Background This project focuses on three bird species listed as priorities under Annex I of the Birds Directive: the black Stork (Ciconia nigra); the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina); and the greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), one of the most endangered species in Europe. The forests and wetlands of Estonia are home to important European populations - around 3% - of both eagles, amounting to 500-600 pairs of the lesser spotted eagle and only 20-30 pairs of the greater spotted. Also found in Estonia are 1.5% of Europe’s black stork - 100-115 pairs. These birds are linked to a mosaic landscape - large, old trees for nesting and open landscape, such as meadows and floodplains for foraging. They are being threatened by changes in rural land use which have limited nesting sites by reducing natural old forest, caused disturbances during the nesting period and degraded feeding grounds. These factors are exacerbated by the lack of public interest and awareness. Numbers of black storks nesting in Estonia have halved during the past twenty years and the greater spotted eagle has been reduced to less than 30 pairs. The fact that many nesting sites are unknown means they remain unprotected. Objectives The primary objective of the project was to enhance the conservation status and guarantee the survival in Estonia of the three endangered species being targeted: black stork, lesser spotted eagle and greater spotted eagle. To achieve this, the project intended to preserve and restore the important habitats of these species in co-operation with landowners and increase public awareness of the necessity of protecting the birds. Actions were to focus on five nature conservation areas in Estonia. The main pilot area was to be in the Soomaa National Park in central Estonia, which once had floodplains suitable for the spotted eagles as feeding grounds. Actions were planned to attempt the restoration of these floodplains. Specific goals were to: execute approved action plans for project target species and update these plans for the next five years raise society’s awareness of the project species and of eagles in general develop international co-operation in the areas of protection and research improve the status of the Natura 2000 network assist the Ministry of Environment in executing projects for the protection of the target species.Results The EAGLELIFE project successfully used a nationwide approach to improve the protection status of each of the three targeted Annex I birds. Over 230 new nest sites were registered over the course of the project: 185 for the lesser spotted eagle; 7 for the greater spotted eagle; and 45 for the black stork. Unfortunately, the overall trend for the greater spotted eagle is still negative, because of natural cross-breeding with the lesser spotted eagle. A key factor in improving protection of the species was the establishment of micro-reserves around nest sites located outside existing nature conservation areas. Over 5 500 ha of land became micro-reserves, many of which have been included in the Natura 2000 network. A further 1 383 ha, around 184 lesser spotted eagle nest sites, await final approval of the Environment Ministry. The concept of the micro-reserve was included in the 2005 Nature Conservation Act of Estonia. The project succeeded in creating or updating action plans for the target species, 2009-13. The plans define key actions and nature conservation obligations for the species, including the micro-reserves. Plans for the lesser spotted eagle and black stork were approved by the Environment Ministry in December 2009. Despite practical and legal difficulties, 76.8 ha of old forest around black stork nest sites were successfully acquired to ensure their high conservation status. Over 2 850 ha of targeted floodplains were restored in six Natura 2000 areas - not just in the Soomaa National Park. Further foraging areas were provided for black storks by clearing the banks of some streams. Other successes of the project include gaining new information on the nesting, foraging and migration behaviour and preferences of the endangered birds from field studies, which also found 225 new nest sites. The project used GPS/satellite tracking and webcams for observing the species. The public was able to engage through the webcams - which attracted over 8.3 million visits online - and high-quality materials such as a DVD and booklet. Landowners - including Russian speakers - were specifically informed about birds on their land. Sociological studies indicated a positive change in attitudes over the project’s duration. Finally, the project developed a platform for good European co-operation on the conservation of these birds through participation in meetings and the creation of an “Eagle Centre” in the beneficiary’s offices. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).