East Avifauna Baseline Study TAP

8/17/2019 East Avifauna Baseline Study TAP

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Integrated ESIA Greece Annex 6.5.5 - East - Avifauna Baseline Study


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Project Title: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0061Rev.: 00 / at10Document Title:

Integrated ESIA Greece Annex 6.5.5 - East - Avi fauna Basel ine Study

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

INTRODUCTION 3

1.1

General Information on Bird Fauna of Central, East Macedonia andThrace 3

1.2 Main Legislative Issues 4

1.3 Scope of Work 4

2 METHODOLOGY 5

2.1

Sampling Methodology 5

2.2

Study sites 7

2.3 Limitations, Uncertainties and Biases 12

3 RESULTS 14

4 CONCLUSIONS 25

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1 Sampling locations 7 Table 3-1 Bird species of conservation interest present and expected in the Study Area 15 Table 4-1 Main areas of consideration along the East TAP pipeline route 26


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1.2 Main Legislative Issues

The great majority of the birds in the wider area are protected by European and national

legislations, being the Birds directive 2009/147/EC the main legislative reference for the avifauna

protection; the rest of the species can be hunted in compliance with hunting seasons and quotas.

According to the Red Data Book1 at a national level, 1 of the species is classified as extinct, 14

are Critically Endangered, 17 are endangered, 31 are Vulnerable and 16 are Near Threatened,

26 are Least concern, 17 are Data deficient, 1 is Regionally extinct and 227 are Not evaluated.

1.3 Scope of Work

The study focuses on the presence of avian species along the pipeline route and within the study

zone of the Eastern part of TAP, in order to identify potential adverse effects on them. A main

objective of the work was to cover all the route of the pipeline and to gather data from

Thessaloniki plain (Nea Mesimbria village, Kp 359) to Kipoi at the Greek – Turkish borders

(KP 0). Greater emphasis was given to the areas considered of conservation concern (Natura

2000 sites, Wildlife refuges, National parks, Ramsar Sites and Important Bird Areas) located in

the vicinity of the pipeline route. Particular attention was paid to all species listed in Annex I of the

2009/147/EC Birds Directive, as well as to regularly occurring migratory species. Raptors,

species that breed in riverine areas or riparian forests, rare or localized species and species with

special nesting habitats such sandbanks, were intensively surveyed in order to find their nesting

sites and their proximity to pipeline route.

1Legakis.&.Maragou (2009)


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2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 Sampling Methodology

Prior to the planning of the field work, existing ornithological data from published literature and

relevant databases such as the IBA database of birdlife International were all assessed.

Information collected and in combination with the produced GIS thematic maps, were all

integrated in order to plan the field surveys. The aim of the field surveys was to identify important

bird habitats within the study zone, and to verify the potential presence of important bird species

that have been indicated by the literature as species that inhabit within the vicinity of the pipeline

route.

Five field surveys were conducted:

1. A preliminary study was carried out from 31/07/2012 to 01/08/2012, where a first

assessment of the areas of environmental concern crossed by the pipeline route was

conducted.

2. The second, more extensive field survey took place from 10/09/2012 to 14/09/2012,

included recordings of bird species and their suitable habitats and was mainly focused in

the areas of conservation concern (National Parks, SPA’s, SAC’s or Wildlife refuge areas)

along the pipeline route from Thessaloniki to Komotini (KP 98 to 359).

3. The third survey was conducted on October 2012. It was extensive (included recording of

bird species and their association with habitats) and was mainly focused in the areas of

conservation concern along the pipeline route from Komotini to Kipoi (KP 0 to 98).

4. The fourth field survey was carried out from 25/04/2013 to 28/04/2013 and covered the

proposed pipeline route from Thessaloniki to Aggitis river crossing (KP 224 to 359). An

extensive field survey took place along the whole pipeline route, including recording of

bird species, their suitable habitats and searching of nesting sites (in cases where nesting

behaviour was recorded).

5. The fifth field survey took place from 7/5/2013 to 11/05/2013 and covered the proposed

pipeline from Aggitis river to Kipoi in Evros prefecture (KP 0 to 224). The intensity of the

sampling was the same as the fourth field survey.


