24. January 2010
Sakar Mountains, © Gunther Willinger/EuroNatur
I am happy to announce another interview, this time with Gunterh Willinger from Euronatur about the organisations work done in Bulgaria to protect endangered raptor species like the Saker Falcon and the Eastern Imperial Eagle in Bulgaria in very biodiverse area called Sakar Mountains and Dervent Hights. The interview can be found here:
http://europeanraptors.org/interviews/interview_gunther_willinger_euronatur_raptors_bulgaria.html
Euronatur is working there with other organisations like Green Balkans.
That area is home to many endangered bird species like Long-legged buzzards, Black Storks or Masked Shrikes.
Read the interview to find out more. Also make sure to visit the website of Euronatur (available in both English and German):
Euronatur (German)
Euronatur (English)
13. January 2010
A Saker Falcon conference will be held from 15th to 19th of September 2010 in Hungary. In September 2010, a big Saker Falcon conservation program, supported by the European Union will come to an end. A lot has been achieved during this project from 2006 to 2010 and the results will be presented at the conference.
In the conference, the following topics are planned to be covered:
- Reviewing recent population figures and trends in Europe
- Reviewing endangering factors
- Thematic presentations on practical conservation activities and experiences related to Saker conservation based on findings of the LIFE project (e.g. habitat analysis to identify key factors for the species; analyses of temporary settlement areas and wintering sites to map mortality factors; conservation of prey species like Suslik; electrocution: surveys, insulation, monitoring; disappearing nesting sites; other human threats: shooting, nest robbing, trapping, poisoning (surveys, egg analysis, etc.)
- Importance and possibilities of communication and PR related to Saker conservation (co-operation with media; farmers; hunters and falconers)
The conference is open for anyone interested.
More information incl. registration form:
http://www.sakerlife.mme.hu/uploads/File/Call_for_Conference_Saker_Conf_in_Hungary_15_19_09_2010.doc
2. January 2010
A new feasibility study about Saker Falcon reintroduction in Bulgaria has recently been published as announced by Dimitar Ragyov on the mailing list of the European Falco cherrug Conservation Taskforce.
The purposes of the study are:
- to make an assessment of whether or not reintroduction is a suitable and feasible conservation management option for restoring the Saker Falcon as a breeding bird in Bulgaria
- to outline the strategies of a potential reintroduction, following the best practices in similar conservation projects and the IUCN criteria for reintroductions
- to serve as a tool in preparation and implementation of any Saker reintroduction projects and other conservation activities
The authors of the study will appreciate every comment on the document and the idea for reintroduction.
The study can be downloaded here:
Saker Falcon Reintroduction in Bulgaria Feasibility Study
23. November 2009
In this new interview Péter Palatitz talks about the conservation of the endangered Red-footed Falcon in Hungary and neighbouring countries.
This magnificent falcon is endangered in many countries but thanks to conservation work done in Hungary and other countries, the population has reached more than 900 pairs in Hungary.
Péter explains why the species is endangered, what is done for it’s conservation, why Rooks are important for Red-footed Falcons and much more.
The availability of very light satellite transmitters now allows the tracking of Red-footed Falcons during the migration to Africa.
To learn more, see the interview with Péter here:
Interview with Péter Palatitz about the conservation of the Red-footed Falcon in Hungary and other countries
14. November 2009
The Peregrine Falcon is a rare breeding species in Ukraine. The species declined dramatically (similar to almost everywhere else in Europe) during the second half of the 20th century and reached a low of only 15-20 pairs in the 1980s.
Since then the population has increased but the species is still rare. The current number of pairs is estimated somewhat differently by several authors but there is no doubt that the Peregrine has increased in the Ukraine, but it still needs full protection!
More information, including some population estimates can be found here:
Current status of the Peregrine Falcon population in Ukraine
10. November 2009
The Peregrine Fund is organising a conference in February 2011 about the Gyrfalcon and the Ptarmigan (the falcon’s most important prey).
From the announcement:
This international conference will explore evidence for a range of environmental changes in arctic ecosystems affecting the Gyrfalcon, its competitors, and its prey, Ptarmigan, waterfowl, seabirds and others, to predict effects and outcomes of global climate change, identify areas of uncertainty, and develop global strategies for measuring and mitigating them. We will publish a conference proceedings in what we expect will be a landmark publication of information, ideas, and strategies.
More information:
2011 Gyrfalcons and Ptarmigan in a Changing World Conference – The Peregrine Fund
9. November 2009
The exact migration route of the Eleonora’s Falcon has long been a mystery.
Satellite telemetry has helped in recent years to find out more about the migration of this elegant raptor. This year, for the first time in Greece, 2 adult and 2 juvenile falcons were equipped with satellite transmitters in their breeding colony on the island of Andros.
The movement of those 4 birds can be followed via the project’s website:
Satellite telemetry of Eleonora’s Falcon migration
The migratory journey of Eleonora’s Falcons – with Maps
1. November 2009
Saker Falcon with a satellite transmitter. © Miklós Váczi
In this new interview Mátyás Prommer talks about the conservation of the endangered Saker Falcon in Hungary and neighbouring countries.
This magnificent falcon is endangered in many countries but thanks to conservation work done in Hungary and other countries, the population has reached about 300 pairs in Hungary and neighbouring countries.
To learn more, see the interview with Mátyás here:
Interview with Mátyás Prommer about the conservation of the Saker Falcon in Hungary and neighbouring countries
20. September 2009
This year, 8 Red-footed Falcons from Hungary are tracked via Satellite. Two have already left Hungary and are located north of the Black Sea coast.
The birds and their movements can also be followed on the web.
This is part of a LIFE project for the conservation of the Red-footed Falcon in the Pannonian Region.
More information:
Conservation of the Red-footed Falcon in the Pannonian Region
Overview of tagged birds.
Map with the location of the birds
9. September 2009
The Bulgarian Society for the protection of birds (BSPB) has installed a new type of 20 aluminium nest boxes for the Saker Falcon in Bulgaria. The new nest boxes were designed during the Saker Falcon conservation project in Hungary.
The new nests long life aluminium constructions with roofs and two side protection from unfavourable atmospheric conditions. They are installed one high-voltage electric pylons.
In 2008, more than 100 nest boxes of an older, metal and wooden type, were installed.
BSPB hopes that this will help to increase the currently very low population of only 6-7 pairs of Saker Falcons in Bulgaria.
More information including many interesting pictures:
BSPB installed the first for Bulgaria aluminum nest boxes for saker falcon (Falco cherrug)
