SURVEY OF WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
IN FEBRUARY 2007

Third and final in this winter survey of wintering White-tailed Eagles was conducted under the project “Conserving Key Wintering Sites of White-tailed Eagle in Ukraine” during February 10-13, 2007. Team consisting of 22 persons, including 15 professional ornithologists and 7 amateurs, participated in the survey and provided results of monitoring. Group of amateurs consisted of people working for governmental environmental agencies, fishing industry, schools. February survey was conducted within previously monitored area.

There was warm weather and air temperature was +1…+5 degrees Celsius during the survey period in Ukraine. However, it was sudden cold snap just before the survey days and very large areas of water bodies were frozen up.

As a result of the survey, number of wintering White-tailed Eagle has dropped within the survey area was in February. In total, 33 sites where White-tailed Eagles were observed have been registered. Considering that data for Donetsk region was not collected in February, but it was calculated in two previous surveys, general number of birds in the key survey area is slightly lower.

In southern regions, general number of White-tailed Eagles has dropped to 84 birds. Reduction of number was observed in almost all surveyed regions. However, number of birds in wintering groups has increased that was caused by freezing of water bodies. Groups of 1-2 birds and more often of 4-10 birds were observed at some areas. They stayed alone or in groups.

Due to freezing of water bodies in Dnipro basin, the situation was also changed remarkably in comparison with the previous period. Number of registered birds has dropped sharply and composed 47 White-tailed Eagles. They were in groups on melted parts of water bodies.

Reduction of number within the key area in the middle of February can be caused not only by cold snap and movement of birds in warm region, but also by spring approaching.