Installation of the artificial nests for Saker falcons continues in Southern Bulgaria

BSPB and Green Balkans have installed more than 30 new nests for Saker falcons in Southern Bulgaria. They will support the improvement of the nesting grounds of the species in the country. The artificial nests are situated upon the poles of the high voltage power system. The aim of this activity is to ensure safe and suitable places for breeding, which will encourage the young birds from the Green Balkans’ programme or the hatched in the wild to stay in Bulgaria and start raising a new generation of birds here.

In the past Saker falcon nested mainly on trees and rocks, using the nests of other birds. However in the past several decades habitats in many areas of the  country have changed significantly and the number of single old trees amidst the agricultural lands has decreased, and thus the places for nesting for many species. The artificial nests will stay in their places decades on end and they will provide suitable conditions for save nesting not only for the Saker falcon but also for other bird species.

A total of 60 artificial nests will be installed within the Life for Falcons project on the poles of the high voltage system. They have been installed after a thorough researched and preserved areas in Bulgaria, where there is a good food base such as sousliks, voles and other prey, preferred by the Saker falcon. They are at the same time situated far from villages, in order to minimize the risk of disturbance of the nesting birds and the possibility of pigeon attacks which will create a conflict with pigeon fanciers.

Installing artificial nests in suitable places is proven to be effective practice in many countries. The method has been successfully implemented in Bulgaria for supporting the restoration of another globally threatened species – the Imperial eagle.

This activity is part of the long-term partnership of BSPB with the Electricity System Operator (ESO), with which we have signed a general agreement on protection of the birds, related to the powerlines and the power grid.

BSPB and Green Balkans give their special thanks to the managers of ESO/NODs in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Yambol, Sliven and Burgas for the coordination of the process. We would not be able to fulfill this activity without their organizational and logistical efforts.



Photos: Dimitar Gradinarov