PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Lake Fert and the swamps of Hansg have a rich fauna, including threatened species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. Bird species in the National Park and Natura 2000 network site include great bustard (Otis tarda) and several birds of prey; there are about 10 pairs of Saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and 6-7 pairs of Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca). A previous LIFE project (LIFE09 NAT/HU/000384) showed that rodents are a very important part of the diet of Saker falcon, with the Europeanground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) accounting for more than 25% of the birds prey. A number of rodent species are also very important for the Eastern imperial eagle. However, rodent populations are decreasing, resulting in increased conflict between raptors and pigeon fanciers and hunters. Reasons for the loss of rodent habitat include fewer grazing animals on the land and the loss of grassland to urbanisation and solar power facilities. Also, farmers continue to kill rodent species indiscriminately as vermin.
OBJECTIVES
The RAPTORSPREYLIFE project aimed to reinforce ongoing efforts to strengthen the European core populations of Saker falcon and Eastern imperial eagle by stopping the decline of the existing small mammals populations that serve as their prey. The specific objectives were to act as a demonstration project to develop best practices for increasing the populations of raptor prey species; increase public awareness of birds of prey, especially the importance of their small mammal prey; and demonstrate how to adjust different nature conservation priorities when carefully considering the habitat demands of Southern birch mouse (Sicista subtilis trizona) and blind mole rat (Nannospalax (leucodon) montanosyrmiensis), which are strictly protected species in Hungary.
RESULTS
The RAPTORSPREYLIFE reinforced on-going efforts to strengthen the European core populations of Saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Hungary and in Romania. Their main prey species are also rare or vulnerable, so project actions were implemented to ensure their long-term survival. Important data were collected and evaluated to enable a better understanding of the conservation status of the small mammal prey species of the raptors, including information on population numbers and trend, habitat preference, genetics and health status.
The project beneficiaries updated the distribution maps of the raptors prey species European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), common hamster (Cricetus cricetus), the blind mole rat Nannospalax (leucodon) montanosyrmiensis, and the Hungarian subspecies of the Southern birch mouse (Sicista subtilis trizona), for the entire area of Hungary. They established a genetic and health survey, and gene banks for small mammal species, elaborated and implemented a European ground squirrel action plan and a welfare and reintroduction protocol, and developed airport grassland management guidelines. Fragmented rodent sub-populations were reconnected and ground squirrel habitat was reconstructed. As populations of the small mammal species that form an important part of the diet of threatened raptors are in decline, actions to reverse this decline are vital to securing the long-term favourable conservation status of the raptor species. European ground squirrel, for instance, accounts for over a quarter of the Saker falcons prey in the project area.
A Land Stewardship Advisory Service was established for advising farmers on agricultural methods in favour of the target prey species. The project team purchased and reconstructed 104 ha of grasslands, which is managed for the benefit of the birds and for their mammalian prey. They established 54 ha of "stepping stones" to connect Natura 2000 sites, for use by small- and medium-size mammals, an action whichhas a high demonstration value. The project team reconstructed 2.1 ha of farmyards, and 70 ha of agricultural field boundaries along dirt roads in Hungary and 28 ha in Romania. Invasive alien plant species were also eliminated from specific project sites.
The project established indoor captive breeding facilities and technology that was innovative for Central Europe, leading to the production of the first-ever captive bred European ground squirrels. Ground squirrel individuals were introduced into new areas from this captive-breeding facility and from viable populations elsewhere.
The project beneficiaries produced and distributed several high-level, stakeholder-specific technical publications and public awareness-raising materials. Cooperation actions between conservationists, airport managers, farmers, hunters and the public were strengthened. The project helped mitigate the sharp decline of European ground squirrel and common hamster populations. Valuable blind mole rat individuals were rescued from destroyed habitats. Beneficiaries established 18 new common European ground squirrel populations, two new common hamster populations and one blind mole rat population. The Southern Birch mouse population has increased, and their habitat doubled to 40 ha due to specific conservation measures. The project is highly relevant to the implementation of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, as well as for agri-environmental schemes.
In terms of socio-economic benefits, local people, especially future decision makers (children), are likely to have a better understanding of birds of prey, especially the importance of viable populations of their prey species. Awareness was also raised of the value of the Natura 2000 network, and its rich biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides, and the importance of nature conservation. The extensive agriculture promoted by the project may also increase employment in some regions.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
