The new issue of Avvoltoi Piemonte is online

The number 8 of Avvoltoi Piemonte is now online, the information sheet dedicated to observations of bearded vulture, griffon vulture, and monk vulture in the Western Alps in the first half of 2024, curated by Giuseppe Roux Poignant, produced by Andrea Abbà with graphic design and data representation by Matteo Bruno.

In these first six months, the observations of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) archived on the International IBM Database portal in the area of the territory between the Susa, Chisone, Pellice, and Germanasca valleys totaled 239.

Based on field observation activities and reports received, mostly supported by images and videos, a minimum of 28 different individuals have been reliably identified:
7 individuals of the first year;
5 immatures in the second year;
4 immatures in the third year;
3 individuals in the fourth year;
3 subadults;
6 adults.
The geographical breakdown of observations in the first semester, heavily influenced by weather conditions and the prolonged inaccessibility of some areas due to high avalanche risk, is as follows: Susa Valley 186 observations, Chisone Valley 23 observations, Germanasca Valley 13 observations, Pellice Valley 3 observations, plus another 14 observations related to the French political territory near the Italian border, Moncenisio area and Valle Stretta (Bardonecchia).

In line with the observations at the end of 2023, the sightings are steadily increasing. Throughout the northwestern Alpine region, sightings of territorial pairs are on the rise, often comprised of subadult individuals. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive year, there is no reproduction observed from Leoux, a female bearded vulture released in 2017 in Baronnies (France), frequently seen flying with another individual, in a specific area in the upper Susa Valley.
A new case of mortality has been reported, with the discovery of the remains of a young or immature bearded vulture in the last days of 2023 in the Susa Valley.
Late snowfalls and heavy precipitation during the spring period have also delayed the arrival of the first griffon vultures and monk vultures in the alpine region.

Contacts for sightings in the Cozie Alps Parks territory:

Giuseppe Roux Poignant (Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Park):
rouxpoignant@alpicozie.eu

Silvia Alberti (Val Troncea Park):
alberti@alpicozie.eu

For the Pellice Valley: Robi Janavel:
robi.jana20@gmail.com

To learn more, download Avvoltoi Piemonte No. 8: