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There have been several international initiatives for the species, briefly summarised in the
introduction to this plan. These include the 1988–1990 BirdLife International project (Gretton
1991), the EU (ACNAT) project (European Commission 1994), the Bonn Convention
Memorandum of Understanding which has been signed by 14 range-states with a further 4-5
expected by the end of 1995, and the Agreement of Cooperation for breeding-ground searches.
An EU LIFE project commencing in 1996 envisages cooperation between Greek and foreign
scientists, including links between Greek and Russian research.
* Albania
2 records, 1992–1993 (max. 5 birds).
The species is likely to have been greatly under-recorded during much of the twentieth century,
and therefore it is included here as a potential range-state (further surveys are a high priority).
Little is known about the current hunting situation, but in view of the economic situation,
curlews are likely to be at some risk.
* Algeria
7 records, 1977–1990 (max. 37 birds), plus 3 unconfirmed records.
The Slender-billed Curlew has been protected since 1983, but other
Numenius species and
godwits Limosa are not protected. For the last two years, since the political situation deteriorated,
hunting has been entirely banned; prior to that hunting was allowed on just one day per week.
There are some 40,000 licensed hunters. There is not thought to be a serious problem with the
poaching of waders, while tourist hunters mainly hunt wild boar.
The RSPB carried out surveys for the Slender-billed Curlew in 1990 and 1992 (Chown and
Linsley 1994), resulting in one record of the species; IRSNB also surveyed selected areas in
November 1992, as part of the EU (ACNAT) project.
* Bulgaria
19 records, 1903–1993 (max. 4–7 birds), plus 10 unconfirmed records.
Key
site: Lake Atanasovo (6 records).
All Numenius and Limosa species are protected, along with most other waders (Ordinance 342,
21/4/86); the penalty for shooting a Slender-billed Curlew has been increased to the maximum
(30,000 leva = c.$450). The penalties for shooting all other curlew and godwit species are also
high (10,000 leva). Among waders, only Snipe and Woodcock are legal quarry. There are some
90,000 licensed hunters, plus 700–800 foreign hunters per year. There is a problem with
poaching at some areas (including Lake Atanasovo) and a serious problem with largely
uncontrolled foreign hunters shooting globally threatened species (e.g. Red-breasted Goose,
White-headed Duck).
The Slender-billed Curlew was not included in the 1985 Red Data Book. Bulgaria was not
included as a full range-state in the 1988–1990 BirdLife International project, as only seven
records of the species were then known to BirdLife International. In 1993 surveys for the species
were carried out by BSPB and D. Nankinov under the EU (ACNAT) project, and
recommendations for conservation action were made; these have been included in the proposals
below. A preliminary management plan for Lake Atanasovo has been produced by RSPB and
BSPB. A second site used by the Slender-billed Curlew, Chengene skele, is now legally
protected, following efforts by BSPB. A national plan for the conservation of wetlands has been
compiled by the Ministry of the Environment, BSPB, scientific institutes, etc.
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* Greece
70 records, 1918–1993 (max. c.150 birds), plus 7 unconfirmed records.
Key
sites: Evros delta (SPA), Porto Lagos (SPA), Axios delta (SPA).
Curlews and godwits are legally protected throughout the year (penalty c.$300–3000) but illegal
hunting remains problematic in Greece. Intense hunting pressure occurs in the small hunting
zones within the Evros and Axios deltas. These exclude areas used by Slender-billed Curlews but
the risk od disturbance or illegal encroachment by hunters remians. There are some 300,000
licensed hunters, but only a small proportion are said to pursue waterfowl and/or waders. The
Slender-billed Curlew is listed in the Red Data Book (Handrinos 1992) as endangered.
Surveys for the Slender-billed Curlew (and Lesser White-fronted Goose) were carried out at the
Evros delta in 1987/88, by RSPB and the Hellenic Ornithological Society;
subsequently a poster
was produced for these two species. BirdLife International, with V. Goutner, carried out surveys
in northern Greece in 1988 and 1989. WWF has been supporting the conservation of key Greek
wetlands through the “Red Alert” project and their support of the Greek Wetland centre,
established near Thessaloniki in 1991. A management plan for the Evros delta has been produced
and a Joint Ministerial Decision to delineate the site is in preparation. Further work on the
species was carried out during 1993–1994 under the EU (ACNAT) project (Handrinos in
European Commission 1994) and under another EU contract (Vangeluwe and Handrinos 1995).
Moreover, a LIFE project started in 1996 to be implemented at six key wetland sites for the
species.
* Hungary
85 records, 1903–1991 (max. 36 birds), plus one unconfirmed record.
Key
sites: Hortobágy; Kardoskut.
All three curlew species (and godwits) have been protected since 1954, and the legislation is
well-respected and enforced. The fine for killing a Slender-billed Curlew is now 250,000 forint
(close to the maximum) and potentially one year in jail. Among waders, only Snipe Gallinago
gallinago and Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola are
legal quarry, and all hunting is forbidden at the
key sites. There are some 45,000 licensed hunters and about 25,000 visiting hunters; there have
been some problems with visiting Italians not respecting Hungarian hunting laws (e.g. Great
White Egret Egretta alba being shot).
Hungary was fully involved in the 1988-1990 BirdLife International project and the recent EU
(ACNAT) project. The penalty for shooting Slender-billed Curlew was recently increased (it was
previously only 1,000 forint). The staff of the Hortobágy National Park are well aware of the
species and its needs. Detailed management recommendations for the Hortobágy and Kardoskut
were included in the ACNAT report.
* Iran
6 records, 1963–1973 (max. 7 birds), plus 35 unconfirmed records.
There is apparently virtually no wader hunting, at least for food, as the meat is considered
unclean by muslims (B. Behrouzi-Rad in litt.). No information is available on current hunting
laws and penalties. BirdLife International supported surveys in 1990, which resulted in four
unconfirmed records of the species. D. A. Scott and M. Smart visited Iran in the 1992/93 winter,
but did not record the species and were unable to fully evaluate the previous records (D. A. Scott
in litt. 1994).