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Sampling in all surveys was performed between 9:00 and19:00 in both seasons and a minimum

counting period of 10 minutes was used at each plot for the point count, a 15 to 20 minutes forthe vantage point and 30 minutes was used at each line transect. Additionally, road transect

method was applied in secondary roads (e.g. farmland or forest roads).

2.2 Study sites

The sampling locations of point counts are presented in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1 Sampling locationsWay Point

(WP). Area Habitat type Shortest

distance topipeline

centreline (m)

KP

WP120 Evros river plain Intensively cultivated fields with bushes,Populus plantations

40 1

WP119 As above Intensively cultivated fields 14 3


WP117 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to Egnatiaroad

198 13

WP116 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,scattered trees

8 18

WP115 As above Non intensively arable land with deciduousforest patches

190 19


5 22

WP113 As above Riparian forest 47 26

WP112 As above Pastures with evergreen forest patches 20 27

WP111 As above Coniferous forest 22 29

WP110 As above Coniferous forest 160 30

WP109 Loutros wider area Non intensively arable land with mixed

forest patches

16 31




WP105 Alex/poli area Non intensively arable land, with bushes,scattered trees and evergreen forestpatches

144 42

WP104 Alex/poli area Pastures and evergreen forest patches 13 46

WP103 As above Evergreen forest with pastures 6 47

WP102 As above Mixed forest 12 49

WP101 As above Evergreen and coniferous forest 5 53

WP100 As above Deciduous forest 186 56



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Way Point(WP).

Area Habitat type Shortestdistance to

pipelinecentreline (m)

KP

WP98 As above Deciduous forest with openings 10 58

WP97 Southern Evros mountains Pastures and evergreen forest patches 52 60

WP96 Southern Evros mountains Non intensively arable land, with bushes,scattered trees and evergreen forestpatches

42 62

WP95 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,hedges and scattered trees

138 66

WP94 As above Intensively cultivated fields with deciduousforest patches

8 69

WP93 As above Pastures 102 76

WP92 Filiouris plain Riparian forest 16 77

WP91 Filiouris plain Riparian forest 3 81

WP90 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to astream with reedbeds

50 86


WP88 As above Intensively cultivated fields and pastures 120 93

WP87 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,hedges and scattered trees

1 97

WP86 As above Riparian forest close to intensively arableland

38 98

1.4 Xatisio Riparian stands, intensively cultivated fields 86 98

1.7 Xatisio Intensively cultivated fields, with semi-

natural hedges

73 98

WP85 Komotini’s plain Non intensively arable land, with bushesand hedges

5 104


WP83 As above River Kompsatos, sandbanks and riverinevegetation

58 112

2a.4 Kompsatos area Non vegetative stream's sand bed 35 112

2a.8 As above Pastures and abandoned fields 245 117

WP82 As above Intensively cultivated fields and pastures 47 120

2b.1 As above Intensively cultivated fields 166 120

2b.2 As above Intensively cultivated fields 44 120

2b.4 As above Unvegetated sand bed, cultivated fields 10 122WP81 Kompsatos area Intensively cultivated fields 58 123

WP80 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to astream

46 125

2b.9 As above Pastures and cultivated fields 204 125

2b.10 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,scattered trees and evergreen forestpatches

62 125

2b.11 As above Intensively cultivated fields, with semi-natural hedges

250 127

WP79 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushesand hedges

93 130

WP78 Xannthi’s wider area Riparian forest 34 136

WP77 Xannthi’s wider area Intensively cultivated fields close toEgnatia road

63 146


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Way Point(WP).



KP


38 149


113 151


WP74 As above Riparian forest with non-intensivelycultivations

67 153

2c.15 As above As above 245 153

WP72 As above Non intensively cultivated fields 15 154


2c.12 As above As above 134 155WP71 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to a

stream with Populus trees4 157



WP69 As above Non intensively cultivated fields close to afreshwater inland lake

101 159

WP70 As above Freshwater inland reedbeds 28 159

WP68 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,hedges and deciduous forest patches

88 160

2c.2 Nestos plain Intensively cultivated fields, with semi-natural hedges

39 162





WP65 Nestos river plain Intensively cultivated fields – Rice fields 118 171

WP64 Nestos river plain Intensively cultivated fields 12 172

WP63 As above Intensively cultivated fields and evergreenbush land

4 177

WP62 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to astream

47 178

WP61 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,

hedges and evergreen forest patches

10 180

WP60 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,hedges and evergreen forest patches

53 183

WP59 As above Non intensively arable land, with bushes,hedges and evergreen forest patches

24 185

WP58 As above Evergreen forest with small meadows 132 188

WP57 As above Evergreen forest 8 190

WP56 Mountains of Palia Kavala Non intensively arable land, with bushes,hedges and evergreen forest patches

49 193

WP55 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to a smallchannel with reedbeds

108 203





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Way Point(WP).



