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The Saker continues his journey >>

The film shows the conservation work about the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) focusing on the species supported by the European Union. As a result of the co-ordinated work of experts from four countries, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, this species breeds successfully and it is expanding its range in Central European habitats from year to year.

CONSERVATION OF FALCO CHERRUG IN NE-BULGARIA, HUNGARY, ROMANIA AND SLOVAKIA 2010–2014 (PDF) >>

Projects results achieved as of September 2013:

Field surveys have been carried out. Data collected from stakeholders. GIS database has established and filled with data. A detailed knowledge base established on the exact effect of specific agricultural practices and subsidy systems on F. cherrug habitats and food supply. The results made it possible to further specify the measures beneficial for F. cherrug and were incorporated into the subsidies. In Bulgaria it was incorporated into the existing Aquila heliaca subsidy system while in Romania an integrated subsidy system proposal will be submitted to the Ministry. Leaflets are designed and ready for printing in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria about 30 farmers in Romania 100 farmers were contacted each year (A1).
The S. citellus populated areas have been identified and surveyed within the two SPAs and in the new F. cherrug populated area in Romania. Survey reports have been prepared. A preliminary proposal for the Agri-environmental Working Group of MoA has been prepared and negotiated (A2).
Field data collection of roaming birds around of wind farms have been done in Bulgaria. 32 PTT have purchased in Hungary. Out of these 17 adults and 6 juveniles birds tagged in Hungary, 3 juveniles and 2 adults tagged in Romania, 1 juveniles in Czech Republic and movement of tagged birds was studied. In Slovakia 4 PTT were purchased and installed on juveniles (A3).
A web camera was installed in Hungary and Slovakia and its pictures were broadcasted in the project web from Hungary in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and in RPS web from Slovakia in 2012. 14 photo traps were purchased and installed in Hungary. In Slovakia photo traps used for guarding were used also to collect data on prey. Recorded data were evaluated. (A4)

Agreements signed with the farmers in the pilot area. 20 hectares of land was under the measures on each site in both years. The final payment of the scheme was calculated. Five meetings with the working group of RDP. The Scheme was submitted to the Ministries for consideration. (C1)
All planned nest boxes installed in Bulgaria, 7 nest boxes “type 1” and 67 nest boxes “type 2” have been installed in Romania. (C2)
235 S. citellus repatriated in Hungary, 49 inds. repatriated in Romania and 387 inds. repatriated and marked by chip in Slovakia. (C3)
Baseline surveys were going on. Insulation materials were purchased by BSPB in Bulgaria, MILVUS & SOR in Romania and ZSE in Slovakia. Subcontractors were selected by tenders and 316 pylons insulated in Bulgaria, 2815 pylons insulated in Hungary, 23 pylons insulated in Romania and 744 pylons insulated in Slovakia (C4).
2x2 cages were built in Slovakia and in Romania. Injured birds were rescued in Hungary, Romania and in Slovakia. Recovered birds were released in Hungary and Slovakia. (C5)
Three photo traps with GSM system were used and all the three pair had successful breedings. (C6)
Three juveniles were marked by PTT in Romania. (C7/A3)

International Conference was organised by MAVIR in 2010, 2011 and 2013. ENEL’s participation on it in 2013. A meeting with the Romanian Electric Suppliers was organised by MoEF and meeting among the Romanian electric suppliers and Romanian project partners were held several times. An agreement was made with ENEL, Electrica and Transelectrica about nest box installation (D1)
Decision makers of the Romanian Electricity Companies accepted the idea to insulate the dangerous pylons of medium-voltage power lines and started the insulation (D2).
In Bulgaria 2, in Hungary 14, in Romania 3, Slovakia 2 information signs have been erected. (D3)
Web page: www.sakerlife.mme.hu is functioning. (D4)
Posters have designed. 1000 posters have printed in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. 800 and 900 posters are displayed. Leaflets are designed. 1000 leaflets printed in Bulgaria and Romania and 2500 leaflets printed in Hungary and about 2000 already distributed. 300 DVD was produced and distributed about the web 2012’s video in Hungary. 300 pcs of T-shirts and 500 copies of brochures were produced in Slovakia (D5).
Two press conference were organised, 5 Press Releases were released, 11TVs and 1 radio broadcasted, 7 newspapers and 76 online news reported about the project work. (D6)

The nest box monitoring was started in 2013 (E1).
Repatriations of S. citellus individuals were confirmed successful in four NATURA 2000 sites until the dormant period (E2).
Repeated survey has been done on the insulated sections of electric pylons (E3)
Project management in place and did intensive coordination to overcome on the bureaucratic problems. Project management regularly visited partners (E4).
Project Auditor has changed and regular financial monitoring was going on (E5).
Project staff trained and project work standardised (E6).
Three annual SC meeting held with good attendance. (E7)
Large areas were surveyed in Bulgaria and Romania. 5 pairs were found in Romania among them a new successfully breeding pair. (E8)
Visits in Ukraine for networking and to assist F. cherrug conservation and ensure support of our roaming birds. Contribution to CMS (Bonn Convention) work in conservation of F. cherrug (E9).