LIFE EuroSAP 2015-2018 Layman's Report

LIFE EuroSAP
2015-2018
Layman’s Report
Coordinated efforts for international species recovery
life14 pre/uk/000002

LIFE EuroSAP
“Coordinated efforts
for international
species recovery”
The LIFE EuroSAP project
Title: Coordinated efforts for international species recovery
ID: LIFE14 PRE/UK/000002
Period: 01/04/2015 – 30/09/2018
Total budget: €837,995.00
Financed by the European Union: €500,000.00
Co-financed by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian
Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA): €34,188.00
Co-financed by the MAVA Foundation for Nature: €150,000.00
Co-financed by the beneficiaries: €303,807.00
Coordinating beneficiary: BirdLife International
Associated beneficiaries:
Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) – BirdLife in Germany
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) – BirdLife in the United Kingdom
Vogelbescherming Nederland (VBN) – BirdLife in the Netherlands
Sociedad Española de Ornitología (SEO/BirdLife) – BirdLife in Spain
Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) – BirdLife in Greece
Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA) – BirdLife in Portugal
Lietuvos ornitologų draugija (LOD) – BirdLife in Lithuania
Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) – BirdLife in France
Sveriges Ornitologiska Förening (SOF) – BirdLife in Sweden
European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE), Belgium
Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), Holland
The LIFE Programme
The LIFE programme is the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment
and the mitigation of climate change. Since its launch in 1992, LIFE
has co-financed more than 4500 projects across Europe that contribute to the
development and implementation of EU environmental and climate policy and
legislation. During the current funding period (2014 – 2020) alone, LIFE will
invest approximately EUR 3.4 billion in nature.
Introduction
Birds know no borders. On feathered wing, they cross
countries and even continents. That is their beauty –
that is what keeps us looking up to the skies in awe.
And that is exactly what inspired leading European
bird experts to come together around LIFE EuroSAP.
Over its three-year run (2015-18), this ambitious
project has built a broad partnership along the Africa-
Eurasia flyway – a partnership of NGOs, researchers,
local authorities, international institutions and diverse
interest groups ranging from farmers, fishermen
and hunters to schools and businesses. The goal:
to reverse the decline of sixteen iconic European
bird species on a continental scale through the
development and adoption of international Species
Action Plans (SAPs).
The sixteen bird species targeted by LIFE EuroSAP are
some of the most charismatic creatures to grace our
skies, seas and shores, but they are also some of the
most at-risk. All have been assessed by the IUCN and
figure on its Global Red List of Threatened Species,
which ranks the world’s most at-risk species, as being
‘Endangered’, ‘Vulnerable’, ‘Near Threatened’ and
‘Least Concern’. All need our help to stop them from
spiralling closer towards extinction.
SAPs are essential species conservation tools
that, though legally non-binding, can also help
governments comply with environmental legislation
and meet international biodiversity targets.
But current tools are either outdated or poorly
implemented – or even non-existent. And across
the board, deficiencies in international coordination
undermine whatever good work may be achieved in
individual countries.
LIFE EuroSAP hopes to mark a new era in bird
conservation. The project, co-funded by the
European Union’s LIFE Programme, was coordinated
by BirdLife International in collaboration with nine
BirdLife national partners, VCF (Vulture Conservation
Foundation), FACE (Federation of Associations for
Hunting and Conservation of the EU) and AEWA
(African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement).
Species working groups have been set up to study the
birds’ entire life-cycles, across the length and breadth
of their flyways – their main migratory routes – and
gather the most up-to-date information about their
ecology and the threats confronting them. Together,
we’ve created brand new tools and mechanisms to
improve coordination between NGOs, the European
Commission, international conventions and
national governments within the EU and beyond.
Most importantly, together we have identified and
proposed workable, scientifically-grounded solutions.
This short layman’s report can but only give a bird’s
eye view of the LIFE EuroSAP project, yet it is hoped
that readers will get good insight
into the main threats faced by
these threatened species, the
urgency of the actions required
and the new conservation tools
now available.
