On the 4th of August, the press conference of organizations Raptor Protection of Slovakia and Slovenská elektrizačná prenosová sústava/Slovak electricity transmission system, Plc. (SEPS) was held nearby transmission power lines and pylons, on which the nest boxes for the Saker Falcon are being installed during the last decades. Thanks to this mutual cooperation, the Saker Falcon still nests in Slovakia, this year with a record of 121 young birds. Both organizations are partners of the LIFE Danube Free Sky project and the common activities planned under the project have been also introduced to the general public. During the project period, 70 km of 400kV transmission power lines will be marked with the flight diverters to ensure their better visibility for birds.
6 Saker Falcons (4 males, 2 females) have been tagged with satellite transmitters in Slovakia. Until 2022, another 6 Saker Falcons, Imperial Eagles, and Dalmatian Pelicans will be tagged in Serbia, Slovakia, and Romania. Satellite telemetry of birds is an important method of their protection and cognition. The concrete data, for example on the movements of individuals and their preferences, help to determine migration routes, critical stopover sites, and anthropogenic barriers to migration. Data from transmitters can help us to identify risky power lines and are also helpful in combating illegal activity to which birds also fall victim. Based on the data generated from satellite telemetry, activities for the conservation of entire populations can be implemented.
Over 10 hectares of land at the border of SPA SKCHVU019 Ostrovné lúky in Slovakia has been leased for 20 years period under the project. The idea was inspired by the results of the LIFE Energy project, held in Slovakia in 2014-2019, under which relation was proved between the bird-attractive crop type and mortality of birds on power lines on sites where this crop was planted.
