The project

To counter the alarming decline of wet grassland breeding bird populations in the Atlantic region of Europe, conservation projects need to be guided by a global strategy that addresses conservation challenges along the entire East Atlantic Flyway. Migratory birds equally require healthy ecosystems in their breeding and non-breeding grounds. 

For instance, breeding habitats in Lower Saxony in Germany and Fryslân in the Netherlands, resting habitats in the Tagus estuary in Portugal, and wintering habitats in the Saloum delta in Senegal are all connected through an annual migration cycle of many bird species. Therefore, conservation efforts need to address challenges simultaneously along this network of habitats.

We propose an inclusive multi-species Strategic Conservation Plan (SCP) for migratory birds along the East Atlantic Flyway. The SCP targets 11 species (including the Black-tailed Godwit and the Eurasian Curlew, to name a few) breeding in wet grasslands of Atlantic Europe and wintering in West Africa. The SCP will include country-specific chapters to allow national conservation practitioners to present their strategies and expertise.