OP and 2H, two Lesser Kestrels with very important message.

You may find it strange why we pay as much attention to those two Lesser Kestrels. OP and 2H are alike not only by their looks. They are also the same age; both hatched in 2015. They are even the same sex – two wonderful, young, male birds. They are the first young birds to have returned, just a couple of days ago, from their first long, winter trip to Africa, safe and sound, and in great shape.

The only difference is that 2H was hatched in the Green Balkan’s Wildlife Rescue Center from “captive” parents, and subsequently released in the Lesser Kestrel Hacking facility in Levka village. OP is an offspring of “wild” parents, their home being the nests of the facility.

The return of the two young birds few days ago is a real joy for the Lesser Kestrel Recovery LIFE11 NAT/BG/306 project team. This is a prove, that the methods that we chose are true and working. Birds hatched in captivity are adapted to the conditions of life in the wild, as well as those with parents that soar in the skies, if taken care by the right specialists, of course. But it also proves that the Green Balkans’ team is, in the end, and in spite of all mishaps, is on the right track in the struggle for the recovery of the Lesser Kestrel.

For further information, please contact:
Gradimir Gradev, Green Balkans, Project Manager
Lesser Kestrel Recovery, LIFE11 NAT/BG/360
Mobile: +359 885 609 289; Е-mail: ggradev@greenbalkans.org