KP




WP48 As above Pastures, meadows and non intensivelyarable land

131 227

WP47 Drama’s plain Pastures, meadows and non intensivelyarable land

48 228

WP46 As above Non intensively arable land and pastures 114 233

WP45 As above Non intensively arable land 9 237

WP44 As above Non intensively arable land and riparian

forested stream

2 238

WP43 Nea Zichni wider area Non intensively arable land and coniferousforest patches

41 244

WP42 As above Non intensively arable land with orchards 5 248




187 266

WP38 As above Intensively cultivated fields with poplarplantations

141 268

WP37 As above Intensively cultivated fields with poplarplantations

70 274


2 279

WP35 As above Intensively cultivated fields and built up 145 280

WP34 As above Intensively cultivated fields close to achannel with reedbeds and Salix trees

108 281

WP33 Serres plain Intensively cultivated fields 37 285

WP32 Strymonas river Intensively cultivated fields close to a smallchannel with reedbeds

155 288

WP29 Strymonas river Riparian forest 2 290

WP31 Strymonas river Riparian forest 174 290

WP30 Strymonas river Non intensively arable land 111 293

WP28 As above Non intensively arable land with deciduousforest patches 139 296



1 301


167 304


WP23 As above Pastures with deciduous forest patches 9 305


92 306

WP21 As above Non intensively arable land and pastures 42 307

WP20 As above Pastures and farmland close to a nationalroad

68 310


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Way Point(WP).



KP

AV15 Kirki Open oak forest 29 - 475 55

AV16 Kirki Open oak forest 10 - 90 56

AV17 Kirki Mixed pine and oak forest 213 - 416 53

AV18 Alexandroupolis Farmland with hedges at edge of forests 770 - 1089 47

AV19 Agnantia Farmland and built up 0 - 432 34

AV20 Antheia Farmland and built up 0 - 167 34

AV21 Aetochorio Scrub, degraded oak forest at border tofarmland

245 - 750 32

AV22 Pefka Farmland with wide oak hedges 351 - 570 28

AV23 Pefka Mixed pine oak forest 0 - 132 29

AV24 Pefka Dry riverbed with Platanus 0 - 335 27

AV25 Pefka Scrub, burned oak forest 511 - 667 26

AV26 Pefka Scrub with oaks 395 - 890 24

AV27 Pefka Grassland/farmland with scrubs and oaks 0 - 340

AV28 Gemisti Moat with reed 0 - 46 1

AV29 Gemisti Riparian forest 0 - 447 0

AV30 Kipoi Scrub of Paliurus 375 - 605 4

AV31 Peplos Grassland with shrubs 150 - 235 7

AV32 Pylaia Farmland with hedges 0 - 185 20

AV33 Loutros Grassland with shrubs, degraded oak forest 450 - 950 22 AV34 Kavisos Pond in an old excavation 140 - 400 18

Source: NCC & EXERGIA Field Surveys (October 2012, April –May 2013

2.3 Limitations, Uncertainties and Biases

Due to the extent of the study area and the limited duration of the field work it was not possible to

survey all the habitats equally. In some areas mainly intensively cultivated where bird community

is composed by few and general species, sampling effort was low. However, it is considered that

sampling effort was adequate for the scope of the work, since the mean distance between two

successive sampling points along the pipeline route was 3 km. Sampling effort was more

intensive in riparian forests (all river crossings were surveyed) and in the areas of conservation

concern such national parks, SPA’s, SAC’s and wildlife refuge areas. Another limitation

concerning sampling effort was the accessibility to the pipeline route, which in some areas was

difficult. However, the mean distance of the waypoints from the proposed pipeline route was 70 m

and more than the half of the waypoints (53%) were located less than 50m from the pipeline

centerline. Therefore the sampling effort is considered as adequate for the scope of the work.


