VIGUEIRATMARAIS du

Life+ ENVOLLLayman’s report

Building a network of breeding sitesaround the French Mediterranean coast

for the protection of colonial charadriiformes

Authors: Christelle Galindo, Christophe Pin andNicolas Sadoul (Amis des Marais du Vigueirat)

Photo credits: O.Scher CEN L-R

Citation: Life+ ENVOLL Project. December 2018.Layman’s report. 16 pages

Translation: Jeanette Freynet

Graphic design: Colorescence

Printer: Public Imprim

Initial budget

3 375 360 € ;

50% of eligible costs financed by the

European CommissionLIFE programme

Coordination team

Amis des Marais du Vigueirat: Nicolas Sadoul (pro-

ject leader), Adrienne Daudet then Christelle Galin-

do (technical coordination), Christophe Pin (project

assistant), Thomas Dobigny then Françoise Lucas

(administration and financial coordination)

Associated beneficiaries:

Parc naturel régional de la Narbonnaise en Mé-

diterranée, Groupe Salins, Sète Agglopôle Mé-

diterranée, Conservatoire d’espaces naturels du

Languedoc-Roussillon, Collectivité de Corse,

Tour du Valat, Réseau Ecole et Nature

Duration

5 1/2 years(2013 - 2018)

Area covered by the project

9 Natura 2000 sitesacross 3 French Mediterranean

coastal regions (Occitanie,

Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Corse)

Layman’s report

Contact

Amis des Marais du VigueiratChemin de l’Etourneau13104 Mas Thibert, France

Tel.: 04 90 98 79 40

Mail:life.envoll@espaces-naturels.fr

Life+ ENVOLLBuilding a network of breeding sites

around the French Mediterranean coastfor the protection of colonial charadriiformes

LIFE12 NAT/FR/000538

www.life-envoll.eu

Colonial charadriiformes include terns, small gulls and the pied avocet, which all reproduce along the coast. Each spring, after having travelled thousands of kilo-metres from their African or Mediterranean overwinte-

ring grounds, they return to the Mediterranean coast to nest in colonies, on the ground, on the beaches and on lagoon islands where they are sheltered from human dis-turbance as well as terrestrial predators (dogs, foxes, etc.).

INTRODUCTION

Numbers of breeding pairs declined

by 50% on the French Mediterranean

coastline during the 1980s.

What are colonial charadriiformes?

Slender-billed Gull Audouin’s Gull Mediterranean Gull

Black-headed Gull Gull-billed Tern Sandwich Tern

Common Tern Little Tern Pied Avocet

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Fact:

Threats and conservation issues :An overview…

The disappearance of suitable nesting sites during the twentieth century is at the origin of the vulnerability of these species. There are four main contributing factors: - The disappearance of suitable islands is the result of the destruction of wetlands and the stabilisation of the coastline which has interrupted the natural processes of island formation.- Environmental management practices which are unfavourable to these species.- Increased disturbance following the growth

of human presence and recreational activity on the coast.- Competition for breeding grounds from the yellow-legged gull which benefits from hu-man activities such as landfills and trawling. Colonial charadriiformes have been forced into nesting on surrogate sites where the number of chicks produced has been insuf-ficient. As a result, a dramatic decline in their breeding numbers was reported between 1982 and 2006.

Colonial charadriiformes are nomadic species with low breeding site fidelity. The development of a large network of operational nesting sites, which offers these birds the opportunity to choose where to nest according to their needs, was considered to be an appropriate conservation strategy more preferable than a localised effort. Two successive pilot projects, implemented

between 2007 and 2012, successfully tested innovative conservation measures and launched a dynamic partnership around colonial charadriiformes.

The Life+ ENVOLL project aims to strengthen the network of actors and sites concerned by colonial charadriiforme conservation issues, as well as to develop a set of measures in response to known threats.

What is the aim of the project?

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Aims:

To create a network of nesting sites across three French

Mediterranean coastal regions in order to restore

numbers, improve reproductive success and ensure

long-term conservation of colonial charadriiformes.

