TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

33

PART A

GENERAL REPORT FORMAT

34

Member State

34

1.

Main achievements under the Directive 2009/147/EC

34

1.1.

Text in national language

34

1.2.

Translation into English (optional)

35

1.3.

Name, code and season of species / subspecies in success stories

35

2.

General information sources on the implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC

35

2.1.

General information on Directive 2009/147/EC

35

2.2.

Information on the Natura 2000 (Special Protection Area (SPA)) network

35

2.3.

Monitoring schemes (Article 4(1) and Article 10 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

35

2.4.

Protection of species (Articles 5–8 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

35

2.5.

Transposition of the Directive (legal texts)

35

3.

Research and work required as a basis for the protection, management and sustainable use of bird populations (Article 10 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

36

3.1.

National bird atlas

36

3.2.

National bird monitoring overview

36

3.3.

National bird red list

36

3.4.

Other publications of EU-wide interest (e.g. national overview of action for threatened species)

36

4.

Non-native bird species (Article 11 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

36

4.1.

Species scientific name

36

4.2.

Subspecific unit

36

4.3.

Main contents of legal decision for introduction

37

4.4.

Consultation with the Commission

37

4.5.

Additional information (optional)

37

PART B

– BIRD SPECIES’ STATUS AND TRENDS REPORT FORMAT (ARTICLE 12 OF DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC)

37

Species to be reported

37

Explanatory notes for completing the Bird species status and trends report format

40

1.

Species information

42

1.1.

Member State

42

1.2.

Species code

42

1.3.

EURING code

42

1.4.

Species scientific name

42

1.5.

Subspecific population

43

1.6.

Alternative species scientific name (optional)

43

1.7.

Common name (optional)

43

2.

Season

43

2.1.

Season

43

2.2.

First time reporting

43

2.3.

Additional information

43

3.

Population size

43

3.1.

Year or period

43

3.2.

Population size

43

3.3.

Type of estimate

44

3.4.

Method used

45

3.5.

Sources

45

3.6.

Change and reason for change (since previous report)

45

3.7.

Additional information (optional)

46

4.

Population trend

46

4.1.

Short-term trend (last 12 years)

46

4.1.1.

Short-term trend period

46

4.1.2.

Short-term trend direction

46

4.1.3.

Short-term trend magnitude

47

4.1.4.

Short-term trend – Method used

48

4.1.5.

Sources

48

4.2.

Long-term trend (since ca.1980)

48

4.2.1.

Long-term trend period

48

4.2.2.

Long-term trend direction

48

4.2.3.

Long-term trend magnitude

49

4.2.4.

Long-term trend – Method used

49

4.2.5.

Sources

49

4.3.

Additional information (optional)

49

5.

Breeding distribution map and size

49

5.1.

Sensitive species

49

5.2.

Year or period

49

5.3.

Breeding distribution map

49

5.4.

Breeding distribution size

50

5.5.

Method used

50

5.6.

Additional maps (optional)

50

5.7.

Sources

51

5.8.

Additional information (optional)

51

6.

Breeding distribution trend

51

6.1.

Short-term trend (last 12 years)

51

6.1.1.

Short-term trend period

51

6.1.2.

Short-term trend direction

51

6.1.3.

Short-term trend magnitude

51

6.1.4.

Short-term trend – Method used

52

6.1.5.

Sources

52

6.2.

Long-term trend (since ca. 1980)

52

6.2.1.

Long-term trend period

52

6.2.2.

Long-term trend direction

53

6.2.3.

Long-term trend magnitude

53

6.2.4.

Long-term trend – Method used

53

6.2.5.

Sources

53

6.3.

Additional information (optional)

53

7.

Main pressures and threats

53

7.1.

Characterisation of pressures

54

7.2.

Methods used (optional)

55

7.3.

Sources of information (optional)

56

7.4.

Additional information (optional)

56

8.

Conservation measures

56

8.1.

Status of measures

56

8.2.

Scope of the measures taken

56

8.3.

Main purpose of the measures taken

56

8.4.

Location of the measures

57

8.5.

Response to the measures

57

8.6.

List of main conservation measures

57

8.7.

Additional information (optional)

57

9.

Natura 2000 (Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) coverage

57

9.1.

Population size inside the Natura 2000 (Special Protection Area (SPA)) network

58

9.2.

Type of estimate

58

9.3.

Population size inside the network – Method used

58

9.4.

Short-term trend of population size within the network – Direction

58

9.5.

Short-term trend of population size within the network – Method used

59

9.6.

Additional information (optional)

59

10.

Progress in work related to international Species Action Plans (SAPs), Management Plans (MPs) nd Brief Management Statements (BMSs)

59

10.1.

Type of international plan

59

10.2.

Has a national plan linked to the international (Species Action Plan (SAP) / Management Plan (MP) / Brief management Statement (BMS) been adopted?

60

10.3.

Assessment of the effectiveness of Species Action Plans (SAPs) for globally threatened species

60

10.4.

Assessment of the effectiveness of Management Plans (MPs) for huntable species in non-Secure status

60

10.5.

Sources of further information

61

11.

Information related to Annex II species (Article 7 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

61

11.1.

Is the species nationally hunted?

61

11.2.

Hunting bag

61

11.3.

Hunting bag – Method used

61

11.4.

Additional information (optional)

61

References

61

Introduction

A central element to the implementation and the success of the Directive 2009/147/EC is a good level of information on the status and trends of bird species as required under Article 12 of that directive. Data and information are needed in a structured and comparable format in order for the Commission to compile and analyse the data. The legal basis for providing data in a structured format is Art.12.1 second subparagraph.

This document provides information and guidance on how to fill the different data fields of the Article 12 report format (Part A and Part B). It mainly consists of descriptions of the information to be reported in each field and the basic requirements to be met by reported information.

More detailed descriptions of the concepts and methods for reported information are provided in guidelines that are not part of this implementing act. Furthermore, additional documentation that should be used for the correct completion of the report format is made available through the online ‘Article 12 reference portal’.

The Article 12 reference portal

The reference portal contains the documentation related to the information provided in the report formats under Article 12 of Directive 2009/147/EC.

It includes:

—	the report format & the explanatory notes and the guidelines;

—	reference material, e.g. checklists for bird species, list of pressures and threats, list of conservation measures and the European grids (10×10 km ETRS) that should be used for mapping the distribution;

—	examples illustrating the guidelines.

PART A

GENERAL REPORT FORMAT

The general report is a brief structured format aimed at summarising the most important facts and figures on general implementation of Directive 2009/147/EC, including links to more detailed information sources.

Each Member State is expected to prepare one general report covering the entire European territory of the Member State.

Any EU official language can be used in free text fields. However, the use of English is recommended.

All Internet addresses in reporting fields should be given in full, including the initial ‘http://’ or ‘https://’, if applicable.

Member State

Member States should select the two-lettercode for your Member State from ISO 3166 in accordance with the list provided in the Article 12 reference portal. Do not submit separate general reports for subnational units.

1.   MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER THE DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC

This section aims to inform about the main achievements under Directive 2009/147/EC, including the Special Protection Area (SPA) network, in the Member State during the reporting period. The information should primarily be given in the national language (field 1.1), with a translation into English if possible (optional field 1.2).

1.1.   Text in national language

Main achievements:

Describe briefly the main achievements under the Birds Directive during the reporting period, with a special emphasis on the Special Protection Area (SPA) network. This can include, for example:

—	demonstrated benefits for different species;

—	experiences with new or improved management techniques;

—	positive changes in public acceptance of biodiversity protection;

—	improved cooperation between authorities, nature conservationists and other interest groups;

—	key enforcement cases;

—	initiatives to combine establishment of Natura 2000 sites and the local economy;

—	measures taken to minimise the impact of invasive species on native bird species, in line with EU Regulation 1143/2014 on invasive alien species (1);

—	information complementary to that given in Section 3 on research and work required as a basis for the protection, management and sustainable use of bird populations. This might include suggestions for urgent research that requires EU coordination (e.g. via LIFE funding);

—	measures taken and their effect (achievements);

—	success factors, outlook and the role of Natura 2000;

Success story example

Provision of a ‘success story’ (if available) gives the opportunity for the Member State to show an example of how the Directive is working in their country. Each success story should be based on a taxon that shows a genuine improvement during the reporting period, i.e. an increasing short-term population trend (breeding or wintering) irrespective of its long-term trend or a stable/fluctuating short-term population trend in the face of long-term declining trends. The improvements described should be conservation measure-driven and should concern the current reporting period, but may well include measures that started at an earlier point in time.

Proposed structure:

—	Indicate species / season

—	Background on the species, past developments and their reasons (pressures, etc.), conservation challenges

—	Measures taken and their effect (achievements)

—	Role of the Natura 2000 network (if applicable)

—	Success factors

—

Outlook

The text should be maximum two to three pages long. If a Member State wishes to add further documentation to that requested, it should note these annexes and their filenames at the end of this field and upload the relevant files to the EEA’s Reporting Mechanism together with the rest of the report.

1.2.   Translation into English (optional)

This is an optional field to translate the information provided in field 1.1 into English (where it was reported in another language).

1.3.   Name, code and season of species / subspecies in success stories

This field is to be completed where a success story is used to highlight the main achievements of the Directive described in field 1.1. Multiple species can be selected.

Fill in the:

(a)	Bird species code & name

(b)

Season

2.   GENERAL INFORMATION SOURCES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC

This section aims to direct the interested public towards information sources relating to the Directive 2009/147/EC and the Special Protection Area (SPA) network of the respective Member State. In general, only links to Internet addresses are required. However, free text can also be used where there is a need to explain how to access the information source, e.g. in the case of multiple sources of information. All of the following fields should be completed.

