Restoration of Meadow Bird Habitats (REMAB)

LIFE 06NAT/DK/0158

Project objektives

• To restore and maintain a favourable conservation status for Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii) and Ruff (Philomachus pugnax at four key sites in Denmark

• To restore favourable conservation status for associated habitat types salt meadows (1330) and hard oligo- mesotrophic waters with Chara (3140) and habitats for Black tern (Chlidonias niger), Bittern (Boutaurs stellaris) and Spotted crake (Porzana porzana)

VESTLIGE VEJLER

HARBOØRE

TANGE

VEST

AMAGER

NYORD

Background - Threats

Means

• Improve hydrology

• Re-establish meadows

• Improve management

• Predator control

• Public awareness

Expected results

• Hydrology will be improved on 1900 ha meadow • 220 ha with trees and scrub and 18 ha with reeds will be cleared• Breeding and feeding habitat of Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and

Black tern (Chlidonias niger) will be enhanced at the project site Vejlerne.

• Management will be improved on 902 ha meadow by establishment of a Grazing society and by the development of a management plan

• Predation by foxes will be reduced at two project sites by establishment of 25 artificial fox dens and a gate that will prevent foxes from entering the island Nyord

• A favourable conservation status for 975 ha Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. will be restored at Vejlerne

• Possibilities to experience meadow birds will be enhanced by establishing 5 km foot path and a bird observation platform at the project site Amager.

• Best practice experiences for meadow bird habitat management will be shared at a seminar in spring 2009.

VESTLIGE VEJLER

Actions:

• Management Plan

• Restoration of dikes

• Redesign of at sluice and establishment of weirs

HARBOØRE TANGE

Action:• Construction of an

automatic sluice gate

VEST AMAGER

Actions:• Clearing of trees

and shrub (220 ha)• 20 adjustable weirs • 20 artificial fox

dens• Bird observation

platform• Foot path

NYORD

Actions:• Grazing society• Blue border zone• Replace dams with

fords in order to improve hydrology

• Adjustable weir• 5 artificial fox dens• Fox securing a

bridge

NYORD

Actions:• Grazing society• Blue border zone• Replace dams with

fords in order to improve hydrology

• Adjustable weir• 5 artificial fox dens• Fox securing a

bridge

Animated picture of gate to prevent foxes from entering the

Island Nyord

Lessons learned (so fare)

Time consuming elements:

• Negotiations with private landowners

• The weather• Archiving

permissions• Change of project

group members

Other elemets:• Backing

Effect from grazing(Lab wing nests at Vest Amager)

Year Fenced No. of nests

No. of nest with hatched eggs

1998 No 35 7

1999 No 45 2

2000 Yes 45 19

2001 No 21 4

2002 Yes 43 27