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A factor that may cause uncertainties and biases to the results was that during the survey it was

unavoidable to realize all point counts at the appropriate time of the day. It is well documentedthat the daily activity of the birds is not the same throughout the day, with more species (e.g.

mainly passerines) being more active during early morning and to a lesser extent in late

afternoon. In order to reduce the effects of this limitation more sampling plots and in close

distance between them were taken during the midday, so as to increase the survey time and the

possibilities to observe more species, especially in the areas of conservation concern. Lastly, a

factor that may cause uncertainty to the interpretation of the results is the absence of a repetition

of the sampling later in the breeding season (e.g. mid of June) and therefore the separation

between breeders and migrants is difficult to made. This may lead to misinterpretation of the

status (e.g. breeding) for some species in certain areas. An example could be the Red backed

Shrike (Lanius collurio), a passerine that was fairly common in areas with unsuitable habitat for

breeding (intensive arable land with lack of bushes) during fieldwork in spring. It is unlike that the

species was breeding at all those areas and probably a vast majority of them were migrants. To

get over this limitation the existing literature about optimal breeding habitat of each species and

the peak of their spring migration through North Greece were followed.

At all waypoints all species were counted (i.e. no species were excluded from the assessment)

but special attention was paid in the more sensitive ones, such as raptors.

The combination of the desktop investigation plus the various field surveys is considered to be

sufficient for the purpose of identifying the most relevant bird species presence and their

preferred habitat types location along the route; thus serving the purpose of identifying key

species and their habitats of interest for the ESIA Report. Nevertheless, because of the intrinsic

limitations in the scope of work, as well as the objectives of the report, this baseline does not

constitute or is intended as a complete species catalogue and distribution of the study area and

its vicinity.


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3 RESULTS

Bird Species Richness Estimation along the Route

During the autumn 2012 field surveys, 96 different bird species where recorded in the study area

while during the spring of 2013, 131 different species were recorded within the zone of 250 m

from the both sides of the pipeline. Totally 141 different birds species were recorded in both

seasons (spring and autumn). The species of conservation interest observed along the pipeline

route are presented in Table 3-1.

The richest habitats for bird diversity found were the riparian forests followed by complex non

intensively arable land in close association either with water resources like rivers or with forested

areas or pastures. The less diverse from the bird richness point of view, were the extensive and

intensively cultivated land followed by extensive and dense evergreen forests (mainly densely

vegetated areas dominated by Quercus coccifera).

From the conservation point of view, several species of conservation concern were recorded

within the study area including 36 out of the 42 bird species protected under the Annex I ofDirective 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of Wild Birds (Birds Directive) expected to be present

in the areas crossed by the pipeline. These species are receiving special protection even in areas

outside the Natura 2000 network.


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AreaCode

C

Project Title: Trans Adriati c Pipeline – TAP G

Document Title:Integrated ESIA Greece Annex 6.5.5 - East - Avi fauna Basel ine Study

Table 3-1 Bird species of conservation interest present and expected in the Study Area

No.Scientific

nameCommon

name

Records within project

area(refer to ‘Way Points’ of

sampling locations listed inTable 2-1)

Anticipated rangewithin Project area

Reason ofconservation interest

1Phalacrocoraxpygmeus

PygmyCormorant

4 birds (WP4)Observed in Autumn:AV29

Along rivers

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: LC,IUCN: LC

2 Ardeolaralloides

SquaccoHeron

1 bird (WP4) Wetlands and rivers

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: VU,IUCN: LC

3 Egretta garzetta Little Egret1 bird (WP4), 1 (WP83),Observed in Autumn: 2a.4,2b.10

Wetlands or alongrivers

2009/147/EC: Annex I,

Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: LC,IUCN: LC

4 Ardea purpurea Purple Heron 1 bird (WP4), 1 (WP78)Wetlands or alongrivers

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: EN,IUCN: VU

5 Ciconia nigra Black Stork

1 bird (WP44), 2 (WP74),1(WP80), 1(WP109),3(WP110), 1(WP111),2(WP116)

Localized on patchesof forests inagriculturallandscapes inassociation with waterresources (rivers,

lakes etc)

