4th International Peregrine Conference - Budapest 2017

Written by Janusz Sielicki

 

4th International Peregrine Conference – Budapest, Hungary 2017
27 September - 1st October 2017

Follows on from International Peregrine Conferences in Madison, WI, USA 1965,  Sacramento, CA, USA, 1985
and Piotrowo/Poznan, Poland 2007

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Current news:

The Conference was held in Budapest as planned

Please download 

"4th International Peregrine Conference Abstract book " file in pdf:

We thank all partcicipansta and authors of presented papers and posters.

Now we will work on the final publication.

We call all Peregrine specialists to contribute to the publication, also if they were not able to take part in the conference itself.

The book after previous Peregrien Conference is still available. 

More info on the book "Peregrine Falcon populations - status and perspectives in the 21st century": http://www.falconline.eu/peregrinus/shop/11-28-0-Peregrine-Falcon-populations---status-and-perspectives-in-the-21st-century.html

 

On the Conference:

The Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus is an icon of success in nature conservation.

In many countries Peregrine populations are in favourable conservation status, even better than before the major declines that occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. In many countries there are ongoing projects involving reintroduction and management of the wild populations, in others such projects have now ended successfully. However, there still remains the challenging task to re-establish the tree-nesting population in central Europe.

The organisers of the Budapest Conference have the honour to announce Professor Tom Cade as a member of the Scientific Committee and welcome his generous proposal to count the next year's Conference in line with the Madison (1965), Sacramento (1985) and Poznan (2007) Conferences, making it the 4th International Conference to be dedicated to the Peregrine Falcon.

Peregrine studies are routinely presented at ornithological conferences, but as one of many other issues. This Conference will bring together experts and researchers from around the world to present the extensive range of Peregrine research that has been carried out over the last ten years.

The first such conference took place in 1965 in Madison, and was successful not only in highlighting the effects of organochlorines on Peregrine populations, but also in bringing a diverse audience together with the common purpose of restoring this species' fortunes. As Cade et al. (1988)* state "As the most cosmopolitan naturally-distributed bird in the world, and as a top predator in the global ecosystem, the Peregrine was and is a unique biological monitor of the quality of the world's environments. Long known as the bird of kings, the Peregrine's preeminent position in falconry and its embodiment of nobility in the wild helped rally to the cause of biological conservation an extraordinary array of individuals and organizations." 

* "Peregrine falcon populations: their management and recovery", Edited by T.C.Cade, J.H.Enderson, C.G.Thelander and C.M.White, The Peregrine Fund, 1988.

The 1985 Conference in Sacramento, USA, gathered an enormous number (circa 500) specialists from all over the world. They concluded that modern techniques of breeding and reintroduction, together with a ban on DDT, would allow recovery of many Peregrine populations. 

A smaller regional conference  was held in1994 in Włocławek, Poland (proceedings in Acta Ornithologica, Vol. 30, No 1, 1995, see  on the web).

The 2007 Conference in Poland (proceedings published in "Peregrine Falcon populations – status and perspectives in the 21st century", see on the web) confirmed the recovery of many Peregrine populations around the world  and positive growth of many others. 

Now, a decade after the Poznan Conference, the global status of the Peregrine has improved significantly.  And to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Peregrine returning to breed in Hungary, the 4th International Peregrine Conference is to be held in Budapest.

This Conference offers a unique opportunity for Peregrine enthusiasts from all over the world to meet up to renew old acquaintances, make new friends and exchange knowledge, experience and ideas.  It will be an international celebration of this truly spectacular and cosmopolitan bird for prey.

This Conference is a collaborative effort involving the following organisations 

Hermann Otto Institute will host the Conference with help of other organisations.

This co-organiser of the Conference 

The Conference is sponsored by

We are open to further collaboration with other organisations and interested parties.

Topics

The Key topics will focus on the Peregrine Falcon and will likely include those listed below. 

However, authors are most welcome to submit papers on any aspect of the Peregrine Falcon for consideration by the Scientific Committee.

The sessions will be decided by Scientific Committee on the basis of provided abstracts.

