5. September 2009
The organisation Green Balkans started a new project called “Conservation activities for EEC Birds Directive target species – Lesser Kestrel, Black Vulture and Imperial Eagle in their main habitats in Bulgaria”. The project is supported by the European union. (Black Vulture is another name for the Cinereous Vulture).
All the species are endangered in Europe. The main goals for the project are:
- support and maintenance of the populations of rare bird species included in the EEC Birds Directive (79/409/ЕЕС) and their habitats
- creating conditions for increasing their numbers and restoring their populations in their former habitats
- reducing the conflict between the target species and the realization of investment intentions and projects
- increasing the nesting success of the breeding Imperial eagles and Black vultures
- improving the conditions for nesting of the target species
- “ex-situ” activities for restoring the population of the Lesser Kestrel
- identification of areas from the habitats of the target species sensitive to investment intentions
- raising the public awareness on the aims and effects of raptor conservation and biodiversity protection in general
All three species were a lot more widespread on the Balkan in the past. The new project is an important steps towards securing and improving the future of those raptors on the Balkan.
More information:
Green Balkans Federation started a European project for the conservation of threatened bird species
2. September 2009
A new and large book about the Peregrine Falcon has recently been published:
Peregrine Falcon populations – status and perspectives in the 21st century
The book contains the biggest collection of papers related to the Peregrine in Europe and is based on papers presented at the 2nd International Peregrine Conference Poland 2007, held from 19th till 23rd September 2007 in Piotrowo near Poznań, Poland.
Features of the book:
- 11 chapters
- 62 papers
- 800 pages
- more than 60 tables
- 400 colour photographs and figures
The book also contains some papers on the Saker Falcon.
The book can be ordered here:
http://www.falconline.eu/shop/11-28-0-Peregrine-Falcon-populations—status-and-perspectives-in-the-21st-century.html.
Also see the website of the European Peregrine Falcon Working Group:
www.falcoperegrinus.net
30. August 2009
The Saker Falcon Falco Cherrug is a globally endangered raptor species. In Europe, there are only about 450 breeding pairs. During the last years, the populations in Hungary, Austria and Slovakia have increased.
In order to learn more about the endangered falcons and the biology, some birds in Hungary have been fitted with a satellite transmitter. This allows to gain exact knowledge about the movements of the birds. If a bird dies, the cause of death can often be found out. This provides crucial information for conservation projects.
Detailed information about the work can be found on the project’s website.
A very interesting dispersal route was taken by one female Saker Falcon who moved to Spain and has already spend some time there (the bird appeared there in early August).
This shows that a Saker Falcon who is seen far away from it’s breeding area in eastern Europe is not always an escaped falconry bird.
More information:
Conservation of Saker (Falco cherrug) in the Carpathian Basin
Satellite-tracked Hungarian Saker (Falco cherrug) in N Spain