Greater spotted eagle soaring over Jahra Pools, Kuwait, Winter 2021-22.
Winter 2021- 22
8648 was captured on 18 December 2021 and fitted with a tracking device. Its plumage indicated it was about 2.5 years old, having been born in summer 2020. It is a female. It spent the whole winter in Kuwait (Figure 14), in the Jahra Pools reserve, and on a farm to the SE of Al Jahra, where crops were being irrigated.
Movement of a second-year, female Greater spotted eagle (8648) during winter 2021 – 22.
Spring migration
The map below shows the movements of 8648 during spring 2022. On 11 April 2022, 8648 left Al Jahra on migration. She moved north through Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, before entering Russia. Once in Russia she continued heading north, then turned around and flew along the northern coast of the Black Sea into Ukraine. She passed over Mariupol, Ukraine on 30 April. Of course, at that time heavy fighting was occurring in Mariupol. During 1 – 12 May she settled about 30 km SW of Melitopol, Ukraine, in a coastal area with mixed habitats of woodland and agriculture (Figure 16). On 12 May she departed, and again headed north, reaching a location only about 150 km SE of Moscow (54.47N, 38.59E) on 1 June. She turned south again, and on 9 June was located in agricultural land east of Krasnodar, Russia.
Movements of a second-year, female Greater spotted eagle (8648) during 18 December 2021 – 9 June 2022.
A settled period for a second-year, female Greater spotted eagle (8648) about 30 km southwest of Melitopol, Ukraine, 1 – 12 May 2022.