  • populations - current status and trends
  • conservation - approaches and techniques
  • breeding sites - tree-nesting recovery and urban colonisation
  • genetics - including taxonomy
  • contaminants
  • diseases
  • ringing and marking – benefits, risks and problems in cooperation
  • movements - dispersal, habitat use and migration studies
  • threats - human persecution, poisoning, electrocution and collisions
  • sustainable use
  • conservation icon - international collaboration and cooperation 
  • climate change - potential influences and impacts 
  • hybridisation risk - real or perceived?
  • Peregrines as ecological indicators

The Scientific Committee

  • Kurt Burnham
  • Tom Cade
  • Andrew Dixon
  • Ed Drewitt
  • Knud Falk
  • Vladimir Galushin
  • Victor Hurley
  • Andrew Jenkins
  • Robert Kenward
  • Wolfgang Kirmse
  • Andrey Kovalenko
  • Peter Lindberg
  • Tadeusz Mizera
  • Torgeir Nygard
  • Giacomo Dell'Omo
  • Mátyás Prommer - Co-chairman
  • Adrian Reuter
  • Ralph Rogers
  • Christian Saar
  • Miguel Saggese
  • Janusz Sielicki - Chairman
  • Peter Wegner
  • Clayton White
  • Nick P. Williams
  • Mark Wilson
  • Michael Wink
  • Inigo Zuberogoitia

Executive Secretary - if You have any questions, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you plan to submit anything by post , please use the following address:

TURUL Robert Zmuda
Post Box 11
00-837 Warsaw 22
Poland

Programme

27 September (Wednesday)

10:00 – 10:40 – Arrival, registration

10:40 – 11:00 – Welcome and opening speeches

11:00 – 12:40 – Presentations

·        Prommer, M., Bagyura, J., Molnár, I. L.: State and Dynamics of the Peregrine Population in Hungary after Twenty Years of the Comeback – New Challenges

·        Beran, V., Vrána, J.: Population Trends and Diversification of Breeding Habitats of Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in the Czech Republic since 1990

·        Sielicki, J., Sielicki, S.: Falconry and Restoration of Peregrine Falcon Population in Poland 1990 – 2017

·        Sorokin, A. G., Galushin, V. M.: Strategy for the Peregrine Conservation in Russia

12:40 – 14:00 – Buffet lunch

14:00 – 15:40 – Presentations

·        Khlopotova, A., Shershnev, M.: Peregrine Falcon in the Middle Ural, Russia

·        Pazhenkov, A., Karyakin, I., Afanasyev, D., Krivopalova, A., Pazhenkova, E.: To Restoration of the Tree-Nesting Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Population in the Volga-Ural Region

·        Karyakin, I., Nikolenko, E., Bekmansurov, R., Pazhenkov, A., Zinevich, L.: The Peregrine Falcon in the Volga-Ural and Altai-Sayan Regions of Russia

·        Isaev, A. P., Solomonov, N. G., Gabyshev, V. Y., Sleptsov, S.M.: The Current State of Peregrine Falcon in Yakutia

15:40 – 16:00 – Closing remarks

***

28 September (Thursday)

09:00 – 09:45 – Workshop I.

                        Arctic Falcons Specialist Group (Chairman: Knud Falk)

(See description of workshops below)

09:45 – 11:00 – Presentations

·        Hodson, K.: Half a Century of Monitoring of Peregrines along the Mackenzie River in Northern Canada

·        Sielicki, J.: Peregrine – Population Modelling

·        Kéry, M., Banderet, G., Monneret, R.-J., Schaub, M.: Integrated Modelling of the Dynamics of a Western European Peregrine Population Over Half a Century

11:00 – 11:20 – Coffee break

11:20 – 12:35 – Presentations

·        Abuladze, A.: Present Status of Peregrine Falcon in Georgia

·        Rau, F., Becht, J., Lühl, R.: Long-term Monitoring of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Population in Southwest Germany: Population Trends and Current Changes of Breeding Habitats

·        Vangeluwe, D.: The Peregrine in Belgium – From Extinction to World Star

12:35 – 14:00 – Buffet lunch

14:00 – 15:50 – Poster session

15:50 – 16:00 – Closing remarks

***

29 September (Friday)

09:00 – 11:00 – Workshop II.

Workshop on Biology and Conservation of Hierofalcons(Chairmen: Maurizio Sarà, Giovanni Leonardi)

11:00 – 11:20 – Coffee break

11:20 – 12:35 – Presentations

·        Zuberogoitia, I., Astorkia, L., Castillo, I., Burgos, G., Larrea, M., Azkona, A., Zuberogoitia, J., Zabala, J.: Trends of Peregrine Falcon in Northern Spain – Results of a Long-term Monitoring Project

·        Nygård, T., Reinsborg, T.: Increasing Peregrine Population in Central Norway Shifting from the Coast to the Inland – A 40-year Study

·        McGrady, M. J., Hines, J. E., Rollie, C., Smith, G. D., Morton, E. R., Moore, J. F., Mearns, R. M., Newton, I., Murillo-García, O. E., Oli, M. K.: Territory Occupancy and Breeding Success of Peregrines at Various Stages of Population Recovery

12:35 – 14:00 – Buffet lunch

14:00 – 15:40 – Presentations

·        Varland, D. E., Buchanan, J. B., Fleming, T. L., Kenney, M. K.: Scavenging as a Food Acquisition Strategy by Peregrine Falcons

·        Kleinstäuber, G., Kirmse, W., Langgemach, T.: Nesting Habitat Selection of Peregrine Falcons in Eastern Germany – The State of Knowledge

·        Lindner, M., Bäumer, B.: Influence of the Eagle Owl on the Peregrine Falcon Population in North-Rhine – Westphalia

·        Dixon, N., Gibbs, A.: Extreme Territorial Aggression by Urban Peregrine Falcons Towards Common Buzzards in South-West England

15:40 – 16:00 – Closing remarks

 

***

30 September (Saturday)

09:00 – 11:00 – Workshop III. & IV.

Urban Peregrines: an update and perspectives(Chairman: Giacomo Dell'Omo)

Reconstructing the process of Peregrine’s return to Europe(Chairmen: Mátyás Prommer, Janusz Sielicki)

11:00 – 11:20 – Coffee break

11:20 – 12:35 – Presentations

·        Bondi, S., Vitale, E., Antioco, N., Guzzo, E., Schifani, E., Mascara, R., Sarà, M.: Comparative Analysis of Lanner and Peregrine Trophic Niche in the Mediterranean

·        Bondi, S., Guzzo, E., Mascara, R., Zanca, L., Sarà, M.: Natal Dispersal of First-Winter Peregrine Falcons

·        Dell'Omo, G.: Transition to Independence and Onset of Dispersal of Urban Peregrines

12:35 – 14:00 – Buffet lunch

14:00 – 15:40 – Presentations

·        Nowak, Z., Sielicki, S.: Genetic Variability of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus) Intended for Reintroduction in Poland

·        Inderwildi, E., Müller, W., Ayé, R.: Intentional Poisoning of Peregrine Falcons in Switzerland – An Important Threat Factor?

·        Williams, N.: The Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) – An introduction

·        Prommer, M., Bagyura, J.: Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) vs Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) in Hungary – Competitors or Not?

15:40 – 16:00 – Closing the conference

 

***

 

1 October (Sunday)

Excursion to Vértes Hills area by bus. Maximum 45 persons.

Departure from Budapest: 09:00

Arrival to Budapest: 17:00

 

DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOPS

 

 

Arctic Falcons Specialist Group (Chairman: Knud Falk)

Working meeting: collaboration on joint circumpolar publication, harmonisation and sharing basic monitoring parameters, and contributing to Arctic Councils’ upcoming State of the Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Report (START). Meeting is mainly for AFSG members, but open to visitors.

 

Workshop on Biology and Conservation of Hierofalcons (Chairmen: Maurizio Sarà, Giovanni Leonardi)

The Hierofalco group include Gyr (Falco rusticolus), Saker (Falco cherrug), Lanner (Falco biarmicus) and Laggar Falcons (Falco jugger) – closely related species that inhabit open habitats from deserts across temperate steppes to arctic tundra. Due to various reasons the level of knowledge on their biology, precise distribution and ecology is not equal for all species and regions. The workshop aims to have an overview on the state of the species’ conservation status, threats, ongoing conservation actions highlight shortages and needs for research and conservation measures. It also provides good opportunity to share best conservation/research practices that can be used in case of other Hierofalco species. As an outcome, we expect to form a network of Hierofalco specialists and address common research topics on comparative ecology of species with strong conservation implications. The conference is a unique occasion for assembling Hierofalco specialists in a single workshop to share their experience. Contributions on the Laggar falcon are very welcomed due the very poor knowledge on this species.

 

Urban Peregrines: an update and perspectives (Chairman: Giacomo Dell'Omo)

In the last 15 years Peregrines have progressively colonized our cities and nowadays breed in a variety of structures in many countries. As an example, the first Peregrines breeding in Rome were recorded in 2005 and there are now (2017) not less than 14 breeding pairs. In many other Italian and European cities peregrines have also increased their presence both as wintering and breeding birds. The workshop will be an opportunity to discuss among many of us the urbanisation of the peregrines in our countries and update on the current situation in various European cities. Urban peregrines represent a unique opportunity in that they are easier to observe and to access than those living on cliffs and therefore can be studied across cities using the same protocol. They are suitable for behavioural, genetic and ecotoxicology studies and for studying the population dynamics and regulation. They also can represent a bio-indicator that can allow comparisons across cities. Many of the nest sites are under camera surveillance and the behaviour of the birds can be observed in detail by thousands of people on the web. The workshop will also represent an opportunity to set up a network of those interested in sharing their data and participate to a common protocol of data collection for the coming years. This could help to harmonise the efforts and target with a coordinated approach specific issues across countries. The peregrines is already an important  flag species, birds living in cities can even better fulfill this role as they live closer to us.

 

Reconstructing the process of Peregrine’s return to Europe (Chairmen: Mátyás Prommer, Janusz Sielicki)

Peregrines have been successfully re-populating Europe after the population collapse in the DDT era. The process has been closely followed in many European countries, yet no comprehensive analysis has been made on European-level including data from the various countries. The workshop aims to examine the potential for a common European project to map the return of the species, unveil hidden connections and understand the recolonization process as much as possible.

 

If you have any questions – please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Payments should paid in EURO. In case of payment in any other currency You will be asked to cover exchange rates of the bank.

Payment should include in the title name of the participant and description of fee (Full, Standard, Student).
After you pay, please send the confirmation of your payment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
 
Payment should be done to the following account:
 
Account owner: Stowarzyszenie Sokol, ul. Osiedlowa 1, 87-800 Wloclawek, Poland
Bank Ochrony Srodowiska, I Oddzial we Wloclawku, ul. Kosciuszki 15, 87-800 Wloclawek, Poland
IBAN PL 62 1540 1069 2106 8721 8535 0003
SWIFT code  EBOSPLPW050

 

Field trip 1 October (Sunday)

Excursion to Vértes Hills and Csíkvarsa meadows (http://www.dunaipoly.hu/en/places/protected-areas/protected-areas-1/protected-landscape-area-of-vertes). The area is part of Danube-Ipoly National Park (http://www.dinpi.hu/index.php?lang=en) and hosts a great variety of habitats from steppe grasslands to ravines, cliffs and beech forests. Accordingly, you can find many species dwelling in those habitats. We visit steppe-like semi-natural grasslands maintained by grazing, meadows, forests and dry hills. We also visit the visitor centre of Pro Vértes Public Foundation, the major conservation organisation in the area that manages habitats for nature.

We have chance to see peregrine and saker falcon (the only area in Hungary and maybe in Central Europe, where you can find them nesting in the same area close to each other), white-tailed and imperial eagle, kestrel, sparrowhawk, goshawk, marsh harrier, common buzzard. If we are lucky, we may see some late red-footed falcon (although large communal roosts up to a few thousand individuals can be found in Southeast-Hungary), hobby, short-toed eagle or honey buzzard.

The field trip starts at 9:00 from Budapest (exact location is decided later). Lunch will be provided in the afternoon. We expect to return to Budapest at about 17:00.