The major projects and campaigns that BirdLife Cyprus is currently engaged in are:

                                              
As an EU Member State, Cyprus has to declare (and manage) the most important areas for threatened and migratory birds within its territory as SPAs, thus including them in the NATURA 2000 pan-European network of conservation areas. BirdLife Cyprus has identified 19 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) on the Island, including areas like Akrotiri, Akamas, Larnaca salt lake, Paphos forest and the Diarizos valley. All these sites meet the criteria for designation as SPAs. We are lobbying the relevant authorities to ensure all these areas are designated and managed properly.

                                                           
Agricultural intensification and abandonment are recognised as a massive threat to farmland birds across Europe. Both processes are evident in Cyprus and threaten to destroy our many bird-rich, low-intensity farmand habitats. The implementation of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Cyprus could either accelerate intensification and abandonment or help encourage wildlife-friendly, sustainable farming. It all depends on how the relevant authorities choose to use the funds coming from Brussels. BirdLife Cyprus is lobbying to ensure farmers are supported to act as guardians of our farmland birds.

                                                                                              
3. Illegal bird trapping.                                                                                  
BirdLife Cyprus has been carrying out systematic monitoring of illegal trapping activities in the field since 2002. The information gathered is used to assist the enforcement authorities in their job and to put pressure on the government to end this illegal cull. Thanks to these efforts, the level of trapping activity has been reduced by about 80% compared to 1990 levels – a huge conservation success!

                                                                                                                         
4. Bird Monitoring.                                                                                     
BirdLife Cyprus is establishing a number of schemes (monthly wetland counts, raptor migration watch and common bird census) aimed at tracking our bird populations. The data provided by these schemes is vital for informing and guiding our conservation efforts.