site.btaLesser Spotted Eagles in Bulgaria Number Nearly 1,000 Pairs

There are nearly 1,000 pairs of lesser spotted eagles in Bulgaria, said Vanya Ratarova, head of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), on Wednesday during the final conference of a project, titled “Lands and Forests of the Eagle,” funded by the European Union's LIFE programme. The project is being implemented in twenty specially protected areas of the Natura 2000 network in eastern Bulgaria and aims to protect the population of the lesser spotted eagle and its habitats by protecting its nesting and feeding areas and creating new ones.

“We have identified over 100 nests of the species in southeastern and northeastern Bulgaria, and in a previous project we found over 70 more nests,” Ratarova added. The lesser spotted eagle is most commonly found in Sakar, Western Strandzha, and the Dervent Heights in southeastern Bulgaria. The species is most widespread in forests, where it prefers large trees located near open spaces suitable for hunting. Ratarova added that by protecting the eagle, they are also protecting forests and agricultural land. She pointed out that when the bird is in good condition, it is a sign that green areas are also in good condition. Bulgaria is of key importance for the species as the country is located on an important migration route, Ratarova added.

She explained that the main threats to the species are the lack of suitable nesting habitats and the shortage of food, and that the project focused on addressing these issues.

“During the project, we improved our scientific knowledge of the species, its feeding habits, habitats, and migration routes,” said Rosen Raichev, Deputy Executive Director of the Executive Forestry Agency (EFA). He added that trees that can withstand climate change and develop crowns suitable for nesting and for the small eagle to occupy new territories have been planted as part of the project.

“We have also exceeded our targets for transforming coniferous crops into natural broadleaf plantations, which are very suitable for the species,” added Raichev.

He also noted that the population of the lesser spotted eagle in Bulgaria is stable and showing an upward trend.