PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) is a small diving duck whose numbers have suffered a sharp decline over the full extent of its range as a result of habitat degradation and hunting. The only breeding population left in the EU today is in Spain, with less than 1,000 individuals. After teetering on the brink of extinction, this Spanish population is now rising again thanks to conservation measures. However, a new threat has appeared on the horizon with the spread of the ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), an American species introduced in Great Britain, which risks extinguishing the European white-headed duck through hybridisation. The duck was present in France in the Biguglia lagoon in Corsica until it disappeared in the 1960s as a result of hunting. In 1994 a nature reserve was established at this site and hunting was banned from certain parts of the lagoon. Furthermore, the water quality was improved through the installation of a protective belt of purification systems around the lagoon.
OBJECTIVES
The project sought to re-establish a white-headed duck population at Biguglia, by means of a programme of captive breeding and reintroduction to the site, starting from birds to be provided by the Donana national park in Spain. The main expected results were:
The reduction of threats and disturbances that led to the extinction of the species in Corsica (pollution, disturbance, hunting) ; The implementation of an action plan to avoid hybridisation with the ruddy duck ; To build a captive breeding centre in Corsica and to produce birds to be reintroduced ; To carry out a first experimental release of ducks to be provided by the Donana national park in Spain, and to carry out a second one using young birds raised on-site ; To obtain the acceptance of the local populations and the main stakeholders concerned by the project ;
RESULTS
The project achieved only some of its objectives and did not succeed in re-establishing a white-headed duck population in Biguglia. Indeed, only 5 ducks coming from a Spanish breeding centre could have been released and probably only 2 of them have survived the first winter. However the project managed to:
Implement an action plan to avoid hybridisation with the ruddy duck: Thanks to the project, a ministerial decree was adopted in 1996 to allow the shooting of the ruddy duck in France and is applicable in the Biguglia nature reserve. No ruddy duck has been seen in or around the reserve since. Carry out a first experimental release of ducks to be provided by the Donana national park in Spain and monitor the white headed duck population: 5 Spanish white headed ducks were released in may 2001, according to a procedure validated by experts in 1999. The first release had to be delayed due to the lack of birds in the Spanish centre. After this operation, 2 birds disappeared after 2 days and a third one was found dead in September 2001. Only one bird was seen in May 2002. Regarding other objectives, results are poorer:
Protection of the species habitats by purchasing 230 ha of reed beds around the lagoon: this action was abandoned when the beneficiary realised that he was already the owner of 74% of the land he was planning to buy. This action represented 35% of the total budget. Purchasing of 4 ha of land to build the breeding centre: although the beneficiary had obtained the authorisation to implement the breeding centre in the existing buildings, the land was not bought. Yet, the project had been validated by the nature reserve management body as well as the national Nature Protection Committee. Production of 20 captive birds per year and release of 20 birds hatched in the Corsican centre: as the breeding centre has never been built, these objectives could not be reached and no birds could be breeded. However, 2 employees of the beneficiary were trained in Spain and in Italy to obtain a breeding qualification certificate, mandatory for this protected species. To adapt fishing areas, mosquito eradication actions and channel management for the biological needs of the white headed duck, as part of the management plan of the reserve: nothing was done. The objectives of the project have not been fully reached, the EC grant has been reduced. The project achieved only some of its objectives and did not succeed in re-establishing a white-headed duck population in Biguglia. Indeed, only 5 ducks coming from a Spanish breeding centre could have been released and probably only 2 of them have survived the first winter. However the project managed to:
Implement an action plan to avoid hybridisation with the ruddy duck: Thanks to the project, a ministerial decree was adopted in 1996 to allow the shooting of the ruddy duck in France and is applicable in the Biguglia nature reserve. No ruddy duck has been seen in or around the reserve since. Carry out a first experimental release of ducks to be provided by the Donana national park in Spain and monitor the white headed duck population: 5 Spanish white headed ducks were released in may 2001, according to a procedure validated by experts in 1999. The first release had to be delayed due to the lack of birds in the Spanish centre. After this operation, 2 birds disappeared after 2 days and a third one was found dead in September 2001. Only one bird was seen in May 2002. Regarding other objectives, results are poorer:
Protection of the species habitats by purchasing 230 ha of reed beds around the lagoon: this action was abandoned when the beneficiary realised that he was already the owner of 74% of the land he was planning to buy. This action represented 35% of the total budget. Purchasing of 4 ha of land to build the breeding centre: although the beneficiary had obtained the authorisation to implement the breeding centre in the existing buildings, the land was not bought. Yet, the project had been validated by the nature reserve management body as well as the national Nature Protection Committee. Production of 20 captive birds per year and release of 20 birds hatched in the Corsican centre: as the breeding centre has never been built, these objectives could not be reached and no birds could be breeded. However, 2 employees of the beneficiary were trained in Spain and in Italy to obtain a breeding qualification certificate, mandatory for this protected species. To adapt fishing areas, mosquito eradication actions and channel management for the biological needs of the white headed duck, as part of the management plan of the reserve: nothing was done. The objectives of the project have not been fully reached, the EC grant has been reduced.
