PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Saker falcon (Falco cherrug) was uplisted by the IUCN to globally ‘Endangered’ in 2012 due to an evaluated decline of around 50% in its global population within the last 20 years. In Europe, the species has declined markedly since 1945, its historical range becoming severely reduced and fragmented. In Bulgaria, the Saker falcon was widespread during the 20th century, but a considerable decline was recorded in the 1950s. Since 2010, only a few occupied territories have been reported and only one nest found (representing a 90% decline over the last 40 years). In Romania, the species has also declined significantly during the 20th century. Following the implementation of the cross-border project LIFE09 NAT/HU/000384, a minimum of 23 breeding pairs were located in the last 5 years. At least 5 nests are known to exist in Romanian/Bulgarian border regions.
OBJECTIVES
The overarching goal of the LIFE for Falcons project is to enable the recovery of the endangered Saker falcon’s population in Bulgaria and southern Romania, in line with the International Species Action Plan. By implementing a series of proven best practices, the project will provide safe dispersal areas, stopover sites, wintering grounds, and potential breeding territories with suitable habitats for individuals from the larger population in the Carpathian basin in Hungary and Slovakia that frequently visit Bulgaria and Romania.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Mitigation of the underlying causes of illegal killing of falcons, via breeding pigeons they can prey on and working with pigeon fanciers and hunters: construction of 5 decoy pigeon lofts for decreasing the conflict, 3 best practices for mitigation of raptor predation on pigeons tested and mitigation measures developed;
- Improved capacity for bird crime prevention: law enforcement officials trained about investigation of illegal wildlife killing, nest robbery and illegal pesticides use (5 seminars), law enforcement activities against persecution (аt least 3 cases investigated) and awareness-raising activities involving at least 1000 hunters held;
- Vulnerable Saker falcon nests (3-5) protected via technical or volunteer surveillance scheme;
- Reduced electrocution of birds with at least 300 dangerous pylons insulated;
- 100 ha of land purchased by BSPB to ensure long-term conservation of key plots;
- Restoration and management of 100 ha of grassland habitats as feeding ground in the project SPAs;
- Recovery of population of prey species European ground squirrel (souslik), by translocation, on the purchased land plots;
- Developed, tested and demonstrated methodologies for breeding and restocking of the Romanian hamster, with the creation of a captive population for further reintroduction programmes and a pilot restocking in at least one SPA;
- Trees planted in at least 5 SPAs to ensure long-term breeding habitat availability;
- Attraction of falcons to project SPAs through placing of 120 artificial nests;
- Over 10 000 local people and all responsible public authorities from selected key sites actively involved in the Saker falcon conservation actions;
- At least 1 million people in Bulgaria and countries along the falcon‘s flyway informed about the project activities resulting in a substantial increase of public awareness on the threats and conservation of the Saker falcon;
- Creation of a local network of supporters among stakeholders, hunters and pigeon fanciers; and
- Increased awareness among farmers (200) about the risk of using pesticides.
