Greeks lead Eleonora’s Falcon conservation

30-08-2005

The Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS, BirdLife in Greece) is assessing the population status of the Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae in Greece and the other Mediterranean breeding range states. Priority management measures at nine Special Protection Areas (SPAs) will be implemented. The project is backed by the EU’s LIFE-Nature fund.

The project aims to improve the breeding success of the falcon, and support the administrative and operational capability of regional and local authorities responsible for SPA conservation. Other activities include identifying causes of mortality, increasing public awareness and appreciation of the species, and promoting ecotourism activities at project sites.

Greece holds about 70% of the world breeding population of the striking falcon, but the species suffers from multiple threats like habitat degradation, poisoning by pesticides, human disturbance and egg/chick predation by introduced rats.

"Greece holds about 70% of the world breeding population of this striking falcon. Sadly the species suffers from multiple threats like habitat degradation, poisoning by pesticides, human disturbance and predation by introduced rats. This project will make a significant contribution to the conservation of this unique bird and its Mediterranean habitat." —Jose Tavares, RSPB

Dietrich Ristow

An Eleonora's Falcon surveys its breeding cliffs.
Zoom In

The population census began in 2004 and will be completed in 2006. HOS is coordinating the census work in Greece, while the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) is organising further census elsewhere in the breeding range. In 2004 seven field teams totalling 46 fieldworkers surveyed Aegean islands including the North Dodecanese, North Sporades, Eastern Cyclades, Kythira and Antikythira, and most islands and islets around Crete, finding a total of 4,000 individuals.

Away from Greece, other surveys found 99 individuals in in Croatia, 150 pairs in Tunisia, four pairs in Turkey and 151 pairs in Cyprus. Morocco, Italy, Spain and Algeria, which also host breeding colonies, are expected to survey their falcons this year and in 2006.

Nests are being monitored in the SPAs, to provide data on breeding performance, and blood samples from chicks analysed for agrochemicals and other toxic agents.

The RSPB is carrying out a pilot project to eradicate rats on two islets in the Sporades where egg and nestling losses through rat predation were estimated at up to 25%. Rat-specific poison was laid throughout spring 2005, before the arrival of the falcons, which don’t begin breeding until late July.

Repeated field visits have found no evidence of rats left on the islets, but monitoring will continue for a further year. Results and technical knowledge are being shared with the relevant Greek authorities, for use in management planning for the island SPAs.