Objective
Under this Life project a series of measures will be undertaken to halt the decline of the species and favor the re-colonization of areas it used to inhabit. These measures include the modification of pylons along power lines which present a risk, in order to reduce mortality among adult and juvenile mortality, and land use regulation within the Special Protection Area (hunting, rock-climbing). Others include surveying and monitoring the population and nesting sites as well as surveillance of forestry and rock-climbing tracks. In order to ensure that sufficient habitat is available and prey populations are increased, the project will intervene in procedures for the consolidation of rural land holdings, seeking to promote the preservation of the mosaic of shrubbery, fringes and arable fields as well as the Mediterranean scrubland (matorral). To ensure that local inhabitants know about and accept the eagle, information material will be disseminated.
Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) is a species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive and it is endangered at European level, being found only in the Mediterranean countries. Spain holds a population of 649-711 pairs, which represents approximately 80% of the European population.
The eagle inhabits lowland and low mountain areas with Mediterranean scrub and with rocky cliffs, which it uses for nesting. An alarming regression has been observed since the 1980s. Human activities are responsible for the principal causes of mortality, namely electrocution from overhead power lines and disturbance during the breeding season related to illegal hunting, rock-climbing and hiking. Habitat degradation also affects the eagle, by leading to a decline in the availability of prey and the capacity of the land to host the birds.
The last survivors of the Bonelli's eagle in the Navarra region are found in the Leyre mountains.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
31002 Pamplona
Spain