2.1.   General information on Directive 2009/147/EC

Provide links to general information on the Directive (e.g. a national portal presenting the EU Nature Directives).

2.2.   Information on the Natura 2000 (Special Protection Area (SPA)) network

Provide links to general information on the network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) (e.g. online databases of Natura 2000 sites, publications presenting the network).

2.3.   Monitoring schemes (Article 4(1) and Article 10 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

Provide links to general information on monitoring (e.g. portal presenting national monitoring scheme(s), monitoring guidelines).

2.4.   Protection of species (Articles 5–8 of Directive 2009/147/EC)

Provide links to general information on species protection.

2.5.   Transposition of the Directive (legal texts)

Provide links to general information on transposition of the Directive.

3.   RESEARCH AND WORK REQUIRED AS A BASIS FOR THE PROTECTION, MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIRD POPULATIONS (ARTICLE 10 OF DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC)

This section relates to the obligation under Article 10(2) of Directive 2009/147/EC that Member States shall send the Commission any information required to enable it to take appropriate measures for the coordination of research and any work required as a basis for the protection, management and use of native bird populations. Additional free text information of relevance with reference to the implementation of Art. 10 of Directive 2009/147/EC can be given in Section 1 (main achievements). The information requested is limited to:

3.1.   National bird atlas

Provide the title of the most recent national bird atlas (field 3.1.1) with information about the year of publication (field 3.1.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 3.1.3).

3.2.   National bird monitoring overview

Provide the title or similar plus a short description of national bird monitoring overviews published during the reporting period, including species covered, main results, etc. (field 3.2.1), with a maximum of 500 characters. Provide information about the year of publication (field 3.2.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 3.2.3). Fields 3.2.1 to 3.2.3 should be repeated if more than one overview has been published.

3.3.   National bird red list

Provide the title of the most recent national bird red lists (field 3.3.1), with information about the year of publication (field 3.3.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 3.3.3).

3.4.   Other publications of EU-wide interest (e.g. national overview of action for threatened species)

Provide the title or similar plus a short description of other publications of EU-wide interest (e.g. national overview of action for threatened species) either published during the reporting period or recent publications, including species covered, main results, etc. (field 3.4.1), with a maximum of 500 characters. Provide information about the year of publication (field 3.4.2) and web link or bibliographic reference (field 3.4.3). Fields 3.4.1 to 3.4.3 should be repeated if more than one overview has been published, and a maximum of 10 publications should be reported.

More general information about the implementation of Article 10 of Directive 2009/147/EC can be provided in a free-text field under ‘Main achievements under Directive 2009/147/EC’ in Section 1.

4.   NON-NATIVE BIRD SPECIES (ARTICLE 11 OF DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC)

This section relates to the obligation following from Article 11 of Directive 2009/147/EC that ‘Member States shall see that any introduction of species of bird which do not occur naturally in the wild state in the European territory of the Member States does not prejudice the local flora and fauna. In this connection they shall consult the Commission.’

This section should not be filled in if no introductions pursuant to Article 11 have been consulted upon, decided upon or carried out during the reporting period.

Each species should be reported, as follows:

4.1.   Species scientific name

Provide the species scientific name.

4.2.   Subspecific unit

Where relevant, use the subspecific population description.

4.3.   Main contents of legal decision for introduction

Provide the main contents of the legal decision for introduction (free text; maximum 250 characters), including information about justification, number of individuals and duration of any authorisation.

4.4.   Consultation with the Commission

Provide the date of consultation with the Commission.

4.5.   Additional information (optional)

Additional information relating to Section 4 can be provided in optional field 4.5.

PART B

BIRD SPECIES’ STATUS AND TRENDS REPORT FORMAT (ARTICLE 12 OF DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC)

Species to be reported

Taxonomy and nomenclature

The taxonomy and nomenclature that should be used in the Article 12 species checklist (available from the Reference Portal) mirror those used in the List of birds of the European Union (hereafter ‘EU Bird List’  (2)). The version of the EU Bird List published in August 2015 and updated in 2018 incorporated the taxonomic and nomenclatural changes proposed in del Hoyo & Collar (2014) (3), and the relevant changes from del Hoyo & Collar (2016). Taxonomic updates will be implemented to maintain alignment with taxonomic references followed by IUCN.

In general, reporting is primarily requested at the level of the species, as this is the taxonomic unit referred to throughout the text of the Directive, as well as the unit used for previous comprehensive status assessments of the EU's birds. However, in a minority of cases, reports are requested for ‘subspecific units’ – i.e. subspecies or distinct populations – whose status is of particular interest and/or policy relevance (e.g. in the context of subspecies-level listings in the Annexes of the Directive). For full details of the rationale explaining which subspecific populations should be reported on separately, see the guidelines giving technical guidance on concepts and definitions. For simplicity, the term ‘species’ is used in most instances below, even where it also refers to subspecific units.

Regularly occurring species

Member States should report on all ‘regularly occurring’ breeding species (even if their populations are small or considered ‘marginal’), to allow an EU-wide picture of their population size and trend to be compiled. A species can be considered as regularly occurring if, for example, it bred in four or more of the six years covered by the reporting period . Species occurring less regularly than this should also be reported if their national population in the years they do occur may represent a significant proportion (e.g. > 1 %) of the overall EU population, or if they formerly occurred more regularly (see also ‘Extinct species’ below). Similar criteria should be applied for relevant (see below) Winter and Passage species. Regularly occurring species are denoted by the occurrence code PRE in the Article 12 bird species checklist on the Reference Portal.

Bird species occurring during the Winter season and on passage

Key wintering species

In addition, Member States should report on certain key wintering species – especially migratory waterbirds, such as wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans) and waders (shorebirds) – which are significantly more abundant in the EU during the winter and/or whose population size and trend are better monitored in winter (when they congregate in large numbers at a relatively small number of sites). For these species, assessment of their EU population status may be based primarily (or indeed entirely in some cases) on data for their winter populations, so Winter reports are requested from all Member States where they winter regularly (see also ‘Regularly occurring species’ above). Further information on the rationale behind the subset of species for which Winter reporting is obligatory is provided in the concepts and definitions technical guidance.

Special Protection Area (SPA) trigger (including Annex I species) and Annex II species of Directive 2009/147/EC occurring during Winter season and on passage

In addition, Winter reports are requested for a number of other regularly wintering species that do not meet the above criteria, but which are listed in Annex I of the Directive or listed/identified by the Member States as triggering Special Protection Area (SPA) classifications nationally due to their occurrence in winter. In all such cases, Winter reports provide important information relating to national implementation of the Directive, even if the population size and trend data reported cannot always be used for an overall assessment of the EU wintering population.

In general, Member States are not required to report on the population size or trend of species on passage (i.e. while on migration to/from their breeding and wintering grounds), because national data on population size and trend are difficult to aggregate at the EU level without detailed supplementary information that would allow the interpretation needed to allow for any duplicative counting.

Nevertheless, Passage season reports are still requested for certain key migratory species for which important information would otherwise not be reported. These include:

—	species listed in Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC;

—	other migratory species whose occurrence on passage triggers Special Protection Area (SPA) classifications nationally (4) (as indicated in the species checklist on the Reference Portal).

In these cases, the (simplified) Passage reports provide important information on, for example, population size for Special Protection Area (SPA) trigger species on passage, national pressures and threats to key migratory species, which would not otherwise be captured elsewhere.

Member States are expected to report on Annex II Winter species, excluding sedentary species where only a Breeding report is required. Simplified Passage reports are also expected for Annex II Passage species that do not winter or breed in the country.

More information on reporting for these particular groups of species can be found in

Table 2: Sections of the species Report format to be filled in for Breeding, Winter and Passage season for different categories of bird species

Vagrant and occasional species

Vagrant or ‘accidental’ birds are those that have strayed well outside their normal breeding, wintering or migratory range. Over 300 species appear in the Category A ‘vagrant’ section of the EU Bird List, and several others occur regularly in parts of the EU, but only as vagrants in other Member States. As the occurrence of vagrants is unpredictable and probably largely reflects extrinsic factors (climatic conditions during key migratory periods, trends outside the EU, etc.), their reporting in Article 12 reports is not required. The same applies to ‘occasional’ species, which may be closer to their normal range, but whose occurrence within the Member State and/or season in question is not regular or stable (cf. ‘Regularly occurring species’ above).

Newly arriving species

In some instances, a species may not yet breed or winter regularly, but it is likely – e.g. based on more recent patterns of occurrence or similar trends in neighbouring countries – that it is in the process of colonising or becoming established as a regular visitor. In these cases, Member States are encouraged to report on the species in question, even if it is not possible to provide details for all the relevant sections and fields below. For species listed in the national checklist with occurrence ‘ARR’ – indicating that they have colonised the Member State during the short-term trend period – ‘QA/QC’ checks will be relaxed for certain fields (e.g. field 4.2.1 ‘Long-term trend period’). If the species is not already included in the species checklist for the Member State, it can be added while submitting the national report on the reporting mechanism.

See also field 4.1.3 ‘Short-term trend magnitude’ for guidance on the specific issue of reporting trend magnitudes from a starting population size of zero (i.e. newly arriving species).

Extinct species

Species that went extinct nationally before 1980 (i.e. around the time Directive 2009/147/EC was adopted/entered into force) should not be reported on, unless there is a national reintroduction project underway. However, reports should be provided for all species that formerly occurred regularly, but have gone extinct nationally since 1980 (i.e. those listed with occurrence ‘EXBA’ in the national checklist). This includes species for which the last record (even if it was a single individual) was noted after the date when the Directive came into force in the Member State; these species previously had a permanent/regular occurrence within the Member State.

In the specific case of former breeding species that no longer breed regularly, but do still occur during the breeding season (e.g. as unpaired individuals), Member States should continue treating these as ‘regularly occurring’  (5), particularly when their status (e.g. Annex I listing of Directive 2009/147/EC and/or general rarity) means that the continued presence of a small number of individuals could still be of broader interest.

Species that have colonised in small numbers, but did not become established and hence went extinct again nationally, all since 1980, should be treated as occasional species, and need not be reported on.

Although it will not always be possible to complete all of the relevant sections and fields for a species listed as ‘EXBA’, it is important to capture the year in which it went extinct nationally (or stopped occurring regularly, if this was not clear-cut (6)) and the approximate size of its national population (and breeding range, where relevant) in ca.1980, so that the extent and rate of its decline can be taken into account (see also field 4.1.3 ‘Short-term trend magnitude’ for more detailed guidance on providing trend magnitude information for species that went extinct during the trend period).

Non-native populations

In addition to ‘naturally occurring birds in the wild state’, as specified in Article 1 of the Directive, reporting is also requested for all populations of three largely introduced species listed in Annex II of the Directive (Branta canadensis  (7), Meleagris gallopavo and Phasianus colchicus  (8)) and for feral populations of Columba livia. Reporting on other non-native species (including those listed in Category C of the EU Bird List (9)) is optional, but encouraged in cases where the Member State hosts a non-native population of a species that occurs naturally elsewhere within the EU (and hence is listed in Category A ‘native’ / ‘regular’ of the EU Bird List), or the species represents a threat to native populations/species (e.g. those on the List of Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern (10): Oxyura jamaicensis, Alopochen aegyptiaca, Threskiornis aethiopicus, Corvus splendens, Pycnonotus cafer and Acridotheres tristis).

Table 1

Summary of species that should be reported on according to occurrence categories and species codes in the Article 12 bird checklist

Occurrence code/species code (from Article 12 checklist on Reference Portal)	Description	Reporting obligation
PRE	Regularly present	To be reported
ARR	Newly arriving	Not obligatory, but encouraged
EXBA	Species that became extinct after 1980	To be reported
e.g.A115-X	X denotes a non-native subpopulation of a species	Not obligatory, but encouraged. Mandatory reporting ONLY for species A044-X Branta canadensis, A115-X Phasianus colchicus, A460-X Meleagris gallopavo (non-native populations) and A206-X Columba livia (feral populations).

Explanatory notes for completing the Bird species status and trends report format

The Report format should be completed for each species and for each season falling under the criteria outlined in Table 2. The species for reporting are listed in the Article 12 checklist.

For some Member States, a separate Report format should be provided for distinct subnational units. This applies to the Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain). Previous EU-level assessments have shown that many Macaronesian bird populations have a very different status and trends to those in Iberia, so separate reporting for subnational territories has been implemented since the reporting period 2008–2012.

The bird species' status and trends Report format (‘species report’) comprises eleven sections, as follows:

Season reporting

(1)

Species information

(2)

Season

(3)

Population size

(4)

Population trend

(5)

Breeding distribution map and size

(6)

Breeding distribution trend

(7)

Main pressures and threats

(8)

Conservation measures

(9)

Natura 2000 (Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) coverage

Species/subspecies-level reporting

(10)

Progress in work related to international Species Action Plans (SAPs), Management Plans (MPs) and Brief Management Statements (BMSs)

(11)

Information related to Annex II species of Directive 2009/147/EC Table 2 Sections of the species Report format to be filled in for Breeding, Winter and Passage season for different categories of bird species (including Annex I and Annex II species of Directive 2009/147/EC and other migratory species triggering Special Protection Area (SPA) classification)   Annex I & SPA trigger Breeding (incl sedentary) Annex I & SPA trigger Winter Annex I and SPA trigger Passage Annex II Breeding (incl. Sedentary) Annex II Winter Annex II Passage Other Breeding Other key wintering Seasons reporting 1. Species information X X X X X X X X 2. Season X X X X X X X X 3. Population size X X X X X if SPA trigger (*1) X X 4. Population trend X X optional X X optional X X 5. Breeding distribution map & size X - - X - - X - 6. Breeding distribution trend X - - X - - X - 7. Main pressures & threats X X X X X if SPA trigger (*1) - - 8. Conservation measures X X X X X if SPA trigger (*1) - - 9. Natura 2000 SPA coverage X X X If SPA trigger If SPA trigger If SPA trigger - - Species reporting 10. Progress on action & management plans if relevant if relevant if relevant if relevant if relevant if relevant if relevant if relevant 11. Information related to Annex II If listed in Annex II if listed in Annex II if listed in Annex II X X X - - ‘Breeding’, ‘Winter’, and ‘Passage’ reports in the Table 2 correspond to the season selected in Section 2 of the reporting format. Please refer to Section on ‘Species to be reported’ above for further explanation on species occurrences to be reported on. For sedentary Annex I species of Directive 2009/147/EC only one report, based on breeding-season data, is requested (Breeding report), but pressures and threats and conservation measures (reported under Sections 7 and 8) should cover the whole year, not only pressures or measures specific to the breeding season. For Annex I and other Special Protection Area (SPA) trigger species of Directive 2009/147/EC with different breeding, wintering and/or passage populations within the Member State, there should be separate reports for Breeding, Winter and a selection of Passage season species as indicated in the Article 12 checklist. For sedentary Annex II species it is required only to submit a report for the Breeding season. Section 10 should be completed for species with international (11) Species Action Plans (SAPs), Management Plans (MPs) or Brief Management Statements (BMSs) (as specified in the species checklist on the Reference Portal). Even though not all data used in the report will be collected during the reporting period, the report should give information of relevance for the reporting period (e.g. 2019–2024). In addition, while not all sections of the reporting format are mandatory for each annex and season, where this information is available it is strongly encouraged to submit it. It is recommended that any free-text information provided is written in English, to facilitate its use during the EU analysis and to allow a wider readership.

1.   SPECIES INFORMATION

Section 1 should be completed for all regularly occurring species as listed in the Article 12 bird checklist on the Reference Portal.

1.1.   Member State

Member States should use the relevant country code from the list on the Reference Portal. In most cases, this will simply be the two-letter ISO 3166 code for your Member State. For a few Member States, separate reporting for subnational units applies (with reference to the status of particular species or populations in distinct geographical areas), and in the case of the Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain), the relevant four-letter subnational code, as specified on the Reference Portal, should be used.

1.2.   Species code

Member States should use the species codes given in the species checklist (and code list) on the Reference Portal. New codes can be allocated if necessary. More information on the species code list and possible amendments can be found on the Reference Portal.

1.3.   EURING code

Member States should use the EURING codes given in the species checklist (and code list) on the Reference Portal. Unique EURING codes have been allocated to nearly every bird species (and several subspecies) native to Europe, for the purposes of coordinating European bird ringing, and are widely used (12).

1.4.   Species scientific name

Member States should use the scientific names given in the species checklist on the Reference Portal, which now largely reflects the nomenclature and taxonomy adopted in latest version of the List of birds of the European Union  (13). In a small number of cases, the entry for scientific name includes the English phrase ‘all others’, to indicate that the taxonomic unit in question includes all of the remaining (native) subspecies not explicitly listed in the Annexes of the Directive (e.g. ‘ Accipiter gentilis all others’, cf. ‘ Accipiter gentilis arrigonii’ listed in Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC). Taxonomic updates will be implemented to maintain alignment with taxonomic references followed by IUCN.

1.5.   Subspecific population

Where relevant, Member Sates should use the subspecific population descriptions given in the species checklist on the Reference Portal. In many cases, the subspecific population names relate to the brief descriptions used to identify distinct flyway populations of AEWA species. In others, they clarify a taxonomic or nomenclatural treatment applied in the checklist, or help to distinguish introduced populations of species that are native elsewhere within the EU.

1.6.   Alternative species scientific name (optional)

If the scientific name given under field 1.4 differs from that in general national usage, Member States may enter an alternative here.

1.7.   Common name (optional)

If Member States wish to enter the common name of the species (or subspecies) used nationally, they may do so here. This could be useful if the draft report will be circulated for comments to people who may not be familiar with the scientific name, or when communicating the report with the public.

2.   SEASON

2.1.   Season

Select the season in which most of the data being reported were collected, with the options ‘Breeding’, ‘Winter’ and ‘Passage’.

2.2.   First time reporting

If the species is reported in the Member State for the first time, this should be indicated here. The first-time reporting field can be used for cases where a species is newly reported or reported in a season not previously reported on. This field is not for use in cases where the taxonomic name of a species has been updated. Some fields in the reporting format may not be applicable for species reported for the first time, e.g. when indicating the change and reason for change since the last reporting period. The first time reported can be indicated by entering ‘Yes’ in this field.

2.3.   Additional information

This field allows Member States to report, as free text, any information which is felt relevant. If a species is reported for the first time, please explain why (i.e. a newly recorded species or otherwise). Any other additional information on this section is optional.

3.   POPULATION SIZE

3.1.   Year or period

Enter the year or period during which the population size was last determined: YYYY (for year) and YYYY–YYYY (for period, year–year).

Many reports will involve periods, because the population size of many species is commonly estimated during national atlas projects, which usually involve several years of fieldwork. In many cases the fieldwork will extend outside the limits of the current reporting period. The year or period reported should cover the actual period during which the data were collected.

