The Grand Site Concors Sainte-Victoire, a sanctuary for large cliff-dwelling and arboreal raptors, experienced a fruitful breeding season in 2026. Among the emblematic species monitored, the Bonelli's eagle, the short-toed eagle, and the peregrine falcon saw their nesting efforts crowned with success.
For the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata), two of the three nesting pairs successfully raised three chicks to fledging. A pair of chicks was born for the first time for the couple in the Concors massif, a success that reflects over twenty years of monitoring and surveillance work by the naturalist team in partnership with the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur. The young raptors were ringed under the supervision of the Research Centre for the Biology of Bird Populations of the National Museum of Natural History.
Regarding the short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), six pairs have been monitored since 2022. This year, three chicks were born, but unfortunately, one did not survive. A single chick was fitted with a GPS tag as part of a telemetry program conducted in partnership with the Mediterranean Institute of Biology and Ecology (Aix-Marseille University).
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), discovered in 2024, had its nesting pair on Montagne Sainte-Victoire successfully fledge one young. The naturalist team was able to observe the species from its early settlement and confirm the fledging of the young.
The Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), a rare species in southeastern France, has been monitored since 2024. In 2026, two pairs settled in the area, but their reproduction has not yet been confirmed.
Concerning the golden eagle, one of the two observed pairs showed no breeding success this year. The other pair, spotted in the Vaucluse side, was not observed. No reproduction was confirmed for 2026.
Finally, the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) also showed signs of life. Three pairs were discovered on the Sainte-Victoire massif, including two breeding pairs. One young fledged on the Cengle ridge and two others on Montagne Sainte-Victoire were recorded.
