The activities were carried out within the framework of a BSPB project for conservation of Saker Falcon, financed by Operational Programme "Environment"
By the end of November 2022, Elektrorazpredelenie Yug (part of EVN) completed the securing of 948 dangerous conductors on more than 300 electric poles at risk for birds in the area of Natura 2000 protected areas in Sliven district - "Sinite kamani - Grebenets" (BG0002058) and "Kamenski bair" (BG0002059) in order to protect the globally endangered Saker Falcon.
The activity is part of a project of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), funded by the Operational Programme "Environment", which aims to protect the Saker Falcon.
To identify the specific poles, BSPB experts conducted a targeted field study of the electric lines, and then together with experts from Elektrorazpredelenie Yug in Sliven made a walk-around inspection of the lines and compiled a precise list of the type of poles to be secured in order to protect the birds. During the inspection, the data on the location, type of pole and condition of the relevant electric line were compared.
One of the main threats not only to the Saker Falcon, but also to many other bird species, is the mortality by electrocution when landing on unprotected poles of the electricity distribution grid. It is possible for a bird to simultaneously touch live conductors and grounded parts of a pole, causing a short circuit, and this not only takes away its life, but also causes power outage.
This is another joint activity in the long-standing partnership between Elektrorazpredelenie Yug and BSPB on bird conservation projects by securing the company's electricity distribution grid.
Elektrorazpredelenie Yug and BSPB continue their joint activities on the project "LIFE Safe Grid for Burgas".
The project is funded under the European Union LIFE programme and will be implemented by 2026 in the region of Burgas lakes, which are located on one of the two main migratory routes of birds in Europe - Via Pontica and are part of NATURA 2000 network in Bulgaria.
The aim of the project is to protect birds by reducing mortality due to contact with the overhead lines of the electricity distribution grid. In addition to bird precautions, the project will improve the security of electricity supply for customers in nearby settlements.
In 2022, experts from BSPB and Elektrorazpredelenie Yug prepared GIS database with description of the type and location of poles at risk. The securing of pole at risk started in November 2022, which is also one of the main activities of the project. Within the same project, it is planned to secure nearly 2,000 poles at risk.
