2020

LVM On-line Camera – the Only in Europe to Observe Successful Nesting of Golden Eagles

In the golden eagle nest, which was built in a swamp ten years ago by Uģis Bergmanis, Senior Environmental Expert at JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM), the rare and protected birds are currently hatching two eggs. To do this, they take turns. Those interested and friends of nature from all over the world are kindly invited to follow on-line the daily life of the golden eagle couple. Such live broadcasting – successful nesting of golden eagles – is currently the only one in Europe.

At the end of March, Spilve laid the first egg and a few days later – the second. The big event – the hatching of the small birds – is expected to take place in May.

There are only 8 to 10 couples of these specially protected birds in Latvia; they are also the largest birds of prey in Latvia. Since there are so few of these birds in Latvia, it is a real success for a lone eagle to meet a partner to make a nest together.

“The live broadcast is unique, because we are observing a breeding golden eagle live in Latvia for the very first time. We waited four years and only this year we finally can see two eggs in the nest. This is a big event. It is not so easy to access these solitary birds, because they lead a closed way of life, nest in distant swamps, away from humans. Golden eagles are very difficult to spot, and even more difficult to watch the hatching of eggs from such a close distance. Such observation allows us to learn a lot about the behaviour of golden eagles,” tells Uģis Bergmanis, LVM Senior Environmental Expert.

These specially protected birds are called golden eagles because their feathers reflect golden sheen in sunlight.

 WATCH ON-LINE 

In spring, when the sun is shining more and more, LVM environmental experts supporting the #stayathome initiative offer an opportunity to go to nature with the help of four on-line cameras. Anyone interested, without leaving their home, can now follow the nesting success of the golden eagles, watch the events taking place in two nests of lesser spotted eagles in Betiņsala and Aizkuja, as well as enjoy unique moments and sounds that can only be heard in a swamp.

Both rare bird and other animal species, as well as their habitats and biotopes are protected in the areas managed by LVM. Forestry works are limited or stopped in the places of nesting of protected birds such as the black stork, all eagles nesting in Latvia, etc., and micro-reserves and territories for the protection of habitats are created to make sure that the rare species are adequately protected. In order to preserve specially protected forest habitats and protected animal and plant species, micro-reserves are established, and their area is increasing year by year.