This action forsees monitoring of particular nest sites targeted by the project activities. Nests were visited in the second half of season to assess the breeding success. Obtained results are analysed in light of results gained in frames of National LSE monitoring program. Nests that were found and provided with microreserves during the project years will be inspected every year with a view to monitor the parameters of breeding success. 

Monitoring of breeding pairs targeted by the project will provide information on the effectiveness of actions C1 and C3. As the result, breeding success in 500 nests will be monitored and monitoring report prepared. 

At the beginning of 2021:

• Successful nesting observed in 59,4% of the monitored and inhabited nests found in 2020;

• The nesting success in the these nests was 0,59 young birds per average per nest; 

• Out of 426 monitored nests found in 2017-2019 in 46,5% of cases the nests were inhabited by lesser spotted eagle. The percentage of inhabited nests is 52,3% if we add the cases when lesser spotted eagle has moved to anther nest in the same microreserve.

Implementation of project action C.1 will result in significant increase in numbers of protected nest sites of LSE but also it will result in excluding large areas of forest from active commercial forest managment. Expanding the surface of protected forest areas will have a considerable socio-economic impact. However, project might be giving positive contribution – a new scheme of compensations (yearly payments) being one of them. 

To assess the economical impact of activity C.1, report will be produced on socio-economic impact of the project actions on local economy and population. 

To evaluate the effectiveness of feeding habitat restoration works, project experts monitored the numbers of birds that are using this area as a feeding ground. It was expected that Grīvu sala and restored areas in Nature park “Kuja” would have a potential to provide hunting opportunities not only for the local breeding birds, but as was well for the birds from other territories and transit migrants. 

Since 2017 in Grīvu sala every year in the period April-September monitoring sessions are carried out. In two monitoring sites lesser spotted eagles are counted in three hour long sessions. This is repeated 11 times. 

In Kuja nature park in 2019 five sample spots were established, every year five hourly monitoring sessions are carried out. In one hour in Kuja nature park experts have observed 2-3 lesser spotted eagles that confirms the significance of this territory. 

During the monitoring all birds of pray are counted, with special attention to lesser spotted eagles and how they use the territory. All observations are marked on map and later digitalised. 

Vegetation monitoring was carried out in project grassland restoration territories before and after the starting as well completing the actual habitat restoration works. Vegetation monitoring was done in Natura 2000 site “Lubāna mitrājs” in area of approximately 260 ha as well as in Natura 2000 site Nature park “Kuja” in area of approximately 30 ha. Initial situation was documented before the restoration activities and there were three field work seasons. 

Results of monitoring activities will provide a direct feedback on the effectiveness of grassland restoration and managment works. 

The progress in 2021:

• Monitoring methodology was developed
• Field work in seasons of 2017 and 2018 carried out.
• At the end of summer 2021 the final field work season will be carried out.