Recovery plan of the Bearded Vulture in Northeastern Spain

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The bearded vulture's European population is now down to four isolated nuclei (Corsica, Crete, Greece and the Pyrenees) totalling about one hundred couples, of which 75% are found in the Pyrenees. In Spain, the species has disappeared from most of its former mountain country range during this century, under the combined onslaught of poison, poaching, the degradation of its habitats (land use changes, high-tension power lines) and disturbance during the breeding season. The Iberian Ranges, located south of the Pyrenees, are a key stepping stone if the bearded vulture is to recolonise the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. The LIFE project's measures are conform to the guidelines laid down in national and international action plans for the bearded vulture and continue the work already done in the Pyrenees by previous LIFE projects.

OBJECTIVES

The project had two goals: to strengthen the bearded vulture population in the Pyrenees and help it expand, and to prompt the recolonisation of the Iberian Ranges. To reach these targets, the monitoring of breeding couples in the Pyrenees was continued and the way in which tagged young birds disperse was analysed, in order to identify mountain areas suitable for colonisation. In the areas so found, appropriate management of the habitats was undertaken and points for supplementary feeding were installed. The main factors contributing to mortality were identified and measures to counteract them taken, while surveillance was stepped up in these areas in order to ward off threats to the vultures. This work was accompanied by an information campaign aimed at local people, notably concerning vulture conservation problems and the management measures adopted in response. There was networking with other projects in Europe targeting bearded vultures.

RESULTS

This project achieved its objectives and reached the expected results. The Pyrenean population of the species has been consolidated and the conditions for the enlargement of their natural range towards the Iberian Mountains have been improved.

The most suitable mountain ranges (Maestrazgo and Moncayo) for the eventual natural colonisation by the species were identified. These two areas and 16 sites in the Pyrenees were designated as SPAs (total area 231.619 ha).

Dangerous infrastructures, development projects and public use (e.g. climbing and hunting) were regulated in these areas. For example, 75 power lines were modified, sensitive areas were closed to the public and reports and active measures to prevent damage to the species were produced.

Surveillance of 59 breeding pairs and enlargement and maintenance of a network of feeding stations with a yearly input of 13.000 kg of food were also implemented.

A new Recovery Plan for the species was adopted and management guidelines were issued for the modification of power lines, operation and maintenance of feeding stations and hunting practice.

The information on the species has significantly improved and the experience gained was shared with 8 other projects.

The results in respect to awareness raising were also positive, in particular among the local population in the species’ range. 13 new projects for the conservation of the bearded vulture were started and co-ordinated action with other LIFE Nature initiatives has taken place (LIFE98NAT/F/5194, LIFE98NAT/F/5197 and LIFE98NAT/GR/5276).

All these have yielded very positive results as regards the species, which showed a 33% increase of the breeding population and a 50% increase of the pre-adult population in a five-year period. This project achieved its objectives and reached the expected results. The Pyrenean population of the species has been consolidated and the conditions for the enlargement of their natural range towards the Iberian Mountains have been improved.

The most suitable mountain ranges (Maestrazgo and Moncayo) for the eventual natural colonisation by the species were identified. These two areas and 16 sites in the Pyrenees were designated as SPAs (total area 231.619 ha).

Dangerous infrastructures, development projects and public use (e.g. climbing and hunting) were regulated in these areas. For example, 75 power lines were modified, sensitive areas were closed to the public and reports and active measures to prevent damage to the species were produced.

Surveillance of 59 breeding pairs and enlargement and maintenance of a network of feeding stations with a yearly input of 13.000 kg of food were also implemented.

A new Recovery Plan for the species was adopted and management guidelines were issued for the modification of power lines, operation and maintenance of feeding stations and hunting practice.

The information on the species has significantly improved and the experience gained was shared with 8 other projects.

The results in respect to awareness raising were also positive, in particular among the local population in the species’ range. 13 new projects for the conservation of the bearded vulture were started and co-ordinated action with other LIFE Nature initiatives has taken place (LIFE98NAT/F/5194, LIFE98NAT/F/5197 and LIFE98NAT/GR/5276).

All these have yielded very positive results as regards the species, which showed a 33% increase of the breeding population and a 50% increase of the pre-adult population in a five-year period.