20203040 - Asesoría científica al proyecto LIFE G

In the Extramadura region, more than 70% of the small falcon lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) breeding colonies are located in urban centres. In particular, this unique network of 19 urban Special Protection Areas (SPAs) within the EU Natura 2000 network is currently home to over 50% of the region’s lesser kestrel population. A recent survey provided worrying data regarding the conservation status of the species in the region, confirming a continued declining trend of the breeding population. This is due to a number of factors including: loss of suitable breeding places (caused by the deterioration of buildings or by poor restoration works); loss of suitable foraging habitats (due to the extension of monocultures and the increasing use of pesticides); and low breeding success (caused by competition for nesting places from other bird species, high predation rates on eggs and chicks etc). A lack of agreed protocols to implement renovation works in a kestrel-friendly way, and a lack of awareness in rural areas of the conservation needs of the species are also factors hindering the species’ preservation.