Red-footed Falcon, 6 October 2007: Illegal shooting and poisoning are a key threat to migratory birds of prey and owls. Zoom In | Hi-Res

New agreement will lay “crucial foundations” for migratory birds of prey and owls

11-10-2007

International awareness of the plight of migratory birds of prey and owls across Africa and Eurasia is set to get a major boost this month. Countries from China to South Africa will gather in Scotland under the chairmanship of the UK and United Arab Emirates, aiming to draw up a new agreement for concerted international conservation action.

This is the first of two planned meetings, at which governments will work alongside key conservationists under the auspices of the international Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

The process is driven by findings two years ago that 50% of migratory birds of prey in the African-Eurasian region have a poor conservation status and many are showing rapid or long-term population declines.

“This is the first international meeting to discuss a possible instrument to conserve these incredible birds – it’s a crucial foundation,” said John O’Sullivan of the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), who will address the meeting at Loch Lomond at the end of October.

“The decisions taken here will pave the way for coordinated efforts in nations along the flyways of these magnificent birds,” he added. “And this has positive wider implications, since many of the actions needed to save raptors are the same as those needed to ensure the wellbeing of other species, up to and including ourselves.”

A variety of human-induced threats are driving declines in migratory birds of prey and owls, such as habitat loss and degradation, collisions with aerial structures and electrocution by power lines. Climate change is a further concern.

Illegal shooting and poisoning are a key threat – a point highlighted in Cyprus earlier this month, when 52 Red-footed Falcon were shot by poachers.

"..there needs be clear commitment to the proposed conservation measures to make this agreement work." —Ali Stattersfield, BirdLife's Head of Science

Other delegates from BirdLife International will also be active at the meeting, on behalf of BirdLife Partners spread across the three regions.

“For us, key to a successful meeting will be an acceptance by delegates that coordination is essential and urgent,” said Ali Stattersfield, BirdLife’s Head of Science. “We need to look at the species and geographical boundaries that should apply to a new treaty - based on good science and the latest understanding of the migration flyways concerned.”

“Most importantly there needs to be a clear commitment to the proposed conservation measures to make this agreement work. This includes protecting all species from unsustainable exploitation and managing Important Bird Areas in breeding and non-breeding areas as well as those used on passage, notably in migration bottlenecks."

"This commitment must include adequate money to run the agreement itself and to ensure that vital actions are conducted.” she added.