Anna Staneva – LIFE EuroSAP
Project Coordinator
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LIFE EuroSAP
500+ contributors
3 continents
65 countries
16 species
8 Species
Action Plans
(SAPs)
Monteiro’s Storm-petrel,
Yelkouan Shearwater,
Velvet Scoter,
White-headed Duck,
Dalmatian Pelican,
Bearded Vulture,
Cinereous Vulture
& European Turtle-dove
1 Multi-
Species
Action Plan
(MSAP)
‘Baltic’ Dunlin,
Black-tailed Godwit,
Common Redshank,
Common Snipe,
Eurasian Curlew,
Eurasian Oystercatcher,
Northern Lapwing
& Ruff
Participated in LIFE EuroSAP
EuroSAP species flyways (indicative only)
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Species, Threats & Proposed Solutions
Yelkouan Shearwater
– Puffinus yelkouan
The overarching goal of LIFE EuroSAP was to identify and
sooner) to preserve these species and their habitats. During
propose scientifically-based conservation solutions for the
this process, a standardised method for drafting SAPs was
The Yelkouan Shearwater is a globally Vulnerable seabird which resides only
project’s sixteen target species through the elaboration of
devised, in collaboration with the European Commission, to
in the Black and Mediterranean seas, breeding on the rocky shores of their
eight single species SAPs and one Multi-Species Action Plan
facilitate their future development and implementation.
many islands.
(MSAP) addressing the common needs of eight grassland
breeding waders. Their development has been the result
of an extensive consultation process with more than 500
participants from over 65 countries.
Finally, on 23 May 2018, after three years of hard work, all
nine SAPs were approved by the European Commission.
Each of the project’s sixteen species can now look forward
Threats: Death as a result of accidental ‘bycatch’ in fishing gears (caught
on hooks and entangled in nets) is the most pressing threat facing
the species, along with predation from invasive alien species. Tourism
© B. Metzger
to seeing their recommended SAP solutions (outlined
and coastal urbanisation also come with a high price – sound and light
Species working groups, led by the project partnership,
below) put into action.
disturbance and severe damage to breeding habitats.
analysed all the available information to identify the
main threats and, subsequently, the main actions that
SAP Solutions: Some fisheries are working to reduce their bycatch rate. The
imperatively need to happen within the next ten years (or
Monteiro’s Storm-petrel
– Hydrobates monteiroi
use of bird-friendly fishing methods and equipment – weighted lines and
thawed instead of frozen baits – have been scientifically proven to make a
significant difference.
Nevertheless, there is still a strong need for fisheries and local authorities to
work with researchers and conservationists to fill in persistent knowledge
gaps, particularly in the Black Sea, so that breeding habitat quality may be
improved and disturbance limited.
“Problems happening
in these closed seas
might very strongly
affect it”
Clémence Gaudard,
LPO – Yelkouan
Shearwater SAP
© Tânia Pipa
The Monteiro’s Storm-petrel is a globally Vulnerable seabird.
Its home is out amongst the thrashing waves of the great North
Atlantic on five remote islets of the Azores archipelago.
Threats: This small seabird falls prey to both native (e.g. Yellowlegged
Gulls) and alien predators (e.g. Black Rats and Madeiran Wall
Lizards). Sea pollution is also taking a heavy toll and competition for
food with fisheries is fierce.
Velvet Scoter
– Melanitta fusca
The Velvet Scoter is a globally Vulnerable diving sea duck species
that mostly nests inland from as far north as the Russian Arctic to the
Fennoscandian Peninsula and the Baltic.
© Glyn Sellors
SAP Solutions: Local authorities, in collaboration with
environmental NGOs, can improve waste management around
Threats: A wide array of threats beset this particular species – from
the islands, remove harmful alien predators and prepare long-term
oil pollution, bycatch in fishing gears, sea windfarms to breeding ground
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“An amazing flag
species to raise
awareness in our
communities about
the threats and
difficulties faced
nowadays by seabirds”
Nuno Oliveira,
SPEA – Monteiro’s
Storm-petrel SAP
counter-measures to prevent their return or the influx of other
invasive alien species.
