Project activities

Major activities of the project are: (1) field survey; (2) modelling habitat use in Sicily; (3) preparing conservation plan for the wintering sites; (3) raising awareness of key stakeholders.
 

1. Field survey - During the winter period, September 2012 - April 2013, a field survey will be carried out on the known Saker wintering sites in Sicily. The sites are known by the satellite-tracked Sakers that were followed 2007-2011 in the frame of the Central-European Saker conservation projects (www.sakerlife.mme.hu). The tags showed the movements of the birds with GPS accuracy, well defining the sites to be searched. (Nevertheless, their bodies have not been found after their disappearance, making it even more important to carry out a throughout field survey.) Also potential sites shown by the GIS model (see point 2.) will be searched. An initial field survey will be carried out in winter on some of the sites by the Hungarian Saker expert along with an expert and a volunteer student of the University of Palermo. This latter then will take over the survey and visits the sites in question several times during winter. The information to be collected for further evaluation for the conservation plan: presence of Sakers; presence of other raptors; habitat types; presence of prey species; agricultural practices; hunting activities on the site; poisoning; presence of wind farms; presence and type of power lines. Information are to be collected through field observation and requesting locals. The survey will be carried out by using vehicles as it fits best this kind of field actions. Spatial development plans in regions of question will be analysed as well to identify potential threats to the wintering areas.
 

2. Modelling habitat use - Even though the satellite-tagged Sakers have shown some wintering areas, it is very likely that there are many more sites that should be known and protected for Sakers. However, it takes a lot of efforts, money and time to map those areas systematically in Sicily. In order to save time, money and energy, a GIS model will be made based on the initially gathered information on the known wintering sites, which will show the areas we should focus on. The basic principle of the GIS model is very simple: it analyses the features of known wintering sites and search for similar sites in Sicily. Results of the model will used in the field surveys (see point 1). The model will be programmed by an external expert in the first half of the project.
 

3. Preparing conservation plan - After gathering all available information, Hungarian and Italian experts prepare a conservation action plan that include: background, general and site-specific problem description defining mortality factors and potential threats on Saker Falcons; key stakeholders; general and site-specific conservation measures to be taken; expected results of conservation actions; possible financial sources to cover implementation measures.
 

4. Raising the awareness of decision-makers, key-stakeholders and general public - As a first step towards ensuring conservation of wintering Sakers and their sites, awareness raising is indispensable. The last action aims to draw the attention of key-stakeholders to the importance of nature conservation including birds of prey and their habitats. Target groups are land owners, farmers, hunters, bird watchers, conservation NGOs and governmental organisations, students and possibly politicians. Incidental and agreed meetings with stakeholders in the field will be used to explain about the programme and leaflet, as well as nice posters will be given to them. In addition, one seminar will be organised on a key site/region (to be identified during the project) for key-stakeholders. Lecture will be given about the project also at University of Palermo. Local experts will use Italian (local and regional) media to disseminate information about the programme and the Hungarian expert travelling to Sicily will also give presentation in the end of the project. In addition, a project website will be set up in Hungarian, Italian and English to provide online information about the conservation project. The conservation action plan will be sent to all relevant authorities and decision-makers.