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Description
The issue that this project seeks to address is the declining population of charcoal birds due to the lack of breeding successes and the decline of their habitats in Polesie Lubelskie. Droughts, drainage and shrinkage of wetlands, grasslands and pastures, disappearance of water pools, agriculture intensification, predation of the fox and the American wizon, and lack of comprehensive protection are some of the main phenomena contributing to this issue.
The situation of plover birds breeding in Polesie Lubelskie is unstable as the numbers are low and subject to large fluctuations. Enlarging and caring for the maintenance of habitats in a proper condition, collecting eggs and storing them in incubators until hatching and giving the hatched birds parents are necessary activities to help preserve bird species. When this is not possible, aviary breeding and the release of young birds into the natural environment can result in their elimination. The project is therefore focused on improving the state of the environment in 4 ecosystems, which will help 4 bird species. The project will also improve over 28,000 people''s knowledge of birds and their habitats.
The target groups of this project includes residents, tourists, youth, children, teachers, tourist guides, owners of agritourism farms, animators, representatives of poviats, municipalities, employees of tourist offices and companies.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle several key issues related to bird conservation, particularly concerning threatened wader species in the Polesie Lubelskie region. The main challenges the project sought to address included:
- Declining populations of wader birds:
The Eurasian curlew and black-tailed godwit are among the species at risk of extinction in Europe, primarily due to the degradation of their breeding habitats. Their populations in Polesie Lubelskie were declining, necessitating urgent intervention. The project developed and implemented effective conservation measures, including protecting black-tailed godwit and Eurasian curlew nests, constructing artificial islands for common terns and little terns in the Polesie National Park, and providing suitable breeding conditions within the Park.
- Breeding failure due to predator pressure:
Bird nests faced significant predation pressure from species such as foxes and crows, leading to the loss of eggs and chicks. As part of the project, measures were taken to minimise these losses, including collecting eggs and incubating them until hatching, returning the hatchlings to their parents, rearing young birds in aviaries, and releasing them back into the wild. These efforts either eliminated or significantly reduced breeding losses.
- Lack of suitable breeding habitats:
The natural breeding habitats of wader birds were being destroyed or degraded, reducing available nesting sites and limiting their reproductive success in the wild.
- Insufficient protective measures:
A lack of coordinated conservation efforts at both local and regional levels left these species vulnerable. The project addressed this by introducing actions such as creating artificial breeding islands and securing nests against predators.
The project aimed to protect wader birds, including the Eurasian curlew, black-tailed godwit, common tern, and little tern, through the following initiatives:
- Active nest protection:
Bird nests were safeguarded through direct interventions. Eggs were collected from vulnerable nests and replaced with dummy eggs. The collected eggs were artificially incubated until hatching, after which chicks were returned to their parents. If nests had already been destroyed, chicks were raised under controlled conditions until they could fly and be released into the wild.
- Construction of artificial breeding islands:
Three predator-proof breeding islands were constructed on ponds within Polesie National Park, each measuring 10m x 10m (100m²). These islands were designed to provide safe nesting grounds, particularly for terns.
- Monitoring and research:
The project included ongoing monitoring of bird populations in the Lublin region, involving population counts and assessments of threats to species in the Polesie Lubelskie area.
The project produced significant positive outcomes for both wader birds and the local community:
- Protection and population growth of wader birds:
Active nest protection: The project implemented a nest protection programme from egg-laying to the release of young birds into the wild. This significantly increased chick survival rates for species such as the Eurasian curlew, black-tailed godwit, common tern, and little tern. Between 2021 and 2024, 250 black-tailed godwit eggs and 14 Eurasian curlew eggs were secured, resulting in the release of 204 black-tailed godwit chicks and 11 Eurasian curlew chicks. These efforts greatly improved hatching success and chick survival, helping to maintain and strengthen breeding populations in Polesie Lubelskie.
Creation of artificial breeding islands: To provide optimal nesting conditions for common and little terns, three predator-proof breeding islands were established on the ponds near Pieszowola in the Polesie National Park. The colony was monitored throughout the project''s duration. By 2022, soon after the islands'' creation, 40 common tern nests were observed. In 2023, the number increased to 120 pairs, and in 2024, 152 pairs nested, making it the largest common tern colony in southeastern Poland. The islands proved to be a safe and stable breeding habitat with high success rates.
The project''s beneficiaries included scientists, conservationists, local residents, and tourists. It contributed valuable data and expertise in endangered species conservation, offering a model for future initiatives. Overall, the project significantly advanced the protection of threatened bird species in Polesie Lubelskie, playing a key role in preserving biodiversity in this unique region.
Summary of bilateral results
The project is an initiative aimed at protecting endangered shorebird species through active conservation, research, and educational activities. The implementation of the project in partnership with BirdLife Norge, has enabled the development of bilateral cooperation and an exchange of experiences between Poland and Norway in the field of nature conservation.Key outcomes at the bilateral level1)Through collaboration with BirdLife Norge, Polish experts had the opportunity to learn about Norwegian bird conservation methods, particularly for shorebirds, and adapt these solutions to the local conditions of the Lublin Polesie region.2)The exchange of experiences led to the development of competencies among Polish organizations and institutions involved in nature conservation. The project included workshops, study visits, and field working meetings.3)The project contributed to strengthening the ties between Polish and Norwegian organizations working on nature conservation, creating potential for further cooperation at the regional and international levels.4)The collaboration resulted in the development of joint strategies for the protection of selected bird species and habitat management plans, taking into account the experiences of both partners.Plans to continue the bilateral cooperation1)development of long-term bird conservation projects: The continuation of actions aimed at protecting shorebird species, including both population monitoring and local-level conservation activities.2)education and engagement of local communities: Future projects will focus on raising awareness within local communities about nature conservation and encouraging their active involvement in conservation efforts.3)research collaboration: There are plans to deepen scientific cooperation, including joint studies on bird migration, the impact of climate change on bird populations, and habitat adaptation possibilities.4)expansion of international partnership networks.