29 November 2024
Iberian Congress on Harriers highlights urgency of saving endangered species and reinforces cross-border cooperation
XVII Iberian Congress on Harriers. Photo: Pedro Alves/Palombar.
The 17th Iberian Congress on Harriers was held on 22, 23 and 24 November in Miranda do Douro, in the district of Bragança, and brought together around 100 people and 40 entities to discuss the main issues related to the conservation of harrier species (genus Circus) found in the Iberian Peninsula. The event was organised by Palombar and GIA – Grupo Ibérico de Aguiluchos (Harrier Iberian Group), as part of the LIFE SOS Pygargus project.
At the heart of the debate was the urgent need to act on the ground to prevent the imminent disappearance of the three most representative harrier species in the Iberian Peninsula, two of which are classified as highly endangered in both countries: the Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) and the marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus). According to recent data, there has been a significant overall decline in the populations of these birds over the last two decades. In the specific case of the Montagu's harrier, for example, in Portugal, the most recent national census carried out in 2022 and 2023 revealed a 76-79% decline in the population over ten years.
Studies, censuses, rescue, saving and awareness campaigns, initiatives, projects and documentaries related to these three species of harriers were presented at the event.
Strengthening Iberian cooperation in harrier conservation is a common ambition
This congress, which is the most prestigious Iberian event dedicated to harriers and is now in its 17th edition, was held for the second time in Portugal after almost 20 years. This meeting resulted in a common desire: to strengthen Iberian ties and cooperation in the conservation and protection of species of the genus Circus in Portugal and Spain.
LIFE SOS Pygargus is already a major and ambitious step in this direction. This project brings together unprecedented efforts on both sides of the border to halt the current sharp decline in populations of this threatened bird of prey. The project has 17 partners, 13 of which are Portuguese and four Spanish.
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Threats to the Montagu's harrier were the focus of the congress
One of the focuses of the congress was the sharing of information and discussion about the various threats facing the Montagu's harrier, a species classified as "Endangered" in Portugal and "Vulnerable" in Spain, such as the early cutting of cereal and forage crops in the middle of the species' breeding season; habitat loss; intensive agriculture; the construction of wind and photovoltaic farms in areas important to the species; and climate changes. The essential collaborative work carried out with farmers to identify and protect nests was also discussed, as was the need to find ways to expand this partnership and increase the areas where these species can nest safely.
Other important topics were also discussed, such as techniques and tools that have proven effective in the conservation of harrier species, namely tracking and monitoring with GPS/GSM transmitters, the rescue of chicks from destroyed nests, the use of drones, and the impact of climate changes on agricultural practices and the life cycle of these birds.
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Participants discovered the local territory, heritage, culture and traditions
During the congress, participants also had the opportunity to discover the territory through a field trip to the Mirandese Plateau, an ideal habitat for the Montagu's harrier, and some of the most impressive viewpoints in the Douro International Natural Park. They also visited the historic centre of Miranda do Douro and its rich heritage, on a guided tour by archaeologist Mónica Salgado. And it was to the rhythm of the “pauliteiros” and the sound of bagpipes that they experienced the authentic local culture and traditions.
This congress represented a milestone in the creation of a collaborative Iberian network involving entities, environmental non-governmental organisations, conservationists, scientists and academia with the aim of better conserving, protecting and managing harrier populations in Portugal and Spain.
About the project
LIFE SOS Pygargus - Urgent conservation actions to sustain Portuguese and transborder populations of the Montagu’s harrier is an Iberian project that brings together conservationists, farmers, scientists and public and private entities in an unprecedented effort to save this migratory bird from imminent extinction in some of its main areas of distribution in the Iberian Peninsula.
It combines nature conservation and agriculture to protect this species, which is fundamental to the balance of ecosystems. It is 75% funded by the European Union's LIFE programme and co-funded by Viridia – Conservation in Action, Lightsource bp and the Environmental Fund.
It is implemented by a consortium comprising Palombar – Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural (coordinating entity), BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Association, AEPGA - Associação para o Estudo e Proteção do Gado Asinino, ANPOC - Associação Nacional de Produtores de Proteaginosas, Oleaginosas e Cereais, CCDR-N - Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte, EDIA - Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infraestruturas do Alqueva SA, ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, INIAV - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, LPN - Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, MC Shared Services SA, Modelo Continente Hipermercados SA, SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, UTAD - Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vita Nativa - Conservação do Ambiente, AMUS - Acción por el Mundo Salvaje, Consejeria de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Desarrollo Sostenible - Junta de Extremadura, GREFA - Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat and the University of Murcia.