In some cases, the population size will be estimated based on a complete species census or inventory that took place during an earlier reporting period, but which has been updated with the results of regular monitoring or using data from online-systems for collecting field data. The year or period reported should be that which the reported estimate of population size relates to.

3.2.   Population size

Member States should use the population units (field 3.2(a) ‘Unit’) specified for each species – season combination in the species checklist. To allow the overall EU population size of each species to be calculated, all Member States should report their national data using the same population unit. For the vast majority of breeding species, numbers should be reported in units of breeding pairs (‘p’), acknowledging that the estimates for many species, including many common and widespread ones, are in practice often based on the number of occupied territories (e.g. singing males) during the breeding season. When the breeding population size is reported as breeding pairs, but the figures are derived from primary field data collected using another unit (e.g. apparently occupied nests for certain seabirds), this information can be provided in field 3.7 ‘Additional information’.

In a small minority of cases involving species with an unusual/complex breeding biology or cryptic behaviour, other units – such as breeding females (‘bfemales’) or calling males (‘cmales’) – are more appropriate than pairs for reporting population size. Such species include certain harriers, crakes, bustards and grouse. The units that should be used for reporting the population size of such species are indicated in the species checklist on the Reference Portal.

For ‘Winter’ and ‘Passage’ season reports, population size should be reported, as appropriate, using the unit individuals (‘i’).

Three fields are available for the reporting of population size values: ‘(b) Minimum’; ‘(c) Maximum’; and ‘(d) Best single value’. The number of fields used will vary according to the nature of the population size information available for the species in question (see below), but should follow one of the following logical combinations: (b) and (c); just (d); or (b), (c) and (d).

If a precise estimate of population size does not exist, with estimates only available as a range (i.e. minimum–maximum), these two values should be reported in fields (b) and (c). Member States are encouraged to provide plausible minimum and maximum population sizes even for poorly-known species, to minimise the uncertainty carried over into the estimation of overall EU population size and trends (which involves ‘weighting’ by national population sizes), but where this is not possible, a lower limit can still be reported in field 3.2(d) (preferably with a complementary note in field 3.7, e.g. ’Maximum population size unlikely to exceed 100 000 pairs.’), with ‘minimum’ selected under field 3.3 ‘Type of estimate’.

If the population is very well monitored (and often, but not always, relatively small), a single precise value may be available, in which case this can be reported in field (d). In other cases, a range (minimum–maximum) and a mean or ‘most-likely’ value may be available, in which case these can all be provided, in fields (b), (c) and (d).

In a situation where only a minimum (or maximum) value of the population size is known (e.g. through expert opinion) this should be entered in the (d) ‘Best single value’ field and NOT the (b) ‘Minimum’ or (c) ‘Maximum’ fields. This can be explained in field 3.7 (Additional information).

Where raw data and/or precise estimates exist, these should be reported without rounding at Member State level; any such rounding will be done later at EU level, as necessary.

If the species has gone extinct nationally since 1980 (i.e. its occurrence is listed as ‘EXBA’ in the national checklist), ‘0’ should be entered in field (d), and some indication of the timing of the extinction (e.g. ‘ Last recorded breeding in 1998. ’) should ideally also be provided in field 3.7. If it is not clear whether the species has gone extinct nationally or still persists in very small numbers, values of ‘0’ and, for instance, ‘1’ can be entered in fields (b) and (c) respectively.

3.3.   Type of estimate

Select the most appropriate description of the type of population size estimate reported under field 3.2. If values have been provided for all of fields 3.2(b), (c) and (d), choose the category that best describes the data (often ‘multi-year mean’ or ‘95 % confidence interval’). Further details of the options are provided below:

—

best estimate – the best available single figure (including where only the maximum value of the population size is available) or interval, derived from, for example, a population census, a compilation of figures from localities, an estimate based on population densities and distribution data, or expert opinion, but for which 95 % confidence limits have not been calculated. Whether a best estimate comes from monitoring data, extrapolation or expert opinion can be indicated in field 3.4;

—	multi-year mean – average value (and interval, i.e. worst and best years estimates) where population size has been estimated for several years during the reporting period (as indicated by the entry in field 3.1);

—	95 % confidence interval – estimates derived from sample surveys or a model for which 95 % confidence limits (as reported in fields 3.2(b) and 3.2(c)) could be calculated for the best single value (reported in field 3.2(d));

—	minimum – where insufficient data exist to provide even a loosely bounded estimate, but where a population size is known to be above a certain value, or where the reported interval estimates come from a sample survey or monitoring project which probably underestimate the real population size.

If both interval (fields 3.2(b) ‘Minimum’ and 3.2(c) ‘Maximum’) and single values (field 3.2(d) ‘Best single value’) are provided, field 3.3 ‘Type of estimate’ should correspond to the most accurate estimate. This should be noted in field 3.7 ‘Additional information’.

3.4.   Method used

This field is used to detail the methodology used to estimate the population size in field 3.2. Select one of the following categories:

a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate (e.g. from sample surveys of the majority of the known distribution);

b)	based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data (e.g. from sample surveys of a small proportion of the range, using models based on density/abundance and distribution data, or from an existing estimate updated using trend data);

c)	based mainly on expert opinion, with very limited data;

d)	insufficient or no data available.

If both interval (fields 3.2(b) ‘Minimum’ and 3.2(c) ‘Maximum’) and single values (field 3.2(d) ‘Best single value’) are provided, the Method used should correspond to the more accurate estimate. This should be noted in field 3.7 ‘Additional information’.

3.5.   Sources

To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 3.1 to 3.4 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. It is preferable to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years’ time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported.

3.6.   Change and reason for change (since previous report)

This field is used to indicate if there has been any change since the previous reporting period in the population size reported and, if so, to describe the nature of this change.

If there is a change, indicate which of the following options b) to f) apply (it is possible to reply ‘Yes’ to more than one of the options b–f) (14):

(a)	no, there is no change

(b)	yes, due to genuine change

(c)	yes, due to improved knowledge or more accurate data

(d)	yes, due to the use of a different method (15) (including taxonomic change)

(e)	yes, but nature of the change is unknown

(f)	yes, due to other reasons

Finally, it should be indicated whether any difference is mainly due to (select one option):

(a)	genuine change

(b)	improved knowledge or more accurate data

(c)	the use of a different method

(d)

unknown

(e)	other reasons

If a Member State wishes to give further information, this can be done in field 3.7 ‘Additional information’. If the field ‘yes, due to other reasons’ is ticked, it must be further specified in ‘Additional information’. This field should be used only in very limited cases.

3.7.   Additional information (optional)

This optional field can be used to provide supplementary free-text information relevant to the data provided for the assessment of population size under fields 3.1 to 3.6, such as details of any conversion factors used to convert field estimates of population size to breeding pairs (see text for field 3.2) or other reasons for change (field 3.6). For example, if, because of a change in methods, a Member State reports the same population size as in the previous report even though there has been a genuine change, this can also be noted here.

4.   POPULATION TREND

4.1.   Short-term trend (last 12 years)

Fields 4.1.1 to 4.1.5 are used to provide information on the short-term trend in population size, based on a 12-year period.

4.1.1.   Short-term trend period

The period for short-term trends is 12 years (corresponding approximately to two reporting cycles). For the 2019–2024 reports, this means the period is 2013–2024, or a period as close as possible to this. Some flexibility is permitted, so although trends would ideally be reported for 2013–2024, data from 2010–2021, for example, will be accepted if the best available data relate to surveys in those years, or if using an earlier end point means that the national Article 12 report can be delivered without delay. Nevertheless, note that, as national trends need to be combined to estimate the overall EU-level trend, any trends not reported for the ‘ideal’ trend period will be extrapolated or truncated, as appropriate (See the concepts and definitions technical guidance for more information). For newly arriving species, ideally the trends would be reported with the start year as the year the species first bred/occurred; e.g. if the species was first observed as breeding in 2018 then the short-term trend period would be 2018–2024 for the reporting period 2019-2024.

4.1.2.   Short-term trend direction

Indicate if the population trend over the period reported in field 4.1.1 was (only one option can be selected):

(a)

stable

(b)	fluctuating

(c)	increasing

(d)	decreasing

(e)

uncertain

(f)

unknown

Distinguishing ‘stable’ trends from slightly ‘increasing’ or ‘decreasing’ trends will depend on the nature of the trend information available for the species in question. Where statistically robust monitoring data are available, it should be possible to distinguish (and hence report) relatively slight – but statistically significant – increases or decreases (e.g. if the 95 % confidence intervals of the change do not overlap zero). On the other hand, if the allocation of trend direction category is based on less robust data (or expert opinion), a specified threshold (an overall change of 10 % over the trend period) should be used to distinguish ‘stable’ from ‘increasing’ or ‘decreasing’ trends. In both cases, Member States are encouraged to provide relevant explanatory/supplementary information in field 4.3 ‘Additional information’ (e.g. ‘Short-term trend from national common bird monitoring scheme for the period 2013–2024 was -0.4 % (with 95 % CI: = -1.1 % & +0.4 % per year), so change for the whole period was -4 % (95 % CI: -11 % and +4 %); hence categorised as ‘stable’ .’ ). For further guidance see the concepts and definitions technical guidance.

‘Fluctuating’ applies to species whose average population level did not change significantly over the trend period, but which are characterised by large interannual variations in abundance, sometimes of one or two orders of magnitude. Species that typically show such dynamics include Boreal and Arctic breeding species, such as certain owls and crossbills, whose abundance is closely linked to the availability of food that shows cyclical peaks and troughs, but the category may also apply to species that are particularly affected by adverse or variable climatic conditions. Member States are requested to restrict use of this category to species that show interannual population increases/decreases of ≥ 50 %. This includes species that, overall, are adjudged to breed or winter ‘regularly’ (e.g. more often than not), but may still not occur every year.

