Better protection against electrocution

From this summer, Lesser Kestrels and other large birds are much less likely to fall victim to electrocution in the Sakar Mountains in Bulgaria. More than 200 power line poles have been rendered safe by applying insulating bird protection caps.

Improved protection against electrocution for Lesser Kestrels in the Sakar Mountains.

© Dietmar Nill

For retrofitting the overhead power lines, Green Balkans and EuroNatur gained expert advice by internationally renowned ornithologist Winfried Böhmer from Vetschau, Brandenburg (Germany). Last year, he visited Sakar to share his experience in the field of bird protection and power lines. In spring, four Green Balkans staff members and EuroNatur project manager Stefan Ferger went to the Spreewald region (Brandenburg) to visit best practice examples.

The technical mitigation of hazards posed by overhead lines is part of the EU funded LIFE+ project “Lesser Kestrel Recovery – Greater Chance for Lesser Kestrel in Bulgaria” and is implemented in close cooperation with regional power grid operator EVN. EuroNatur is working with Green Balkans and the Spanish nature conservation organisation DEMA to reintroduce the falcons – that were extinct in Bulgaria – to Sakar and to improve their habitat conditions. Alongside intensive agriculture and insecticide use, unsecured medium-voltage power poles are a major threat to the elegant falcons.

Read more about the project to make power poles safe for birds in Sakar

How you can help

Donation

Future needs nature. EuroNatur cares for it. Please use your possibilities to help. With your donation you will make an effective contribution to a more livable environment.

Sustaining membership

EuroNatur focuses on long-term nature conservation projects instead of quick fixes. With your regular donations, you give us the planning security we need.

News

Skavica mega dam: Albanian court to scrutinise special law for U.S. contractor Bechtel

++ Constitutional complaint filed by NGOs accepted for trial ++ First milestone in fight against one of Europe’s largest reservoirs ++ Thousands of…

Growing opposition to Albanian airport

++ Bern Convention calls on Albania to stop airport construction near Narta Lagoon ++ Project in Vjosa Delta endangers thousands of migratory birds ++…

EU Commission targets the wolf

Ursula von der Leyen warns of allegedly "dangerous wolves" - nature conservation organisations criticise misleading statements and dubious data…

Romanian forests: EuroNatur calls for a logging moratorium

+++ Open letter to Commissioner Sinkevičius calls for a logging moratorium in protected areas to end destruction of Romanian forests +++ Fourth…

Controversial airport construction in Albanian protected area casts shadow as far as Munich

++ Operating company Munich Airport International (MAI) is linked to illegal Vlora airport ++ Construction to take place in protected area of special…

Swimming for the monk seal

The Croatian free water swimmer Dina Levačić has been swimming in potential monk seal territories. Her campaign is aimed at drawing attention to the…

Wolf Offspring confirmed in the Black Forest

++ Photo trap image from the community of Schluchsee provides evidence of offspring ++ First wolf pack in over 150 years in Baden-Württemberg ++

Stork Village meeting in Tykocin, Poland

It was an anniversary celebrated in style: For the 20th annual meeting, representatives of the European Stork Villages met for the first time in the…

A slight sigh of relief for the Dalmatian pelicans

The Dalmatian pelicans at Lake Skadar are breeding successfully. This is all the more gratifying because last year's breeding season was disastrous.