LONDON, England: Researchers have observed that eagles have altered their migration routes across Ukraine to avoid areas affected by fighting and habitat destruction caused by the ongoing conflict. The Greater Spotted Eagles, which migrate through Ukraine every spring on their journey from Greece and the Sudd wetland in South Sudan to breeding grounds in Belarus, have been navigating around dangers such as artillery fire, jets, tanks, and military troop concentrations.
A study by researchers from the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the British Trust for Ornithology analyzed GPS data from tagged eagles during the months following the February 2022 invasion, a period marked by intense fighting in northern Ukraine as Russian forces attempted to capture Kyiv from the north. These findings were published in the journal Current Biology.
Charlie Russell, the lead author and a postgraduate researcher at the University of East Anglia, emphasized the broader impact: “The war in Ukraine has severely affected both people and the environment. Our research provides insight into how conflicts can impact wildlife.” The Greater Spotted Eagle, a large brown bird of prey listed as a vulnerable species, has been tracked using GPS devices since 2017. The researchers did not expect to be monitoring them through an active war zone five years later.
The study found that the eagles significantly deviated from their typical migration routes, spending less time at their traditional stopover sites in Ukraine or bypassing them entirely. Consequently, the birds traveled an additional 52 miles (85km) on average. These stopover sites are crucial for migrating birds to rest, feed, and hydrate. The changes in their routes delayed their arrival at breeding grounds and likely increased their energy expenditure, with potential negative effects.
Dr. Jim Reynolds, an independent expert and Assistant Professor in Ornithology and Animal Conservation at the University of Birmingham, expressed concern: “The conflict in Ukraine is fundamentally disrupting the migratory patterns of this species. For a vulnerable species, any disruption to breeding performance is a significant concern. As a conservation biologist, this is a major worry.” Although all the tagged birds survived, researchers believe their altered migration experience may have negatively impacted their ability to breed.
