PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
With more than 600 breeding pairs of lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina), Bulgaria is a stronghold for the conservation of this species in the southern part of its distribution range. This sensitive forest raptor species prefers to breed in mature forests and builds its nest in large trees. Although the population size is considered to be stable, in recent decades the numbers of mature individuals have been declining in many parts of the species range (BirdLife International 2018), especially in the core of the population (Treinys et al. 2007, Bergmanis et al. 2015). The main threats for the species are related to inappropriate forestry practices, modifications of foraging habitat leading to habitat loss and degradation, and persecution through the migration routes and wintering grounds. At national scale, the species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) in Bulgaria's Red Data Book, and protected by the Biodiversity Law. However, the species is unevenly distributed in the country, with more than 70% of the population concentrated in southeast and east Bulgaria, and poorly represented in the western part of the country (Iankov 2007).
OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of the LIFE for Eagles habitats project is to contribute to the long-term protection of the Bulgarian breeding population of the lesser spotted eagle, and to the European population crossing Bulgaria during migration, by securing the protection and sustainable management of its existing breeding and feeding habitats, and by creating new habitats. The concrete actions are designed to maintain and enhance feeding, breeding and roosting habitats by:
developing and deploying best available practices for management of forests, open territories in forests and agricultural land;restoring and creating new feeding and breeding habitats for the lesser spotted eagle;improving lesser spotted eagle conservation on a regional level by introducing a pilot tool for involvement of all stakeholders in forest management and protection priorities; andidentifying and combating the main threats affecting the species.The project will support the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
RESULTS
The project plans to implement a set of concrete actions that are expected to deliver the following results:
nests of lesser spotted eagle within the borders of all 20 project SPAs mapped and monitored for at least 3 years;foraging habitats analysed and resource availability estimated;lesser spotted eagle database and habitat model updated;10 lesser spotted eagle tracked to identify migration routes and threats;Saarland forestry method applied on minimum 350 ha;minimum 40 ha plantations converted into native broadleaved forests;favourable foraging habitats management models and practices applied on 500 ha of open territories in forests and agricultural land;40 ha of forest shelter belts in Dobrudzha (northeast Bulgaria) key as roosting and resting sites for significant partof migrating EU population preserved and restored/regenerated;30% of lesser spotted eagle populations in central and east Bulgaria maintained or enhanced as a result of the measures;
gradual increase of the population in central and east Bulgaria in the long term by a minimum of 10% in the project sites as a result of better habitat availability;minimum 13 ha of new forest shelter belts established;4 regional plans for development of the forest territories taking into consideration lesser spotted eagle requirements developed and operational;50% of lesser spotted eagle breeding population in Bulgaria protected from negative effects of habitat change and direct persecution;status of 1 000 ha of edge habitats improved;at least 200 foresters, hunters and farmers trained in biodiversity friendly practices.