The category ‘uncertain’ should be used in cases where some monitoring data are available, but these data are not sufficient to reliably determine between two or more trend directions e.g. between fluctuating or decreasing. This could be due to sample sizes being small and/or monitoring schemes only being established relatively recently. Further details, e.g. of the available data and/or expert opinion of the likely ‘real’ trend, can be provided in field 4.3. ‘Additional information’. Trends from national common bird monitoring schemes categorised as ‘uncertain’ by TRIM (16), for example, should be reported using this category (not ‘fluctuating’). For further guidance see the concepts and definitions technical guidance.

The trend category ‘unknown’ should be used only in cases where there is no information – quantitative or qualitative – available on the national trend of the species. However, even in these instances, national experts will often have a sense of more likely trend scenarios – or at least of the plausible ‘limits’ of any potential increase or decrease – and any indication of this (17) could still be very helpful when carrying out the EU-level population status assessments.

Further guidance related to population trends is given in the concepts and definitions technical guidance.

4.1.3.   Short-term trend magnitude

If ‘increasing’, ‘decreasing’ or ‘uncertain’ is reported in field 4.1.2, enter the overall percentage change in population size over the trend period specified in field 4.1.1.

Choose from the following options:

(a)

Minimum

(b)

Maximum

(c)

Best single value — If magnitude is only available as a range (e.g. 20–30 %), these two values should be reported in ‘(a) Minimum’ and ‘(b) Maximum’. — If a precise figure (e.g. 27 %) is available, this should be entered in ‘(c) Best single value’. — Where a mean or ‘most-likely’ trend is available, along with 95 % confidence limits these three values can all be reported, in (c), (a) and (b) respectively. — In a situation where only a minimum (or maximum) value is known (e.g. through expert opinion) this should be entered in the ‘Best single value’ field and NOT the ‘(a) Minimum’ or ‘(b) Maximum’ fields. — Negative magnitude values should be reported (i.e. include the ‘-’ sign) for all negative trend magnitudes, including cases where the direction is already indicated as ‘decreasing’. Nevertheless, to avoid unnecessary data entry, it is not necessary to include the ‘+’ sign for positive trends (i.e. a trend magnitude of ‘15’ will be assumed to represent +15%). In the case of negative trends, note that the ‘Minimum’ and ‘Maximum’ fields relate to minimum and maximum values mathematically (not minimum and maximum declines).

In the specific case of species that have colonised or became established during the trend period (e.g. those listed as newly arriving [‘ARR’] in the national species checklist), the magnitude of any population increase should be calculated based on the population size in the initial year (18). For example, for the reporting period 2019-2024, if a species first bred (one pair) in 2018, but the breeding population in 2024 is eight pairs, ‘2018–2024’ should be entered in field 4.1.1, ‘increasing’ should be selected in field 4.1.2, and ‘700’ (i.e. the percentage increase from one to eight) should be entered in field 4.1.3(c). Ideally, a complementary note confirming the year of colonisation and the initial population size (e.g. ‘Species first bred (one pair) in 2018.’) in field 4.3 ‘Additional information’ should also be provided.

In contrast, for species that have gone extinct nationally during the trend period, simply reporting a decrease of 100 % does not provide all the information needed to assess the relative importance of the decline (declines to zero from starting population sizes of, for instance, one and 100 both represent decreases of 100 %). In the example of a species that had a breeding population of 10 pairs in 2014, but went extinct as a breeder in 2021, ‘2014–2021’ should be entered in field 4.1.1, ‘decreasing’ should be selected in field 4.1.2, ‘-100’ should be entered in field 4.1.3(c), and a complementary note indicating the population size in 2014 (e.g. ‘ Species declined from 10 breeding pairs in 2014 to extinction as a breeding species in 2021.’) should be added in field 4.3 ‘Additional information’.

Although trend magnitudes are not mandatory for trends reported as ‘stable’ or ‘fluctuating’  (19), they can also be reported in field 4.1.3. ‘Any additional relevant explanatory/supplementary information – such as the confidence intervals of ‘stable’ trends or further details on fluctuations can be provided in field 4.3 ‘Additional information’.

4.1.4.   Short-term trend – Method used

Use one of the following categories:

(a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate (e.g. comparison of two estimates of population size originating from complete censuses, or dedicated population monitoring with good statistical power);

(b)	based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data (e.g. trends derived from data collected only from a relatively small sample of the population, or based on insufficient sample size, or trends extrapolated from some other measurements);

(c)	based mainly on expert opinion, with very limited data;

(d)	insufficient or no data available.

Only one category can be chosen; where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, choose the category for the most important source of data.

The ‘Method used’ field applies to both the short-term trend direction (field 4.1.2) and trend magnitude (4.1.3), as these two fields are part of one assessment and should both be considered here.

4.1.5.   Sources

To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 4.1.1 to 4.1.4 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. It is preferable to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six- or 12-years’ time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported.

4.2.   Long-term trend (since ca.1980)

4.2.1.   Long-term trend period

The ideal period for reporting long-term trends is from ca.1980 (when Directive 2009/147/EC was adopted/entered into force) until ca. the last year of the reporting period. However, there is some flexibility here, and hence if a Member State has conducted national censuses in (for example) 1980, 1995, 2015 and 2020, the trend between 1980 and 2020 should be reported for the reporting period 2019-2024). For species that have colonised since 1980, ideally the trends would be reported with the start year as the year the species first bred/occurred, e.g. if the species was first observed as breeding in 2000 then the long-term trend period would be from 2000. For newly arriving species, the start date would fall within the last two reporting periods (i.e. 2013 to 2024 for the reporting period 2019-2024, see also text for field 4.1.1).

Member States lacking population monitoring scheme data from before 2000 are encouraged to consult other potential sources of trend information, such as the two editions of Birds in Europe (20), which present banded estimates of national population trend (plus supporting references) for most species for 1970–1990 and 1990–2000.

4.2.2.   Long-term trend direction

See field 4.1.2 short-term trend direction above.

If the allocation of trend direction category is based on less robust data (or expert opinion), a specified threshold (an overall change of 20 % over the long-term trend period) should be used to distinguish ‘stable’ from ‘increasing’ or ‘decreasing’ trends (the 10 % threshold is used for the short-term trend in field 4.1.2).

Further guidance related to population trends is given in the concepts and definitions technical guidance.

4.2.3.   Long-term trend magnitude

See field 4.1.3 on short-term trend magnitude above.

4.2.4.   Long-term trend – Method used

See field 4.1.4 on short-term trend - Method used above.

4.2.5.   Sources

See field 4.1.5 above.

4.3.   Additional information (optional)

This section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information relevant to the data provided for the assessment of population trends under Sections 4.1 and 4.2 (see text for preceding fields for suggestions).

5.   BREEDING DISTRIBUTION MAP AND SIZE

National breeding bird atlases already exist for most EU Member States, and a new European Breeding Bird Atlas (‘EBBA2’) was published in 2020 (21). In contrast, few countries have published national winter bird atlases, and many bird species are much more mobile in winter anyway. Hence, no winter distribution data are requested.

5.1.   Sensitive species

Some species are particularly vulnerable to persecution, illegal killing or collecting, and hence might face genuinely increased risks to their conservation or management if detailed information about their distribution were to be made publicly available. In a minority of cases, Member States may consider a species to be at risk if its distribution is made publicly available at the standard 10×10 km grid scale requested (see Section 5.3). Where information on distribution, if reported according to the specifications in field 5.3, is considered ‘sensitive’, this can be indicated by entering ‘Yes’ in this field.

If a species is marked as ‘sensitive’, the Commission and EEA will not disclose its distribution to the public (for instance, by posting this information on a publicly available database or Internet-based site).

5.2.   Year or period

Enter the year (e.g. 2021) or period (e.g. 2019–2023) when the breeding distribution was last determined. Many reports will involve periods, because the distribution of most species is commonly mapped during national atlas projects, which usually involve several years of fieldwork. The year or period reported should cover the actual period during which the data were collected.

Where no recent atlas information exists, Member States are encouraged to report a more up-to-date figure, by remapping the national distribution using other data, such as the results of annual monitoring schemes, data gathered from the Internet, and national or regional surveys. In such cases the distribution map will be elaborated based on data from the previous reporting period or using older distribution data that has been updated with the results of regular monitoring or using data from online-systems for collecting data. The year or period reported should be that which the reported distribution relates to.

5.3.   Breeding distribution map

Submit a distribution map, together with the relevant metadata (projection, datum, scale). The standard is 10×10 km ETRS89 grid cells in the LAEA (EPSG:3035) projection (22). The distribution dataset will consist of the 10-km grid cells where breeding is recorded or likely (see guidance below for mapping the species distribution); the use of attribute data to indicate the presence or absence of a species in a grid cell is not permitted. The period over which the distribution data were collected should be included in the metadata following the INSPIRE guidelines (23). The technical specifications for distribution maps are given on the Reference Portal.

Member States, or small territories such as the Canary Islands, Madeira or Azores can use maps using 1x1 km grids. These will be aggregated to 10x10 km for visualisation at the European level.

The grids for individual Member States are available for download from the Reference Portal.

