Target species

The project is aimed at improving the conservation status of the populations of some species of birds breeding in or related to the habitat of the mountain heath present in the SPA “Pastures and mountain bushes of Pratomagno”.

The invasion by shrubs of heathlands and the evolution towards more mature phytocenosis represent the most important threat to the conservation of these species. If these processes are not stopped all the species listed below, already now mostly rare and localized and with negative population trends, will be destined to disappear from the entire territory.

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “Vulnerable” in the Italian Red List of birds breeding and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. Sedentary species, present in Tuscany throughout the year, in the inland areas can make short trips depending on the climatic conditions (eg prolonged snow). In Tuscany it is present with two disjoint populations, one distributed along the coast, the other in the interior reliefs, concentrated exclusively in the eastern sector of the region, between the Pratomagno massif and the Chiana monuntains. In these areas it is almost exclusively linked to the presence of the heatlands, where, in the best-preserved situations and less affected by afforestation and settlement of invasion vegetation, it can reach even high densities. In the project area it is located in correspondence with the heathlands only, where however it is common and locally abundant. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, a realistic estimate of the population could be 100 coluples. The state of conservation of Dartford Warbler in Italy is defined as “Vulnerable”, ie it is necessary to undertake specific conservation measures to protect the species. There are no data on the trend of the species at national level, while in the last 10 years there is a fall of 36% at the European level. Among all the target species, Dartford Warbler is certainly the one that is most specifically linked to the heathland; from the data collected it results that the species becomes extremely rare already in the early stages of afforestation of the heathland, and then disappears rapidly in the subsequent phases. The local population of the species, although still quite abundant, is in the long run a serious risk of conservation, threatened by the reduction of the nesting habitat.

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “Vulnerable” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. Long-range migrant, in Tuscany, Red-backed Shrike is a migratory and regular nesting species, present from May to September. It nests in many types of open environments: once common and widely diffused in traditional agricultural landscapes characterized by a high degree of environmental heterogeneity, now, as a result of changes in agricultural practices and consequently in the landscape structure, it is more widespread in the pastures and in shrubby hills and mountains. Within the project area it is rare and not very widespread, present only in correspondence with the few open areas, such as the remaining agricultural areas, the heatland and the shrublands, even those located at higher altitudes (up to 1400 m). The population present in the project area can be estimated in no more than 5-10 couples. The Red-backed Shrike is, among the species of passerines linked to open environments, one of those with the worst state of conservation, both nationally and at European level. The simplification of the agricultural landscape and the disappearance of open environments are the main threats to the conservation of the species. In the project areas, where agricultural areas have almost completely disappeared, the Red-backed Shrike has been concentrated for decades in the shrublands and heathlands, in particular in those situations where the vegetation cover is not complete and there remains a certain degree of environmental heterogeneity. The development of the arboreal vegetation or more advanced shrub formations, not opposed by the exploitation to which these environments were subjected, determines an increase in vegetation cover and a consequent loss of environmental diversity, with an evolution towards unsuitable environment for the species.

By Dûrzan Cîrano – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, link originale

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “at lower risk” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. Trans-Saharan migrant, is present in Tuscany from April to September-October. It nests mainly pastures, garrigues and environments characterized by the presence of bare soil (rocky outcrops, areas in erosion) or with poor grass cover. Tawny Pipit is widespread from sea level to the mountain ridges of the Apennines, always in well exposed situations and on dry substrates. In the project area it is a rare and localized species, concentrated mainly in high-altitude meadows and in mid-altitude heathlands. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, a realistic estimate of the population could be 2-3 couples. The Tawny Pipit has a poor state of conservation at the national level. The main threat to the species can be found in general in the reduction of open environments and in particular of grazing. The simplification of the agricultural landscape and the disappearance of open environments are the main threats to the conservation of the species. This species could benefit from the restoration of the heath cutting operations using the most recently cut, practically devoid of vegetation, for nest building and trophic activity.

By Ján Svetlík – Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, link originale

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “at lower risk” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. Nesting and migratory species short/medium-range, partly sedentary. Typically ecotonal species, it nests in many types of open environments, even small or very small, provided they are inserted in a forest matrix or in any case in the presence of arboreal and shrubby vegetation. In Tuscany it is still considered relatively widespread, present in almost all the hilly and mountain sectors of the Region, where however, at least in the most marginal contexts, where the spread of the forest has been greater than the open areas, there is a decrease in the long term of the breeding population. In the project area it is still quite widespread, although quite localized, present in the most diversified areas, such as the heathlands and the remaining agricultural areas of mid-altitude and in the summit pastures, always in ecotonal situations. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, a realistic estimate of the population could be 80-100 couples. The Woodlark, among all the target species, is the one that enjoys the best state of conservation, and in fact the species is increasing nationally, while it is declining at the European level. Although the conservation of the species does not give particular attention at the moment, in the absence of specific interventions, the current trend of disappearance of suitable environments due to natural afforestation processes risks, in the medium-long term to compromise the state of conservation, as recently emerged in similar and neighboring Apennines.

By Dûrzan Cîrano – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, link originale

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “at lower risk” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. Long-range migrant, the Nightjar in Tuscany is present during migration and the breeding season, indicatively from April to October. It nests in environments characterized by a discontinuous arboreal and shrub cover; in the Apennine context, and more generally in the interior reliefs, it shows a predilection for the mountain heathlands. In the project area the species is still quite widespread, although located in correspondence of open areas, such as the heathlands, but also in woods with a more open structure (eg coppices in the early stages after cutting), always in good situations exposed. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, a realistic estimate of the population could be 60-80 couples. Although objective data on the population trend of this species in Italy are lacking, the conservation status of the nightjar is unfavorable and several cases of local population decline are known. The homogenisation of the landscape, due substantially to the increase of the wooded area to the detriment of the open environments, is considered the main threat to the species. These dynamics have certainly not spared the project areas, where in recent decades there has been a generalized sharp reduction in open areas, in particular those cultivated or subject to pasture. The local population, still quite numerous, is critically threatened by habitat reduction and therefore requires urgent conservation measures.

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “Vulnerable” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. The Montagu’s Harrier is a long-range migratory species, breeding in Tuscany, present from April to September. It nests in a wide spectrum of open environments, from sea level up to over 1000 meters. In mountain contexts it shows a preference for shrubs and heathlands in particular. In the project area it is a rare and localized species; observations of couples engaged in territorial parades concern some of the areas close to the intervention sites; in feeding it habitually frequents also the summit prairies. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, a realistic estimate of the population could be 1-2 couples. The conservation status in Italy of the Montagu’s Harrier is considered inadequate. The main threat to the conservation of Montagu’s Harrier is also, in this case, the loss of habitats suitable for nesting. Changes in the structure and vegetation composition of the heathlands determine not only a loss of habitat, but can also influence locally the productivity of populations, increasing the presence of predators that, benefiting from greater vegetation cover, can have a significant negative impact on the ability reproductive of this species that, let’s remember, it nests on the ground.

Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “at lower risk” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. Migratory species, present in Tuscany from May to September, it nests in extensive and undisturbed forest areas, while it needs open areas for the search for prey, mainly hymenopterans. Within the SPA, heath environments are of considerable importance as areas of feeding, as evidenced by the numerous observations of individuals in exploratory flight just above these environments. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, the species appears to be relatively widespread and a realistic estimate of the population could be 2-3 couples. The state of conservation of the Honey buzzard in Italy is considered favorable, in particular following the increase in the area of the forest areas, used for the construction of the nest, and the reduction of direct persecution, until a recent locally very strong past. As described nationally, in the project area the species is favored by the growth of forest areas and by their better management (start up of the tall trunk), while the closure of the open areas, used for the search for prey, appears at the moment an element of strong criticality.

Species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive 147/2009/EEC, classified as “at lower risk” in the Italian Red List of breeding birds and included in Annex A of Regional Law of Tuscany (L.R. 56/2000) among the species that need specific conservation measures. A migratory species, present in Tuscany from March to September, it nests in extensive and undisturbed forest areas, while it needs open areas for the research of prey, mainly ofides, but also reptiles and micro-mammals. Within the SPA, the heath environments are of considerable importance as areas of feeding: these environments are in fact located in well exposed areas and enjoy a high solar radiation, suitable conditions for the presence of large populations of reptiles. Within the SPA, the species appears to be rare and localized, although in recent years it is observed with greater regularity, in particular precisely at the mid-altitude hills where the heathlands are more widespread; sporadic observations also concern the summit prairies. Although there is no updated data on the size of the breeding population, a realistic estimate of the population could be 0-1 couple. The state of conservation in Italy of the Short-toed Eagle is considered inadequate and it is therefore necessary to take targeted actions for the protection of the species.