2013

New live stream of lesser-spotted eagles' nest

Last spring and summer, Internet users from all over the world had a chance to follow the lives of Latvia's most famous pair of lesser-spotted eagles – Mētra and Mačo, as well as their eaglet, Miks. Mētra and Mačo's nest, located in the vicinity of the village of Mētriena, will also be streamed live this year.

The camera was set up on April 2, when fields and forests were still tucked underneath a blanket of deep snow. Mētra was spotted near the nest on April 14. However, it is possible that she returned from her wintering grounds in Africa earlier. Mačo arrived on the afternoon of April 19. Despite logging activities in the nest's vicinity last winter, the pair once again chose this nest on a broken top of a fir tree. The owner of the forest was understanding, and logging activities were duly completed. All logs were transported without disturbing the couple's nesting. At the moment, Mētra and Mačo are mating and rebuilding their nest. Every morning, they bring fresh twigs of deciduous and fir tress. With enough food, the first egg will be laid in early May.

In spring/summer 2012, Internet users from the entire world had an opportunity to observe Mētra, Mačo and Miks in their nest. The male – Mačo – was bringing sufficient amounts of food - voles, frogs and moles. The female – Mētra –  was hatching her eggs and protecting them from sunbeams, rain and predators. The young eaglet – Miks - had to go through several challenges. Storms swayed the nest and the eaglet nearly fell out of it. In August, Miks successfully fought off a northern goshawk. The eaglet left the nest in the middle of August and remained in its vicinity until the beginning of September.

The project is implemented by “Vides apsaimniekošanas apvienība Medņuriests” in cooperation with JSC “Latvia's State Forests”, “BVB serviss”, the German Wildlife Foundation, the Nature Conservation Agency and the University of Latvia.

“Latvia's State Forests” environmental expert Uģis Bergmanis.