2nd Meeting of Signatories to the Raptors MoU (MoS2)

The Second Meeting of Signatories (MoS2) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia (Raptors MoU) began today in Trondheim, Norway. Gunn Paulsen, Norwegian Environment Agency, welcomed participants, highlighting increased awareness of birds of prey through conservation efforts. Lyle Glowka, CMS Office - Abu Dhabi, thanked the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, acknowledging its funding support has enabled the Raptors Coordinating Unit to be productive.

In the morning, the meeting discussed: rules of procedure; election of officers, electing Øystein Størkersen, Norway, as Chair and Ndeye Sene Thiam, Senegal, as Vice Chair; adoption of the agenda and meeting schedule; credentials; admission of observers; statements from Signatories, cooperating partners and observers; and the report of the Coordinating Unit. A side event, organized by BirdLife International, reviewed next steps to prevent poisoning of birds of prey.

In the afternoon, the meeting discussed: a report from the Interim Technical Advisory Group (TAG); a review of the implementation of the MoU and Action Plan, including national and regional raptor conservation strategies, with examples from Czech Republic and the Netherlands, and national reporting; and how implementation of the Raptors MoU Action Plan contributes to the delivery of the CMS Strategic Plan for Migratory Species. A side event, organized by the Norwegian Environment Agency, then convened on wind power and raptors.

In the evening, meeting participants attended a dinner reception, hosted by the Government of Norway.

MoS2 to the CMS Raptors MoU continued its second day in Trondheim, Norway, opening with a statement read by Borja Heredia, CMS Secretariat, on behalf of Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers, CMS Secretariat. During a signing ceremony, Comoros became the 53rd Signatory to the Raptors MoU.

In the morning, the meeting discussed the CMS Secretariat’s report and conservation initiatives under the Raptors MoU, including on species and threats. Several presentations were shared on conservation initiatives, including trust-building activities within the Saker Global Action Plan, and research on the illegal killing and taking of Mediterranean birds. Two side events followed, occurring directly before and after lunch, entitled “Electrocution of birds of prey - a real threat to the Saker Falcon,” organized by the International Association for Falconry and Protection of Birds of Prey (IAF) and “Energy and migratory raptors - solutions for a brighter future” organized by BirdLife International.

The meeting continued in the afternoon to conclude discussions on other conservation initiatives, such as the African Raptor Data Bank on a mobile application to gather data on raptor sightings in Africa, followed by another presentation on data bank initiatives. MoS2 then discussed institutional arrangements, including amendment proposals to the list of species in Annex 1 and Table 3 of the Action Plan, the list of range states in Annex 2, and the list of sites in Annex 3. Delegates then heard nominations received for the formal establishment of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and applauded those nominated.

In the evening, a side event, entitled “Old World Vultures - the need for a Multi-Species Action Plan” organized by the Endangered Wildlife Trust, was held, together with a reception.

MoS2 to the CMS Raptors MoU continued its third day in the field, with delegates convening in the morning to join an all-day excursion, coordinated by the Government of Norway. They traveled from the host city Trondheim to several Norwegian raptor and cultural sites. Delegates took a bus eastward, traveling to Hell, Tydal and onward to Brekken near the Swedish border. They then stopped at Røros, a former cooper-smelting site, to learn about its historic importance and technical functioning, as well as its former polluted state and later restoration efforts. Delegates returned to Trondheim, via the Støren Valley, offering opportunities to take in the landscape and to search for raptors and other migratory bird species.

Along the way, delegates visited several raptor habitats. In the lower coastal boreal zone dominated by spruce forests, delegates searched for the two most common raptors in the region: the Goshawk and the Sea Eagle, while passing a breeding site for the Eagle Owl. MoS2 Chair Øystein Størkersen, Norway, narrated along the way, pointing out that in denser Norwegian forests, the Tengmalm’s Owl and Pygmy Owl are the most typical species. In the higher areas, the typical raptor species are the Kestrel, Merlin and the Rough-legged Buzzard; however the delegates did not witness these. At elevations above 800 meters, Chair Størkersen pointed out that the terrain supports largely Grouse and Gyr Falcons (or Golden Eagles).

In the evening, delegates attended a cocktail reception, hosted by the Government of the Netherlands, on behalf of the EU Presidency.

On its fourth and final day, the Second Meeting of Signatories (MoS2) to the CMS Raptors MoU concluded in Trondheim, Norway, after agreeing to meet early to get the agenda underway.

In the morning, delegates reviewed the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) WorkPlan and discussed financial and administrative matters, notably current financial status and future funding. Delegates applauded the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi for providing four additional years of core funding to support work on raptors and dugongs in the Gulf and wider African-Eurasian region. Delegates then discussed the African vulture crisis and were introduced to the African-Eurasian Vulture Multi-species Action Plan (MSAP) to support conservation efforts across flyways. The meeting continued with a summary and adoption of the Meeting Outcomes, wherein delegates adopted amendments to Annex 1 and 3 of the MoU and “took note” of many outstanding issues to be forwarded to MoS3.

Two side events occurred during the morning session, on: “Conservation issues of Malagasy migratory birds of prey,” organized by the Ministry of Environment, Madagascar; and “Quantifying, monitoring and tackling illegal killing and taking of birds in the Mediterranean and beyond,” organized by BirdLife International.

Lyle Glowka, CMS Office - Abu Dhabi, thanked all participating bodies, noting that "good things happen when people share a passion and believe in a mission." Chair Øystein Størkersen, Norway, closed the meeting, thanking delegates and encouraging them to liaise across sectors and networks to prevent the illegal killing, taking and trade (IKB). The meeting closed at 12.28 p.m.