A Black Vulture Conservation Foundation, Fundación Vida Silvestre Mediterránia (FVSM) and Birds of Poole Harbour Event

Ariant, Mallorca: Sept 11^th 2024

In the last century, global biodiversity loss has accelerated at an unprecedented level, driven by ever-increasing human demands on the natural world. Conservationists have the responsibility to not only monitor these declining populations but innovate ways of restoring and protecting our lost species and habitats, helping them to thrive once more, from large landscape-scale rewilding projects to species reintroductions.

Reintroduction programmes have played a critical role in the recovery of many lost species over the last 60 years, particularly for birds of prey that have historically been heavily persecuted and impacted by wide-scale use of pesticides. Through the pioneering of these projects, several iconic raptor species have now been returned to the skies of Western Europe, including the Black (Cinereous) Vulture and Western Osprey. Both of these species had experienced substantial declines and near extinction in several regions within their historic range in the last 200-300 years. However, as a result of several targeted reintroduction programmes of both species, they are now recovering and expanding their populations.

Multiple organisations that have been involved in pushing forward this crucial work including the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation, whose pioneering Black Vulture reintroduction on Mallorca during the 1980s and early 90s saw the population increase from a worryingly low of 20 individuals to an incredible 400 in just 40 years.

The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation has been at the forefront of Osprey recovery in Western Europe, as key partners in pioneering the first Osprey reintroduction in Europe at Rutland Water in the 1990s, delivering important nest protection and population monitoring work, and in producing an action plan for the conservation of the species for the Council of Europe. Multiple projects have followed in the success of the Rutland reintroduction, with further reintroductions in Andalucía, The Basque Country, Valencia and Poole Harbour. Birds of Poole Harbour, a Dorset-based charity, partnered with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in 2017 seeking to reestablish a breeding population of Osprey on the south coast of the UK after an absence of 180 years. In 2022, the partnership saw its first success, with a pair establishing at Careys Secret Garden on the edge of Poole Harbour.

During the summer of 2024, Evelyn Tewes from the Fundación Vida Silvestre Mediterránia (FVSM) and Black Vulture Conservation Foundation visited our Birds of Poole Harbour team here in the UK to learn about our work on Ospreys and see how we’ve helped develop the narrative of species recovery within this landscape. It was an absolute pleasure hosting Evelyn, hearing about her incredible work in Mallorca over the last 40 years and hearing about the positive outcomes that have evolved as a direct result of Black Vulture being back over Mallorca skies.

As a result of Evelyn’s visit a special celebration to highlight the importance of species reintroductions, FVSM have kindly invited some of our BoPH team over to Mallorca so that our organisations can partner to host a one-off event at the incredible Ariant reserve in Mallorca, home of the FVSM. The event will present the opportunity to learn from the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation and Birds of Poole Harbour, hearing about the roles they play in restoring Black Vultures and Ospreys to Europe’s skies, within the beautiful setting of the Torre de Ariant (Tower of Ariant). This will be followed by an exclusive guided tour around the private Ariant biological reserve, enjoying views of the reestablished vultures, as well as seeking out autumn migrants that are passing through the reserve on their journey south. The walk will also focus on the regenerational work that’s being carried out by the  to restore and improve habitats within the mountain valley and Ariant reserve, with typical local lunch and refreshments also included.

This is a great opportunity to learn about and explore a hidden jewel in Mallorca’s crown, whilst hearing about species recovery directly from the people involved in making it happen.

Price: 80 Euro per person

To book a place email – info@procustodia.org

Time: 9am – 3:30pm

Meeting Location: Mediterranean Wildlife Conservation Centre (Fundacion Vida silvestre Mediterranea), close to 07310 Campanet, Mallorca. https://maps.app.goo.gl/pENe4syPhigTTYmFA 

What3Words: congratulations.bruisers.begin

Note: Birds of Poole Harbour have received funding support to cover the cost of this trip