Man-made nest programme

Installation and complete monitoring of man-made nests designed for long-term use at power pylons in order to reduce the mortality rate of the Saker Falcon, a species that was on the brink of extinction.

Objectives:

• Improve the survival chances of a protected bird species by providing many secure nests and advantageous breeding conditions
• Gain an understanding of the birds’ characteristics
• Follow the evolution of the bird species’ population
• Ensure the continuity of the electricity supply and reduce power interruptions caused by falling bird-made nests
• Raise awareness about MAVIR’s birds protection programme
• Reach and target both a wider professional and a wider civil audience

 

Main information:

Facing bird mortality and resulting power interruptions, following the identification of bird population and areas concerned, a man-made nest program was launched and aimed to find a solution in accordance with the physiological properties of birds and the characteristics of transmission network that can improve the survival chances of bird species endangered by the operation and development of network. In cooperation with national parks and non-governmental organisations a secure and adequate habitat was ensured for the birds of prey, especially to stop the decrease of Saker falcons, considered an endangered species nesting on power pylons. Actual studies revealed that more than 250 Saker Falcons are nesting in MAVIR pylons, which represent about 75% of the whole species’ population in Hungary.

The project was completed by a non-stop online nest monitoring program as well as several events based on communication towards children and adults. In 2014, 1.2 million people from 100 countries were following the lives of the birds thanks to the camera installed in front of one nest.

The bird conservation blog, started by MAVIR in 2014, has a readership of thousands of people at the moment. MAVIR receives three to five requests each month from various institutions for presenting its activities, and feedbacks prove that the public awareness with regard to bird life has greatly expanded.

Additional information:

MAVIR is the owner and operator of the transmission network in Hungary. It also operates in the Hungarian part of the Natura 2000 network. Natura 2000 is the centrepiece of the EU nature & biodiversity policy. The aim of the network is to assure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.