22 • 05 • 2019
Harsh Battles for Good Nesting Places Take Place in the Wild
Lesser spotted eagles choose their nesting sites in adult mixed forests and deciduous forests that have suitable feeding areas nearby. It is also important to have a suitable nest tree - the nest should be stable and easy to approach. The nest must have a transparent environment to notice any approaching enemies. Nearby there must be a suitable tree where birds can mate and find peace. The availability of good nesting trees in the forest is not unlimited, so struggles between individuals of the same species take place for such nests and the strongest bird, of course, wins. This was the case in the lesser spotted eagle nest in the Betiņsala area, where an eagle couple were already hatching an egg.
“On 20 and 21 May, dramatic events took place in the nest in the Betiņsala area. One afternoon, an unknown lesser spotted eagle appeared near the nest. The hatching female Betiņa was very worried until she went to attack the uninvited guest. There were thuds, then chirping voices and cries of despair, there was a cruel battle of two birds on the ground. It is very likely that Betiņa has died as a result of the fight.
It is amazing that the male bird hatched the egg for the rest of the day and night. However, in the early morning, the unknown eagle appeared again, and after a short struggle, the male bird gave in. Surprisingly, the mating of both eagles after the recent duel shows that the unknown eagle is a female. Instinctively, the lesser spotted eagle understands that this is a new partner, so he continues to mate and brings frogs and common voles to the nest.
The new female, on the other hand, strives to break the egg of the previous female. This female has come too late from the wintering place, so successful nesting is not possible this year. Let us hope that this is a good start for successful nesting next year and that birds will be able to protect their territory from other competing eagles,” says Uģis Bergmanis, LVM Senior Environmental Expert.
The active lesser spotted eagle observation season this year began in early April, when female eagle Betiņa joined the male eagle in the nest, and very soon – on 1 May, the first egg was already laid. Last year, several lesser spotted eagles were observed in this nest - one male and at least four different females, but nesting never started. However, in 2017, this lesser spotted eagle couple Betiņa and Betiņš raised a baby bird named Frīdis.
JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM), within the framework of the environmental education and research project “Birds and Animals in Marsh and Forest” (Putni un zvēri purvā un mežā) gives everybody an opportunity to observe nature through four on-line cameras and experience many interesting events that are usually left unnoticed.
There is much going on also in the golden eagles' nest. At the end of April, eagle male Virsis finally met his girlfriend. The significantly larger and semi-mature female is trying to seduce Virsis with her bald greetings and thanks him for the twigs he brings. Let us hope this is the beginning of successful nesting for both majestic birds next year! Golden eagles are among the rarest birds in Latvia, up to ten pairs of these noble birds are nesting in Latvia.
Share your impressions and we will be happy to answer any questions that you might have. Get closer to nature, and good luck with bird watching!
