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In the last year of the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN project, a complete census of all the urban SPAs that are part of its scope of action is planned. Nevertheless, following the criteria established by the scientific committee for the project (Action F2), in 2020 an attempt was made to count the largest possible number of SPAs in Extremadura in order to have information on population trends.

The Project's management and all its partners considered it necessary to extend the execution period of LIFE-ZEPAURBAN. On the one hand, some actions --especially those related to the pilot experience at feeding areas-- have suffered from significant delays. On the other hand, the current situation due to COVID-19 has conditioned the work of all partners and had an impact on the undertaking of other project actions.

If you are a technician with a higher degree, with experience in LIFE projects, in conservation projects and economic management of projects, there is a place for you among us.

The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is, among many other things, the bird of a thousand names; throughout the centuries it has become a symbol of coexistence between humans and birds of prey to the point of becoming a species that indicates sustainable development as its greater or lesser presence in our towns and cities helps us to know the health of our fields as well as the quality of said fields' nesting habitats -- something which, in turn, provides clues about our own habitat.  

The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small falcon and as such is integrated into the Falconidae family.

El increíble "diente de halcón" del cernícalo primilla es una eficaz herramienta para matar instantáneamente a sus presas pinzando las vértebras del cuello en los vertebrados y la base posterior de la cabeza en los insectos y otros invertebrados.

The Special Protection Area for birds known as "Lesser Kestrel Colonies of Almendralejo" is located within the urban core of said municipality and constitutes a space of unique characteristics since it houses one of the largest colonies of lesser kestrel in Extremadura located in a single building: approximately 98% of the pairs in the municipality nest on the roof and tower of the Nuestra Señora de la Purificación Church.

Between last May and June, the lesser kestrel chicks scheduled for release this year under the LIFE ZEPAURBAN Project were indeed released.

DEMA is a beneficiary partner of this Project and is responsible, among other things, for undertaking this action -- an action aimed at the production of chicks in the Lesser Kestrel Breeding Center and their release into the natural environment for the recovery of the urban SPA of San Vicente de Alcántara.

Until February 15, 2020, works were carried out on different buildings in the network of urban SPAs in Extremadura where lesser kestrel colonies were located. Thus, works were carried out at the Mirabel Palace of the Plasencia SPA, Santa María Church of the Brozas SPA, Santa María Church at the Garrovillas de Alconétar SPA, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Church at the Zafra SPA, and San Fulgencio Church at the Acedera SPA, as well as at the silos in the Trujillo SPA and the La Visitación Convent in Puebla de Alcocer.

On October 14, LIFE-ZEPAURBAN will participate in the final Steppes of La Mancha Conference. This is an online conference in which professionals, experts, and businessmen responsible for initiatives to enhance the natural heritage with a special focus on the conservation of steppe birds and the general biodiversity of the agricultural landscape will participate. Registration is already open and you can check out the program at this link:

https://estepasdelamancha.es/congreso-final-estepas-de-la-mancha/

Last week, the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN Project received a visit from Sara Mora, from the NEEMO-IDOM external team of the European Commission, so that she could see firsthand how the project is unfolding. On Monday the 9th, a meeting of all the partners was held in Mérida in which the development of the project's main actions was reviewed and their future was analyzed.

One of the nests of the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN Project installed at the San Mateo Church in the urban SPA of the town of Alburquerque (Badajoz) has been occupied by a female lesser kestrel that was released in June 2018 at the El Millarón estate of Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres) -- about 30 km in a straight line to the northwest of Alburquerque.