At the heart of the debate was the urgent need to act on the ground to prevent the imminent disappearance of the three most representative harrier species in the Iberian Peninsula, two of which are classified as highly endangered in both countries: the Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), the hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) and the marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus). According to recent data, there has been a significant overall decline in the populations of these birds over the last two decades. In the specific case of the Montagu's harrier, for example, in Portugal, the most recent national census carried out in 2022 and 2023 revealed a 76-79% decline in the population over ten years.
Studies, censuses, rescue, saving and awareness campaigns, initiatives, projects and documentaries related to these three species of harriers were presented at the event.
Strengthening Iberian cooperation in harrier conservation is a common ambition
This congress, which is the most prestigious Iberian event dedicated to harriers and is now in its 17th edition, was held for the second time in Portugal after almost 20 years. This meeting resulted in a common desire: to strengthen Iberian ties and cooperation in the conservation and protection of species of the genus Circus in Portugal and Spain.
LIFE SOS Pygargus is already a major and ambitious step in this direction. This project brings together unprecedented efforts on both sides of the border to halt the current sharp decline in populations of this threatened bird of prey. The project has 17 partners, 13 of which are Portuguese and four Spanish.
XVII Iberian Congress on Harriers. Photo: Pedro Alves/Palombar.
Threats to the Montagu's harrier were the focus of the congress
One of the focuses of the congress was the sharing of information and discussion about the various threats facing the Montagu's harrier, a species classified as "Endangered" in Portugal and "Vulnerable" in Spain, such as the early cutting of cereal and forage crops in the middle of the species' breeding season; habitat loss; intensive agriculture; the construction of wind and photovoltaic farms in areas important to the species; and climate changes. The essential collaborative work carried out with farmers to identify and protect nests was also discussed, as was the need to find ways to expand this partnership and increase the areas where these species can nest safely.
Other important topics were also discussed, such as techniques and tools that have proven effective in the conservation of harrier species, namely tracking and monitoring with GPS/GSM transmitters, the rescue of chicks from destroyed nests, the use of drones, and the impact of climate changes on agricultural practices and the life cycle of these birds.
Drone demonstration. Photo: Pedro Alves/Palombar.
Participants discovered the local territory, heritage, culture and traditions
During the congress, participants also had the opportunity to discover the territory through a field trip to the Mirandese Plateau, an ideal habitat for the Montagu's harrier, and some of the most impressive viewpoints in the Douro International Natural Park. They also visited the historic centre of Miranda do Douro and its rich heritage, on a guided tour by archaeologist Mónica Salgado. And it was to the rhythm of the “pauliteiros” and the sound of bagpipes that they experienced the authentic local culture and traditions.
This congress represented a milestone in the creation of a collaborative Iberian network involving entities, environmental non-governmental organisations, conservationists, scientists and academia with the aim of better conserving, protecting and managing harrier populations in Portugal and Spain.
About the project
LIFE SOS Pygargus - Urgent conservation actions to sustain Portuguese and transborder populations of the Montagu’s harrier is an Iberian project that brings together conservationists, farmers, scientists and public and private entities in an unprecedented effort to save this migratory bird from imminent extinction in some of its main areas of distribution in the Iberian Peninsula.
It combines nature conservation and agriculture to protect this species, which is fundamental to the balance of ecosystems. It is 75% funded by the European Union's LIFE programme and co-funded by Viridia – Conservation in Action, Lightsource bp and the Environmental Fund.
It is implemented by a consortium comprising Palombar – Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural (coordinating entity), BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Association, AEPGA - Associação para o Estudo e Proteção do Gado Asinino, ANPOC - Associação Nacional de Produtores de Proteaginosas, Oleaginosas e Cereais, CCDR-N - Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte, EDIA - Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infraestruturas do Alqueva SA, ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas, INIAV - Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, LPN - Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, MC Shared Services SA, Modelo Continente Hipermercados SA, SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, UTAD - Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vita Nativa - Conservação do Ambiente, AMUS - Acción por el Mundo Salvaje, Consejeria de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Desarrollo Sostenible - Junta de Extremadura, GREFA - Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat and the University of Murcia.