The map should show the breeding occurrence (i.e. presence or absence) of the species in each grid cell. In general, only grid cells where breeding is ‘confirmed’, ‘probable’ or ‘possible’ should be included; for definitions of breeding categories and codes, refer to Table 2 in the ‘Methodology’ for the new European Breeding Bird Atlas (24). However, in cases where survey coverage and data availability are known to be poor, cells considered likely to hold breeding populations (especially common species) may be included as well, using expert knowledge or modelling. In these cases, further information related to data reliability can be provided in field 5.8 ‘Additional information’.

5.4.   Breeding distribution size

Enter the total surface area of the current distribution in the Member State, in km2. In most cases, this will be the number of occupied 10×10 km squares multiplied by 100. The surface area of the distribution should be represented by grids (10x10 km or 1x1 km) which occur entirely or partly within the Member State (i.e. grids intersected by the Member State boundaries should be counted entirely).

For localised species it is possible to report distribution surface area using finer resolution; for example, for species restricted to a single location, distribution area is the area of a locality where species occurs, which can be several hectares.

5.5.   Method used

This field is used to detail the methodology used for calculating breeding distribution size in field 5.4. Select one of the following categories:

a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate

b)	based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data

c)	based mainly on expert opinion, with very limited data

d)	insufficient or no data available

Where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, use the category for the most important source of data.

The ‘Method used’ should be reported as ‘(d) Insufficient or no data available’ if the distribution map on which the estimated surface area of distribution is based (obtained through comprehensive mapping, modelling or extrapolation, or, exceptionally, expert interpretation) covers less than 75 % of the presumed actual species distribution and no other data were used to fill in this gap in estimating the surface area of distribution (i.e. the resulting map is incomplete in relation to the presumed species distribution and so the surface area of distribution is underestimated).

5.6.   Additional maps (optional)

This is for cases where a Member State wishes to submit an additional map different from the standard submission map under field 5.3. Note that this is an optional field and does not replace the need to provide a map under field 5.3.

Maps at a resolution other than 10×10 km or with grids other than the ETRS89 LAEA (EPSG:3035) grid, may be reported here.

5.7.   Sources

To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 5.1 to 5.6 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. It is preferable to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported.

5.8.   Additional information (optional)

This section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided for the assessment of breeding distribution under fields 5.1 to 5.7.

6.   BREEDING DISTRIBUTION TREND

6.1.   Short-term trend (last 12 years)

Fields 6.1.1 to 6.1.5 are used to provide information on the short-term trends in breeding distribution, based on a 12-year period. For short-term trend in general, where data are absent or unknown, it is encouraged to use expert opinion or other data sources e.g. for example, where more recent, species-specific studies provide insights into recent trends or, in the case of very rare/localised breeders, knowledge of former/existing breeding locations may allow a simple comparison (e.g. breeding was known at three sites in 2013 and was still occurring at same three sites in/around 2024, so the short-term distribution trend is essentially stable), the trend direction can be assessed using this information with expert opinion.

6.1.1.   Short-term trend period

The period for short-term trends is 12 years (two reporting cycles). For the 2019–2024 reports, this means the period is 2013–2024, or a period as close as possible to this. Some flexibility is permitted, so although trends would ideally be reported for 2013–2024, other data spanning a different but comparable time period (e.g. 2009–2023) will be accepted if the best available data relate to surveys in those years. For newly arriving species, ideally the trends would be reported with the start year as the year the species first bred, e.g. if the species was first observed as breeding in 2018 then the short-term trend period would be 2018–2024 for the reporting period 2019-2024. Indicate the period used in this field.

6.1.2.   Short-term trend direction

Indicate whether the distribution trend over the period reported in field 6.1.1 was (only one option can be selected):

(a)

stable

(a)	fluctuating

(b)	increasing

(c)	decreasing

(d)

uncertain

(e)

unknown

See the text for field 4.1.2 Short-term trend direction in population for further guidance on the interpretation and use of these trend direction categories. The category ‘fluctuating’ will probably apply to fewer distribution trends than population trends, but may still be appropriate, for example, in cases where the national distribution of a (regularly occurring) species is strongly influenced by seasonal conditions elsewhere (e.g. the drying-out of favoured wetland sites further south).

6.1.3.   Short-term trend magnitude

If ‘increasing’, ‘decreasing’ or ‘uncertain’ is reported in field 6.1.2, enter the overall percentage change in distribution size over the trend period specified in field 6.1.1.

Choose from the following options:

(a)

Minimum

(b)

Maximum

(c)

Best single value — If only an interval (e.g. 20–30 %) is possible, these two values should be reported in ‘(a) Minimum’ and ‘(b) Maximum’. — If a precise figure (e.g. 27 %) is available, this should be entered in ‘(c) Best single value’. — If a mean or ‘most-likely’ trend is available, along with 95 % confidence limits, these three values can all be reported, in (c), (a) and (b) respectively. — In a situation where only a minimum (or maximum) value is known (e.g. through expert opinion) this should be entered in the ‘Best single value’ field and NOT the ‘(a) Minimum’ or ‘(b) Maximum’ fields. Negative magnitude values should be reported (i.e. include the ‘-’ sign) for all negative trend magnitudes, including cases where the direction is already indicated as ‘decreasing’. Nevertheless, to avoid unnecessary data entry, it is not necessary to include the ‘+’ sign for positive trends (i.e. a trend magnitude of ‘15’ will be assumed to represent +15%). In the case of negative trends, note that the ‘Minimum’ and ‘Maximum’ fields relate to minimum and maximum values mathematically (not minimum and maximum declines).

If available, the trend magnitude can also be reported for ‘stable’ or ‘fluctuating’ trends.

See the related text for field 4.1.3 Short-term trend – Magnitude for population for guidance on the specific cases of species that have either colonised or have gone extinct nationally during the trend period.

6.1.4.   Short-term trend – Method used

This field is used to detail the methodology used for calculating the short-term trend magnitude. Select one of the following categories:

(a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate (e.g. comparing two distribution maps based on accurate distribution data, or dedicated monitoring of a species’ distribution with good statistical power);

(b)

based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data (e.g. trends derived from occurrence data collected for other purposes, or from data collected from only a part of the geographical range of a habitat, or trends based on measuring some other predictors of habitat distribution, such as land-cover changes);

(c)	based mainly on expert opinion, with very limited data;

(d)	insufficient or no data available.

6.1.5.   Sources

To create the necessary audit trail for the data reported in fields 6.1.1 to 6.1.4 above, enter the details of the key references or other sources of information used to complete these fields. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. It is preferable to provide enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the data reported.

6.2.   Long-term trend (since ca. 1980)

6.2.1.   Long-term trend period

The ideal period for reporting long-term trends is from ca.1980 (when the Birds Directive was adopted/entered into force) until ca.the last year of the reporting period. However, there is some flexibility here, and hence if a Member State has conducted national atlas surveys in (for example) 1980, 1995, 2015 and 2020, the trend between 1980 and 2020 should be reported for the reporting period 2019-2024.

For species that have colonised since 1980, ideally the trends would be reported with the start year as the year the species first bred; e.g. if the species was first observed as breeding in 2000 then the long-term trend period would be from 2000. For newly arriving species, the start date would fall within the last two reporting periods (i.e. 2013 to 2024 for the reporting period 2019-2024, see also text for field 6.1.1).

Member States lacking distribution trend data from before 2000 could consult the original EBCC Atlas (25) or Birds in Europe  (26), which presents banded estimates of national range trend for species between 1970 and 1990.

6.2.2.   Long-term trend direction

See field 6.1.2 short-term trend direction above.

6.2.3.   Long-term trend magnitude

See field 6.1.3 short-term trend magnitude.

6.2.4.   Long-term trend – Method used

See field 6.1.4 short-term trend - Method used.

6.2.5.   Sources

See field 6.1.5.

6.3.   Additional information (optional)

This section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided for the assessment of breeding distribution trend under Sections 6.1 and 6.2. For example, a Member State may wish to report information about geographical shifts in distribution (short-term or long-term), or fragmentation of the distribution, even though no changes in overall distribution size are reported.

7.   MAIN PRESSURES AND THREATS

This section is designed to capture information about the principal factors responsible for causing individual species to decline, suppressing their numbers or restricting their ranges. It should be completed for all regularly occurring (as listed in the Article 12 bird checklist) species for the following groups:

—	Annex I species of Directive 2009/147/EC;

—	Annex II Breeding and Winter species of Directive 2009/147/EC;

—	any other migratory species triggering Special Protection Area (SPA) designations nationally.

Member States are encouraged to provide this information for any remaining species for which information is available.

More information related to season-specific reporting on Breeding, Winter or Passage Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC and other Special Protection Area (SPA) trigger species can be found in

Table 2: Sections of the species Report format to be filled in for Breeding, Winter and Passage season for different categories of bird species

Pressures have acted within the current reporting period and they have an impact on the long-term viability of the species or its habitat(s); threats are future/foreseeable impacts (within the next two reporting periods) that are likely to affect the long-term viability of the species and/or its habitat(s) (see Table 3). Threats are not reported separately; it is understood that a pressure reported with timing as ‘ongoing and likely to be in the future’ is both a pressure and a threat, whereas one with timing ‘only in future’ is only a threat. Threats should represent those issues judged to be reasonably likely (e.g. based on current pressures being reported or on foreseeable development projects). The definition of pressures and threats is given in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Definition of a pressure and threat (in the context of Article 12 reporting)

	Period of action/definition	Timeframe
Pressure	Acting now and/or during (any part of or all of) the current reporting period.	Current 6-year reporting period.
Threat	Factors expected to act in the future after the current reporting period.	Future two reporting periods, i.e. within 12 years following the end of the current reporting period.

