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Content archived on 2023-01-02

Lesser Kestrel in Mediterranean France area

Objective



The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a globally threatened species, whose decline in Europe has been particularly marked since the 1960s. The massive fall in its population is mainly linked to the disappearance of foraging areas as a result of agricultural intensification. Furthermore, the renovation of old buildings and competition from other birds such as the jackdaw (Corvus monedula) lower the availability of nesting sites for the kestrel.
In France, the species used to occur throughout the Mediterranean littoral, but now it only nests in the Crau, where 42 pairs were counted in 1996. All these pairs now exhibit the peculiar habit of nesting on the ground on piles of pebbles, so that they suffer greatly from predation. Excessive livestock grazing pressure also seems to be a limiting factor for the kestrel's food resources (insects).

The project's aim is to ensure the maintenance and growth of this population so that the whole of the Crau SPA can be recolonized. To stimulate the establishment of kestrel colonies in the sheep stables dotted throughout the Crau, custom-designed nest boxes will be fitted on to the roofs of these buildings. Telemetric monitoring of the kestrels will allow suitable foraging areas to be localised, where parts can then be fenced out and kept ungrazed in order to improve the availability of prey around the nesting sites. A national action plan for the lesser kestrel will be elaborated, which will serve as reference point to restore other populations outside the Crau.

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

Fonds d'Intervention pour les Rapaces (FIR)
EU contribution
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Address
11, avenue du Château de la Malmaison
92500 Rueil-Malmaison
France

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Total cost

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