186 has been spotted!

by F. Al Lamki, B. -U. Meyburg, A. Spalton and M. McGrady

Steppe eagle 186, an adult female tagged at Raysut in January 2019, settled into a breeding territory in Kazakhstan (See the posts from May 20 and 24).  Luckily for us, Genriyetta Pulikova was able to visit the area, and she saw 186 with her apparent mate.  It seems that the pair did not rear any chicks this year, but it is good to know that she has survived.  Without chicks 186 may wander around the summering grounds if prey in the immediate vicinity of her nest declines as summer passes.  Then, we hope it will head back to Oman, and we can continue to track her.  At the moment she is in heavy moult, growing new feathers for the coming year.

186 on her breeding territory, 16 June 2020.  The transmitter is easy to see (Photo: G. Pulikova).

186 showing heavy moult.  June 2020 (Photo: G. Pulikova).