Greater scientific knowledge about this species – especially its
distribution out of the breeding season – is vital for its conservation.
If the right habitat conditions can be secured, it is hoped that this
endemic seabird may be encouraged to spread to other islets of the
archipelago.
predators, disturbance and climate change.
SAP Solutions: Fisheries can help by trialling and adopting bird-friendly
fishing equipment to reduce seabird bycatch. Similarly, fishing associations
can promote the use of sustainable, small-scale fishing practices to reduce
overfishing.
While collaborative research amongst international sea duck experts is already
taking place to tackle bycatch in certain countries, more monitoring and joint
studies are needed to fill in the knowledge gaps.
“Development of
mitigation measures
for reducing bycatch
of seaducks [...] is
underway”
Mindaugas Dagys
– Velvet Scoter SAP
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White-headed Duck
– Oxyura leucocephala
Bearded Vulture
– Gypaetus barbatus
The White-headed Duck is a duck species with a blue bill that comes from
a family of ducks which have a characteristically stiff tail. Its European
population, in the southwest, has recently been brought back from
The Bearded Vulture has been shrouded in mystique since antiquity. Famously,
it is the only vertebrate species in the world with a diet comprised
almost exclusively of bones. Today, however, it is Near Threatened on a global
© Francois Loubser
the brink of extinction. Too little, however, is known about the Asian
scale. Solitary and territorial by nature, it inhabits mountain areas with steep
population’s breeding and wintering grounds and the species is still
cliffs, low forest cover and minimal human presence.
globally Endangered.
Threats: This iconic species faces many dangers, particularly from poisoning
Threats: Habitat destruction, invasive alien species and bycatch are to
blame, as well as the triple threat of illegal killing, poisoning from expended
lead ammunition and disturbance related to the hunting of other species, all
of which have had a severe impact.
SAP Solutions: Hunters, law enforcement agencies and conservationists can
make great strides if they work together – starting with zero tolerance from
all sides for the illegal killing of protected birds. Similarly, the negative, knockon
effects from the hunting of other species that share the same habitats can
be tackled constructively by minimising disturbance, using alternatives to
(toxic) lead ammunition and raising awareness of protected species.
“Strong protection of
their breeding sites
brought them back from
the brink of extinction
[in Spain]”
Jorge Fernandez Orueta,
SEO – White-headed
Duck SAP
– be it from the illegal poisoning of wildlife, the veterinary drug Diclofenac or
lead ammunition. Other dangers include collisions with human infrastructure
and food shortages caused by changes in livestock farming.
SAP Solutions: Farmers can leave livestock carcasses in their fields (as
was done historically) as a food source for vultures and other scavengers.
They can also opt to treat their livestock with non-harmful alternatives to
Diclofenac, which is toxic for vultures and other birds. Lead ammunition
should be phased out, and energy and ski infrastructure should be marked to
prevent collisions. National and local authorities can also aim to eradicate the
illegal poisoning of wildlife.
“This species has
been successfully
reintroduced in the
Alps and Andalusia,
and with this SAP can
continue to thrive
in the European
mountains.”
David Izquierdo, VCF –
Bearded Vulture SAP
Dalmatian Pelican
– Pelecanus crispus
Cinereous Vulture
– Aegypius monachus
The Dalmatian Pelican – globally Near Threatened – is one of the largest
flying birds on Earth. It forms colonies on small earthen islands or on semifloating
clumps of vegetation in freshwater lakes and coastal lagoons.
© Veselin Gramatikov
The Cinereous Vulture is the second largest Old World vulture. It inhabits
forested hills and mountains, but forages across a wide range of habitats.
