Actions aiming to increase potential number of nesting sites

Establishing artificial nest-box colonies
Red-footed falcons do not build nests instead they occupy unused or old nests of corvids, mainly in rookeries. Based on favourable experience of previous years we establish new nest-box colonies in suitable habitats to increase the number of possible nesting sites.

Repelling and trapping mammal predators

Quite often clutches in artificial colonies are preyed upon by martens or other mammalian predators during incubation or in the nestling stage. Extreme cases show that the predator may threaten every clutch of the colony. To avoid predation we are using a number of methods to repel or trap potential predators.

Restoration of degraded trees in colonies and establishment of new wood patches on potential breeding habitats
In suitable habitats where trees are not available for artificial colonies or for rookeries, we ameliorate or establish small wood-patches(less than 0.5 ha) to ensure mid-term nesting facilities.

Actions related to habitat use analysis

Land use practices and changes, foraging habitat selection and prey analysis will be conducted in a designated study area. High resolution satellite images and a GIS database will aid the monitoring of land use changes and habitat descriptors, foraging habitat selection will be studied with radio-telemetry while diet composition will be studied by collecting prey items from nests.

Diet composition and foraging habitat use analysis at pre-migration autumn roost sites
We will determine the extension of foraging areas around pre-migration roost-sites with radio-telemetry, and collect prey items to analyze diet-composition during autumn.

Development of detailed habitat management regulations
The results of habitat use analyses will be used to develop detailed habitat management regulations to be used in assessing agricultural subsidy programs or formulating habitat management actions in protected areas and at Natura 2000 sites.

Active conservation measures against known threatening factors

Locating and insulating dangerous electric pylons
Many birds of various species get electrocuted on 20 kV pylons each year. Previous experience shows that the Red-footed falcons are no exceptions. High-risk pylons are the ones close to breeding, foraging and roosting sites therefore our efforts concentrate on insulating pylons at these localities. The project is determined to maintain and develop the good relationship with power companies and to increase public awareness of the issue.

Reducing the number of road-kills
Several breeding and roost sites are located close to busy roads where road-kills can potentially be a serious source of mortality. To avoid road-kills we erect temporary speed limit and attention signs with the permission of public road authorities.

Special conservation measures in western Romania

Submitting a proposal to ban hunting of rooks
The rook is currently non-protected species in Romania. The project will submit a provisional hunting ban proposal of rooks in the breeding season, and will monitor if the hunting ban is kept.

Elaborating a management plan for road-side trees and forest patches
Roadside trees and forest patches provide nesting sites for corvids and consequently to Red-footed falcons. Previously only safety aspects are considered in the management of these nesting facilities therefore the project will submit a conservation based management plan to the competent authorities.

Proposal for the modification of the National Standard Specifications of 30kV power-lines
According to the current Romanian legislation (OU nr. 63/1998, DEC nr. 33 al ANRE/1999) power supplier companies are not allowed to build power-lines that are in any way harmful to the environment nor by implication to wildlife. Based on the above legal background, we will submit a proposal to the responsible Ministry initiating the modification of the National Standard specifications for 30kV power-line pylons in order to achieve compliance with the current legislation. We will provide technical support to the designers.

Designing and testing insulators for the currently used electric pylons
Since the design of electric pylons used in Romania differs significantly from Hungarian models, the development of new, appropriate insulator models is a necessity. Insulators will be developed for the currently used electric pylons, based on the experience obtained in Hungary.


Red-footed falcon population monitoring

Breeding population monitoring
We have developed new methodology with uniform datasheets to monitor the breeding population trends and the effects of conservation measures taken.

Monitoring pre-migration roost sites
Beginning from the first week of August weekly synchronous counts are organized on known pre-migration roost sites throughout the project area. Each roost site can host hundreds or even several thousand birds, therefore their monitoring and conservation is a priority.

Individual colour ringing
Nestling and adult red-footed falcons are marked with individual colour ring combinations throughout the project area. The widespread network of birdwatchers, project participants and volunteers hopefully enables us to collect enough recovery data to study intra and inter-population movements and post-migration mortality. We are planning to establish an international mailing list to encourage foreign specialists to make observations of colour ringed falcons.

Actions related to the conservation of rookeries

Preparation and dissemination of the Corvus Conflict Management Plan
On of the reasons of Red-footed falcon decline is the collapse of the rook population due to drastic pest control measures. Based on previous experience and information from stakeholders, a draft „corvus magament plan” will be prepared to handle the conflict situations caused by rooks. Conservation measures of rooks will be included in the previously mentioned habitat management plan.

Survey and inspections of rookeries
Regular and thorough inspections of rookeries in project area will be performed with the involvement of gamekeepers, forest-officers, farmers and volunteers. Legal actions will be launched against people undertaking illegal activities with the involvement of local National Park rangers. Breeding population monitoring will be preformed together with the inspections.

Public awareness and dissemination of results

Organization of forums
Results and documentation (Habitat movement plan, Corvus conflict management plan) of the project will be submitted to stakeholders on personal forums for discussion.

Website, leaflets, information signs and press appearances
Project targets and results will be presented to the public in various ways; up-to date information will be available on conservation problems and measures taken.