Better Life for Lesser Kestrel in South-East Balkans

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The target species, lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni, Fleischer, 1818), is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and is on the Ornis Committee list of birds that are priorities for LIFE funding. the lesser kestrel often nests in rural areas, as they are less prone to predation and are usually surrounded by agricultural fields or open uncultivated grasslands that are a source of food. The species is therefore highly dependent on human activity not only for foraging areas but also in terms of available nesting sites. In the past, the lesser kestrel was found across Bulgaria, nesting virtually everywhere in the mid-19th Century (Radakoff, 1879). However, just two breeding colonies remain: one in Sakar SPA, which was restored by an the project LIFE11 NAT/BG/360 (20+ pairs), and the other is 120 km northeast on the Black Sea coast, a colony of three to five pairs that was discovered during LIFE11 NAT/BG/360.

The most likely reasons for the decline of the lesser kestrel from Bulgaria include land use changes, intensification of agriculture and the use of pesticides, which together resulted in the overall deterioration of the habitats. According to a report drawn up under Article 12 of the Birds Directive for the period 2008-2012 (EEA, ETCBD), the population status of the species at EU level was assessed as secure, but in Bulgaria all trends were negative i.e. the breeding population trend (both short term and long term) and the breeding range trend (both short term and long term). However, the main threats in Bulgaria are thought to have been curtailed, and that stable population can be achieved through focused and consistent conservation efforts directed at habitat management, the securing of suitable nesting habitats and reinforcement of the population.

The majority of the Greek population (around 80%) is concentrated in Thessaly (LIFE/11/NAT/GR/1011). The birds marked with satellite transmitters within LIFE11 NAT/BG/360 in Sakar SPA, Bulgaria, did not provide a reliable data of any spatial connections between the Bulgarian and the Greek subpopulations. Hence, there is a huge gap between Greece and Bulgaria in the lesser kestrel population; only a very small cluster of colonies can be found around four villages near the town of Komotini in Greece (up to 55 pairs) and the colony discovered by Green Balkans during the implementation of LIFE11 NAT/BG/360 in Orestias (2-10 pairs). This project aims to reconnect the two subpopulations, as well as increase the species status in the Eastern Balkans.

Following two previous projects (2009 and 2011) focusing on the lesser kestrel, Green Balkans, together with DEMA (Spain) and EuroNatur (Germany) launched in 2012 a five-year project, LIFE11 NAT/BG/000360, in Sakar for the active reinforcement of the species in Levka village. The direct actions aimed to restore a breeding population in the Sakar SPA in Bulgaria by the release of juveniles. Based on a special methodology designed by DEMA, Ambiente de Colonia a combination the hacking and foster parenting methods, a Lesser Kestrel Release and Adaptation Module was established in Levka. The present project is its follow-up.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE for Lesser Kestrel project aims to:

Halt the decline and improve the species conservation status in Bulgaria and Greece (especially in Natura 2000 sites), as well as the entire southeast Balkan region;

Strengthen, stabilise, and increase the lesser kestrel colony newly established by Green Balkans in Bulgaria (SPA Sakar BG0002021);

Assist the natural expansion and re-colonisation of the species, supporting other newly found colonies;

Gather data and assist the conservation of scattered colonies in the southeastern Balkan countries;

Demonstrate and further encourage the sustainable arable land management in key lesser kestrel foraging habitats;

Replicate, further develop, and improve lesser kestrel reinforcement practices in Bulgaria and Greece by exchanging experiences with other EU countries and LIFE projects; and

Compare the efficiency, costs and results of two release methods: release of juvenile birds and delayed release of one-year-old birds, at a test location in Bulgaria.

