zepa

As part of the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN project a specific action (C3) was defined to reinforce the urban ZEPA of San Vicente de Alcántara. This action was initiated in 2018 and was carried out by means of a captive breeding programme and a programme of releases in the enclave.

In 2020 the census recorded a total of 5 lesser kestrel pairs established in the urban ZEPA of San Vicente de Alcántara.  A year later in 2021 a total of 12-13 established pairs were found.

Technicians of the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN project are assessing the possible declaration of new Special Bird Protection Areas (Zonas de Especial Protección de Aves, ZEPAs) in built-up areas owing to the presence of colonies of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni).

In February 2021 we witnessed the arrival of the first lesser kestrel of this season which was captured on film by the camera mounted on the Church of La Purificación, which keeps a watch on the ZEPA known as “Lesser Kestrel Colonies in Almendralejo”. 

This is an emblematic colony of Extremadura located in the first urban ZEPA established in Europe. As you know it is watched over by the DEMA technicians, beneficiary partners of LIFE-ZEPAURBAN, who for the whole of the season will monitor the nests by means of the video surveillance system in real time.

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.

Tuesday, May 28 is the day scheduled for the first of three releases of lesser kestrel chicks to be carried out this year under the LIFE ZEPAURBAN Project, a project developed in Extremadura and coordinated by the General Directorate of the Environment of the Government of Extremadura, with DEMA as a beneficiary partner.

As part of the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN Project, a series of activities have been started designed to disseminate the wealth of the birding community at the urban SPAs of Extremadura, with special attention being paid to the lesser kestrel, as well as to raise awareness among the local population about the need to protect the area as well as about its potential as a tourist resource. These actions revolve around talks and guided tours for schoolchildren, as well as other activities that are open to the rest of the population.

In the middle of June, the release programme of lesser kestrel chicks started, as planned in Action C.3. “Captive-breeding and reinforcement of lesser kestrel colonies at risk of disappearance”.

The lesser kestrel is an original and different resource for tourism that exists in your locality. Now you can benefit from its presence to improve your own product in a simple way, without cost. We recommend that you participate, in a simple way, in the product that we are creating. Here is the initial information that you need, and we can explain how to register.

Technicians from the General Directorate of the Environment and the General Directorate of Libraries, Museums and Cultural Heritage have continued their visits to the buildings that will be part of the forthcoming programme in the action C1 Improving nest sites in buildings of heritage value in the urban SPAs of Extremadura. On this occasion they have visited the church of San Bartolomé in Jerez de los Caballeros, as well as the Parador of Zafra, both buildings for which there are plans for work in the LIFE-ZEPAURBAN project.