another eagle.
It is important to find newly established pairs early to make sure they can breed successfully in the following years, for example by improving habitat, providing food or artificial nests.
To learn more about Gabriela and the conservation of work Green Balkans and Eastern Imperial Eagles, click here:
Yet another newly formed pair of Imperial Eagles localized as a result of radio-tracking
13. April 2011
Spanish Imperial Eagles on corrected pylon
© EBD-CSIC
A new and very important interview in now available:
Interview Pascual López about power lines and raptors in Spain
In this interview, raptor Researcher Pascual López talks about power lines and raptors in Spain.
Around the world, power lines have long been a serious problem for raptor conservation (and other large birds like Great Bustards or White Storks). Either the birds collide with the power lines or they get electrocuted on dangerous pylons.
In Spain the problem is affecting many raptor species, including the rare and endangered Spanish Imperial Eagle and Bonelli’s Eagle, both species loosing many birds to electrocution.
But much can be done if some money is available and there is the will of governments and companies to make the world a little better for raptors.
Pascual describes in detail the situation in Spain and how it affects raptors, especially the Spanish Imperial Eagle and the Bonelli’s Eagle. He also explains what pylons are the most dangerous one, what must be done to make those safe for raptors and what already has been and is currently beeing done in Spain.
Also have a look at Pascual’s website (link at bottom of the interview) to find many interesting publications about raptors.
9. April 2011
In 2010, 282 pairs of Spanish Imperial Eagles have been counted, 279 in Spain and 3 in Portugal. This is 16 pairs more than in 2009. 341 young fledged, the highest number ever recorded.
For the next 4 years, more than 6 million Euros will be invested in the modification of power lines to make them safe for the eagles in Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León and Extremadura.
This was published on the website for the conservation of the Spanish Imperial Eagle:
El MARM, las CCAA y Portugal analizan los avances conseguidos en la conservación del águila imperial ibérica
More information about the Spanish Imperial Eagle:
Spanish Imperial Eagle species account on europeanraptors.org
Programa de Conservación del Águila Imperial Ibérica – Conservation program for the Spanish Imperial Eagle
3. April 2011
Kestrel female with brood in an old crow’s nest.
© Gordon Riddle
I am happy to announce a new interview, this time with Gordon Riddle about the Eurasian or Common in the United Kingdom.
Interview with Gordon Riddle about the Eurasian Kestrel the UK
The Eurasian or Common Kestrel is a widespread raptor and popular not only among bird watchers and ornithologists. He can be found in most European countries, often in agricultural areas or even in big cities but also in remote locations like the alps where it sometimes has to fight much bigger raptors like Golden Eagles who come to close to it’s nest.
Sadly, in many countries researches and bird watchers have seen a decline in Kestrel numbers, at least in part due to intensification of agriculture and loss of habitat and prey species.
In this new interview, Gordon Riddle, who has been studying the little falcon for almost 40 years, talks about the biology and conservation of the Kestrel in the UK and beyond and explains what must be done to make sure that future generations will see as many or more Kestrels then we do today.
Gordon is also the author of the soon to be published book Kestrels for company. See the interview for more information about the book.
17. March 2011
Illegal persecution is the main threat Hen Harriers face today in the UK. During the last 6 years the UK populations has declined by 20%, according to the latest information by the RSPB and illegal killing is the biggest single factor affecting the Hen Harrier, according to the RSPB.
The English population is only 12 pairs although there is potential for more than 300 pairs. At the moment the Hen Harrier is in serious danger of becoming extinct in England.
For more information, see the RSPB Website:
Illegal persecution killing Britain’s hen harrier population
Also see this interview with Brien Etheridge from the RSPB:
Interview with Brian Etheridge about the Hen Harrier in the UK
