In June 2024, the fifth breeding colony of the Cinereous Vulture was discovered in Portugal, in the Serra do Mendro (Vidigueira/Portel). Despite its recent establishment and although it is strategic for the species’ recovery in the country, the colony is already facing several threats that undermine its viability. The LIFE Aegypius Return project warns of the urgent need for protective measures.
Chronicle of a colony at risk
As part of monitoring work on Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), technicians from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) detected a Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) nest at Herdade do Monte da Ribeira, in the municipality of Vidigueira, southern Portugal. It was June 2024, and, given the advanced stage of the breeding season, close monitoring was not possible in order to avoid disturbing the birds. Nevertheless, five nests were confirmed, with successful reproduction in at least one of them. The resulting chick, a male, was tagged with a GPS/GSM transmitter and named Pousio. The colony, located in Serra do Mendro, included nests both in the municipalities of Vidigueira and, further north, Portel.
During the 2025 breeding season, this fifth Cinerous Vulture colony in Portugal benefited from more detailed monitoring. Technicians from the League for the Protection of Nature (LPN) – partners in the LIFE Aegypius Return project – supported the ICNF in monitoring all the breeding parameters. Survey work was further reinforced by the involvement of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), also a project partner. In total, 10 Cinereous Vulture nests were recorded, eight of them occupied by active pairs.
From June onwards, in coordination with the LIFE Aegypius Return project, further areas from Serra do Mendro were monitored by environmental consultants within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Grande Lago Hybrid Power Plant. This work led to the detection of four additional breeding pairs.
At present, the Vidigueira/Portel colony includes 14 known nests, 12 with nesting pairs. As far as it was possible to determine, seven pairs incubated during the 2025 season, resulting in three to four chicks. Of these, two survived: the female Vidigueira and the male Farrobo, both fitted with GPS/GSM transmitters and under continuous monitoring.
Tagging the Cinerous Vulture chick Vidigueira © Carlos Pacheco; © LPN
Strategic colony for the conservation of the Cinereous Vulture
Data show that the Vidigueira/Portel colony is expanding and represents a breeding nucleus of strategic importance for the conservation of the Cinereous Vulture in Portugal, particularly in the south of the country. It is the westernmost colony known for the species and the only colony in Portugal located away from the Spanish border, about 60 km from the nearest colony, at Herdade da Contenda.
Given the high level of philopatry (tendency to return to the birthplace) characteristic of the species, the establishment of new colonies far from existing ones is a rare phenomenon and may take several decades. Therefore, the survival and growth of the Vidigueira/Portel colony are absolutely crucial to consolidating the population in southern Portugal, strengthening connectivity between breeding nuclei, and fostering the recolonisation of the species’ historical range.
Main threat factors
The Serra do Mendro, due to its location near the Alqueva dam and the existing infrastructure associated with renewable energy production, is under strong pressure.
Several energy production and transmission projects were planned before the presence of the Cinerous Vulture in the region was known. Examples include the Grande Lago Hybrid Plant, the Pinel Hybrid Project, the Alqueva Solar Photovoltaic Plant, the Sobreira de Baixo Photovoltaic Plant, the Alqueva – Divor Power Line and the Vidigueira – Portel Sul Power Line.
Without urgent protection measures, the number and scale of these projects become incompatible with the survival of the Cinereous Vulture colony and with the conservation of other large bird species.
The Cinereous Vulture requires extensive feeding areas and very quiet breeding sites; otherwise, it won’t be able to reproduce. It is also very sensitive to collisions with wind turbines and power lines, as well as electrocution on medium-voltage power lines. Vulnerability is particularly high among juveniles when they explore their home territory with little flight experience.
Cinereous Vulture killed by electrocution in Bulgaria © Lachezar Bonchev/ FWFF
A study recently published by the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) as part of the LIFE Aegypius Return project showed that in order to protect the core area (i.e. the area where each individual spends about half its time) of 50% of juveniles, wind turbines must be located at least 7.7 km away from the nests. Some of the turbines planned for the Serra do Mendro are situated only about 2 km from the nearest nests, which, if maintained, would lead to a high mortality rate and jeopardise all conservation efforts.
In addition to pressure from energy projects, this colony faces the usual threats that affect Cinerous Vultures, such as poisoning or direct persecution. Remember Pousio, the 2024 chick that was shot and is still recovering at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (CRAS HV-UTAD).
Urgent measures needed
Within the framework of the LIFE Aegypius Return project, the partners have been actively collaborating with authorities, promoters and consultants, both through technical meetings and by issuing detailed opinions on the evolution of the species in the region and the potential risks identified. The project seeks to ensure that biodiversity conservation, and in particular that of the Cinereous Vulture, is properly integrated into decision-making processes, with the aim of minimising conflicts and reducing threat factors, aligning the energy transition with environmental protection.
Nevertheless, the growing pressure on the natural values of Vidigueira/Portel calls for stronger protection measures, including specific legal instruments. The LIFE Aegypius Return partners will do their utmost to ensure that the Serra do Mendro is classified at the national level and/or under the Birds Directive, in an attempt to reduce the threats affecting the Cinereous Vulture and other legally protected species that breed there.
The consortium, led by the VCF, has expressed its willingness to explore technical solutions to reconcile conservation with the various renewable energy projects, but maintains a firm position: wind turbines must be installed at a minimum safe distance from the nests (not less than 7.7 km). There are solutions to mitigate factors such as the loss of feeding habitat due to photovoltaic projects, the potential disturbance of nests caused by the construction of infrastructure, or the risk of collision and electrocution on power lines. However, increasing mortality risks from wind turbines located in the immediate vicinity of this colony would inevitably compromise its viability, its potential for growth, and the future recolonisation of other areas in southern Portugal.
About LIFE Aegypius Return
The LIFE Aegypius Return project is co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE programme. Its success depends on the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, and the collaboration of the partners: the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), the coordinating beneficiary, and the local partners Palombar – Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural, Herdade da Contenda, Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, Associação Transumância e Natureza, Fundación Naturaleza y Hombre, Guarda Nacional Republicana and Associação Nacional de Proprietários Rurais Gestão Cinegética e Biodiversidade.
