Background Located in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula, Aragón is one of the largest and less populated regions of Spain. It comprises three different geographical districts: the central Pyrenees to the north, the Ebro plain in the centre and the Iberian system to the south. Together, they host many important bird species associated with alpine, steppe and Mediterranean habitat types. To protect this ornithological richness, the regional government of Aragón (the LIFE project beneficiary) has designated a total of 50 SPAs, (special protection areas) within the Natura 2000 network, covering a surface of over 874 hectares (874.67 ha) i.e. 18.2% of the region’s total area. Among the threatened birds found within the SPA network, the following six are priority species for conservation: the bittern (Botaurus stellaris); lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni); bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus); Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus); great bustard (Otis tarda); and little bustard (Tetrax tetrax). Action plans have been drawn up for all these species with electrocution and/or collision with power lines identified as a main threat. Aragón is also a region that produces and exports hydroelectric and thermal energy, for which an extensive power line network has been developed that runs across the SPA network. Bird species from steppe, riparian and wetland areas are adversely affected by the overhead power lines, so too are the breeding and nesting areas for raptors and waterfowl. Previous monitoring had identified the need for interventions to protect the birds over some 829 km of power lines affecting 30 SPAs across the region. Objectives The project’s overall aim was to implement a strategy, devised by the government of Aragón, for the adaptation of the overhead electric power line network to the conservation needs of 16 SPAs in the region. The main actions would involve establishing agreements with the main electricity companies – Erz Endesa and REE (Red Eléctrica de España) and with private owners – for the introduction of corrective measures on some 350 km of power lines (994 pylons) to avoid electrocution and collision risks to threatened bird species. Regional legislation would be drawn up and implemented to ensure the integration of these preventive measures into the design and installation of new power lines. Various information activities would be implemented over the course of the project to raise awareness of the dangers to birds from overhead power lines. Results The project was very successful and exceeded its original objectives. Thanks to the LIFE project actions, 60% of the dangerous power lines identified at the start of the project in the 16 initially targeted SPAs were modified to mitigate the threats from electrocution and/ or collision. A further 20% of dangerous power lines were tackled in two additional SPAs. An impressive reduction of initial deaths by 87.7% was achieved (this included a reduction of 93.7% of the risk of electrocution and a 50% reduction in the collision risk). Modification works involved actions across 60 power lines running over 325 km in 18 of the Aragón region SPAs; some 5.9 km of buried power lines were constructed and overhead lines were dismantled over 18.3 km. Between 2004 and 2008 long-term collaboration agreements were established and renewed with the electricity companies involved. Importantly, a new electro-technical regulation has been introduced (Decree 34/2005, which applies to all new power lines, including the modifications and renewal of existing ones. Among the project’s dissemination activities, more than 20 newspaper and other media items have appeared concerning the project activities. The project published two leaflets: “Constructive solutions for the protection of birdlife in transport electric power lines” (for technicians); and “Modification of dangerous electric power lines for birdlife in Aragón: (for administrators). It also published two practical manuals: “Constructive solutions for the protection of birdlife in transport electric power lines” (a practical manual devised in collaboration with Erz Endesa, covering the design of power lines and different materials needed to comply with the new electro-technical regulation); and “LIFE Experience: Modification of dangerous electric power lines for birdlife in Aragón” (a technical document focusing on the experiences gained by the LIFE project). Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).