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Actions implemented

in response to issues,

and results achieved

ActionConstruction of nesting islands and rafts, and hydraulic resto-ration

Pilot projects 2007-2012 tested conserva-tion techniques, such as the creation of nesting islets and rafts, which proved to be very attractive to the birds.

These specific installations were improved and developed on by the hydraulic resto-ration of habitats to allow the water level management better adapted to colonial charadriiformes.

The core breeding site network initiated in 2007 has since been strengthened and expanded westwards, and eastwards into Corsica.

Threat 1Disappearance of nesting islands

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Network of nesting islands and rafts creating during 2007-2018: in red those of the Life+ ENVOLL project

Main achievementsManaged sites implemented across 15 areas, across 9 Natura 2000 sites, across 3 French Mediterranean regions.

30 large nesting islands have been created or restored.

6 floating nesting rafts have been installed (3 measuring 19-23m2, 2 measuring 72m2 and 1 measuring 200m2).

More than 20 hydraulic structures put in place and 2000m of dykes and ditches restored.

491 hectares where hydraulic management has been restored.

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Nesting island Hydraulic structure

Restoration

Floating nesting raft

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Années Effectifs reproducteurs1982 158191985 108821988 124711991 123941993 121991994 118381995 112671997 92551998 110711999 95572000 87842001 85902002 83482003 72592004 65222005 85312006 86162007 86832008 124182009 118732010 95362011 138532012 131992013 105082014 146492015 161132016 159992017 19293

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

20000

1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 2009 2012 2015 2018

Nom

bre

de c

oupl

es

Evolution of breeding populations of all colo-nial charadriiforme species, from 1982-2006 (in orange), and from 2007-2017 (in green)

Average percentage by species (2011-2017) of breeding pairs colonising managed sites on the French Mediterranean coast

An annual survey on the breeding populations of each species (nu-mber of breeding pairs and reproductive success) was coordinated across the French Mediterranean coastline, applying a protocol used by 11 partner organisations(1) and 4 associated beneficiaries. The impacts of the conservation measures were then evaluated at the population scale.

Key resultsManaged sites host a large part of the coastal populations. The Me-diterranean Gull and the Black-headed Gull were the least likely to use the managed sites, probably due to their preference for more mature and vegetated islands. Colonies inhabited managed sites for significantly longer periods than they did natural sites.

Initial results confirm the hypothesis that there is a lack of suitable nesting grounds and indicate that the managed sites are of a better quality than the available natural sites.

87% of created or restored islands from 2007-2018 have been colonised at least once by one or several species.

26 of the 30 managed is-lands during Life+ ENVOLL.

64% of floating rafts built 2007-2018 have been colo-nised at least once.

2 out of the 6 created du-ring Life+ ENVOLL.

1 - GOR, LPO Aude, Aude Nature, ADENA, CO-Gard, Syndicat Mixte de la Camargue gardoise, CEN PACA, LPO PACA, CEN Corse, Office de l’environnement de la Corse, Commune de Fréjus

ActionEvaluation of results – monitoring the number of breeding pairs

Notable achievements:The more a species makes use of the managed sites, the more their populations increase. The pro-ject has lead to the restoration of breeding populations of colonial charadriiformes along the French Mediterranean coastline. N

um

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of p

airs

Pro

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f bre

edin

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airs

Mediterranean Gull

Gull-billed Tern

Common Tern

Little Tern

PiedAvocet

Slender-billed Gull

Sandwich Tern

Black-headed Gull

Large-scale land development during the second half of the 20th century has led to the fragmentation of wetlands along the coastline. Does the network of managed sites installed during the project fulfil the needs of these nomadic species? Does spatial distri-bution between sites allow for the exchange of indi-viduals between colonies and the proper functioning of populations?

The Slender-billed Gull is a model species that has been ringed since 1997. Demographic studies carried out on intra- and inter-season dispersal showed that ringed birds commonly travelled distances of up to 60km between different sites. Some movements of up to 250km have even been recorded! Given the distances that separate them, the network of managed sites therefore appears to be functio-nal and satisfactory over the vast majority of its surface area.

