by M. McGrady, B.-U. Meyburg, A. Spalton, F. Al Lamki
Its been almost two months since we last reported on the movements of Steppe eagles we have been tracking. One reason for this was that, upon arriving on the summering grounds, most of the birds 'disappeared'. At the time we did not know for sure why they had disappeared, but thought that at least some of them had settled into areas with poor GSM coverage, meaning they were unable to upload their locations. Although we were fairly confident that this was the case, we could not be sure until they moved back into GSM coverage, so in the meantime we just worried about them. As it turns out, we had no need to worry... at least for some.
Below is a map of four birds that have sent data recently. 183 went missing during 26 April to 2 July. 184 went missing during 9 April to 11 July. 185 and 186 have been sending back data sporadically since arriving on the summering grounds. 182 has been missing since 25 March, and 187 has been missing since 4 April (we hope they will show up soon).
The reason these birds are popping up now is that they are probably no longer tied closely to their nest site, especially if their young have flown. In the coming weeks these birds may wander in the summering grounds looking for food (they should also upload the stored locations during the time they were missing). Susliks, ground squirrels are important food, and their availability varies across the landscape. Pretty soon they will hibernate, and that will be an important cue for the eagles to start their migration.
Stay healthy!
Its been almost two months since we last reported on the movements of Steppe eagles we have been tracking. One reason for this was that, upon arriving on the summering grounds, most of the birds 'disappeared'. At the time we did not know for sure why they had disappeared, but thought that at least some of them had settled into areas with poor GSM coverage, meaning they were unable to upload their locations. Although we were fairly confident that this was the case, we could not be sure until they moved back into GSM coverage, so in the meantime we just worried about them. As it turns out, we had no need to worry... at least for some.
Below is a map of four birds that have sent data recently. 183 went missing during 26 April to 2 July. 184 went missing during 9 April to 11 July. 185 and 186 have been sending back data sporadically since arriving on the summering grounds. 182 has been missing since 25 March, and 187 has been missing since 4 April (we hope they will show up soon).
The reason these birds are popping up now is that they are probably no longer tied closely to their nest site, especially if their young have flown. In the coming weeks these birds may wander in the summering grounds looking for food (they should also upload the stored locations during the time they were missing). Susliks, ground squirrels are important food, and their availability varies across the landscape. Pretty soon they will hibernate, and that will be an important cue for the eagles to start their migration.
Stay healthy!
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| Movements of four Steppe eagles on their summering grounds during 15 May - 17 July 2020. |
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