SOS Peregrine Falcon Lynx

For 36 years, 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.

The Le PAL NATURE FOUDNATION finances travel expenses and the renewal of 5 camera traps to ensure the surveillance of sites threatened by poisoners.

Actions for 2024

PEREGIRINE FALCON:

Survey potential nesting sites to be restored, with a description of the improvements required to ensure and maintain the attractiveness of the peregrine falcon on the rock.

Identification of factors contributing to human impact on rock outcrops (climbing, hikers, marked trails, viewpoints, parking on slabs, bivouacs with or without fires).

Search for and monitor nesting pairs until they fledge, particularly on heavily anthropized sites. (Climbing, hiking along viewpoint trails).

Reinforcement of quiet zones on sites with climbing agreements and marked trails. Marking of newly selected sites to increase their attractiveness.

Development of nesting cavities on targeted rocks for increased fledgling productivity.

Clearing work on the Grand Rommelstein site has been completed.

LYNX:

19 lynx crossings at 15 different stations from January to December.

Lynx kitten rescue: September 19 (AGORA) + October 18 (Niederbronn Park).

2025 Projects:

Exploration of outcrops in the massif, implementation of nesting monitoring and surveillance.

Study, monitoring, and surveillance of 9 peregrine falcon nesting sites.

Assessment and monitoring of nesting ledge development projects.

Proposal and monitoring of rehabilitation work on 5 nesting ledges on peregrine falcon sites.

Pounding and monitoring of rock clearing work to improve attractiveness.

Restoration plan for breeding sites with management of the attractiveness of rocks and the development of quiet zones from February 1 to July 31.

What was the money used for?

Contribution to the costs of cross-border lynx monitoring: lynx detection through monitoring of 72 camera traps installed in an area measuring 40 km by 15 km in 5x5 km grids.
Contribution to the cost of surveying and operating the camera traps (fuel, batteries).
Diesel fuel + LR6 lithium batteries and €1,425: thermal vision binoculars.

Did you know ?

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