Study reveals impact of war on greater spotted eagles’ migration
A recent study published in the journal Current Biology reveals that greater spotted eagles have changed their migratory routes to avoid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Researchers track changes in flight paths
Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and the Estonian University of Life Sciences used GPS data to track the eagles. The data showed that the birds detoured significantly to avoid areas with artillery fire, jets, tanks, and troops. These detours were extensive and involved large deviations from their traditional routes.
The study also found that the eagles not only took longer routes but also reduced or completely avoided their usual rest stops. This adjustment indicates a significant shift in their behavior due to the conflict.
Each spring, greater spotted eagles migrate from Greece and the Sudd in South Sudan to their breeding grounds in Belarus. Females travel from Greece, while males journey from East Africa. The research analyzed data from 19 tagged eagles migrating through Ukraine to southern Belarus in March and April 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The researchers compared the data from the war period with data collected from 20 birds between 2018 and 2021
Lead author Charlie Russell highlighted the broader implications of the war on wildlife, stating, “The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on people and the environment. Our findings provide a rare window into how conflicts affect wildlife, improving our understanding of the potential impacts of exposure to such events or other extreme human activities that are difficult to predict or monitor.”
Russell further noted that these disturbances could significantly affect the eagles’ behavior and fitness, particularly for those breeding in conflict-affected areas or species less able to respond to such disturbances.
The researchers compared the data from the war period with data collected from 20 birds between 2018 and 2021. They found that the eagles flew an average of 85 kilometers further and took 55 hours longer to reach their breeding grounds post-invasion. The number of birds stopping in Ukraine before returning to their breeding grounds also decreased.
In the latest data, only six out of 19 birds took breaks during their journey, compared to 18 out of 20 in the 2018–21 data. Notably, several key stopover sites in Ukrainian Polesia were not used at all in 2022.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has forced greater spotted eagles to alter their migration routes significantly, highlighting the profound impact of human conflict on wildlife. This study underscores the need for further research and conservation efforts to understand and mitigate the effects of such disturbances on migratory species.