International Workshop on the Conservation of GSE

International Workshop On The Conservation Of  Greater Spotted Eagles,
or….
Падворлік, Suur-konnakotkas, Didysis erelis rėksnys , Большой подорлик.
 

January was a busy month for the team of the Project. We spent 25th, 26th and 27th discussing the future of the Greater Spotted Eagles during international workshop on the conservation of the species. Among invited guests were experts on the subject from Russia, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine.

It was the first of two best practice workshop held during the project. Their aim is to discuss practical aspects of Aquila clanga conservation: habitat management techniques, census and ringing methods, achievements and lessons learned, etc. Each workshop will have a specific topic, to tackle the most acute difficulties faced by project Partners to promote best practice. 
Our meeting lasted three days, two of which were spent on discussions, presentations and plenary sessions in Goniądz. On the third day we invited our guests on a field trip, in order to show the key hunting grounds of Greater Spotted Eagles in the southern area of the Biebrza Valley. To complete our three-day-meeting we acquainted our guests with active methods of habitat restoration for Greater Spotted Eagles.


Watch the Photo Report  of the event:

Aquila clanga is one of the least known eagle species. Very few conservation or research initiatives have been undertaken before. This is why only scarce information is available on the biology and habits of the species. Lack of such information makes it very difficult to undertake reasonable conservation or protection activities. The gathering of sufficient information and exchange of experiences with other Aquila clanga conservation initiatives, especially from the neighbouring countries has crucial meaning for both local and European conservation strategy.

Who were the participants?

It has been an intensive and effective meeting, as we managed to gather well-known specialists and experienced researchers of the Greater Spotted Eagles from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. All these countries constitute the main area occupied by GSE in Europe:

 
Distribution of GSE.
Red – breeding area
Blue – wintering area

Whereas Biebrza Valley is the westernmost region of GSE breeding population, Russia constitutes the main area of its European population . According to the latest study the European share of the Russian population is estimated to number 800-900 breeding pairs. Aleksander Mischenko from the Russian Society for Birds Conservation told us about GSE population trends, breeding biology and main threats to the birds. As for the Greater Spotted Eagles occupying the vast territories of Ural behind the Volga line, Igor Karyakin from the Center of Field Studies (N. Novgorod, Russia) introduced the current situation of that population.


Valery Dombrovski from the Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Sciences visited the Biebrza Valley for the second time already. Taking into account his last visit in Poland and our trip to Belarus in late autumn, he has become already a good friend of our Project. In his presentation, Valery focused on the characteristics of GSE biotopes and their requirements and reported the results of latest studies on cross-breeding with Lesser Spotted Eagle. Another interesting part was the colour ringing of the chicks - popular monitoring method used also in Poland since 2007 to study Greater Spotted Eagles and other birds of prey.  
What about the population in Belarus? Current studies show that its population numbers up to 150-200 pairs. Majority of the birds choose the vast marshes of the Pripyat River to live, hunt and breed.


Ukraine population of Greater Spotted Eagles was estimated to numer 30-45 pairs in 1990-2000.  During the workshop we learnt more on the current numbers from the presentation of Sergey Domashevsky from the Ukrainian Birds of Prey Research Center.


Declining numbers of Greater Spotted Eagles in Lithuania is a serious concern for the conservationists of the species. Why are the birds disappearing  from the country? Is there a chance to reintroduce the birds and provide them with most favourable breeding and hunting grounds?  We invited Rimgaudas Treinys from the Institute of Ecology in Nature Research Center to answer these questions.
Population decline in Latvia is a reason to worry too. Estimates show 0-5 pairs. In order to know more about that decline and find solutions to that, we discussed the matter with Ugis Bergmanis from the Nature Reserve Teiči.

During the meeting we gave special attention to birds satellite tracking. Although we are already following the routes of our eagles’ migrations, we still have a lot to learn as far at the technology is concerned. Therefore, discussion with Urmas Sellis from Estonia (the Eagle Club) was a fruitful for all the participants. Urmas  shered with us his experience and presented results of Estonian research, conducted with GPS transmitters; explained the advantages and disadvantages of the device as well.
Estonian population of Greater Spotted Eagles numbers only to few pairs of birds with several mixed pairs of Greater Spotted Eagle with Lesser Spotted Eagle.

Our first Workshop turned out to be a very productive and inspiring meeting of specialists, enthusiasts and most of all, passionate people devoted to the protection of threatened wildlife. We were honured to welcome all of our guests here in Goniądz, in the heart of the Biebrza Valley. In this last refuge of Greater Spotted Eagles in Poland we discussed, argued, exchanged views and have learnt a lot from each other during those three days.
Most of all, however, we started up new and valuabe "clanga friendships" which, we hope, will last and help to save beautiful Greater Spotted Eagles...