The status of Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) in Greece

Abstract

With more than 80% of the species global population breeding in Greece, Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae) is reported to be the most important bird species in the country. A national population survey was conducted during the breeding seasons 2004-2006 in order to assess the species' breeding distribution and population size. This census was the first of its kind and was part of a global population survey, involving more than 80 field workers. Standard field protocols, described in the International Species Action Plan, and a GIS interactive database were developed. Data were stored and spatially explored in conjunction to historical information and past records. A total of about 17,660 falcons were counted or an estimated 12,300 breeding pairs, which were concentrated in six major regions, i.e., northeast Aegean, Sporades, east Cyclades, Antikythira, southwest Dodecanese and the satellite islets of eastern Crete. Compared to previous descriptions of breeding colonies and population status, spatial variation in site occupancy was detected with a population decline in one of the aforementioned regions and an apparent increase in all the rest. The results of this national survey, expected to be repeated every 10 years, provided guidance for reviewing the conservation status of Eleonora's Falcon in Greece and baseline information for future monitoring of its population.

Wintering habitats of Eleonora's FalconsFalco eleonoraein Madagascar

“…They also breed in a few colonies located in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Canary Islands (Spain) and Mogador (Morocco). The bulk of the population (80-90%) breeds in Greece (Dimalexis et al 2008). Winter records are almost exclusively restricted to Madagascar (Walter 1979, Gschweng et al 2008, Kassara et al 2011, although some observations (mainly juveniles) have been recorded on the eastern coast of Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique) (Gschweng et al 2008, authors unpubl.…”

“…The species is listed in the Annex I of the Directive 2009/147/EC and constitutes a priority species for conservation (BirdLife International 2010). Unfortunately, long-term series of comparable demographic data are lacking, but on the basis of recent surveys, the species seems to be stable or steadily increasing across its whole distribution range (Del Moral 2008, Dimalexis et al 2008. Although the migratory routes have recently been mapped in detail (Gschweng et al 2008, López-López et al 2009, López-López et al 2010, Mellone, López-López et al 2011, little is known about the species' habitat requirements on its wintering grounds.…”

Nest-site preferences of Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) on uninhabited islets of the Aegean Sea using GIS and species distribution models

“…The species delays egg-laying until late in the summer in order to benefit from the abundant source of food provided by migrating birds in the autumn, during the nestling-raising period. In line with the guidelines cited in the International Species Action Plan (Ristow 1999), the Eleonora's Falcon global population has been recently reassessed and is now estimated at approximately 15,000 pairs of which Greece, and more specifically the Aegean Sea, constitutes the centre of the species' range, hosting more than 80% of the total breeding pairs (12,300 pairs; Dimalexis et al 2008). Given the wide distribution of its breeding colonies Eleonora's Falcon is listed as ''Least Concern'' in the IUCN 2010 list (Birdlife International 2010), but its highly uneven population concentration in the Aegean Sea necessitates special attention.…”

“…The typical habitat of Eleonora's Falcon colonies in Greece consists of sea-cliffs and rocky uninhabited islets. The mean colony size is 54 pairs (standard deviation [SD] 45; Dimalexis et al 2008), while the nests are mainly located in crevices, under bushes and boulders, offering protection from intense solar radiation and strong winds, factors which have been proven to be crucial for breeding success across its breeding colonies (Wink et al 1982;Ristow and Wink 1985;Badami 1995;Bonnín 2004).…”

“…To this end, we used nest occurrence records gathered during a monitoring project implemented on uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea during the summers of (Dimalexis et al 2008. Our objective was to investigate nest-site selection at the nesting territory level; consequently, we focused on the topography of the nesting site rather that on climatic or other environmental aspects that typically vary at broader scales (Guisan and Thuiller 2005).…”