Inauguration of the soft-release structure
On 21 May 2024, as part of the European Natura 2000 Day celebrations, an acclimatisation station for black vultures (Aegypius monachus) was inaugurated in the heart of the Douro International Natural Park. This structure, built through the LIFE Aegypius Return project, already has four juveniles from rehabilitation centres which will be released in autumn 2024, thus strengthening the black vulture colony that inhabits this region.
In addition to this structure, a feeding field has also been set up to feed scavenging birds. In this approximately 2 ha field, built by the Transhumance and Nature Association, food will be deposited for the scavenger birds. In this way, the individuals will observe and interact with animals of both their own and other species. Through these interactions, the recovering individuals will learn to socialise and also acquire natural behaviours.
In this approximately 2 ha field, built by the Transhumance and Nature Association, food will be deposited for the scavenging birds. In this way, they will have a space where they can observe and interact with animals of both their own and other species. Through these interactions, the recovering individuals will learn to socialise and also acquire natural behaviours.
Meeting in Castelo Branco
At the beginning of June 2024, the 3rd progress meeting of the project was held in the Tagus International Natural Park. For two days, the nine project partners, together with the national nature conservation (ICNF) and veterinary safety (DGAV) authorities, as well as the Junta de Extremadura, met at the Escola Superior Agrária de Castelo Branco.
The event was co-ordinated by the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA). The project will now enter an operational phase, focusing on habitat management to prevent fires and other disturbances in the vicinity of bird colonies.
On the last day of the meeting of partners and stakeholders, a field trip took place to the Tejo Internacional Natural Park, which is home to the largest breeding colony of black vultures in Portugal. The day began with a visit to CERAS - the Centre for the Study and Recovery of Wild Animals, run by Quercus. They then visited various black vulture breeding territories, including Herdade da Cubeira, which is home to approximately 10 per cent of the national population of this species. After lunch, the group visited the Feeding Field for Necrophagous Birds, built by the ICNF near Segura. This camp will soon be operational, helping to meet the food needs of black vultures.
Markings
The marking season for black vulture chicks took place between July and August. In 2024, 19 cubs were marked, adding to the 15 cubs marked in 2023.
The Transhumance and Nature Association was responsible for coordinating the marking work in the Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve. Here, several organisations such as Rewilding Portugal, ICNF, LPN and VCF took part in the marking work. In this Nature Reserve, the colony has grown impressively and now has 14 breeding pairs. Here, 5 chicks were tagged during this season. The biggest obstacle to these marking operations is the difficulty of accessing the nests and the height of the trees where they were built. To carry out a tagging session, it is necessary to ensure that the nest is accessible and that the animal is the right age and weight to install the GPS/GSM transmitter. As a result, the operation becomes even more complicated because all the observations are made from a long distance to avoid disturbing the birds.
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