Study on the dispersion

of the Slender-billed Gull

18 years of monitoring

1 588 ringed gulls

4 384 sightings

across 29 different colonies

Threat 2Inappropriate management practicesfor colonial charadriiformes

ActionEvaluating the functionality of the site network

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Environmental managers have various degrees of knowledge on the issues surrounding colonial cha-radriiformes and the management and monitoring techniques necessary for these species.

The typology of the managed islands (surface areas, distance from the bank, water levels etc.) and their occupation by colonial charadriiformes has been studied and evaluated over time. The analysis of these operations has provided extremely valuable

information. It is imperative that this knowledge is shared and passed on to others.

The project worked to formalise and energise the network of managers(2) by implicating them throughout each stage of the project, by inviting them to various workshops, and by developing a nu-mber of different training tools which will be listed in the training catalogue at the Agence française pour la biodiversité.

ActionTrain and inform environmental managers in techniques which favour colonial charadriiforme reproduction

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2 - Adena, Agglomération Hérault Méditerranée, Agglomération du Pays de l’Or, AMP Métropole, ARDAM, EID Méditerranée, Eau et Vie pour l’Environnement, GIPREB, Mairie de Fréjus, Mairie du Grau-du-Roi, Mairie de Port St Louis du Rhône, Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, PNR Camargue, Salin de l’Aude, SIANPOU, SIBOJAI, SIEL, SYMBO, SMBT, SMCG, SMDA, SM Rivage, Toulon Provence Méditerranée, etc

- The organisation of 6 days of technical workshops.

- The development of 3 training modules to a) better understand the needs of colonial charadrii-formes b) know how to evaluate, restore, develop and manage sites in a way that favours colonial cha-radriiforme reproduction, and c) know how to mo-nitor breeding numbers and reproductive success,

and how to employ site management practices fa-vourable to colonial charadriiforme reproduction.

- A detailed specification report, along with a dedicated film used as support for the training mo-dules: « Des îlots et des radeaux » - https://youtu.be/5RnhIn-OjQo

Main achievements:

Repeated or sustained disturbance of a colony leads to the loss of eggs and chicks (due to the interruption of incubation and over exposure to either hot or cold temperatures), and can even lead to adults abandoning the nesting site. There is widespread ignorance of what constitutes disturbance and the impacts that it can have on a breeding colony. Various public awareness campaigns have been put into place.

ActionEnvironmental education campaign

Main achievements

Creation of specific tools: travel diary, ga-

mes, wooden figurines, guides etc.

3 environmental education campaigns in

16 locations across the three Mediterranean

regions over three years.

Making contact with over 22000 people du-

ring 66 days of active campaigning.

85% of people showed interest in colo-

nial charadriiformes, 70% understood what

constitutes disturbance, and 60% expressed a

willingness to take more care.

3 - AREpb, Aude Nature, CEN Corse, CPIE Bassin de Thau (LPO Hérault, ADENA, Ardam), CPIE Rhône-Pays d’Arles, Écoute ta planète, Labelbleu, LPO Aude, LPO PACA

Threat 3Disturbance of breeding colonies

A campaign was launched across the three regions with the support of GRAINE PACA and Occitanie, the Office de l’Environnement de la Corse, 11 local envi-ronmental education associations(3) and environmen-tal managers. Seven ‘Laro-mobile’, carts were built and filled with educational material. These were taken out

onto the beaches where they were used to approach the general public and to open a dialogue around the issues surrounding colonial charadriiformes. Two trai-ning days were provided to improve skills on how to approach the general public.

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Key action

Distribution of a guide which explains the issues at stake, the problems of disturbance in natural areas, and the measures to put in place which help to reinforce the application of the law.

Police power address the minority of users that are immune to public awareness campaigns and to the conservation message, and is used in conjunction with other environmental protection methods.

Not all environmental enforcement officers have the same understanding of the issues at stake and

the impacts of disturbance. Offences are some-times difficult to characterise. There are however various simple measures which could be put in place to make it easier to apply the law.

