Join the count and help conserve the Bearded Vulture population!
Event date: Saturday, 11 October 2025
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 20th anniversary of IOD 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
- 1410 volunteers participated in the 2024 IOD
- 858 sites were monitored across the
- 1162 Bearded Vulture observations were made during the IOD period (12.-20.10.2024) and 1103 of them on the focal day (12.10.2024)
- The Bearded Vulture population estimates vary across regions, with 414-547 individuals in the Alps, 15-19 in the Massif Central, 5-6 in the Aude region of the French Pyrenees, 7 in Maestrazgo, 34-47 in Spain (without Pyrenees), and 0 in Bulgaria.
How to get involved
To participate in the International Observation Days 2025, simply register your interest with your local IOD partner organiszation. Please email the relevant organiszation listed below to confirm your participation.
Austria:
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern: matthias.lehnert@salzburg.gv.at
Naturpärke Tirol: weninger@naturpark-oetztal.at
Italy:
Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio: dianasciandra95@gmail.com
Sondrio province: enrico.bassi76@gmail.com
Aosta: c.chioso@regione.vda.it
Gran Paradiso NP: sonia.calderola@pngp.it
Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime: fabiano.sartirana@parcoalpimarittime.it
Switzerland:
Stiftung Pro Bartgeier
Central Switzerland: franziska.loercher@bartgeier.ch
Eastern Switzerland (Graubünden) jenny.d@compunet.ch
Southern Switzerland (Tessin): roberto.lardelli@gmail.com
North-Western Switzerland (Bern) marco.orni@gmail.com
South-Western Switzerland (Valais + Western Switzerland): celestin.luisier@gypaetebarbu.ch
Germany:
Eastern Bavaria: toni.wegscheider@lbv.de
Western Bavaria: henning.werth@reg-schw.bayern.de
France:
Haute-Savoie Asters: etienne.marle@asters.asso.fr
PN Mercantour Ubaye: francois.breton@mercantour-parcnational.fr
PN Mercantour Verdon: verdon@mercantour-parcnational.fr
PN Mercantour Haut Var: varcians@mercantour-parcnational.fr
PN Mercantour Tinée: herve.brosius@mercantour-parcnational.fr
PN Mercantour Vésubie: vesubie@mercantour-parcnational.fr
PN Mercantour Roya Bevera: royabevera@mercantour-parcnational.fr
Parc national de la Vanoise: jerome.cavailhes@vanoise-parcnational.fr
Envergures Alpines: envergures.alpines@gmail.com; Dauphiné: christian.couloumy@gmail.com
Parc naturel régional du Vercors: life.gypaete@pnr-vercors.fr
Vautours en Baronnies: gypaete@vautoursenbaronnies.com
France (Massif Central): Parc naturel régional des Grands Causses: noemie.ziletti@lpo.fr
Spain:
Junta de Andalusia (Andalusia and Castilla y León): enrique.avila@juntadeandalucia.es
Maestrazgo: davizqace@hotmail.com
Alto Tajo and Serranía de Cuenca: diego.rodriguez@rewilding-spain.com
Bulgaria:
Green Balkans: smarin@greenbalkans.org
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.
