PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) is a species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive and is endangered at European level, being found only in Mediterranean countries. Spain has a population of between 649 and 711 pairs, representing approximately 80 percent of the European population.
The eagle inhabits lowland and low mountain areas with Mediterranean scrub and with rocky cliffs, where it nests. An alarming drop in population has been observed since the 1980s. Human activities are the principal cause of mortality of Bonelli's eagles, namely electrocution from overhead power lines and disturbance during the breeding season related to illegal hunting, rock-climbing and hiking. Habitat degradation also affects the eagle, as it causes a decline in the availability of prey and the capacity of the land to host the birds. The last Bonelli's eagle survivors in the Navarra region are found in the Leyre mountains.
OBJECTIVES
The project's aim was to halt the decline of the species in Navarra by implementing actions aimed at promoting the recovery of the population and re-colonisation of abandoned areas.
Preliminary actions included a scientific study that identified the factors determining the eagle's survival, and allowed updating and implementing the Reserve's and the Special Protection Area's (SPA) Land Use and Management Plans. The main conservation actions undertaken were the modification of power lines to reduce the species' mortality and the preservation of sufficient habitat for the species by helping to maintain the mosaic of scrub, verges and ploughed fields, with the aim of increasing the prey population. Reducing disturbance of the population was addressed by regulating land use within the SPA and through Hunting Management Plans. Monitoring the population and the nesting zones and keeping forest tracks and climbing routes under surveillance also contributed to this objective. Finally, the project worked to disseminate information to raise awareness about conservation problems of the species.
RESULTS
The project was successful in achieving its main objective of stopping population decrease in the Region, with the three existing pairs safeguarded. Moreover, there were widespread observations of individuals throughout the Navarra Region. If added to the data for neighbouring regions, such as La Rioja, this indicates a positive trend for the northern marginal population of this species, which is likely to have been enhanced by the LIFE projects undertaken in the area.
Although species productivity did not increase during the project period, suitable conditions were created towards this aim by:
The scope of awareness raising actions included targeting of schoolchildren and the local population, as well as key stakeholders including climbers and electricity firms. The involvement of the latter two groups was very positive and led to the production of specific booklets useful for dissemination throughout the Natura 2000 network in Navarra and elsewhere. The collaboration of the climbers’ federation was particularly effective, and a wide network was created to disseminate ‘good practice’ among associates. In general, very high quality materials complemented the dissemination campaign, which also included networking with the managers of LIFE Nature projects focused on Bonelli’s eagle. These positive results offset shortcomings such as the lack of actions in the area’s visitor centre.
The project accomplished remarkable benefits for Natura 2000, but further conservation efforts are required to reverse the species’ endangered status. This can be achieved by endeavouring to complete the implementation of measures foreseen in the Regional Recovery Plan adopted for the species, such as monitoring breeding pairs, ongoing surveillance and the control of threats. Integration of the species conservation requirements into sectors like forestry and hunting is also essential, and management plans for these activities should be adapted accordingly.