The second phase of a conservation programme aimed at protecting the habitat of the Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti has begun. The ‘Alzando el Vuelo’ programme, organised by the conservation group BirdLife, will run from 2009 until 2012. The scheme aims to create a network of national authorities, local communities and private landowners capable of coordinating action on habitat management and conservation. The Spanish Imperial Eagle, with a population of only 253 breeding pairs, is found in only 5 Spanish regions and Portugal. Some 99% of the world breeding population is found in Spain.