The “Lesser Kestrel Recovery” LIFE 11 NAT/BG/360, was carried out by Green Balkans in the period between 1.09.2012 until 31.08.2017, in partnership with the Spanish environmental organization DEMA, and the German EuroNatur foundation. 75% of the project’s financing was provided by the European Unions via the specialized environment instrument, and the rest of the funds are co-financing by the rest of the project partners.
Thanks to the expert work of all project participants and the support from different institutions, partners, donors and volunteers we have reached one of the most important goals in the environmental protection in our country. In the project’s frame, the nesting of the Lesser kestrel was restored in Bulgaria’s borders, when, this very rare bird, was considered non-nesting in the country, and was only seen during migrations. As a result of the action in the Sakar SPA area, part of NATURA 2000, a Lesser kestrel colony was established. The first nesting of 5 pairs was registered in 2014, in the area of Levka village, Svilengrad municipality. Gradually the colony increased in size, and reached 20 pairs in 2017, nesting mainly in artificial nest boxes, put up by the Green Balkans’ team, especially for this purpose. Together with that, in the frame of the project in 2014 another, a previously unknown colony was found, nesting in the “Lukoil Neftochim Burgas” Ltd. This discovery was made in partnership with the company’s employees, and the cooperation of RIEW-Burgas.
In a similar fashion, in neighboring Greece, only a few kilometers off the Bulgarian border, another previously unknown colony of the rare small falcons was established.
A series of informational and education actions, targeting the locals, farmers, and children and pupils in Svilengrad, Topolovgrad, Ivaylovgrad, Krumovgrad municipalities were carried out.
Amongst the highest recognition of Green Balkans’ project, was being a finalist in the European Commission’s “NATURA 2000” Award, where the project was one of the 5 short-listed projects in the Cross-border Cooperation category.
In 2016 the project was the winner on the Moto-Phofe Donor Programme for preservation of the natural and cultural heritage. The main goal of the Donor programme always was the strive to support, not only financially, and to spread and publicise the effort of many institutions, collectives and individual participants to preserve our national identity.
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
The “Greater Chance for the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Bulgaria” project was awarded the Moto-Pfohe’s Donor Programme for Preserving Natural and Cultural Heritage in Bulgaria!