Conservation efforts over the last 20 years have seen a massive 50% population
increase in Europe. Still, as the species is colonial, its range has not
© Nicky Petkov
Threats: This enigmatic species faces threats on all fronts: direct
greatly expanded and it remains Near Threated globally.
persecution, accidental collisions with power lines, disturbance and nest
destruction. Other, more global, phenomena – climate change, avian flu and
Threats: Food shortages, habitat destruction, disturbance and persecution,
contamination of wetlands – are also hitting the Dalmatian Pelican hard; in
along with accidental poisoning, electrocution and collisions with energy infra-
some cases leading to mass die-offs.
SAP Solutions: Environmental NGOs can help local authorities to build artificial
nesting structures, improve wetland management and organise patrols at
vulnerable breeding, feeding and resting sites.
With improved international co-operation and more coordinated monitoring
efforts, the lessons learned in southeast Europe can be used to help protect
other colonies around the world. Similarly, a greater understanding of the two
Asian flyways needs to be furthered by research.
“The Dalmatian Pelican
comeback is mentioned
among the most
successful conservation
stories”
Danae Portolou, HOS –
Dalmatian Pelican SAP
structure all combine to threaten the majestic Cinereous Vulture.
SAP Solutions: As with the Bearded Vulture, farmers can leave out dead
livestock and veterinarians can use alternatives to Diclofenac. Hunters can
use non-lead ammunition and work with law enforcement agencies to end
the illegal killing of wildlife, which poses a risk to the species through direct
trapping and poisoning, and indirectly from poisoning other wildlife.
NGOs and local authorities can work to maintain the species’ positive trend in
countries where it is still breeding and encourage its return to areas where it
“Probably the best
example of species
conservation and
recovery [in Europe]”
Jovan Andevski,
VCF – Cinereous
Vulture SAP
has become extinct , notably through reintroductions.
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9

European Turtle-dove
– Streptopelia turtur
The Multi-Species
Action Plan (MSAP)
The European Turtle-dove was once a common sight across Europe –
nesting in the trees, hedges and woodlands of the continent’s wild and
cultivated landscapes, before making its way back to Africa in the autumn.
However, a dramatic decline has seen the species listed as globally
Vulnerable.
© Richard Bennett
Eight wading bird species are targeted by the LIFE EuroSAP MSAP. Four of
these are globally Near Threatened: Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata,
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus and
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. The remaining
© Gerrit Gerritsen
four, though listed as Least Concern globally, have
Threats: Habitat loss at breeding, passage and wintering sites due to
declined considerably in Europe – Common Redshank
agricultural intensification and other land-use changes has had a catastrophic
Tringa totanus, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, ‘Baltic’
effect on populations. Additional threats, which include illegal killing and
Dunlin Calidris alpina and Ruff Calidris pugnax.
unsustainable hunting, threaten to bring this species closer to the edge.
SAP Solutions: Land managers have a critical role to play in the rescue of this
species. Bird-friendly farming – such as sowing wildflower mixes on fallow
fields, retaining hedgerows and woodlands, leaving field margins uncultivated
and providing ponds and trees (also sources of water and shade for livestock)
“We’ve all had the same
goal – to ensure the
Turtle-dove is not lost
forever”
Threats: These inhabitants of wet grasslands are all menaced by agricultural
intensification and policies encouraging such intensive practices, across
Europe. Modern drainage practices and early mowing dates are severely
damaging breeding sites, and the semi-natural habitats on which these
species depend need management to exist, which sustainable farming, for
“Sustainable farming
practices play a
crucial role in their
conservation”
– will make all the difference for Turtle-doves and other farmland birds looking
for food, shelter and water.
Hunting must be sustainable. Hunters can put in place conservation actions,
Joscelyne Ashpole & Ian
Fisher, RSPB – European
Turtle-dove SAP
example, can provide.
SAP Solutions: Sustainable agricultural practices need to be embraced across
the EU, for example by increasing subsidies that can further encourage
Jutta Leyrer, NABU –
MSAP
promote sustainable hunting practices and raise awareness in their community
farmers to adopt sustainable and low-intensity practices, and beyond.
of at-risk species whose population sizes are too small to survive if hunted
Farmers, for example, can be mindful of ground-nesting
excessively. An adaptive approach to hunting must be agreed for the Turtle-
birds by applying adapted mowing regimes and low-
dove, to ensure its populations are not threatened by it. Hunters can influence
intensity farming practices in wet grasslands.
land management to favour Turtle-doves but also to speak up for wildlife
conservation in the wider land use debate including, for example, sustainable
More sites need to be protected to conserve these
farming, and condemn illegal killing and other unsustainable practices.
species. Policy-makers can help by creating a large-scale
network, encompassing well-managed nature reserves and
As the Turtle-dove is a long-distance migrant, researchers and NGOs must
Natura 2000 sites as well as private farmland supported by more nature-
ensure that knowledge is shared and conservation actions are implemented
friendly agricultural policies which prioritises biodiversity and not just
across the species’ entire range.
productivity.
Greater awareness of the issues faced by these species is needed amongst
the public, stakeholders and decision-makers. The latter two need to be
aware of the benefits that sustainably managed wet-grassland ecosystems
can bring, as well as their legal obligations to protect wet-grassland breeding
waders.
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Common Threats, Common Actions
Despite fundamental differences in their ecologies and habitats, bird species across Europe are essentially facing the same
set of main threats: unsustainable farming (or other land management), fishing and hunting, habitat loss, climate change,
pollution, invasive alien species and illegal killing. Proposed solutions to these common threats, outlined in the SAPs, can
be grouped under six categories. If upheld, they will bring a positive impact to not only the LIFE EuroSAP target species
but countless others facing the same threats.
Other Results & Achievements
The development and adoption of the nine SAPs was not the only concrete achievement of the LIFE EuroSAP project.
Over the course of the three years, the project partnership had to forge new collaborations, develop new tools and consider
new ways to tell the stories of these incredible species.
New tools
In October 2016, BirdLife launched the
information about the project’s sixteen species. Users can
Species Action Plan Tracking Tool (SAP
easily track conservation progress country-by-country or
I.
Sustainable agriculture – Farmers can reverse the catastrophic decline of farmland birds
by embracing “nature-friendly” agricultural practices. In the EU, the incorporation of SAPs
into a reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and protected area management plans
TT). This web-based, collaborative platform
streamlines SAP administration, monitoring
and communication by ensuring effective
get involved themselves by providing relevant data on any
of the species to the project coordinators.
would help farmers transition to a sustainable food and farming system that is good for
coordination, transparency and broad consensus among
Moreover, the SAP TT has been designed to long outlive
both birds and people.
the LIFE EuroSAP partners and key stakeholders (such as
the duration of the LIFE EuroSAP project itself. The platform
governments, NGOs and research institutes).
has already been used for SAPs developed under other LIFE
II.
Sustainable fishing – Fishermen can save seabirds by helping governments and NGOs
to collect accurate seabird bycatch data and by trialling and implementing bycatchmitigation
equipment on their vessels.
The tracking tool is an easy-to-use, open access
resource available to all. Anyone with an interest in birds
projects, and anyone interested in developing a new SAP
for other bird species is actively encouraged to do so. In
time, the tracking tool even has the potential to expand to
and conservation can use the tool to find up-to-date
cover non-bird species.
III.
Sustainable hunting – Hunting organisations should improve their harvest data
collection and promote practices beneficial for declining species such as sustainable
land management and the phasing out of lead ammunition. They can make a strong
New partnerships
commitment to good governance and continue good communication about updated
The plans developed by LIFE EuroSAP now need to be
The group will also serve as a communications hub
hunting laws and threatened species.
followed-up with actions. For this reason, the African-
between large international decision-making conventions
Eurasian Species Action Plan Coordination Group has
and institutions as well as other organisations and
IV.
Legal protection & enforcement – Nature laws protecting threatened species and critical
habitats are essential. But the laws themselves are not enough – national governments
and international institutions need to put words into action and commit to their proper
been established and its inaugural meeting was held on 25
May 2018. This group will provide the coordination needed to
guarantee the continuation and successful implementation of
associations. Its role is to ensure that they can efficiently
collaborate for conservation of threatened species across
Europe, Africa and Central Asia.
enforcement along a species’ entire range.
the tools developed by this project, as well as future new SAPs.
