SmartBirds
The fifth Project Board meeting of the LIFE project “LIFE Danube Free Sky” took place on November 19–20 in Egerszalók, Hungary. Partners from all participating countries gathered to present the project’s progress and collaborate on plans for the upcoming period. Тhe project partners from Bulgaria – the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria) and EDG West – also participated, showcasing activities and achievements from the past year.
In addition to the Project Board meeting, an Advisory Board meeting was held, bringing together numerous experts on the issue of bird collisions with power lines, as well as manufacturers and distributors of protective devices designed to prevent bird strikes and electrocution. The meeting offered a platform for sharing the latest findings, innovations, and solutions to mitigate these challenges.
Electrocution and collisions with power lines remain among the most significant threats to wild bird species, causing thousands of preventable deaths and injuries each year. The LIFE Danube Free Sky project directly addresses these threats through a unique transnational collaboration along the Danube River—one of Europe’s most important migratory corridors, stop-over sites, and wintering grounds for countless bird species.
Over the five-year implementation period, the project’s 15 partners from seven countries will develop effective solutions to protect birds. Key outcomes will include improving the visibility of more than 245 km of high-priority power lines and adapting over 3,200 of the most hazardous utility poles within the project area to ensure bird safety.
To explore the Danube River’s fascinating biodiversity and conservation efforts, discover a virtual trail of key sites along the river HERE.