A report has been drafted and distributed to all enforcement bodies, municipalities and coastal Natura 2000 site managers and facilitators.

Environmental managers in the Life+ ENVOLL project identified outdoor sports, in particular kite and windsur-fing, as being the main source of disturbance to bree-ding colonies along the coast.

To directly target these users, the Météo des Oiseaux tool has been developed which aims to share on a map, in real-time, the changing levels of sensitivity of sites

along the coast according to the presence of a breeding colony. The changing sensitivity of an area is updated weekly, in align with the bird monitoring, and is shown by colour coded pictograms on the map. It is expected that recreational users will be able make an informed decision to choose to change their behaviour (either by showing higher vigilance or by using a different site).

Main achievementsCreation of Facebook page: Météo des Oiseauxhttps://fr-fr.facebook.com/Meteodesoiseaux/

Almost 1000 followers, various posts have been seen over 10000 times.

Organisation of a regional seminar ‘Boardsports & Nature’ in conjunction with the N2Glisse project.

ActionCreate awareness among recreational users of the coast

ActionCreating awareness among environmental enforcers

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Communication tools:

- A leaflet presenting the project

- A travelling photographic exhibition

- More than 40 articles, in print and online

- Approximately 20 radio and television reports

- 18 newsletters distributed to over 2,500 recipients

- Information panels installed across 12 project sites

Colonial charadriiformes sometimes colonise sites that are open to the general public. This is parti-cularly the case for the Little Tern which nests on beaches. To minimise disturbance and the risk of breeding failure, temporary protection measures (information boards, physical barriers) are installed

around sensitive colonies. Studies have shown that it was only the installation of 1.5m grilled fencing, enclosing the colony completely and offering pro-tection against dogs, which allowed successful re-production rates of more than one chick per bree-ding pair.

Key numbers 3814 breeding pairs of Little Tern, across 80 colonies, benefited from protection measures up until 2018

512 pairs across 25 colonies during Life+ ENVOLL.

ActionAwareness and communication

ActionInstallation of measures to protect the colonies

3 films directed towards the general public have been created (www.life-envoll.eu): - Regard sur les laro-limicoles coloniaux: https://youtu.be/UPIJe5NVmpA

- De sable et de plumes: https://youtu.be/ZTr893XY_Sc

- Paroles partagées: https://youtu.be/JizfOBilbTw

A communication plan has been put into effect with the objective of increasing public awareness around the threats facing colonial charadriiformes, the various measures carried out and the results of the project.

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Although the project didn’t have any so-cio-economic goals, some results are worth highlighting:

- Implication of back-to-work schemes, com-munity work placements and work expe-rience programmes to carry out work in the field. This involved people who have often felt excluded from society and who have since expressed a sense of pride in having participated in a common project which has helped improve their self confidence.

- Local companies were subcontracted to

carry out the work. For every €1 spent wit-hin the framework of the Life+ ENVOLL pro-ject €1.72 of goods and services and €1.27 of added value was generated across the three Mediterranean regions, multiplier ef-fects place the project at 32nd and 4th place among the 64 Mediterranean sectors of ac-tivity.

- One million Euros spent on the Life+ EN-VOLL project created or maintained 19 full time jobs, the project ranks 6th amongst the sectors of activity mentioned above.

Evaluation of the socio-economic impact of the project

Thanks to the involvement of several organi-sations and the dynamics created during the project, certain actions will continue: The NGO Pôle-relai lagunes méditerranéennes will act as facilitator of the management and monito-ring network, and will also maintain and up-date the Météo des Oiseaux; monitoring and surveys will be coordinated by the CEN L-R

and the Tour du Valat; training modules will be promoted and administered by the Agence française pour la biodiversité, and the aware-ness-raising tools have been handed over to, and will continue to be used by, the various educational associations.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank them all very much!

What will happen after the Life+ ENVOLL project?

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MINISTÈREDE LA TRANSITION

ÉCOLOGIQUEET SOLIDAIRE

Project funded by:

With the participation of the institutional partners:

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