PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive and is protected by the Ramsar, Bonn and Bern Conventions, as well as by Polish nature protection law. The overall white stork population is estimated to be around 168 000 pairs with some 41 000 pairs migrating annually to Poland. Around 12 000 of these pairs nest in the north-eastern part of Poland. The Ostoja Warmińska Natura 2000 site contains Poland’s highest density of nesting white stork (up to 99 pairs/100 km²). Each year several hundred white storks, however, are killed in Poland, mostly due to collisions with power lines and other outdoor power devices.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the Ochrona bociana białego project was to reduce white stork mortality risks caused by collisions with outdoor power devices. Other project objectives were to restore nest sites and improve habitat conditions for the stork’s main food sources, by increasing the water retention capacity of habitats and raising groundwater levels. Further, the project would promote extensive farming approaches and environmentally friendly attitudes among local stakeholders, young people and visitors to the project area.
RESULTS
The project carried out measures to reduce the mortality rate of the white stork from electrocution: around 20 735 m of low- and medium-voltage lines were insulated; 25 transformer stations were rebuilt; 15 disconnectors were upgraded; 403 medium-voltage insulators were changed; and 11 250 km of medium-voltage lines were marked with 75 warning bullets. The protection of power lines and devices should significantly reduce the mortality rate of white storks. The methods used to improve and modernise the power lines were used for the first time for white stork protection and have real demonstration value.
Further measures were taken to increase the food base for the white stork: six reservoirs and four dams were constructed. These ponds, which were built in 2012, were colonised by amphibians and aquatic insects within a year. Monitoring also showed that this action has had a positive impact on the target white storks; an increase in the number of chicks born in 2015 and their survival was observed.
In order to create more favourable breeding sites 158 platforms were built to support stork nests. Also, 16 farm building roofs with existing nests were renovated. Furthermore, six units of volunteer fire brigades were granted the necessary equipment, hoists, saws, and generators for carrying out rescue work on white stork nests.
Finally, the project created an education centre was and established a demonstration farm in Żywkowo in order to promote the project results. The centre was complemented by the publication of brochures, books, leaflets and billboards and the creation of a website.
The project supported the implementation of agri-environmental schemes and EU biodiversity strategy on the target area. The white stork is an umbrella species and its conservation should improve the status of other bird species.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
The project carried out measures to reduce the mortality rate of the white stork from electrocution: around 20 735 m of low- and medium-voltage lines were insulated; 25 transformer stations were rebuilt; 15 disconnectors were upgraded; 403 medium-voltage insulators were changed; and 11 250 km of medium-voltage lines were marked with 75 warning bullets. The protection of power lines and devices should significantly reduce the mortality rate of white storks. The methods used to improve and modernise the power lines were used for the first time for white stork protection and have real demonstration value.Further measures were taken to increase the food base for the white stork: six reservoirs and four dams were constructed. These ponds, which were built in 2012, were colonised by amphibians and aquatic insects within a year. Monitoring also showed that this action has had a positive impact on the target white storks; an increase in the number of chicks born in 2015 and their survival was observed.
In order to create more favourable breeding sites 158 platforms were built to support stork nests. Also, 16 farm building roofs with existing nests were renovated. Furthermore, six units of volunteer fire brigades were granted the necessary equipment, hoists, saws, and generators for carrying out rescue work on white stork nests.
Finally, the project created an education centre was and established a demonstration farm in Żywkowo in order to promote the project results. The centre was complemented by the publication of brochures, books, leaflets and billboards and the creation of a website.
The project supported the implementation of agri-environmental schemes and EU biodiversity strategy on the target area. The white stork is an umbrella species and its conservation should improve the status of other bird species.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
