Background Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) is one of the most characteristic birds of the Aegean Sea. It is a migrating falcon that breeds in colonies on uninhabited islets or remote cliffs of inhabited islands. It is named as a priority bird species under LIFE. With the exception of a few hundred pairs in the North African coast, Cyprus and Croatia, around 90% of the species’ world population breeds in three EU member states: Greece (4 500 pairs), Italy (400 pairs) and Spain (730 pairs). In Greece, the species is found mainly in the Aegean sea and in the Crete region. The birds fly to their wintering quarters in Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean by the end of October, returning to Europe in late April. They breed in the Mediterranean region during late summer, with chicks fledging in early October. They are the only bird in the northern Hemisphere that breeds during this season, when other migrating birds are crossing the Mediterranean on their way to Africa. The main species threats in Greece are: human disturbance to breeding colonies; habitat degradation; agrochemical bio-accumulation in the species’ tissues; and predation of eggs and chicks by feral animals. In addition, the following three factors hinder the species’ effective conservation: lack of co-ordination among competent authorities; insufficient knowledge on the species; and a low level of public awareness. Objectives The ultimate aim of this LIFE project was the long-term preservation of a favourable conservation status for Falco eleonorae in Greece and the Mediterranean. The project was to take place in nine island special protection areas (SPAs) in the Aegean and in Crete. These islands host the most important colonies of the species in Greece and account for about 35% of the world population. The project expected to: effectively assess the present population status of Falco eleonorae in Greece as well as in the other Mediterranean countries where the rest of the population breeds organise an effective co-ordination and information exchange mechanism for the species support and enhance managerial and operational capabilities of regional and local authorities responsible for SPA conservation minimise human-induced causes of mortality of the bird implement management measures aiming to increase the breeding performance of the target species increase public awareness and involvement in the species conservation promote sustainable ecotourism activities at the project sites. Results This LIFE project significantly improved both knowledge and awareness of the Eleonora’s Falcon and has meant that an update of the European and national conservation status of the species is now required. The project conducted a detailed census of Falco eleonorae populations and breeding performance throughout the Mediterranean. It was the first to be carried out using the same methodology in all countries at the same time. It produced completely new estimates of the world population, revealing many previously undetected colonies. Greece was found to have more than 12 000 breeding pairs. The census also provided valuable information concerning the effect of agro-chemicals, tourists and predators on the species’ breeding success and mortality. The beneficiary implemented measures to enhance the quality of the species’ breeding habitat in important colonies. This included the construction or renovation of bathing and watering points in Antikythera and Dia. A particular success was a strategy to eradicate rats - a predator of the birds’ eggs - from five islets in the Northern Sporades using poisoned bait. This showed great promise for further applications. Conservation measures were also implemented to reduce human-induced causes of mortality. Regional and local authorities responsible for SPA conservation were supported through a National Wardening Plan to carry out coordinated monitoring of nesting sites. The project’s efforts helped protect nine sites from tourism-related pressures. The project led to the establishment of an effective conservation and information exchange network - the Falco eleonorae network (FEN) - across all Mediterranean countries. This will continue monitoring and management initiatives. There are already plans to repeat the census after another ten years. A particular innovation was the development of a common platform at Mediterranean level for the collection and exchange of information on the species and population trends. Since this activity covers almost 100% of the world’s breeding population of the species, it is an extremely valuable tool for the coordination of decision-making processes related to the bird’s conservation. The project increased public awareness of the bird and encouraged local participation in its conservation through events, presentations, leaflets, a website and a documentary. A species monograph, with many photos and drawings, was published in Greek and English. It includes the most important information gathered by the project. The project made a lot of effort to promote the notions of small island conservation and sustainable tourism. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section). This project has been selected as one of the 26 "Best" LIFE Nature projects in 2007-2008.