The overall goal is to expand the nesting distribution of the species and thus support independent colonies. At least two linked population cores in the project countries are necessary for ensuring the species survival were an accident, illness, predator attack, natural disaster or other problems to occur in one of the subpopulations. It will aid the propagation of the birds across a wider area and will improve the conditions for future natural re-colonisation of the species from restored/established colonies. Strengthening the colonies in Greece assures the connectivity of the Mediterranean and Middle-East populations. In addition, the project will carry out capacity building, communication and replication activities.

RESULTS

Expected results: In conservation actions:

The lesser kestrel colony in Sakar SPA, Bulgaria, increased from 20 to 30 nesting pairs, and the colony near Burgas Lake SPA, Bulgaria, increased from 4 to 10 pairs;

A new colony (five or more nesting pairs) established in a third SPA in Bulgaria;

At least one new colony discovered;

The species population in southeast Balkans increased, and the links among the subpopulations in the southeast Balkans clarified by bird satellite telemetry;

A captive breeding stock of 20+ lesser kestrel pairs ensured at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Centre (WRBC) in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;

320+ juveniles hatched and reared at the WRBC for release in Bulgaria;

80 exogenous birds delivered in order to ensure the genetic diversity of the Bulgarian colonies;

400 birds released in Bulgaria;

Additional part of a building purchased in Levka, Bulgaria, and new facilities for delayed release established;

Delayed release of adult birds evaluated in the local nesting colony targeted in Bulgaria;

Reinforcement experience from Bulgaria transferred and replicated in Greece;

Release of 200 individuals from a lesser kestrel release facility constructed in north Greece;

The lesser kestrel population reinforced in North Greece by the installation of nest boxes;

Best cultivation practices, with no use of pesticides, demonstrated in northeast Greece;

At least 200 lesser kestrel food pellets collected and analysed; and

At least 50 prey remains gathered from nests and subjected to toxicological analyses.

In communication and replication actions:

A total of 15 ha of land purchased in Sakar SPA, Bulgaria, and lesser kestrel friendly agriculture management practices introduced;

Four project-related university theses started within the project;

Five-day training to promote extensive grazing and pasture management for four university students in Bulgaria;

Five-day training sessions in Bulgaria on the reintroduction of endangered bird species held for eight university students;

10 000 visitors introduced to lesser kestrel release actions through the demonstration module at the WRBC in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria;

At least 500 visitors of the Lesser Kestrel Release and Adaptation Module in Levka village, Bulgaria, introduced to the model land management in Sakar SPA and to the project actions;

Five thematic open days at the demonstration module in Levka village, Bulgaria;

Five Green Farmer Award Ceremonies organised in Bulgaria;

75 volunteers trained for provision of first aid to Lesser Kestrels in distress;

100 representatives of Bulgarian institutions trained to administer first aid to Lesser Kestrels in distress;

300 articles on the project published in local and national media;

20 green activities and 1 international agri-environmental exhibition visited and the project presented;

A Lesser Kestrel Balkan Expert Group set up; and

Around 2 000 teachers, students, local farmers, and stakeholders reached through environmental education in schools of north Greece.

 

The project contributes to the implementation of the LIFE Priority Area Nature and Biodiversity: (a) Thematic priorities for Nature: Activities for the implementation of Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, in particular: (i) activities aimed at improving the conservation status of habitats and species, including marine habitats and species, and bird species, of Union interest, set out in Article 11 of the LIFE Regulation. The lesser kestrel is listed in the most recent update of Annex I for bird species/subspecies of Directive 2009/147/EC considered as "Priority for funding under LIFE", as agreed by the Ornis Committee (April 2014).

The foreseen improvement of the Lesser Kestrel Demonstration Centre is completely coherent with the new political framework for tourism in Europe described in EC COM (2010) 352, providing for stimulating sustainable, responsible tourism development, particularly in rural areas, thus promoting good practices and experience exchange. The project is addressing connectivity at various levels and context, and therefore is in line with the Green Infrastructure Strategy of the EU. The project will also create synergies with the Rural Development Programme co-financed by the EU, in particular with the agri-environmental and Natura 2000 measures.