SOS Peregrine Falcon Lynx

Since 1984, the SOS Peregrine Falcon Lynx association has been working for the study and protection of species and rock habitats in the Northern Vosges. With its know-how, the association has gradually developed with managers and various stakeholders in the natural environment a sustainable management project for the conservation, in particular of the peregrine falcon and its habitat. It carries out its actions in partnership with the Sycoparc via an agreement. The aim of the latter is to pool actions for the protection of the peregrine falcon, the common raven and the grand duke of Europe, as well as the rocky heritage.

The association is particularly involved in the study and monitoring of the peregrine falcon and the common raven in Natura 2000 areas:

• in the national natural reserve of rocks and peat bogs of the country of Bitche
• in the La Petite Pierre national hunting and wildlife reserve
• in the Adelsberg-Lutzelhardt cross-border integral forest reserve

Regarding the 2021 projects, the association took charge of the management and inventory of peregrine falcon sites on the middle Vosges mountains. There will be prospecting and site monitoring from March to July with a summary file for the implementation of protection measures.

Projects for 2026:

Funding support for the monitoring of the peregrine falcon in the Middle Moselle Vosges

• Research and monitoring of breeding pairs throughout the season until fledging in 2026. Survey of rock outcrops in the massif, establishment of nesting monitoring and surveillance. Study, monitoring and surveillance of nine peregrine falcon nesting sites.
• Rock clearing and monitoring of rock thinning works to improve attractiveness
• Draft proposal for the classification of nesting rock outcrops as Special Areas for Bird Protection (APPB). Study, drafting and design of the classification proposal for 13 rock outcrops in the southern zone of the Sarrebourg ONF agency, covering a total fragmented area of 185 ha. Site selection. Summary of environmental impacts. Summary and classification of recreational activities: footpaths, viewpoints, geocaching and rock climbing. Study of trail rerouting in collaboration with ONF managers, local councils and the Club Vosgien.
• Hosting an M1 intern from the University of Poitiers (Master’s in Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Ecological Engineering stream): Master’s thesis topic: Temporal dynamics and determinants of the reproductive performance of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in the Northern Vosges: a review of 42 years of monitoring

Monitoring of the cross-border lynx population in the Northern Vosges and Pfälzerwald

• Contribution towards the costs of cross-border lynx monitoring: lynx detection using 80 camera traps installed across an area measuring 40 km by 15 km, arranged in 5x5 km grids. Contribution towards the costs of collecting and analysing the camera trap data.
• Replacement of 5 camera traps. Exchange and cooperation on monitoring with KLUWO in the Pfälzerwald, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
• Rescue mission for lynx cubs in distress

Did you know ?

Camera traps allow surveillance of sites threatened by the use of poisoned pigeons to destroy the peregrine falcon