IAF AECCA

Continuing the IAFs commitment to transparency and open communication with its members, we are currently undertaking a comprehensive update of the official IAF website to include clearer references, structures, and contact details for all Working Groups, projects and IAF activities. This process is being carried out gradually to ensure accuracy, consistency, and ease of access for both members and external partners.

The goal of these updates is not only to provide an accurate overview of the internal structures of the IAF, but also to facilitate direct communication with those involved in key areas of work, supporting better coordination and stronger engagement with each project or initiative you would like to get informed on or engaged with.

We invite members to explore the updated sections as they become available and to make use of the resources being added. As always, constructive feedback and suggestions are welcome—this is a shared platform for the international falconry community, and your input plays a valuable role in shaping its continued development: visit www.iaf.org and contact ilaria@iaf.org for any feedback, questions, suggestions, or if you spot any out of date information. We also remind delegates to undertake an annual review of their clubs information in the IAF members database (https://members.iaf.org/sys/website) to ensure this is up to date.

On 4 July 2025, members of the Nordic Countries Subgroup of the IAF Europe Working Group met for a hybrid meeting focused on the specific challenges facing falconry in northern Europe.

A combination of restrictive conditions surrounding hunting rights, bird ownership, and licensing often renders the practice of falconry virtually impossible in some of the Nordic countries. These legal and administrative obstacles continue to limit not only the daily reality of falconers, but also the transmission of knowledge and the recognition of falconry as part of national and regional heritage.

It continued efforts at gathering all available insights, experiences, and stakeholder perspectives to support the development of a fair and regionally appropriate regulatory framework.

In this effort, the cultural dimension of falconry—recognised internationally as intangible cultural heritage of humanity—remains central. The meeting reaffirmed the IAF's commitment to ensuring that this tradition is protected, understood, and made viable for future generations across Europe.

On 5 July 2025, members of the IAF Biodiversity Working Group met at the IAF Office in Brussels for a joint hybrid meeting that brought together falconers, conservation experts, partner organisations, and academics.

The meeting was opened with welcoming remarks from IAF President Mark Upton and Dr. Michael Greshake, Chair of the Biodiversity WG and IAF Vice President for Europe. The morning session focused on the theme "Nature Restoration Regulation: Implementation and Stakeholder Perspectives".

Ariel Brunner, Senior Head of Policy at BirdLife Europe and Central Asia, presented on the engagement of civil society through the NRR, followed by Valentina Siddi, Legal and Public Affairs Manager at FACE, who addressed the role of hunters in its practical application.

A complementary perspective was offered by Prof. Robert Kenward, who provided a historical overview of the role falconers have played in connecting farmers, hunters, conservationists, and policymakers over time throughout both conservation projects and multinational environmental agreements and similar fora.

A lively open discussion followed each presentation as well as at the end of each session, giving attendees the chance to reflect on shared priorities and explore opportunities for collaboration. This exchange continued informally over a light networking lunch for those participating in person.

The afternoon was dedicated to current International and national updates on biodiversity case files and best practices. Dr. Francis Buner from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust explained in detail the findings of the North Sea Interreg Partridge Project in shaping future conservation strategies under the NRR. Dr. Julie Ewald introduced the Pro-Coast Horizon Project, and Dr. Eckhard Gottschalk from the University of Göttingen shared insights from the long-term German wide partridge project.

Further presentations were held by members of the IAF Biodiversity WG providing updates from projects that members were currently engaged in or general updates from their countries on behalf of their clubs. Janusz Sielicki in his role as IAF Conservation Portfolio chair, presented the latest data from the CMS Raptors MoU Saker Survey, followed by national contributions on conservation work in the Czech Republic (by Tomas Leskovjan, delegate of the Czech Falconers Club), Germany (by Kai Schmid, delegate of the Deutscher Falkenorden), France (by Christophe Kimmel, delegate of ANFA), and Greece (by Dr. Panagiotis Azmanis, Vice president of the Association of Hellenic Falconers). The session concluded with an international look at grassland species recovery through an introduction to the North American Grouse Partnership by Dan Cecchini.

The presentations and exchanges throughout the day brought forward a wide range of experiences, highlighting both the diversity of local contexts and the common challenges faced across regions. From policy-level engagement to on-the-ground implementation, many speakers echoed similar concerns—underscoring how restoration efforts, regardless of geography, require clear frameworks, cross-sectoral trust, and long-term commitment.

The meeting also showed how strategies and experiences from different countries can complement one another, even when local conditions vary. Many of the concerns raised—about practical implementation, long-term coordination, or the need for better communication between actors—proved to be widely shared. By gathering such a broad range of perspectives, the event offered not only space for discussion, but also an opportunity to build a more coherent and united approach to future engagement with international and national conservation projects and in the European context with national nature restoration regulation implementation plans.

Above all, the event served as a timely reminder of the role that the IAF and its network can play in connecting conservation efforts across borders, and in ensuring that those working closest to the land and the species at stake are part of the broader conservation conversation.

The Opočno program maintains a long-standing tradition within the Club. On Wednesday afternoon, during the presentation of meeting participants, a traditional competition takes place: falcons compete in ascending flight for the President's Challenge Cup. Falcons are trained to catch a lure carried by a kite, balloon, or—newly introduced this year—a drone, reaching altitudes of 250–300 meters. The falcon's flight time is measured and converted into a climbing rate in meters per second. The falcon with the highest rate of climb is declared the winner.

The following three days of the Opočno meeting are dedicated to hunting. Participants are divided into 11 hunting groups, categorized by the type of bird used—eagles, hawks, and falcons. On Saturday, the final day, the Club organizes a public falconry demonstration on Vodětín Hill near Opočno. This popular event draws an annual audience of approximately 150–200 spectators.

Another cherished tradition is the social evening, held for all Opočno participants. This gathering fosters international friendship and includes dancing, conversation, and entertainment.

Celebrated annually on the 16th of November, World Falconry Day (WFD) brings together falconers, institutions, and enthusiasts to celebrate falconry's inscription as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and to highlight its significance and role across the globe.

Last year, the international falconry community once again marked this occasion with a wide range of events and initiatives, reaffirming the shared values and traditions that connect practitioners across generations and borders. From formal exhibitions and educational visits to cultural demonstrations and conservation activities, the contributions featured in this year's report reflect the diversity, creativity, and commitment of falconers worldwide.

This year's report provides a comprehensive overview...