First results from the breeding season of the Egyptian vulture in Bulgaria and Greece

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• First results from the breeding season of the Egyptian vulture in Bulgaria and Greece

The first results from the monitoring of the species in Bulgaria and Greece show similar tendency in the number of occupied territories and the number of pairs compared to 2017. The number of occupied territories is 25 for Bulgaria (19 in the Rhodopes and 6 in northern Bulgaria) and 6 in Greece (3 in Dadia Forest reserve, 1 in Kompsatos area and 2 in Central Greece) (Figure 1). The number of pairs in Greece hasn‘t changed in the last 5 years (5 pairs) while it has slightly decreased in Bulgaria (down to 25 in 2018)(Figure 2). However, the status of some breeding territories of the speies is still not confirmed and we expect good breeding season and increase in the number of occupied territories and the number of pairs in the next phase of the monitoring.

In line with the positive effect of the vulture restaurants on the high number of floaters and non-breeders registered in 2017, in 2018 the artificial feeding sites keep attracting floaters which are crusial for the survival of the population of the speies both in Bulgaria and in Greece. Till now at least five different birds were observed at Studen kladenets feeding site (currently maintained in the frame of the LIFE+ project ReVultures) and 2 more individuals at the vulture restaurants at Kresna and Kotel (maintained by FWFF, Green Balkans and BPPS in the frame of the project Vultures Back to LIFE (LIFE14 NAT/BG/000649). Amongst of all floaters visiting these important sites accross Bulgaria is Iliaz, the only one survival from the juveniles tagged in 2012. After a several days reload at Studen kladenets feeding site, he recruited in northern Greece, Kompsatos area and found a partner. Both birds are successfully mating and recovered one lost breeding territory in that part of Greece – what a happy news for the vanishing Egyptian vulture!

In 2018 in line with the our long-term program to ensure safe food for the species in Bulgaria we will keep to support at least 7 pairs at the vulture restaurants and another 8 pairs with the individual supplementary feeding scheme (60% of the population of the Egyptian vulture in Bulgaria). In Greece several feeding stations will operate to cover almost the whole population left in the country.

Fig.1 Number of occupied territories (2012 -2018)

Fig.2 Number of pairs (2012 -2018)