7.1.   Characterisation of pressures

Provide the list of pressures: list a maximum of 20 pressures. The list of pressures is available on the Reference Portal.

For each bird taxon:

(a)	select a maximum of 20 entries for pressures using the code at the second level of the hierarchical list. The list of pressures and threats is available on the Reference Portal.

(b)

for each pressure, indicate the timing, which is the timeframe it is acting in. Timing in the past but now suspended due to measures For reporting pressures which have become suspended at some point in the current reporting period. Where selected, there is no need to complete the fields on scope and influence. ongoing For reporting pressures that are ongoing during the reporting period i.e. no evidence of being suspended due to measures. ongoing and likely to be in the future For reporting both pressures and threats. Where selected, there is no need to complete the fields on scope and influence for the part of the entry concerning the threat, but only for the part that concerns the pressure. only in future For reporting threats. Where selected, there is no need to complete the fields on scope and influence.

(c)

indicate for each, the proportion of population affected by the pressure (scope) – ‘whole >90%’, ‘majority 50 – 90%’ or ‘minority <50%’. Scope (proportion of population affected)* [*to be completed for ‘ongoing’ and ‘ongoing and likely to be in the future’ timings only. Although the latter also includes threats, the ‘scope’ and ‘influence’ will only address pressures] whole >90 % more than 90 % of the population reported in the Member State is affected by the pressure majority 50 – 90 % between 50 – 90 % of the population reported in the Member State is affected by the pressure minority <50 % less than 50 % of the population reported in the Member State is affected by the pressure

(d)

indicate the influence on the population or habitat of the species – ‘high influence’, ‘medium influence’ or ‘low influence’. The influence indicates how the pressure affects the decline of the population or the habitat of the species. Influence (on population or habitat of the species)* [*to be completed for ‘ongoing’ and ‘ongoing and likely to be in the future’ timings only. Although the latter also includes threats, the ‘scope’ and ‘influence’ will only address pressures] High influence The pressure listed is a highly significant factor contributing to the decline of the population or the habitat of the species. It is an important direct or immediate influence on the population. Medium influence The pressure listed contributes to the decline of the population or the habitat of the species, but is not a high influence or a low influence pressure. It has a medium direct/immediate or indirect influence on the population. Low influence The pressure listed contributes to the decline of the population or the habitat of the species, although not the main contributor and in combination with other pressures and/or factors.

(e)

indicate the location where the pressure is primarily operating. Only one option should be selected. Location* [*choose the option corresponding to where the pressure is principally acting] Inside the Member State To be chosen for pressures acting inside the Member State or inside and outside the Member State but having approximately equal impact to national bird population Elsewhere in the EU If the pressure is primarily acting elsewhere in the EU (but may also be acting inside the Member State) Outside the EU Where it is known that the pressure principally acts outside the EU Member States Both inside and outside the EU Where the pressure acts both inside and outside the EU Member States Unknown Location of where the pressure is acting is not known

The overall impact of a pressure, as captured in fields timing, scope and influence, should reflect the influence of the pressure on the trends of the species.

Where Invasive Alien Species (IAS) of Union concern is selected among pressures, it is obligatory to provide the names of these species in (f). A drop-down list will be available for these species. For the list of IAS of Union concern please see the Art. 12 Reference Portal. When a pressure concerns ‘Other invasive alien species (other than species of Union concern)’, the provision of names of these species is optional in (g). Please select from EASIN database (see Article 12 reference portal). More than one species can be selected for both cases.

If a Member State wishes to give more precise information on the nature of a certain pressure, this can be written in field 7.4 ‘Additional information’.

More detailed guidance on reporting pressure/threats is provided in the guidelines and in the notes in the list of pressures and threats available from the Reference Portal.

7.2.   Methods used (optional)

The optional ’Methods used’ field is to provide general information for pressures reporting, and is not required for specific pressures. Where a methodology is used for a specific pressure, this information can be provided in field 7.4 ‘Additional information’.

Choose one of the following categories:

(a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate;

(b)	based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data;

(c)	based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data;

(d)	insufficient or no data available.

Only one category can be chosen; where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, choose the category for the most important source of data.

7.3.   Sources of information (optional)

To provide the necessary audit trail for the data reported in field 7.1 above, Member States can enter the details of the key references or other sources supporting evidence of pressures reported. Such sources may include, for example, published papers, unpublished data held in databases, websites and expert working groups. If expert opinion was indicated in field 7.2, it can be further elaborated on in this field. It is preferable to list enough information so that anyone reviewing the report (or updating it in six or 12 years' time) will be able to understand the origin of the information reported.

7.4.   Additional information (optional)

If a Member State wishes to give additional information on certain pressures (e.g. estimates of annual mortality caused by a particular pressure, for instance illegal killing) or methodology, it can be provided in this field.

8.   CONSERVATION MEASURE

Member States are asked to describe the most important conservation measures taken for species for which this information is requested (see

Table 2: Sections of the species Report format to be filled in for Breeding, Winter and Passage season for different categories of bird species ). Member States are also encouraged to provide this information also for any remaining species where available.

8.1.   Status of measures

Select whether measures are needed or not. If the answer is ‘Yes’, then proceed to select from the following options (only one option can be selected):

(a)	Measures identified but none yet taken;

(b)	Measures needed but cannot be identified;

(c)	Part of measures identified have been taken;

(d)	Most/all of measures identified have been taken.

8.2.   Scope of the measures taken

Where part of the measures identified have been taken (8.1 c) or most/all of the measures identified have been taken (8.1 d), indicate the scope of these measures, i.e. the proportion of the population they impact:

(a)

<50 %

(b)

50 – 90 %

(c)

>90 %

The assessment should be done in a general way.

8.3.   Main purpose of the measures taken

A.

Indicate the main purposes of the measures taken. This part should only be filled in if conservation measures have been taken (field 8.1(c) ‘Part of the measures identified and taken’ is marked ‘Yes’ or 8.1 (d) Most/all of measures identified and taken are marked ‘Yes’). Several purposes can be identified: a) Maintain the current distribution, population and/or habitat for the species; b) Expand the current distribution of the species; c) Increase the population size and/or improve population dynamics (improve reproductive success, reduce mortality, improve age/sex structure); d) Restore the habitat of the species.

B.	To identify the main purpose of the measures taken, please indicate if this is to (only one option can be selected): — maintain the current state; — expand the range; — increase or improve the population; — restore the habitat.

The aim of this field is not to describe the effect of the measures, rather describe the intended objective of the measures implemented. The response is further elaborated on in field 8.5 below.

8.4.   Location of the measures

Indicate where the measures are mostly being implemented. This part should only be filled in if conservation measures have been taken (field 8.1(c) & (d) ‘Part of measures identified have been taken’ and ‘Most/all of measures identified have been taken’ is marked ‘Yes’) – (only one option can be selected):

(a)	only inside Natura 2000;

(b)	both inside and outside Natura 2000;

(c)	only outside Natura 2000.

This field tries to capture where the main focus of the conservation action is taking place. Therefore, choose option (a) if all or the vast majority of the conservation measures are restricted to Natura 2000, option (b) if there is a roughly equal effort to implement measures inside and outside Natura 2000, and option (c) if all or the vast majority of the measures are taken outside Natura 2000.

8.5.   Response to the measures

Provide an estimate of when the measures start, or are expected to start, to neutralise the pressure and to produce positive effects (with regard to the main purpose of the measures indicated in field 8.3). Choose one option from:

(a)	short-term response (within the current reporting period, e.g. 2019–2024);

(b)	medium-term response (within the next two reporting periods, e.g. 2025–2036);

(c)	long-term response (after e.g. 2036).

8.6.   List of main conservation measures

List a maximum of 20 conservation measures. Member States should use the codes provided on the Reference Portal.

More detailed guidance on the use of conservation measures is provided in the concepts and definitions technical guidance and in the notes in the list of conservation measures available from the Reference Portal.

8.7.   Additional information (optional)

Additional information to help understand the information given on conservation measures can be reported here.

9.   NATURA 2000 (SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS (SPAS)) COVERAGE

This section is designed to capture information about the Natura 2000 (Special Protection Areas - (SPA)) coverage for individual species. Under Article 4 of the Directive, Member States are obliged to classify the most suitable territories for certain species as SPAs. In order to assess the extent of coverage of the Special Protection Area (SPA) network for each relevant species at EU level, Member States are requested to report the size (and short-term trend) of the population that occurs within their national SPA network.

The section should only be completed for Annex I species of Directive 2009/147/EC and other migratory species triggering Special Protection Area (SPA) classifications nationally, as indicated in the species checklist on the Reference Portal.

More information related to season-specific reporting on Breeding, Winter or Passage Annex I of Directive 2009/147/EC and other Special Protection Area (SPA) trigger species can be found in

Table 2: Sections of the species Report format to be filled in for Breeding, Winter and Passage season for different categories of bird species

See background information in the concepts and definitions technical guidance.

9.1.   Population size inside the Natura 2000 (Special Protection Area (SPA)) network

Provide an estimate of the total population size included within the entire national Special Protection Area (SPA) network during the same year or period as reported in field 3.1. See the text for field 3.2 Population size above for details of how to complete fields (a), (b), (c) and/or (d).

In order to avoid overinflated figures, Member States may need to adjust the total population size inside the Natura 2000 network for some mobile wintering species downwards to allow for significant movements of individuals between Special Protection Areas (SPAs), as might apply, for instance, for various geese species wintering in north-western Europe.

