The objective of the project is to investigate and promote alternative strategies to the use of poison as a method of controlling pests of agricultural rodents.

The Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and its Habitat (GREFA) intends with this project to investigate and promote alternative strategies to the use of poison as a method of controlling pests of agricultural rodents. To this end, it has opted for the management of its natural predators and the promotion of good agricultural practices, ensuring the collaboration of the hunting sector.

More specifically , we wanted to estimate the agricultural damage caused by vole pests and establish the presence of vole predatory birds of prey. In addition, the initiative has served to raise environmental awareness and has made it possible to know the impact of the project on the hunting sector.

The activities of this project include:

• Rodent abundance censuses using trapping and indirect indices
• Effects on avifauna, quarterly censuses and data analysis
• Estimation of agricultural productivity (treatment/control)
• Awareness campaigns.
• Obtaining information and training in the project in the hunting sector

Finally, the Study and monitoring of the population of the peasant vole in a total area of 12. 000 Ha in Palencia, Valladolid and Zamora . Maintenance of boundaries revegetated in previous years and installation of nest boxes have also been carried out to improve the habitat of predatory birds of the species. In addition, awareness-raising and technical advice actions have been carried out for farmers and groups related to hunting.