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: EN,IUCN: LC

Potentstreamand Wnestingforest WP110

6 Ciconia ciconia White Stork

3 birds (WP32), 1(WP34),3 (WP40), 1(WP42),1(WP67), 1(WP69),2(WP80), 1(WP91),3(WP111), 9(WP116),69(WP118), 37(WP119)Observed in Autumn: 2a.8,2b.10

Widespread onfarmland inassociation with waterresources

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: VU,IUCN: LC

Widesareas zone


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C



No.Scientific

nameCommon

name

Records within projectarea

(refer to ‘Way Points’ ofsampling locations listed in

Table 2-1)



7 Pernis apivorusEuropeanHoneyBuzzard

1(WP63), 1(WP99)Mainly broadleavedforests (Quercusspp,Fagusspp)

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES I/A,RDB-Greece: LC,IUCN: LC

8 Milvus migrans Black Kite1 (WP108), 4(WP116),1(WP120)

Localized speciesmainly in Thrace,farmland mixed withriparian or pineforests

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: CR,IUCN: VU

9Haliaeetusalbicilla

White-tailedEagle

Observed in Autumn:2c.11

Known to breed in theNational Park ofNestos and possiblyin SPA GR1130010

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention I/II,CITES I,RDB-Greece: CR,IUCN: LC

10 Aegypiusmonachus

EurasianBlack Vulture

1 (WP109), 1(WP111)

Localized spots inThrace. Breeds in theNational Park ofDadia forest

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: NT,IUCN: EN

11Circaetus

gallicus

Short-toed

Eagle

1 (WP31), 1 (WP38), 4(WP101), 2(WP108),1(WP112), 1(WP113),

1(WP119), Observed in Autumn:2a.8, 2b.4, AV23

Widespread atavariety of habitats.Breeds mainly on

coniferous anddeciduous forests.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,

CITES II/A,RDB-Greece: NT,IUCN: LC

Widesareas

zone

12Circusaeruginosus

WesternMarsh Harrier

1 (WP84), 1 (WP95),1(WP103), 1(WP108),1(WP114), 2(WP120),Observed in Autumn: 2a.4,2a.8, 2b.10,AV4, AV7, AV29

Widespread onmigration andwintering. Inhabitsextensive reedbeds atbreeding.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES II/A,RDB-Greece: VU,IUCN: LC

Widesareas zone


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No.Scientific

nameCommon

name



Table 2-1)



18 Falco naumanniLesserKestrel

9 birds (WP88), 1,6kmsouth of pipeline route

Known to breed infew colonies inKomotini's plain

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES II/A,RDB-Greece: VU,IUCN: VU

19Falcovespertinus

Red-footedFalcon

1 (WP14), 1(WP40),1(WP114)

Widespread duringmigration

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES II/A,RDB-Greece: VU,

IUCN: VU

Widesareas zone

20Falcoperegrinus

Peregrine 1 (WP48), 1(WP99) Widespread

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES II/A,RDB-Greece: LC,IUCN: LC

21Burhinusoedicnemus

Stone-Curlew Observed in Autumn: 2a.4

Fairly common onarid landscapesusually close to rivers.More frequent closeto water resources inpost breeding seasonand migration

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES I,RDB-Greece: NT,IUCN: LC

Probabseverapipelin

22Philomachuspugnax

Ruff 5 birds (WP65)Saltmarshes orfreshwater wetlandswith shallow water.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention III,Bonn Convention II,IUCN: LC

23 Tringa glareolaWoodSandpiper

25 birds (WP4)Saltmarshes orfreshwater wetlandswith shallow water.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention III,Bonn Convention II,IUCN: LC


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No.Scientific

nameCommon

name



Table 2-1)



30Coraciasgarrulus

EuropeanRoller

1pair (WP35), 1pair(WP115), 1bird (WP117)

Localized breederprefers lowland opencountryside withpatches of oak forest,mature pine woodlandwith heatheryclearings, orchards,mixed farmland, rivervalleys, and plainswith scattered thornyor leafy trees. Nests

in abandonedWoodpecker'scavities in whitepoplar , especially inriparian forests, or innatural cavities ofplanes, walls orsandbanks.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece:VU,