9.2.   Type of estimate

Select one of the following options:

—

best estimate – the best available single figure (including where only the maximum value of the population size is available) or interval, derived from, for example, a population census, a compilation of figures from localities, an estimate based on population densities and distribution data, or expert opinion, but for which 95 % confidence limits have not been calculated. Whether a best estimate comes from monitoring data, extrapolation or expert opinion can be indicated in field 9.3;

—	multi-year mean – average value (and interval) where population size has been estimated for several years during the reporting period;

—	95 % confidence interval – estimates derived from sample surveys or a model for which 95 % confidence limits could be calculated (as reported in fields 9.1(b) and 9.1(c));

—	minimum – where insufficient data exist to provide even a loosely bounded population size estimate, but where a population size is known to be above certain value, or where the reported interval comes from a sample survey or monitoring project which probably underestimates the real population size.

Follow the same guidance as for field 3.3 ‘Type of estimate’ for Population size.

9.3.   Population size inside the network – Method used

Select one of the following options (analogous to field 3.4 ‘Method used’):

(a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate;

(b)	based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data;

(c)	based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data;

(d)	insufficient or no data available.

Follow the same guidance as for field 3.4 ‘Method used’ for Population size.

9.4.   Short-term trend of population size within the network – Direction

As in field 4.1.2 ‘Short-term trend direction’, indicate whether the population trend in the Special Protection Area (SPA) network over the short-term trend period (as reported in field 4.1.1) was (only one option can be selected):

(a)

stable

(b)	fluctuating

(c)	increasing

(d)	decreasing

(e)

uncertain

(f)

unknown

See the text for field 4.1.2 ‘Short-term trend direction’ for further guidance on the interpretation and use of these trend direction categories.

9.5.   Short-term trend of population size within the network – Method used

Select which of the following options best describes the method used to assess the short-term trend direction (as per field 4.1.4 ‘Short-term trend – Method used’):

(a)	complete survey or a statistically robust estimate;

(b)	based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data;

(c)	based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data;

(d)	insufficient or no data available.

Only one category can be chosen; where data have been compiled from a variety of sources, choose the category for the most important source of data.

Follow the same guidance as for field 4.1.4 ‘Short-term trend - Method used’.

9.6.   Additional information (optional)

This section can be used to provide supplementary free-text information (maximum 500 characters) relevant to the data provided in fields 9.1 to 9.5.

The information below for Section 10 Progress in work related to international Species Action Plans (SAPs), Management Plans (MPs) and Brief Management Statements (BMSs) and Section 11 Information related to Annex II species is to be provided for each taxon across all relevant seasons.

10.   PROGRESS IN WORK RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL SPECIES ACTION PLANS (SAPS), MANAGEMENT PLANS (MPS) AND BRIEF MANAGEMENT STATEMENTS (BMSS)

This section is designed to capture information about Member States' work on some of the EU's most threatened bird species, for which international (or multilateral (27)) Species Action Plans (SAPs) or Brief Management Statements (BMSs) have been developed, as well as a suite of huntable species considered to be in a poor condition in the EU and for which Management Plans (MPs) have been prepared (28). The reporting also includes work done within the framework of plans adopted by other international organisations to which the EU is a signatory, such as the Bern Convention (29), African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) (30) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (31).

Since the 1990s, significant EU resources have been spent on the conservation of many of these species (e.g. through LIFE projects), so Member States are requested to summarise what they have done at national level to implement these plans and to improve the status of the relevant species. The list of relevant taxa with an indication of a type of plan is available on the Reference Portal. This section is to be filled at species / subspecies level.

10.1.   Type of international plan

Use the type of international plan (Species Action Plan (SAP), Management Plan (MP) or Brief Management Statement (BMS) specified in the list of taxa with international/multilateral plans, which is available on the Reference Portal.

10.2.   Has a national plan linked to the international (Species Action Plan (SAP) / Management Plan (MP) / Brief management Statement (BMS) been adopted?

Please select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. If ‘Yes’, please provide a web link to (and/or bibliographic reference for) the national plan in field 10.5 ‘Sources of further information’ below. Fields 10.3 and 10.4 are to be completed regardless of whether ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ is selected here.

10.3.   Assessment of the effectiveness of Species Action Plans (SAPs) for globally threatened species

This field is used to provide information on the species’ national status (in terms of population size and range/distribution) in relation to objectives outlined in the Species Action Plans (SAPs) / Brief management Statements (BMSs). The list of species with SAPs and BMSs for which this field should be filled in is provided in the list of taxa with international/multilateral plans, which is available on the Reference Portal (32). A more detailed list including objectives to be considered in the assessment for each species is provided on the Reference Portal.

Some plans list different short-term and long-term objectives. For example, for Clanga clanga [=Aquila clanga] the action plan lists the following objectives related to either distribution or population size;

(a)	‘in the short-term, to halt the decline in the population and safeguard all existing breeding, roosting and wintering habitat’;

(b)	‘in the long term, to safeguard the distribution and numbers of the European population of the Greater Spotted Eagle, restoring the range to what it was in 1920’.

If the short-term objective (e.g. stabilisation of population size) has been achieved or there has been progress towards the objective, option ‘(a) moving towards the plan’s aim/objective(s)’should be selected.

Some plans include objectives that are not directly expressed as an increase/stabilisation of population or distribution, but for example a reduction in mortality caused by certain pressures or the protection/restoration of certain key sites. The effectiveness of a plan should be assessed considering the impact of those measures to population size/distribution. For example, if several key sites for a species have been restored (a short-term objective has been achieved) with a long-term aim to stabilise the population of a species but the population size is still declining (with an unchanged rate) the option ‘(b) unchanged’ should be selected.

Please choose from one of the following options:

(a)	moving towards the plan’s aim/objective(s);

(b)	unchanged;

(c)	further deteriorating away from the plan’s aim/objective(s).

10.4.   Assessment of the effectiveness of Management Plans (MPs) for huntable species in non-Secure status

This field is specific to huntable species in non-Secure status. It is used to provide information on their status (in terms of population size and range/distribution) on a national level, in relation to objectives outlined in the Management Plans (MPs). The list of species with Management Plans (MPs) for which this field should be filled in is provided in the list of taxa with international/multilateral plans, which is available on the Reference Portal (33). A more detailed list including objectives to be considered in the assessment for each species is provided on the Reference Portal.

Please choose from one of the following options (follow same guidance as for field 10.3):

(a)	improving;

(b)	unchanged;

(c)	further deteriorating.

10.5.   Sources of further information

In this field, Member States are requested to provide links to appropriate websites, web links and/or bibliographic references for relevant publications (e.g. a national plan), contact details of responsible organisations, etc.

11.   INFORMATION RELATED TO ANNEX II SPECIES (ARTICLE 7 OF DIRECTIVE 2009/147/EC)

This section is to be filled at species / subspecies level.

11.1.   Is the species nationally hunted?

Not all species listed in Annex II of Directive 2009/147/EC are hunted in all (relevant) Member States. Indicate here whether the species in question is indeed hunted in your country (34). If ‘Yes’, complete fields 11.2 to 11.4 below.

This field indicates if a species is nationally hunted in practice. For example, if a species is not classified as huntable by national/regional legislation (so it cannot be hunted) or if there is a permanent prohibition (for huntable species), the answer should be ‘No’. More information can be provided in field 11.4 ‘Additional information’.

11.2.   Hunting bag

Provide national hunting bag statistics (in individuals) per year/hunting season over the six years of the reporting period: provide the unit (individuals) in field 11.2(a), and proceed to fill in field 11.2(b) if applicable (i.e. hunting season, optional) and 11.2(c) with information per hunting season or per year (where hunting season is not used). For the reporting period 2019-2024 hunting season 1 is 2018/2019 (starting in autumn 2018 and ending in spring 2019); Season 6 is 2023/2024. Where a precise value is known, please enter this into both the ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’ fields. If only minimum or only maximum numbers are available, these should be reported in the respective fields ‘Min.’ and ‘Max.’. An option of ‘unknown’ is also provided.

In cases where bag statistics are only available for a group of species, without a reliable breakdown per species, the proportion (e.g. 50–90% for the dominant species and 0–5% for the other species) for each species should be estimated and reported as ‘Min.’ and ‘Max.’ values under 11.2. The appropriate explanation should be provided in field 11.4 ‘Additional information’ (e.g. ‘Bag statistics (min-max) were obtained for a group of species ([species 1], [ species 2], [ species x]), but probably >90% relate to the species in this report’). The ‘Method used’ (field 11.3) should reflect the fact that actual figures reported are an approximation, and should be ‘b’ or ‘c’ respectively.

11.3.   Hunting bag – Method used

Select which of the following options best describes the method used to provide hunting statistics:

(a)	Complete survey or a statistically robust estimate;

(b)	Based mainly on extrapolation from a limited amount of data;

(c)	Based mainly on expert opinion with very limited data;

(d)	Insufficient or no data available.

11.4.   Additional information (optional)

Provide web links or bibliographic references for the key sources of information used to complete the fields in Section 11, including details of any national reports or online databases. Also, any other information related to hunting bag statistics can be provided here, for example information related to validation checks on data quality and accuracy, or if additional demographic data is collected (e.g. via wing surveys). Any recent changes in survey methods or reporting tools may also be reported.

References

BirdLife International (2004) Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 12), Cambridge, UK.

del Hoyo, J. & Collar, N.J. (2014) HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Hagemeijer, E.J.M. & Blair, M., eds. (1997) The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: their distribution and abundance. T & A D Poyser, London.

Sokos, C. & Birtsas, P. (2014) The last indigenous black-necked pheasant population in Europe. G@lliformed 8: 13–22.

Tucker, G.M. & Heath, M.F. (1994) Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 3), Cambridge, UK.