Supporting the populations of the globally endangered Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria through direct conservation measures and wide public involvement.

Objectives:

• Maintaining and enhancing Lesser Kestrel habitats;
• Identifying and promoting the most beneficial and effective “Lesser Kestrel Friendly” land-use practices;
• Restocking the Lesser Kestrel in Bulgaria through captive breeding and translocation of non-fledged birds from Spain;
• Establishing and maintaining a free colony of Lesser Kestrels in Sakar SPA and providing favourable conditions for natural re-establishment of the species in Byala reka and Krumovitsa SPAs;
• Creating positive attitude towards Lesser Kestrel conservation through promotion of eco-tourism, organic farming and traditional cattle breeding and pastoral practices;
• Establishing a functioning network of stakeholders to secure ongoing monitoring of target habitats and species;
• Improving the overall knowledge on the species and developing a scientific network of experts to exchange information, best practices and “know-how” on Lesser Kestrel conservation.

• Clearing pastures and supporting local animal grazing to enhance the habitat quality;
• Developing appropriate management prescriptions to be mainstreamed in the NATURA 2000 Management Plans of the target sites;
• Developing a Lesser Kestrel National Action Plan;
• Developing and disseminating a manual containing Lesser Kestrel friendly construction practises;
• Securing nesting sites to stimulate natural expansion and re-establishment of Lesser Kestrels;
• Maintaining a captive breeding stock at the breeding facilities of DEMA (Spain), securing chicks to be translocated and released in Sakar SPA;
• Setting up a captive breeding stock at Green Balkans’ Wildlife Rescue Center;
• Establishing a Lesser Kestrel hacking facility and a Lesser Kestrel Demonstration Centre in Sakar SPA;
• Studying the closest Lesser Kestrel colonies in Turkey and Greece;
• Applying “state-of-art” satellite technology to monitor birds’ migration and behaviour;
• Implementing an interactive educational programme and mobilizing wide public support;
• Developing a network of experts to secure information and “know-how” exchange.

• Newly established pastures and grasslands as Lesser Kestrel foraging habitat;
• Identified and promoted Lesser Kestrel friendly land-use practices;
• Prepared and endorsed National Action Plan for Lesser Kestrel;
• Installed nesting boxes and artificial structures to secure safe nesting sites in the target SPAs;
• Lesser Kestrel chicks translocated from Spain and accommodated in Sakar SPA;
• Captive breeding stock established and maintained at Green Balkans’ Rescue Center in Stara Zagora;
• Lesser Kestrel hacking facility and Demonstration and Information Centre established in Sakar SPA;
• Juvenile Lesser Kestrels released in the project area;
• First breeding attempts of released Lesser Kestrels;
• Raised public awareness and involvement;
• Identified key habitats of the released falcon species;
• Transborder network of experts dealing with Lesser Kestrel conservation and restocking.

The project is implemented within the following Natura 2000 sites:

Sakar SPA BG0002021

Byala reka SPA BG0002019

Krumovitza SPA BG0002012