Background SPA Promontorio del Gargano was established in 2005 and is located in the Gargano National Park. It hosts species included in Italy’s red list, such as endemic raptors, but these are threatened by: loss of favourable nesting sites; disturbance of rocky slopes due to the climbing activity; alteration of the trophic supply due to changes in agricultural practices; and risks from pesticides and fertilisers. Objectives The project focused on protecting the SPA’s threatened raptors in order to ensure future localised populations of lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), Laner falcon (Falco biarmicus), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo). All of these are Annex I species from the Birds Directive. Species-specific goals included: restoring two colonies of 10-15 pairs of Falco naumanni in the towns of San Giovanni Rotondo and Monte Sant’Angelo; conserving seven pairs of Falco biarmicus and safeguarding up to five staging individuals of Neophron percnopterus and two pairs of Bubo bubo. Project actions also planned to assist the elaboration of an operative strategy, at Italian and European level, to protect Neophron percnopterus, as well as a local action plan for Bubo bubo. Results The project obtained successful results for the lesser kestrel conservation work. Breeding and restocking activities were carried out very well and the number of colonies and nesting pairs observed in the project area significantly increased, from one to two colonies (16 pairs) to over 20 (209 pairs). Other project success was achieved during the reclamation of cliffs thanks to the involvement of free climbers. Relevant results were obtained for Laner falcon because the number of observed pairs increased (from three to six) and two out of four nesting pairs were observed in the reclaimed sites. The conservation of Egyptian vulture did not improve during the project implementation. It actually decreased (two individuals were observed in 2009 but none was recorded in the project area after that), confirming the trend at national level. Project actions aimed at increasing the availability of prey for the target species (via introduction of feeding areas and dovecotes) were not very successful. Feeding areas, that were constructed outside the project, were supplied with meat only for a few months in 2009 (the actual implementation of this action is currently unclear). Only three dovecotes were constructed during the project implementation, because this action was not well accepted by local farmers. However, five dovecotes have been constructed after the project end date but in another SPA (Monte Calvo e Piana di Montenero). A weak point was also the fact that the project did not contribute to the implementation of the National Action Plan for Egyptian vulture. The conservation status of Eurasian Eagle-Owl has drastically decreased and no individual was registered during the project implementation. A feasibility study for the reintroduction of the species was elaborated instead of a Local Action Plan. Overall, the monitoring activities and the didactic activities carried out at Lago Salso were well done. The project management encountered many difficulties because the structure of the project staff was not well designed. Mainly temporarily contracted staff had been engaged instead of civil servants. This hindered administrative procedures and overall efficiency of the project management. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).