Large distance movements of Eastern Imperial eagle form Bulgaria studied by satellite telemetry Stoycho Stoychev, Dimitar Demerdzhiev, Svetoslav Spasov, Dobromir Dobrev
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds Photo: Oguz Altun
First use of GPS Argos transmitters in Bulgaria Main results: • Identified dispersal and migration pattern of immature Imperial eagles from Bulgarian population •Identified wintering grounds of juvenile and immature eagles • Identified key temporary settlement areas
• Identified and prioritized threats • Justify and encourage application of further conservation activities
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
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20 juvenile eagles have been tagged in the period 2008-2012 in Bulgaria and 2 in the European part of Turkey
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70 gram Argos GPS transmitters of Microwave have been used
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Large data set obtained –over 3000 GPS coordinates
Long distance movements are not rare event
First autumn – significant proportion of the eagles migrate thought both straits – Bosporus and Dardanelles, coordinates from October -November
First wintering sites - data from GPS locations from January of the eagles during their first winter
Second wintering sites - data from GPS locations from January of the eagles in their second winter
Spring migration – most eagles migrate back and some did exploring trips to the North, Mart –April coordinates of second and third calendar year eagles
Summer period –coordinates from June of second and third calendar year eagles – exploring the North but spending more time in temporary areas in the Eastern Balkans and close to the natal areas
Threats identified – based on the fate of 22 eagles Live ; 1 Transmitter removed -3rd year; 2 Electrocuted; 7
Disappeared -3rd year; 2
Disappeared -1st year; 3
Dead probably diseases ; 1
Dead unknown reason; 2
Shot ; 2 Poisoned; 1
Injured possible collusion; 1
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Mortality and last locations by countries
Bulgaria 35%
Saudi Arabia 5%
Turkey 55%
Sudan 5%
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Conservation implications for the Bulgarian population Immature imperial eagles spend significant part of their life time outside Bulgaria and European Union Main threat is electrocution Priority country for conservation efforts is Turkey
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Follow up LIFE + project focused on electrocution was developed by grid operator EVN and BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria in 2012 Over 2700 poles will be insulated 45 km electricity lines will be berried underground 15 km dangerous lines will be replaced by insulated cables
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Acknowledgment BSPB/BirdLife in Bulgaria appreciates the support of various organization and individuals for implementing Imperia eagle satellite tracking program: LIFE + Bulgaria –Turkey Cross-border cooperation program RSPB – BirdLife in UK MME -BirdLife in Hungary DD - BirdLife in Turkey Bernd Meyburg Dimitris Vasilakis – WWF Greece Richard Cuthbert - RSPB Guy Anderson – RSPB Steffen Oppel - RSPB
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds
Thank you for your attention!
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds