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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

Introduction The current issue presents the reports of the participants in the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop held at Plovdiv, Bulgaria in the period 4-8.10.2016. The event is part of the LIFE11 NAT/BG/360 “Greater chance for the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria” project, carried out by Green Balkans, EuroNatur, and DEMA within the European Union’s LIFE programme. The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for experience exchange among people involved in study and management of Lesser Kestrel populations across Europe. Our aim is to share information about the species conservation status in the European range countries (with emphasis on the Balkans) and to build practical know-how about effective conservation measures that can be included in national and international species action plans. The data exchanged, and results achieved will be useful for the preparation of the National action plan for Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) conservation in Bulgaria 2017 – 2027. This plan is in the process of preparation by Green Balkans, as part of the project. Furthermore, we plan to exchange hands-on experience on technical issues like breeding, hacking, and tracking techniques. And, of course, we also reserve some time for any other interesting topics that might turn up!

Organising Committee EuroNatur, Germany Green Balkans, Bulgaria DEMA, Spain

Workshop Organisation Team Dr. Stefan Ferger, EuroNatur, Germany Sandra Wigger, EuroNatur, Germany Simeon Marin, Green Balkans, Bulgaria Gradimir Gradev, Green Balkans, Bugaria Stilyana Yaneva, Green Balkans, Bugaria Apostol Karaganchev, Green Balkans, Bugaria Pepe Antolín, DEMA, Spain Sara de la Rosa, DEMA, Spain

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

CONTENTS Asterisks (*) indicate the presenting authors. Unless indicated otherwise, the contributions have been made in the form of oral presentations. Agenda

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Albania 1. Taulant Bino*, Borut Rubinic, Oresta Saliaj, Erald Xeka, Mirjan Topi – Status of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Albania

p. 7

Bulgaria 2. Gradimir Gradev, Simeon Marin*, José Antolín – Recovering the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) as a breeder in Bulgaria

p. 7

3. Gradimir Gradev, Simeon Marin*, Pavlin Zhelev – Satellite tracking of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) from a recovered breeding population in Bulgaria

p. 8

4. Simeon Marin*, Gradimir Gradev – Draft Bulgarian Lesser Kestrel Action Plan: status of species and conservation measures

p. 8

5. Simeon Marin*, Yordanka Vasileva – Bulgarian Lesser Kestrel captive breeding stock at the Green Balkans WBRC

p. 9

Croatia 6. Kresimir Mikulic*, Ivan Budinski – Past, present and future: an overview of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) population in Croatia through time and space

p. 9 France

7. Mathieu Bourgeois*, Philippe Pilard, Daouda Sylla – Wintering areas localization and migration’s phenology of French population of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) using geolocators

p. 9

8. Mathieu Bourgeois*, Alice Bonot, Vincent Lelong – Reintroduction program of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in France: 10 years after, where are we now?

p. 10

9. Philippe Pilard, Mathieu Bourgeois, Bérenger Remy, Nicolas Saulnier* – French Lesser Kestrel Action Plan

p. 11

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

Greece 10. Anastasios Bounas*, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos – Premigratory ecology of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni). A case-study in North-western Greece

p. 11

11. Athanassios Sfougaris*, Christos Christakis, Konstantinos Vlachopoulos, Olga Christopoulou, Panagiotis Kordopatis, Evgenia Panoriou, Michalis Vafeiadis, Tasos Dimalexis, Jacob Fric, Margarita Tzali, Lefteris Kakalis – Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Greece

p. 12

12. Efterpi Patetsini*, Vasileios Terzis, Vasileios Christodoulou, Pasxalio Zlatini, Chrisa Meleti, Georgia Chatziefraimidou, Konstantina Katsouli, Anastasia Michailidou, Alexandros Chantzaras, Anastasia Mirli, Euanthia Chartzoulaki, Despoina Michailidou – [POSTER] Lesser Kestrel breeding in the National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Greece

p. 13

13. Konstantinos Vlachopoulos*, Panagiotis Kordopatis, Angelos Evangelidis, Christos Angelidis, Stavros Polymeros, Jakob Fric, Athanassios Sfougaris – First insights of small and large scale movements of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) population in Thessaly plain, Greece, using different telemetry techniques

p. 13

Italy 14. Ana Bermejo, Salvatore Bondì, Giovanni Buonamassa, Francesc Carbonell, Jacopo G. Cecere, Andrea Curcio, Javier de la Puente, Juan Carlos del Moral, Egidio Fulco, Fernando Garcés, Matteo Griggio, Enrico Guzzo, Mina Lorusso, Francisco J. Martín Barranco, Juan Martínez, Ugo Mellone, Franco Parisi, Stefano Podofillini, Francisco J. Pulpillo, Marta Romero Gil, Maurizio Sarà, Lorenzo Serra, Vicente Urios, Javier Vidal-Mateo, Laura Zanca, Diego Rubolini* – Using miniaturized, remote-downloading solar GPS tags to investigate the spatial ecology of the Lesser Kestrel: a large-scale collaborative network

p. 14

15. Giovanni Buonamassa, Danilo Ciampanella, Giuseppe Giglio, Stefania Caterina Pellegrino*, Francesco Parisi – Integrated effort for the conservation of the Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in the SPA “Alta Murgia” LIFE11/NAT/IT068

p. 15

16. Marco Gustin, Giuseppe Giglio*, Stefania Pellegrino, Alessandro Ferrarini, Anna Grazia Frassanito Foraging strategies and conservation policies of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Southern Italy

p. 15

17. Matteo Caldarella* – LIFE06NAT/IT/000026 “Safeguard of the SPA ”Gargano Promontory” Raptors ”The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni J.G.Fleischer, 1818) captive – breeding and restocking experiences in Province of Foggia (2007-2015).

p. 16

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

18. Maurizio Sarà*, Salvatore Bondì – [POSTER] Satellite tracking on migration and wintering of Sicilian Lesser Kestrels

p. 16

19. Salvatore Bondì*, Maurizio Sarà – Movement ecology of Lesser Kestrel during the breeding in cereal steppes of southern Sicily p. 17 20. Stefano Podofillini*, Andrea Curcio, Enrico L. de Capua, Egidio Fulco, Matteo Griggio, Simone Pirrello, Diego Rubolini, Lorenzo Serra, Matteo Visceglia, Jacopo G. Cecere – Home, dirty home: Lesser Kestrels prefer to breed in previously used nests

p. 18

Macedonia (fYR Macedonia) 21. Danka Uzunova*, Emanuel Lisichanets – Lesser Kestrel population and conservation status in Macedonia

p. 18

Serbia 22. Milan Ružić* – Status of Lesser Kestrel in Serbia

p. 19 Spain

23. Fernando Feás* – Lesser Kestrel conservation in Madrid by GREFA

p. 19

24. Javier Bustamante, Carlos Rodríguez, Jesús Hernández-Pliego*, Manuel Baena, Jesús Marín – Using Information and Communication Technology for long-term monitoring of breeding Lesser Kestrels: HORUS project in Spain

p. 19

25. Jesús Hernández-Pliego*, Carlos Rodríguez, Giacomo Dell'Omo, Javier Bustamante – Plasticity of Lesser Kestrel foraging strategy in relation to weather conditions

p. 20

26. José Antolín, Sara de la Rosa* – Releasing experiences of Lesser Kestrel following the methodology "Colony Environment”

p. 21

Turkey 27. Stoycho Stoychev*, Gradimir Gradev, Dimitar Demerdchiev, Simeon Marin, Ivaylo Angelov, Süreyya Isfendiyaroglu, Pavlin Zhelev, Еlena Kmetova-Biro, Dobromir Dobrev – Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) colonies in the European part of Turkey

p. 21

Ukraine 28. Tatiana Kuzmenko* – Lesser Kestrel in Ukraine

p. 22

Information on the field trip to the project area

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

Albania

Status of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Albania 1

2

3

1

Taulant Bino *, Borut Rubinic , Oresta Saliaj , Erald Xeka , Mirjan Topi

3

1 - Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS) 2 - DOPPS, BirdLife Slovenia 3 - Protection and Preservation of Nature and Environment in Albania Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is considered as a rare nesting bird in Albania with 10-30 breeding pairs reported in 2012. Nevertheless, information on its presence during the breeding season remains very scarce. Recent, but very limited surveys during the late 2016 breeding season, have given evidences for the presence of only one small colony located in the old city of Gjirokastra, southern Albania. Despite this, Lesser Kestrel is widely present during post-breeding and migration period, with gatherings of small and larger size being observed almost all over the country. Surveys carried out along the last two years, have enabled the identification of two roosts of smaller size will less than 400 individuals and the reconfirmation of a very large roosting site in “Jorgucat”, Drino valley, Southern Albania. The latter, with more than 3500 individuals, is also one of the largest pre-migration roosting sites for this species in Europe, and designated recently as a Globally Important Bird Area. The number of birds at the “Jorgucat” roost doubled from c. 1500 individuals in mid-July to c. 3000 at the beginning of-August 2016. It continued to increase along August reaching 3500-3800 individuals by the end of the month. The presence of such high number of birds during post breeding period and its contrast with limited reports for breeding birds appears very interesting and raises two main hypotheses on the origin of these birds. First, Albania seems to have a very limited number of nesting birds, but remains a very important foraging ground during the post-breeding and migration season. This opinion is supported by the lack of evidence on large colonies and the presence of high bird numbers during pre-migration and migration season. The second hypothesis foresees the possible presence of different, so far unfound colonies, which partly compose the large pre-migration gatherings in Drino valley and other sites in Albania. Both hypotheses have their pros and cons and need further field examination during the next years. This examination seems crucial as it will estimate the number of Lesser Kestrels breeding in Albania, update the species conservation status and define the measures for a better preservation of the species in the country.

Bulgaria

Recovering the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) as a breeder in Bulgaria 1

1

Gradimir Gradev , Simeon Marin *, José Antolín

2

1 – Green Balkans 2 – DEMA, Defensa y Estudio del Medio Ambiente The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is one of the rarest raptors in Bulgaria. Although once a common species, Lesser Kestrel has not been confirmed as a breeder in the country for the past few decades. Having implemented feasibility studies, Green Balkans launched the implementation of direct actions aimed at restoring the species as a breeder in Sakar SPA, a NATURA 2000 site in Bulgaria, through release of juveniles into the wild. With regard to this approach, based on a special methodology designed by DEMA called “Ambiente de Colonia” - a Lesser Kestrel Release and Adaptation Module has been established. Lesser Kestrel chicks translocated from Spain are released into the wild. The juveniles are bred in captivity at DEMA’s breeding centre. A breeding stock at Green Balkans’ Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre (WRBC), also provided offspring for release. A total of 428 juvenile Lesser Kestrels were released through the Module as follows – 90 individuals in

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

2013, 114 individuals in 2014, 82 individuals in 2015, 142 individuals in 2016. As a result of these actions, the species has been restored as a breeder in Bulgaria. In 2014, there were 8 newly formed pairs, while in 2015 the number of breeding pairs was 9, and in 2016 the number of breeding pairs was 10. The number of chicks that fledged in the colony in Levka village, Sakar SPA, was as follows – 16 individuals in 2014, 17 individuals in 2015 and 33 individuals in 2016.

Bulgaria

Satellite tracking of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) from a recovered breeding population in Bulgaria 1

1

Gradimir Gradev , Simeon Marin *, Pavlin Zhelev

1

1 – Green Balkans We are presenting the data from the satellite tracking of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) conducted in the course of the species recovery as a breeder in Bulgaria. Within a specialized project funded by the LIFE programme of the European Union, the species was recovered as a breeder in the country and in 2014 the first colony in decades was recorded in Sakar SPA (BG0002021), part of the Natura 2000 Ecological Network. According to IUCN Guidelines for the follow up monitoring of reintroduction programmes as well for monitoring of adaptation of birds from newly established colony, revealing of hunting grounds, roosting sites, dispersion areas, migration routes and wintering grounds Green Balkans used satellite transmitters for birds to be marked. For the purpose of these studies, 4 PTTs (5g Solar PTT-100 backpack) were used in 2015. Detailed data were collected only for two of the birds tagged, providing information about the breeding period, pre-migration vagrancy, migration routes, and wintering grounds. These were two female individuals from breeding pairs, banded with orange PVC rings with black inscriptions – BSB and BDS. As a result, roosting place for pre-migratory gathering in the home range of the Levka colony was confirmed and one place for pre-migratory gathering in North West Greece was identified. During the autumn migration, both birds are moving directly south without following seashore the same way as other species. Two birds crossed the Mediterranean entering Africa through Libya (BDS) and Egypt (BSB). BDS wintered in the border area between Nigeria and Niger, while BSB in Central Chad. In the spring of 2016 both birds are using almost the same migration route back to the home colony in Sakar. Presented results are first of its kind for Bulgaria, as well as for the Balkans.

Bulgaria

Bulgarian Lesser Kestrel Action Plan: status of species and conservation measures 1

1

Simeon Marin *, Gradimir Gradev 1 – Green Balkans

According to available literature, in the 19th C. the Lesser Kestrel was a common species in Bulgaria, abundant and spread all over the country, but mostly in the southern part of Bulgaria. In the mid-20th C. this was still a common species, showing a trend of decline. The map in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (2011) presents seventy 10km UTM grids with historical data about breeding Lesser Kestrels. The short-term goal of the Action Plan is improving the conservation status and removing the species from the Critically Endangered category, determined in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria (2011). The long-term goal of the Action Plan is restoring the former distribution range of the species, where possible in today's conditions, by providing appropriate habitats and replenishing the population (reinforcement). Threats and limiting factors, as well as conservation actions needed are presented.

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

Bulgaria

Bulgarian Lesser Kestrel captive breeding stock at the Green Balkans WBRC 1

Simeon Marin *, Yordanka Vasileva

1

1 – Green Balkans A breeding stock has been established at Green Balkans’ Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre, consisting of 40 wild birds, which have undergone rehabilitation at rescue centres in Spain and were provided by the government of Extremadura, Spain. This breeding stock also provided offspring to be released by Green Balkans’ Lesser Kestrel Release and Adaptation Module in Levka, Sakar SPA. In 2014, 29 chicks were reared by 12 breeding pairs. In 2015, 28 chicks were reared by 13 breeding pairs. In 2016, 71 chicks were reared by 21 breeding pairs. When needed, eggs and abandoned chicks from the colony in Levka were also hatched and reared at Green Balkans’ WRBC. Due to such proactive measures the number of released chicks (n=9) makes up 56,25% of naturally fledged chicks (n=16) from Levka colony.

Croatia

Past, present and future: an overview of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) population in Croatia through time and space 1

Kresimir Mikulic *, Ivan Budinski

1

1 – Association BIOM The Lesser Kestrel is a rediscovered breeding species in Croatia comprising a small island-breeding colony in the northern Adriatic. We discuss the history of the Lesser Kestrel in Croatia during the 20th century until its rediscovery in 2010. Moreover, we present results of the Lesser Kestrel monitoring in Croatia with insights into population abundances, breeding phenology and pre-breeding movements. In addition, we describe the population features of the island-breeding colony and present a conservation strategy in order to preserve the Lesser Kestrel population in Croatia and to potentially facilitate its range expansion.

France

Wintering areas localization and migration’s phenology of French population of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni using geolocators 1

2

Mathieu Bourgeois *, Philippe Pilard , Daouda Sylla

3

1 – LPO Aude 2 – LPO, Mission Rapaces, France 3 – Nature-Communauté-Développement / Institut pour la Recherche et le Développement, Sénégal Geolocators were used to study wintering areas of the French population of Lesser Kestrel. The geolocation loggers record ambient sunlight over very long periods. From this recorded information, the areas that the bird visited can be determined with an accuracy of approximately 200 km. In 2012, 20 falcons of the Crau’s population and 7 of Aude’s population were equipped. The next years, 17 geolocators were recovered. The recorded information allowed to draw the winter distribution of 13 birds and study autumn and spring migration for respectively 13 and 7 birds. The wintering area extends from the west of Senegal to the west of Niger. For the autumn migration, the average date of departure is the 12th September and the average duration is 18.7± 5.2 days including the staging (6.7

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

days). For the spring migration, the average duration is 18.6± 14.5 days including the staging (11.3 days) and the 8th March for the average date. Results show a strong individual variation in the migration strategy both of road taken than his development (with or without staging). The results also show a gradual southward shift during wintering, like seen for the Montagu’s Harrier. Thus, the falcons progressively focus in the southeast of Mauritania and north-central Mali. These winter travel corroborate counts made in the Kousmar’s island, important refuge area in Senegal, where a sharp increase in the number of birds from December with a peak attendance in January.

France

Reintroduction program of Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in France: 10 years after, where are we now? 1

1

Mathieu Bourgeois *, Alice Bonot , Vincent Lelong

1

1 – LPO Aude During the middle of the 20th century, both the population and range of the Lesser Kestrel declined in Europe. France is not an exception and Lesser Kestrel has almost disappeared with 3 pairs in the beginning of 1980’s. At this time, without special explanation, population increase in one area (The Crau) up to 42 pairs in 1996. In 1997, a LIFE project is developed to ensure the maintenance and growth of this sole population of Lesser Kestrel in France with success: 65 breeding pairs in 2001. In 2002, a new population is discovered in a village more than 100km to the west with 11 pairs. This colony grows rapidly to reach 64 pairs in 2008. At the same time, in 2003-2004, an installation with 1 then 2 pairs in nest boxes installed for the European Roller occurs in Aude on an old nesting site deserted for 40 years. Unfortunately, this attempt failed: no more birds were observed in 2005. Following this, a reintroduction operation of Lesser Kestrel is implemented in this area through a LIFE project (LIFE05 NAT/F/000134). This project planned to establish a breeding in France with the assistance of the DEMA and to release chicks into nature so as to establish a new population. To host released chicks and future pairs of Lesser Kestrel, an abandoned wine building has been converted into reintroduction and nesting site (32 nest boxes). Between 2006 and 2009, 234 chicks have been released and the first pair settled in 2007. At the end, the reintroduction program achieved the creation of a new sub-population of 7 nesting pairs of Lesser Kestrel in Aude. Reintroduction continued for another year with chicks from France. With 12 pairs and whereas the productivity of the colony was sufficient to compensate the stop of the release of chicks, it was decided to stop the reintroduction in 2010. From 2011, this population continue to increase and begins to disperse. First, by one pair in an abandoned wine building (15 km to the west), then in 2012 in the village of Fleury (near reintroduction site) with 3 pairs and finally in 2015 in another village nearby Fleury with 5 pairs and 1 pair in another village 25 km to the west, for a total of 25 pairs. So, in France in 2015, three of the original twelve breeding areas remain, with approximately 363 pairs. Since, the Aude’s sub-population continues to increase with 37 pairs of Lesser Kestrel in 2016 distributed on 6 sites more or less distant of each other. The reintroduction operation is a very positive point in favour of this population dynamic but still fragile.

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

France

French Lesser Kestrel Action Plan 1

2

3

Philippe Pilard , Mathieu Bourgeois *, Bérenger Remy , Nicolas Saulnier

4

1 - LPO France, Mission rapace 2 - LPO Aude 3 - COGard 4 - LPO Hérault The National Action Plan, supported by the Ministry of Environment and the LPO, has a term of five years, from 2011 to 2015. 2016 is the year of evaluation of this plan. The general objective of the national plan is the withdrawal of the Lesser Kestrel from the list of endangered species in France, reach a population of more than 1,000 mature individuals in over 5 population centers which also having reproductive parameters allowing them to resist degradation of wintering conditions The main conservation actions are to: - Implement local management measures, - Detect the news sites colonizations to support and ensure their permanent implantation, - Develop, manage and / or monitor nesting sites allow for population growth, - Prospect and follow postnuptial gathering to preserve it, - Provide contractual management measures against the closure of habitats at local and regional level, - Understand and solve the use conflicts, - Limit the mortality factors, - And finally, following the recent discovery of an important wintering area in Senegal, to act for the preservation of the site dormitory and the availability of prey in feeding habitats.

Greece

Premigratory ecology of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni). A case-study in Northwestern Greece 1,2

Anastasios Bounas *, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos

1

1 – Molecular Ecology and Conservation Genetics Lab, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece 2 – Hellenic Ornithological Society, Themistokleous 80, 10681 Athens, Greece The post-fledging period, ranging from fledging to departure on fall migration, is critical for the survival of juvenile birds, as recently fledged individuals have little experience foraging and avoiding predators and anthropogenic threats. In addition, the post-fledging period is of great ecological importance for adults and juveniles, because birds must build up the appropriate fat reserves and moult, at least partially, before the fall migration. This period, which in some bird species can last up to several months, has been estimated to last up to two months for the Lesser Kestrel. We studied the trend in numbers and site characteristics at a large premigratory roost of Lesser Kestrels in the city of Ioannina (North-western Greece), as well as the foraging grounds that birds used during this period. We also examined the species diet composition and compared the results with the diet during the breeding period in order to identify any changes in the feeding strategy of Lesser Kestrels. Finally, we tried to shed light on the origins of the birds that gather in the roosts, by assigning them to source populations using genetic markers. We recorded a maximum of 3500 individuals in both 2003 and 2004 during the 15 years of the counts. Birds start to gather in the roosts from the second week of July, with the peak congregation taking place in the second half of August. Birds roosted exclusively in mature plane trees (Plantanus

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

orientalis) and were observed to forage in high elevation areas around the site. During premigration, Lesser Kestrels show a rather homogeneous diet with Orthoptera being the main prey. However, during the peak of the gathering, birds feed on large amounts of grasshoppers which we believe to reflect their movements towards the surrounding high elevation areas which hold a high abundance of Orthoptera. The species shows a much more specialized feeding strategy compared to the breeding period, taking advantage of this localized abundance of grasshoppers, in order to fuel up before migration and also to replenish their energy reserves after the extensive moult of flight and tail feathers that takes place in this premigratory roost. Finally, preliminary data from individual assignment using genetic markers indicate movement of birds from satellite populations towards this roosting site, highlighting the importance of such areas for different Lesser Kestrel populations. Since conservation actions for migratory species that target only a part of their life cycle can be inefficient, we believe that these results could further improve targeted conservation actions and management programmes for Lesser Kestrel populations in the region.

Greece

Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Greece 1

1

1

2

Athanassios Sfougaris *, Christos Christakis , Konstantinos Vlachopoulos , Olga Christopoulou , 3 3 3 4 4 Panagiotis Kordopatis , Evgenia Panoriou , Michalis Vafeiadis , Tasos Dimalexis , Jacob Fric , 4 4 Margarita Tzali , Lefteris Kakalis 1 – Laboratory of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management, Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly 2 – Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly 3 – Hellenic Ornithological Society/BirdLife Greece 4 – Nature Conservation Consultants, Greece During the period 2012-2016 a LIFE project concerning the conservation and management of the Lesser Kestrel in Thessaly region, an area hosting more than 75% of the species population in Greece, was implemented. The project aimed at enabling an effective and sustainable conservation framework for the species at 3 SPA sites through the implementation of a variety of actions, including preparatory actions, concrete conservation actions, monitoring and public awareness activities. A complete population census in Thessaly estimated the breeding population at more than 5,000 pairs. Habitat availability and use were estimated with the aid of satellite image and radio-telemetry based on GPS data-loggers respectively. Home range calculated at 27.1 sq. km for males and 22.8 sq. km for females. Maximum distance travelled by Lesser Kestrels for foraging was 6.5 km for males and 9.8 Km for females. Terrestrial and aerial prey availability was assessed for the main habitats types with pitfall traps and transects respectively. Pellet analysis showed that carabids and Orthoptera were the main prey categories. Other actions implemented included installation of 700 artificial nests and four nest complexes in different villages, preparation of a Regional Species Action Plan and a good practice guides for farmers. To increase landscape heterogeneity and prey availability, more than 1,200 trees and shrubs were planted, creating 10 km of hedgerows in selected rural areas, fields of 530 ha area were cultivated with local cultivars of barley by signing contracts with 95 farmers. Also, perennial meadows for enhancing of the species foraging habitat adjacent to non-preferable vegetation were established. It is estimated that more than 250,000 people are reached by the projects awareness campaign and more than 5,500 pupils and 55 professionals by the environmental education campaign. Moreover, the project promoted the ecotourism focusing on the Lesser Kestrel conservation. Finally, a “Lesser Kestrel friendly” certification framework for local agricultural products was set in order to improve their market value and a homonymous trademark nominated.

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Greece

[POSTER]

Lesser Kestrel breeding in the National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Greece 1

1

1

1

1

Efterpi Patetsini *, Vasileios Terzis , Vasileios Christodoulou , Pasxalio Zlatini , Chrisa Meleti , 1 1 1 1 Georgia Chatziefraimidou , Konstantina Katsouli , Anastasia Michailidou , Alexandros Chantzaras , 1 1 1 Anastasia Mirli , Euanthia Chartzoulaki , Despoina Michailidou 1 – Management Body of Delta Nestos-Lakes Vistonida-Ismarida; Terzis, Vasileios. Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a summer visitor who comes to Greece in the spring for breeding. Lesser Kestrel create colonies in towns and villages taking advantage of the holes in roofs of old buildings. Many colonies have been lost due to the destruction of old buildings and the intensification of cultivation. In Thrace there are 4 colonies of Lesser Kestrel. All of them are in Rodopi Region, in Kalamokastro, Megalo Doukato, Mikro Doukato and Agioi Theodoroi villages. These villages are close to Northeastern boarder of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, but they are not in the protected areas of Natura 2000. Nestos Delta and lakes Vistonida-Ismarida Management Body has started to monitor the above four colonies of Lesser Kestrel in 2016. According to the monitoring program, the Greek National Census 2016 and previous observations the largest colony in Thrace is in Kalamokastro with 27 pairs. The second in population colony is in Megalo Doukato with 18 pairs, 9 pairs were recorded in Mikro Doukato and 2 pairs in Agioi Theodoroi. The Management Body of Nestos Delta and lakes Vistonida-Ismarida designed the next step that will implement an environmental awareness program focusing on Lesser Kestrel in schools of these villages so that next generations, farmers and village people, will be informed about the Lesser Kestrel and their protection status.

Greece

First insights of small and large scale movements of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) population in Thessaly plain, Greece, using different telemetry techniques 1

2

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Konstantinos Vlachopoulos *, Panagiotis Kordopatis , Angelos Evangelidis , Christos Angelidis , 2 3 1 Stavros Polymeros , Jakob Fric , Athanassios Sfougaris 1 – Laboratory of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management, Department of Agriculture Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly 2 – Hellenic Ornithological Society/ BirdLife Greece 3 – Nature Conservation Consultants Implementation of effective concrete conservation measures requires in depth knowledge of the habitat preferences of a bird species. For this purpose and under the framework of the “Life for the Lesser Kestrel” project (LIFE11NAT/GR001011), we studied the foraging movements and habitat selection of the species (Falco naumanni) in Thessaly plain, Central Greece. The particular plain comprises the biggest agricultural area in Greece and includes different crop types. The study was conducted using GPS dataloggers attached on individuals from various colonies during the nestling period, from mid-May to mid-June. In order to assess the habitat selection of the species we used the compositional analysis method. Additionally, we compared the composition of the available habitats within the home range of the species against the preferred ones. Using GIS software, we implemented proximity algorithms to calculate distances between nesting sites and foraging grounds, as well as minimum convex polygon (MCP) tool to estimate home ranges. Our results illustrated an obvious preference of Lesser Kestrels mainly towards cereal crops, probably due to their higher prey abundance, and secondary to cotton, a pattern followed by both sexes. Additionally, maximum and mean distances from nests to the foraging patches were estimated for both sexes, as well as the respected home ranges. The home range size showed moderate variation between the studied colonies, attributed to fluctuations of prey abundance of the surrounding areas due to different crop types. Understanding the mechanisms that determine Lesser Kestrels foraging grounds is essential in

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order to proceed to concrete conservation measures regarding the improvement of their foraging habitat quality through kestrel-friendly agricultural practices. Telemetry techniques were also used for the study of Lesser Kestrels migration. During 2014 breeding season 19 birds were tagged with geolocators in order to better understand migration phenology of the largest Balkan population. For the first time for birds breeding in Greece the retrieved devices provided information concerning wintering grounds, timing and length of migration and stop over sites.

Italy

Using miniaturized, remote-downloading solar GPS tags to investigate the spatial ecology of the lesser kestrel: a large-scale collaborative network 1

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Ana Bermejo , Salvatore Bondì , Giovanni Buonamassa , Francesc Carbonell , Jacopo G. Cecere , 6 1 1 7 8 Andrea Curcio , Javier de la Puente , Juan Carlos del Moral , Egidio Fulco , Fernando Garcés , 9 2 3 10 8 Matteo Griggio , Enrico Guzzo , Mina Lorusso , Francisco J. Martín Barranco , Juan Martínez , Ugo 11 12 6 10 11 Mellone , Franco Parisi , Stefano Podofillini , Francisco J. Pulpillo , Marta Romero Gil , Maurizio 2 5 11 11 2 6 Sarà , Lorenzo Serra , Vicente Urios , Javier Vidal-Mateo , Laura Zanca , Diego Rubolini * 1 – SEO/BirdLife, Madrid, Spain; 2 – Department STEBICEF, University of Palermo, Italy 3 – Comune di Altamura, Altamura, Italy; 4 – Centre de Fauna de Torreferrussa, Forestal Catalana SA, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; 5 – ISPRA, Ozzano Emilia, Italy; 6 – Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Italy; 7 – Studio MILVUS, Italy; 8 – GREFA, Madrid, Spain; 9 – Department of Biology, University of Padova, Italy; 10 – SIECE, Jaén, Spain; 11 – Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales y Recursos Naturales, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain; 12 – Comune di Gravina in Puglia, Gravina in Puglia, Italy. Understanding the spatial ecology of migratory species of conservation importance is crucial for planning effective long-term conservation actions. However, the use of the most appropriate remote tracking devices is often constrained by device size and costs (in the case of e.g. satellite PTTs), which ultimately allow tracking only a small number of individuals, resulting in limited population – or flyway level inferences. Here we report the first results of a large-scale collaborative study which involved deploying miniaturized (ca. 4 g), solar driven, remote-downloading GPS-UHF tags (model NanoFix GEO+RF, PathTrack, Ltd.) on 64 lesser kestrels (34 males, 30 females) from 8 different breeding sites in Spain (5) and Italy (3). Activities in Italy were carried out within the framework of the LIFE+ Nature project ‘Un falco per amico’ (LIFE11/NAT/IT000068), while in Spain they were developed within the framework of the ‘Migra’ program developed by SEO/BirdLife and funded by Fundación Iberdrola España. Tags were deployed using Teflon backpack harnesses (ca. 1 g). The tags, that potentially allow multi-year tracking of the same individual, were programmed to record data based on two different schedules, one for the breeding/wintering seasons (1 GPS position every 15 min, GPS off during night time) and one for the migration months (1 GPS position every 30 min, no GPS off periods). However, the tags automatically adjust the GPS sampling rate according to the actual battery level, to preserve battery power and allow UHF data transmission. The tags download their data to solar-powered base stations that were deployed at or near breeding sites. We illustrate the type and amount of data that can be obtained from these tags, together with the first analyses concerning the spatial ecology of the species during the breeding season in different environmental contexts. We argue that these tags provide a valuable opportunity to investigate the spatial ecology of the lesser kestrel in the medium/long-term without any need to recapture the tracked individuals.

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Italy

Integrated effort for the conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in the SPA “Alta Murgia” LIFE11/NAT/IT068 1

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Giovanni Buonamassa , Danilo Ciampanella , Giuseppe Giglio , Stefania Caterina Pellegrino *, 2 Francesco Parisi . 1 – Municipality of Altamura; 2 – Municipality of Gravina in Puglia The LIFE+ project “Un falco per amico” aims at protecting the Falco naumanni's colonies nesting in the Municipalities of Gravina in Puglia and Altamura (Apulia Region, Southern Italy) with direct conservation actions, thus increasing the presence of the target species in project area and triggering positive demographic trend in neighbouring areas (Apulia and Basilicata). The detected menaces include i) loss of breeding sites, ii) damages to the roosts, iii) the accidental fall of chicks from the nests. The conservation actions are i) the protection of the nesting sites (historical buildings, churches, monasteries), ii) the mapping of the roosts, marked with notice boards, iii) the implementation of a nursery for the treatment of chicks and wounded adults, iv) the installation of 440 artificial nests and v) the restoration of nesting sites lost for refurbishing works. At policy level, the project foresees the modification of the regional regulation 24/2005 deemed ineffective for the protection of the Falco naumanni. The new regulation will include technical details to keep unaltered the breeding sites during refurbishing works in Nature 2000 Sites. Particularly relevant for the sustainability of this action is the training of the construction sector professionals on the new regulation. A National action plan for the conservation of the Falco naumanni will be released and spread at national level. The monitoring of the installed nests during the project, allows the assessment of their adequacy through the detection of the breeding parameters. The occupation rate is significantly higher than the expected, due to the improved nest model and the rigorous selection of the buildings, on the basis of the potential occupation and of the protection needs. The Gravina in Puglia and Altamura's colonies are registered during the breeding period (March-May). The monitoring of the colonies aims at registering their demographic trend, as indicator of possible menaces to the species. The awareness raising actions are directed to local farmers and to tourist and institutional stakeholders in order to spread best practice of land management for the conservation of the trophic habitat of the Falco naumanni. The schools will be targeted by specific actions, foreseeing the dissemination of education and information material. A bird-watching path, equipped with notice boards and a didactic centre will contribute to improve the knowledge of the species in the population.

Italy

Foraging strategies and conservation policies of the Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni in Southern Italy 1

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Marco Gustin , Giuseppe Giglio *, Stefania Pellegrino , Alessandro Ferrarini , Anna Grazia 2 Frassanito , 1 – Lipu 2 – Alta Murgia National Park The reduction in quality of foraging habitats is considered one of cause of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) population decline. A proper knowledge of Lesser Kestrel’s foraging habitat selection at

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local scale is necessary for its conservation. Using accurate GPS devices, we investigated the patterns of local movements and land-cover type selection of Lesser Kestrels in the main colony in Italy (Alta Murgia National Park, Gravina in Puglia and the surrounding rural areas) during the hatching period in 2012-2013. The goals of our work were to individuate: 1) the preferred foraging habitats, 2) the potential sexual divergences in foraging movements and in 3) foraging habitat selection, 4) the relationship between foraging movements and the spatial arrangement of land codes. We detected significant sexual divergences in foraging movements and habitat selection. Lesser Kestrels preferred pseudo-steppes and significantly avoided ligneous crops and forested areas. While males selected positively pseudo-steppes, females used both pseudo-steppes and cereals in proportion to their availability. Foraging selection was influenced by the interplay between the spatial arrangement of land codes and the sexual divergences in foraging strategies. On the basis of our results, we have been able to propose suitable local-scale conservation actions to the Alta Murgia National Park and to the local administrations: a) the enlargements of the park’s boundaries; b) the purchasing of land parcels; c) the provision of suitable nesting sites near the higher quality areas; d) the optimal timing for harvesting. Our study is the first contribution to the assessment of the foraging strategies and the necessary conservation policies of the Lesser Kestrel in Southern Italy.

Italy

LIFE06NAT/IT/000026 Safeguard of the SPA “Gargano Promontory” Raptors - The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) captive breeding and restocking experiences in Province of Foggia (2007-2015) 1

Matteo Caldarella * 1 – Centro Studi Naturalistici ONLUS The poster presents activities and results obtained during the management of the Lesser Kestrel captive-breeding centre and restocking activities as provided by the LIFE project. The LIFE Nature project “Safeguard of the SPA ”Gargano Promontory” raptors”, provided the action for management of a centre for captive breeding and restocking from 2007 until 2011 (action D2) and from 2011 to 2015 (after-LIFE activities). This action was directly aimed at the conservation of Lesser Kestrel population in the SPA “Gargano Promontory”. The centre was managed primarily for Lesser Kestrel captive breeding and restocking and, with additional protocols, the recovery of raptors and to start experimental captive breeding program for Lanner (Falco biarmicus, Temminck 1825). As results, it has been an increase of the Lesser Kestrel breeding population directly related to restocking activities, as at the start of the project the local (Province of Foggia-Puglia-Italy) breeding population was estimated 16 pairs (2007) while at the end of the after-LIFE activities was estimated the presence of 400 breeding pairs in the same area (2015).

Italy

[POSTER]

Satellite tracking on migration and wintering of Sicilian Lesser Kestrels 1

Maurizio Sarà *, Salvatore Bondì

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1 – Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo During the field seasons of 2014 and 2015 we deployed 17 solar-powered GPS-UHF tags (model PICA, Ecotone Poland) on adult lesser kestrels breeding in south-eastern Sicily (Gela Plain). Two out five tagged kestrels came back from Africa in 2015, but one tag was out of work and recovered; three out 12 birds came back in 2016. We were able to download and process data from two males and two females. We present here movement data concerning the post-breeding dispersal, migration and overwintering. The four birds after breeding, either successful or failed, moved from the south-east breeding grounds to the north-western summer areas. The four tagged birds confirmed previous

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Abstract book of the International Lesser Kestrel Expert Workshop in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 4-8.10.2016

observations by ring lectures. Almost all Sicilian lesser kestrels gather in a large roost (some 15002000 birds) located in a cereal steppe to moult and fatten before the autumnal migration in October. Then the four birds behaved differently, one male and one female stayed in the north-western summering area until the date of departure (early October). From there they crossed the Strait of Sicily landed to Tunisia and carried on their flight until south-eastern Mali and Senegal, crossing the Sahara from east to west and travelling some 3500 km. They spent the winter in Western Sahel and came back from the same route. The other two birds, came back to the breeding-area, and from there, in mid October, crossed the Mediterranean Sea, passed over Malta and landed in Libya. After a stopover of one week they crossed the Sahara north-south, and arrived to their wintering ground between Niger and Nigeria, travelling some 3000 km. They came back from the same route in March 2016. Our data confirmed the fast continuous flight of lesser kestrels over the sea and the nocturnal flight over Sahara. The migration of the four kestrels allows for interesting hypotheses on the structuring of lesser kestrel populations in southern Europe. Actually, the wintering locations seem to mirror in latitude exactly the breeding areas. The Iberian kestrels winter in western Sahel, the Balkan kestrels in Eastern Sahel, and Sicilians which breed in the middle of the range split both in Western and Eastern Sahel.

Italy

Movement ecology of lesser kestrel during the breeding in cereal steppes of southern Sicily 1

Salvatore Bondì *, Maurizio Sarà

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1 – Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo Satellite telemetry allows to provide a large quantity of information on the species’ movement ecology during their entire life cycle. As part of a long-term study on conservation and management of cereal steppes in Southern Italy, we use the Lesser Kestrel as model species. During the breeding season of 2014 and 2015 we deployed 17 GPS-UHF transmitters (model PICA, Ecotone Poland) on adult Lesser Kestrels breeding in the largest breeding population of the island (Gela Plain, south-east Sicily). We used aerial photos to detect the land uses of the Plain sample area (55 km2) and validated these uses by car transects. The Kestrels were breeding in three colonies (abandoned man-made buildings) surrounded by significantly different land uses: a) grasslands, b) arable fields, c) artichoke fields. Individuals were tracked across the whole breeding seasons on a weekly basis, to check their foraging movements, together with their breeding performances. We used two spatial parameters, the linear spider distance and the bi-dimensional kernel density estimation. Results show that the average distances travelled during the breeding season depend from both sex and colony. The size of colony home range averages 3,14 sq. km, and females have larger (3,762 km) home range size than males (2,432 km). Also the average distance travelled during the breeding season is significantly different between colonies (F=49; p