Background Three priority steppe bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, great bustard (Otis tarda), little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) and lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), are highly vulnerable to changes in farming practices that cause habitat loss and fragmentation – the major factors for their extremely unfavourable status in Europe. In Portugal, due to the disappearance of extensive farming systems, these species are now almost entirely restricted to the Alentejo region. Furthermore, more than 70% of the great bustard and the lesser kestrel populations are concentrated in only one site, the Castro Verde Special Protection Area (N2000 site - SPA). Moreover, several threats have been identified in these areas, namely habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, loss of nesting sites, power lines, predation and disturbance. Objectives The main goal of the LIFE EstepÁrias project was to promote the long-term conservation of great bustard, little bustard and lesser kestrel in their main Portuguese distribution area. The project aimed to minimise existing threats to these species in four SPAs with pseudo-steppes, and to contribute towards Natura 2000 site management. It aimed to promote sustainable development of these areas, making farming and game practices compatible with habitat management for the conservation of steppe bird species. Therefore, the project sought close collaboration between farmers, landowners, game managers and other stakeholders, to engage them in conservation efforts. The ultimate objective was to develop and disseminate best practice techniques and know-how, and to promote networking and mutual learning, to ensure the long-term conservation of the three target species. Results The EstepÁrias project purchased agricultural land at Castro Verde Natura 2000 site (168 ha), located in an area where great bustard display and mate, nest and overwinter. The land is also a breeding area for the little bustard and a feeding area for the lesser kestrel. A Management Plan was drafted for this land that defined interventions during the project and in the post-project period, to promote grazing and game management that maintains steppe bird habitat with minimal disturbance. Two breeding towers were constructed for lesser kestrel, one in the Mourão/Moura/Barrancos N2000 site and one in the acquired land at Castro Verde N2000 site, to promote natural recolonisation of the species in its former range and boost the enlargement of the distribution area in Portugal. The towers were built of brick and each incorporated 80 nest boxes. Modifications were made to 40 km of power lines in the Castro Verde N2000 site, using 15.2 km of FireFly Bird Flappers (FBF) of the “rotating” type, 14.9 km of FBF of the “ribbons” type, 9.8 km of Bird Flight Diverter (BFD) of the two-coloured double-spiral type, while 146 pylons that posed the highest risk of electrocution were isolated, to decrease the collision of great bustard and little bustard and the electrocution of lesser kestrel. Monitoring showed a reduction in target bird mortality near modified power lines, and showed FBF of the “rotating” type to be the most effective anti-collision signalling technology. This is an important contribution to future interventions made by EDP Distribution, an associated beneficiary and electricity distributer. The project also modified fences with anti-collision signs and bird-friendly passageways, and demonstrated good practices for fences to reduce the barrier effect and the danger of steppe bird collisions. Methodologies were tested on more than 48 km of fencing; with signalisation on about 41 km and installation of 184 fauna passages on 28 km. Collaboration Protocols were established with eleven farm owners, to implement management measures for fences and breeding towers. The project made significant improvements to breeding habitat conditions in great bustard display grounds (leks) by removing 2 km of fencing. Initiatives were developed in collaboration with game managers in an area of 18 121 ha in the Castro Verde, Piçarras and Vale do Guadiana N2000 sites. This promoted the inclusion of 37 feeding points and 35 watering points accessible to great bustard. To minimise predation on steppe birds, populations of alternative prey species were promoted, for example, with the construction of five areas of artificial rabbit burrows. The project adapted an existing wildlife centre for the rehabilitation of injured steppe birds. During the project, 247 birds of the three target species were collected and treated; of which 121 lesser kestrel were recovered and returned to nature. The involvement of farmers, landowners and hunters in the collection and delivery of wounded birds was also promoted. Potential climate change scenarios were examined by the project, to evaluate their potential impact on steppe birds. These scenarios were used to establish emergency intervention procedures, including drought mitigation measures. Increased public awareness of steppe birds was promoted through education activities with schools, workshops, guided field trips, lectures, press and TV, print and internet publications, and a project film. Other awareness-raising activities were targeted at specific stakeholders and focussed on ecosystem management for steppe bird conservation. All the solutions developed by the project were integrated into Good Practices Manuals, for the use of entities involved in agri-environmental management. This will help transfer knowledge to other Natura 2000 network sites around Europe. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).