V.
Biosecurity – Invasive alien species are one of the biggest drivers of global biodiversity
loss. Local authorities, land managers and NGOs need to work together to permanently
remove harmful alien species from habitats where they pose the greatest risk. Meanwhile,
New stories
international cooperation and legislation is needed to prevent such invasions in the first
Convincing decision-makers and key interest groups
On 24 May 2018, to mark the end of the project, a final
place.
that they can – and should – work with NGOs to protect
conference was held in Brussels organised by BirdLife
nature and biodiversity is already half the battle. In this
International with the financial support of the European
VI.
Scientific advances – New insights into species biology and behaviour have helped
conservationists define concrete actions, but significant gaps in scientific understanding
still remain. Researchers must be supported in their efforts to further our knowledge of
respect, public opinion is a powerful ally. All project
partners invested time and effort in sharing stories about
the plight of these iconic species – and the SAP solutions
Commission, AEWA and the MAVA Foundation. At this
closing conference, entitled ‘Eyes on the Flyways’, the
nine SAPs were presented by the project partnership before
species’ ecology and their threats..
being developed to save them – across a wide array
an audience of leading scientific experts, representatives of
of communications channels, including newspapers,
key interest groups and officials from national governments
magazines, blogs and social media. A dedicated LIFE
and international institutions. Throughout a long day of
EuroSAP section of the BirdLife International website
rich debate and knowledge sharing, the many issues faced
served as an online hub for both project-specific updates as
by the project’s target species and the implementation
well as more general information and news about each of
of their new SAPs were discussed with the aim of still yet
the target species.
refining proposed solutions to better conserve bird species
across the African-Eurasian migratory flyways.
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Conclusion: Keeping
eyes on the flyways
© Thomas McDonnell
With the end of this LIFE project comes the promise of new
beginnings. For our sixteen threatened species, the development
and adoption of the SAPs spells much-needed new hope. But only
with proper, internationally
coordinated implementation
can the spiralling decline of
these iconic birds be reversed
at a continental scale. And
bird-lovers know only too well
that their decline is indicative
of a far more worrying
collapse of worldwide bird
populations and biodiversity.
“Ensure cooperation,
implement
coordination”
Iván Ramírez,
BirdLife International
© John Fox
LIFE EuroSAP has always had an ambitious long-term view – to
help bird conservation leap-frog to a new, more modern era. In the
space of three years, the project has forged new conservation tools,
built new partnerships and amassed new scientific knowledge. These
new methods were designed to be transferrable to other species
and in this respect, the project has succeeded in setting a new
gold standard for the creation of targeted single-species SAPs at an
international scale and piloting a promising new MSAP methodology
for the protection of multiple species sharing common threats.
© Thomas McDonnell
‘Partnership’ is the beating heart of conservation – such as highly
effective working partnerships between national governments and
international institutions, but also productive partnerships between
many varied interest groups. From start to finish, LIFE EuroSAP has
been an inspiring collaboration of farmers, fishermen, hunters,
scientists, land managers, local officials, high-level decision-makers,
researchers and NGOs – each and every one working together for
nature.
© Colum Clarke
It’s now time to put plans into action and proposed solutions to the
test. With our eyes on the flyways, the mantra going forward has to be
‘Ensure cooperation, implement coordination’.
Published: September 2018
Graphic Designer: Pieter Rubberecht
Contributors: Anna Staneva & Claire Rutherford, BirdLife International
Editor: Gui-Xi Young, BirdLife International
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LIFE EuroSAP
“Coordinated efforts
for international
species recovery”
Visit the LIFE EuroSAP website at
www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/project/life-eurosap
The SAP Tracking Tool can be found at
www.trackingactionplans.org
The outcomes of the 2018 ‘Eyes on the Flyways’ Conference can be found at
www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/project/life-eurosap/final-event
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