CONCRETE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE CONSERVATION STATUS OF KENTISH PLOVER

2026-07-22

"Kentish plover is a ground-nesting bird, strictly protected in Europe (Annex I Birds Dir 2009/147/EEC) and also in Italy (Art. 2 Nat. L.157/92). The status of Kentish plover (KP), Charadrius alexandrinus, is assessed as declining because EU28 population and range declined by atleast 20% since 1980, with a continuous decline since 2001. According to the Report under the Article 12 of the Birds Directive, period 2013-2018, the EU breeding population (6,600-14,000 pairs) trend is decreasing both in short and in long term. The minimum number of detected pairs in the project area is 146 in 2023, (126 in Italy and 20 in Croatia). The species is threatened by several factors linked to the human frequentation of its nesting habitats: tourists, beach cleaning, marine litter, predation, degradation of habitats, coastal erosion. The Project aims to contrast the cited decreasing trend in Italian and Croatian coasts, acting in 57 N2K sites (SPA and SAC), spread over 10 Italian regions and 2 Croatian regions, included in national and regional protected areas, for a total surface of approximately 2,400 Kmq with more 500 km of coasts. Main objectives: 1. reduction of impacts on species by humans and predators; 2. prevent loss and deterioration of species habitats; 3. creation of a “KP model” for coast management; 4. Strengthening of Natura 2000 network. The project will act on protection measures for nesting sites and suitable areas, establishment of obliged access to the sea, surveillance measures for nesting sites, management of conflicts among main stakeholders,catalysing the large-scale deployment of best practice and improving the capacities of authorities and civil society to support them, support the management of N2K network, draft of “National Guidelines for Kentish plover conservation in Italy” and a “Best Practice Toolkit"" for general public."

Italy

2025-10-15