Join the count and help conserve the Bearded Vulture population
Event date: Saturday, 12 October 2024
The International Observation Days (IOD) for Bearded Vultures is an annual event that brings together thousands of volunteers to monitor the Bearded Vulture population across European mountain ranges. This year, we invite you to join the 19th IOD on 12 October 2024 and help count Bearded Vultures in the wild.
Why is the IOD important?
The data collected during the IOD is crucial for ongoing conservation efforts across Europe. It helps scientists understand the species distribution range, generates baseline information for survival rates and demographic modelling, and assesses the success of reintroduction projects.
Last year’s highlights
- 1124 volunteers participated in the 2023 IOD
- 676 sites were monitored across the Alpine Arc, French Pyrenees, Massif Central, Andalusia, Maestrazgo, and Bulgaria
- 617 Bearded Vultures were observed, with 584 on the focal day and 33 on the remaining days
- 617 Bearded Vultures observed
- The Bearded Vulture population estimates vary across regions, with 316-419 individuals in the Alps, 11 in the Massif Central, 6-7 in the Aude region of the French Pyrenees, 4-5 in Maestrazgo, 39-54 in Andalusia and Rioja, and 0 in Bulgaria
How to get involved
To participate in the International Observation Days 2024, simply register your interest with your local IOD partner organization. Please email the relevant organisation listed below to confirm your participation.
| Spain Junta de Andalusia (Andalusia and Castilla y León): enrique.avila@juntadeandalucia.es Maestrazgo: davizqace@hotmail.com Bulgaria Green Balkans: smarin@greenbalkans.org France (Massif Central) Parc naturel régional des Grands Causses: noemie.ziletti@lpo.fr |
Grab your binoculars and join the mission to count Bearded Vultures across Europe’s mountains!
Your participation will contribute to a better understanding of the Bearded Vulture population and help ensure a bright future for this magnificent species.
About the International Observation Days (IOD)
The International Observation Days (IOD) is an annual event where the International Bearded Vulture Monitoring Network (IBM) brings together volunteers to monitor Bearded Vultures across Europe. Taking place during the first two weeks in October, with a coordinated survey on a focal day, the IOD covers a vast area including the Alpine arc, Massif Central, French Pyrenees, parts of Spain, and select sites in Bulgaria. The goal is to establish a comprehensive, Europe-wide monitoring system, using synchronized observations to estimate population size and age distribution. This unique effort provides valuable data for survival analysis and demographic modelling, shedding light on reintroduction progress. As participation grows each year, the IOD has become a significant public event, raising awareness and promoting the conservation of the Bearded Vulture as a flagship species.
