LIFE SOS Pygargus

©Rui Cunha

LIFE SOS Pygargus - Urgent actions to conserve the populations of the Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) in Portugal and Spain

Project code: LIFE23-NAT-PT-LIFE SOS Pygargus - 101148303

Beginning: 01-09-2024

End: 31-12-2030

The hunting harrier or hunting eagle (Circus pygargus) is a bird of prey that nests on the ground in open areas.

It is a migratory bird that spends the fall/winter in sub-Saharan Africa and the spring/summer in Europe and Western Asia, with the Iberian Peninsula being home to a large part of its western population.

According to the first national census of the species (2022-2023), its population has been in sharp decline for the last 15 years and is at risk of disappearing in Portugal. This trend can also be seen in Spain. For this reason, this species is classified as “Endangered” in Portugal and “Vulnerable” in Spain.

The sharp decline in the population of this bird of prey is mainly the result of changes in agricultural practices and predation. In Portugal, the significant reduction in cereal grain production areas to expand cattle production and permanent crops (olive and almond groves) has resulted in a loss of suitable habitat for the species.

The Hunting Harrier breeds in hay and grain fields in the south of Portugal and in areas with hay fields but also scrubland in the north of Portugal. In the case of hay, where cutting is early, it coincides with the species' breeding season, unintentionally destroying the nests made in the soil, which may contain eggs or young. As the species often lays replacements when the first ones fail, it also often nests in grain fields.

As this species is very dependent on agricultural areas for its survival, farmers play a key role in its conservation.

The LIFE SOS Pygargus project will protect one of the most endangered terrestrial species of Iberian fauna, which plays a fundamental role in ecosystems, ensuring their proper functioning and benefiting rural communities, particularly farmers, through the consumption of insects and small rodents.

In this project, we have brought together conservationists, scientists, public and private entities and farmers in Portugal and Spain with the aim of saving the Montagu's harrier in an unprecedented cross-border effort to conserve this iconic bird of prey and prevent its extinction.

O projeto será implementado em 49 Zonas de Proteção Especial da Rede Natura 2000, e áreas adjacentes, em Portugal (23) e Espanha (26), que albergam a maior parte das populações portuguesas e transfronteiriças da águia-caçadeira. Estas áreas são essenciais para a sobrevivência e expansão da espécie e para assegurar a conectividade da Rede Natura 2000.

The aim of the project is to establish tools for the short- and long-term conservation of Montagu's harrier populations in their main Portuguese and transboundary distribution areas, by implementing conservation measures related to habitat management and improving reproductive success, mitigating threats and reducing mortality.

The project's main objectives over the next six years are:

• improving the conservation status of the bald eagle in Portugal and cross-border populations;
• adapt agricultural practices to the species' reproductive cycle, promoting the use of cereal and fodder varieties that are more compatible with its ecological needs;
• significantly reduce mortality and the destruction of nests, with a target of a 75% reduction in mortality and a 50% increase in the breeding population; and promote public awareness of the importance of the conservation of the bald eagle, as well as fostering cooperation between Portugal and Spain for the cross-border conservation of this bird.

LPN is one of the beneficiaries of this project and will be working in the Alentejo region to implement various tasks aimed at protecting the nesting turtle and improving breeding success.

Total budget:  10 753 468,09 €

total financial support from the European Union (75%): 8 065 101,08€

• PALOMBAR - ASSOCIAÇÃO DE CONSERVAÇÃO DA NATUREZA E DO PATRIMÓNIO RURAL
• DGS-JEX - CONSEJERIA DE AGRICULTURA, GANADERIA Y DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE - JUNTA DE EXTREMADURA
• UTAD - UNIVERSIDADE DE TRÁS-OS-MONTES E ALTO DOURO
• MC SONAE - MC SHARED SERVICES MCH - MODELO CONTINENTE HIPERMERCADOS S.A.
• LPN – LIGA PARA A PROTEÇÃO DA NATUREZA
• GREFA - GRUPO DE REHABILITACIÓN DE LA FAUNA AUTÓCTONA Y SU HÁBITAT GREFA
• VITA NATIVA - CONSERVAÇÃO DO AMBIENTE
• AMUS - ASOCIACION DE ACCION POR EL MUNDO SALVAJE
• AEPGA - ASSOCIAÇÃO PARA O ESTUDO E PROTECÇÃO DO GADO ASININO
• BIOPOLIS-CIBIO - ASSOCIAÇÃO BIOPOLIS
• SPEA - SOCIEDADE PORTUGUESA PARA O ESTUDO DAS AVES
• ANPOC - ASSOCIAÇÃO NACIONAL DE PRODUTORES DE PROTEAGINOSAS, OLEAGINOSAS E CEREAIS
• INIAV - INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE INVESTIGAÇÃO AGRARIA E VETERINÁRIA
• EDIA - EMPRESA DE DESENVOLVIMENTO E INTRA-ESTRUTURAS DO ALQUEVA S.A.
• UMU - UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA
• DRAPN - DIREÇÃO REGIONAL DE AGRICULTURA E PESCAS DO NORTE
• ICNF - INSTITUTO DA CONSERVACAO DA NATUREZA E DAS FLORESTAS IP