LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS/101074480

The aim of the project is the protection and restoration of habitats that represent potentially suitable habitats for selected ten bird species of European importance: black-tailed godwit, european roller, red-footed falcon, common redshank, garganey, lesser grey shrike, red-backed shrike, tawny pipit, scops owl, and pied avocet. The project areas are predominantly wet and dry steppe biotopes with shallow wetlands degraded either by intensive agriculture, inappropriate management or, on the other hand by the lack of appropriate management. Currently, unfavorable conditions of selected biotopes persist for a long time, which led to a decrease in the number of populations of selected bird species or their complete abandonment of habitats. The key objective of the project is to reduce the strong negative impact on the target species and their habitats by setting appropriate managements such as: restoration of extensive pastures, restoration of the water regime and wetlands, as well as the creation of nesting opportunities.

Networking at Hortobágy

We exchanged knowledge with experienced colleagues from the administration of the Hortobágy National Park and NGO: Hortobágyi Környezetvédelmi Egyesület-Hortobágy Environmental Association.

11. September 2023

Basic information

Project title: Conservation and return of steppe birds to lowlands of Slovakia
Financial scheme: LIFE+, Nature and Biodiversity
Acronym: LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS
Project code: LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE 4 STEPPE BIRDS/101074480
Duration: December 1, 2022 – November 30, 2028
Budget: total budget of all partners: 6 657 659.55 €; co-financing by European Commission: 4 460 630.00 € (67 %)

Website of coordinating partner:

http://vtaky.sk/stranka/344-Ochrana-a-navrat-stepnych-druhov-vtakov-na-niziny-Slovenska.html

Website of European Commission:

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE21-NAT-SK-LIFE-4-STEPPE-BIRDS-101074480/conservation-and-return-of-steppe-birds-to-lowlands-of-slovakia

Project objectives:

Restoration of habitats potentially suitable for the return of two target species: black-tailed godwit and european roller.
Reverse the unfavorable trend of populations of target species: red-footed falcon, common redshank, garganey, lesser grey shrike, red-backed shrike, tawny pipit, scops owl, and pied avocet.
Restoration of grasslands with suitable management.
Creation of breeding and nesting opportunities for target species by planting trees, scattered tree vegetation, and installation of nest boxes.
Prevent disturbance of target species at breeding sites by improvement of public awareness.
Increasing the biodiversity of intensively used farmland country especially by applying suitable eco-schemes in cooperation with local farmers.
Development of suitable ecological schemes for the farmland country in the next CAP programming period (2028-2035).
Elaboration of the national action plan for protection of black-tailed godwit and european roller in Slovakia and elaboration of the proposal for SPA decrees actualization and addition of criteria species to the SPA.