IUCN: NT

The brwas obthe pipThe brWP115

appr.1pipelin

31Dendrocopossyriacus

SyrianWoodpecker

1 bird(WP15)(120m),1(WP21)(50m), 1(WP29)(80m),1(WP41)(50m),1(WP67)(100m),2(WP72)(100m),2(WP86)(50m),1(WP87)(100m),Observed in Autumn:2b.4,2b.10, 7.9, AV 2, AV22

Common andwidespread residentin forest patches,orchards, oragricultural land withscattered trees

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: NE,IUCN: LC


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No.Scientific

nameCommon

name



Table 2-1)



37 Acrocephalusmelanopogon

MoustachedWarbler

1? (WP70)(80m)

Reedbeds in wetlandsor inland lakes. Rarebreeder, fairlycommon duringwinter.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,CITES II/A,RDB-Greece: VU,IUCN: LC

Potentoptimaold andpermathroug

38Hippolaisolivetorum

Olive-treeWarbler

2(WP113)(80m)Observed in Autumn: AV2

Fairly commonbreeder in pastures ornon intensive arableland in association

with scattered trees

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: NT,

IUCN: LC

39 Ficedula parvaRed-breastedFlycatcher

Not observed duringsampling period

Known to be presentin the area duringmigration

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: DD,IUCN: LC

40Ficedulasemitorquata

Semi-collaredFlycatcher


Known to be presentin the area duringmigration. Also in mayit breeds in riverinePlatanus sp. forests.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,RDB-Greece: DD,IUCN: NT

41Ficedulaalbicollis

CollaredFlycatcher


Known to be presentin the area during

migration

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,Bonn Convention II,

RDB-Greece: NE,IUCN: LC


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No.Scientific

nameCommon

name



Table 2-1)



42 Lanius collurio

Red-backed

Shrike

1 (WP29)(120m),1 (WP41)(25m),1 (WP46)(100m),1 (WP48)(50m),1 (WP52)(100m),1 (WP60)(50m),1 (WP62)(100m), 1(WP68)(80m),1 (WP71)(50m),1 (WP75)(80m),1 (WP76)(50m),

2 (WP84)(1:50m,1:100m),1 (WP86)(100m),1 (WP88)(120m),1 (WP90)(100m),1 (WP91(50m),2 (WP16)(1:25m,1:80m),1 (WP96)(50m),1 (WP98)(50m),1 (WP112)(50m),1 (WP113)(80m),Observed in Autumn:2b.9,2c.1, 2c.12, 7.7, 7.13

Widespread andcommon breeder in a

variety of habitatsexcept intensivearable land.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,

RDB-Greece: NE,IUCN: LC

Widesareas

zone. NortheMay

43 Lanius minorLesser GreyShrike

1 (WP45)(100m),1 (WP52)(100m),

1 (WP79)(100m),2 (WP86)(50m), 2(WP89)(120m),Observed in Autumn:2b.9,2c.3, 2c.9, 2c.15. 7.13

Widespread and fairlycommon breeder innon intensive arableland in associationwith poplarplantations, riverineforests or scatteredtrees.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: NT,IUCN: LC


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No.Scientific

nameCommon

name



Table 2-1)



44 Lanius nubicusMaskedShrike


Fairly common inEvros prefecture, lesscommon in otherareas

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: NE,IUCN: LC

45Emberizahortulana

OrtolanBunting

1 bird (WP20)(50m),1(WP44)(50m)

Fairly commonspecies, breeds innon intensive arableland rich in bushes ormixed with forestpatches.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: LC,IUCN: LC

46Emberizacaesia

Cretzschmar'sBunting

1 bird (WP104)

Localized breeder in

Northern Greece tophrygana or lowlandpastures. Commonspecies in phryganato Southern Greeceand Aegean islands.

2009/147/EC: Annex I,Bern Convention II,RDB-Greece: LC,IUCN: LC

Notes: VU: Vulnerable, LC: Least Concern, NT: Near Threatened, CR: Critical Endangered, R: Resident and Breeder, EN: EndangeSource: Exergia (October 2012) and NCC Field Surveys (September 2012 and April-May 2013)


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4 CONCLUSIONS

Key Habitats and Species within the Study Area

Considering the data, the richest habitats identified along the eastern TAP route in Greece are

the riparian forests and the complex of non intensively arable land in close association either with

water resources such as rivers or with forested areas or pastures.

