Meet Alexander from Galichica – a male individual of the species Alectoris graeca who has been equipped with a GPS transmitter and will serve as our “collaborator” in the coming period, helping us uncover more about the secretive life of these birds.

The monitoring of the Alectoris graeca (commonly known locally as the rock partridge due to its preference for rocky habitats) is part of the management plan of Galichica National Park and is conducted every two years in cooperation with experts from the Macedonian Ecological Society (this time also supported by volunteers from Slovenia).

To achieve this, we have established 10 transects of 2 kilometers each and survey them every second year. Using statistical models, we then estimate the population of rock partridges. The long-term implementation of this activity allows us to track population trends of the species – that is, changes in their numbers and the reasons behind those changes.

Additionally, to gain deeper insights into the behavior of the rock partridges and how they use their habitat, we apply the method of GPS telemetry. Equipping individuals with GPS transmitters helps us better understand their lifestyle and represents a crucial prerequisite for the targeted development of future conservation measures.