Implementation a Scheme for Individual Tracking with Colour PVC Ring in the Course of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) Recovery as Breeder in Bulgaria

For decades, it is considered that the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni, Fleischer, 1818), which is one of the smallest species of falcons found in Europe, has disappeared from Bulgaria as a nesting species. In this connection, “Green Balkans” has launched a program to strengthen the population and restore as nesting the species in our country. The method of adaptation and release in nature of translocated chicks from Spain was applied. According to the IUCN requirements, the reintroduction of species requires the monitoring of the process and its results. For that purpose, each of the individuals released in nature is marked with a standard (metal) ornithological ring on one leg and specialized colour PVC ring on the other leg. Considering the international schemes for the marking of Lesser Kestrel indicated by European colour-ring Birding, the team sets a unique colour scheme for Bulgaria – orange PVC ring with black inscriptions, a combination of letters and / or numbers. In 2013 the first release of chicks was made in the Special Protected Area Sakar (BG0002021) which is a part of European network NATURA 2000. For the period 2013-2018, a total of 671 birds were tagged under this scheme. A scheme for marking with coloured rings of Lesser Kestrel was applied for the first time in the country in the course of surveys of this rare and protected species. Marking with coloured rings allows individual tracking of each bird from a close distance without their capture being necessary. Due to the fact, the behaviour of birds, the process of adaptation and stay in the colony area, their migration and the formation of pairs, occupation of artificial nests and other ecological features are tracked. All this, is of key importance in the implementation of direct conservation measures in the process of restoring the species as nesting in the country and the success of the Program.