13 February, 2023
LIFE Aegypius return: monitoring confirms the nesting activity of the only two cinereous vulture pairs in the International Douro
Palombar - Nature and Rural Heritage Conservation started, at the beginning of February, within the 'LIFE Aegypius return' project, with monitoring actions of the only two pairs of cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) established and confirmed in the Special Protection Zone (SPA) of the Natura 2000 Network "Douro International and Águeda Valley" (PTZPE0038), partially covered by the Douro International Nature Park (PNDI), having been registered activity in the nests of the species.
The Palombar team confirmed the occupation of the two nests and observed the transportation of material to them and the arrangement of the structures by the cinereous vulture couples. In the next few days, it is estimated that, most likely, the laying of the only egg that the female of each couple lays per reproductive year will take place. In order to avoid any disturbance to the breeding pairs, the monitoring was carried out at a distance of about 1600 m, using optical equipment.
The prospection and monitoring work aims to analyse the movements and breeding success of this vulture species, which is the largest in Europe and endangered, as well as detecting any new pairs that may have established themselves in the PNDI area. Additionally, it will allow, in the medium term, to monitor the population trends of this breeding nucleus and other demographic parameters such as productivity and mortality and, more broadly, to assess the impact of the project's actions on the target species.
In addition to the two pairs of cinereous vulture recorded, more than 20 red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and this year's first Egyptian vulture thrush (Neophron percnopterus), which has just arrived from its wintering areas, located between southern Mali and Mauritania and Senegal, on the African continent, were also observed.
In the coming weeks, Palombar's nature conservation and biodiversity monitoring technicians will continue to monitor new areas where the cinereous vulture may be nesting, and thus increase knowledge of the breeding individuals of the species that exist in this protected area.
+ INFO about the project
The Palombar team confirmed the occupation of the two nests and observed the transportation of material to them and the arrangement of the structures by the cinereous vulture couples. In the next few days, it is estimated that, most likely, the laying of the only egg that the female of each couple lays per reproductive year will take place. In order to avoid any disturbance to the breeding pairs, the monitoring was carried out at a distance of about 1600 m, using optical equipment.
The prospection and monitoring work aims to analyse the movements and breeding success of this vulture species, which is the largest in Europe and endangered, as well as detecting any new pairs that may have established themselves in the PNDI area. Additionally, it will allow, in the medium term, to monitor the population trends of this breeding nucleus and other demographic parameters such as productivity and mortality and, more broadly, to assess the impact of the project's actions on the target species.
In addition to the two pairs of cinereous vulture recorded, more than 20 red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and this year's first Egyptian vulture thrush (Neophron percnopterus), which has just arrived from its wintering areas, located between southern Mali and Mauritania and Senegal, on the African continent, were also observed.
In the coming weeks, Palombar's nature conservation and biodiversity monitoring technicians will continue to monitor new areas where the cinereous vulture may be nesting, and thus increase knowledge of the breeding individuals of the species that exist in this protected area.
+ INFO about the project