The total species number observed in the study area was high (141 species) as expected from

previously reports and fieldtrips. Raptors are amongst the most important species recorded in the

area, with Levant Sparrowhawk, Lesser spotted Eagle, Short toed Eagle, Long legged Buzzard

and Booted Eagle been observed in certain areas along the pipeline. Other species of

conservation concern, like the Lesser Kestrel, Grey Partridge and White tailed Eagle were

observed in a wider area from the study area and are not expected to be affected by the project

activities.

The most important forest area was the pine forest of Loutros in Evros prefecture where more

than 10 raptorial species havebeen reported (five recorded in the current study) as breederswithin this forest. Riparian forests arealso important for certain raptor species such as the Levant

Sparrowhawk and Lesser spotted Eagle. Farmland bird community was composed mainly by

common species like Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, House Sparrow, Nightingale and Blackbird.

The most important species in agricultural land was the Roller found breeding in three areas

along the study area. Rollers are not expected to be affected by the project activities if those

activities will not cross their nesting site which was the condition for the birds observed in the

field. Another important group of species was those nesting in large colonies in sand beds like the

Sand Martin, the Bee Eater and occasionally the Roller. In Kompsatos river those three species

found nesting in close distance from the pipeline route and another small colony of Bee eater was

found in Philiouris plain. Finally, ground nesting species were present in the area with the most

important being the Stone Curlew, Calandra Lark and Wood Lark, with the majority of them in low

breeding densities along the pipeline. However an area with high breeding densities of Calandra

Lark was found in the Wildlife refuge of “Krinidos - Fillidos”.

As a conclusion the main areas of consideration with regards to avifauna found along the pipeline

route during the field survey works are presented in the following Table 4-1.


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Table 4-1 Main areas of cons ideration along the East TAP pipeline route

Areas Section KPConservation

interestComments

Galikos river crossing Galikos plain 350.5 to 355.5Several waterbirds,Long legged Buzzard

Potential nesting site of Longlegged Buzzard close topipeline (270m)

Hilly area of Dorkadavillage

Vertiskomountains

323.5 to 327.5 Lesser Spotted EagleBreeding territory along thepipeline route

Strymonas rivercrossing

Strymonas river 290 to 290.6 Lesser Spotted EaglePossible breeding territorysouth from the pipelinecrossing line (500m)

Serres plain Serres plain 280.6 Roller Breeding pair

Serres plain(Compressor station)

Serres plain 268 HobbyNesting pair on Populus plantations

Nea Zichni area

Nea Zichni wider

area 236.4 to 238.5 Black Stork

Potential nesting site of a pair,

along two streams crossed bythe pipeline

Wildlife refuge Area“Krinidos – Fillidos”

Drama’s plain 227 to 230Calandra Lark, Longlegged Buzzard,Peregrine falcon

High breeding densities ofCalandra Lark recorded

Nestos inland lake 1 Nestos river plain 159.5 to 159.8Moustached Warbler,Marsh Harrier

Wintering site and potentialnesting site

Nestos inland lake 2 Nestos river plain 158.9 to 159.1 Moustached Warbler Potential nesting site

Nestos river crossing Nestos river plain 153.4 to 154.2Levant Sparrowhawk,Black Stork

Nesting site along thecrossing line of the river (80m)

Kompsatos rivercrossing

Kompsatos area 112.5 to 113Roller, Sand Martin,Bee Eater

Colonies in close distance(90-100m) from the pipeline

Tributary to Filiourisriver

Filiouris plain 81.6 to 81.9 Levant Sparrowhawk,Hobby, Bee eater

Potential nesting site for

Hobby and LevantSparrowhawk. Small colony ofBee eater (60 to 90m) fromthe pipeline

Filiouris river crossing Filiouris plain 77.4 to 77.8 Levant SparrowhawkPotential nesting site forLevant Sparrowhawk.

Pine forest of Loutrosarea

Loutros wider area 28.5 to 32

Lesser SpottedEagle, Booted Eagle,Short toed Eagle,Long leggedBuzzard, Black Stork,Spotted Eagle

Nesting site for the speciesrecorded.

Kavisos village widerarea

Evros river plain 19.5 Roller Breeding pair

Source: Exergia (October 2012) and NCC Field Surveys (September 2012 and April-May 2013)


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Documents

East Avifauna Baseline Study TAP