The International Fight to Save the Lesser Spotted Eagle
Košická Belá, Slovakia • September 25-27, 2014
Imagine a journey of nearly 10,000 kilometers—from the temperate forests of Europe to the savannas of southern Africa—undertaken twice each year with unwavering determination.
This incredible migration is the life story of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina), a medium-sized raptor whose annual travels represent one of nature's most remarkable navigational feats. Yet by 2014, this majestic bird faced mounting threats across its range, prompting scientists, conservationists, and policymakers from 14 countries to gather in Košická Belá, Slovakia, for a critical summit: The International Conference on the Conservation of the Lesser Spotted Eagle.
Experts Participated
Countries Represented
"This conference represented a watershed moment for the species, bringing together experts who shared presentations focused on a single objective: ensuring the survival of this remarkable raptor." 2
The gathering came at a crucial time, as the species faced emerging threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human activities throughout its migratory corridor. What emerged was a blueprint for international cooperation that would shape conservation strategies for years to follow.
The Lesser Spotted Eagle is a medium-sized diurnal bird of prey, measuring 61-66 cm in length, with an impressive wingspan of approximately 145 cm, and weighing up to 1600 g 4 .
Adults sport predominantly brown plumage, while juveniles display distinctive chocolate brown feathers with a prominent yellow neck patch and two rows of white patches on their upper wings 4 .
The species' characteristic calls include a shrill "vee-yeek, vee-ee-eek" during breeding season and a repetitive screech resembling a small dog's yip during other times of year 4 .
The breeding range of the Lesser Spotted Eagle stretches from the Elbe River valley in Germany across to Belarus and Russia near Saint Petersburg, extending southward through Hungary, Slovakia, the Baltics, the Balkan peninsula, and into Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and northern Iran 4 .
The species exhibits strong breeding site fidelity, with pairs typically returning to the same nesting territories year after year 4 .
Some populations have developed specialized feeding behaviors, such as the pairs in Bulgaria's Sakar mountain region that have learned to prey on hedgehogs 4 .
The 2014 conference identified several critical threats impacting Lesser Spotted Eagle populations across their range.
Intensive forestry practices represent a significant threat, particularly the clearing of old-growth forests and selective removal of mature trees that serve as nesting sites 4 .
Forestry Agriculture UrbanizationForest management activities during breeding season, along with increasing tourism and recreational activities can cause breeding pairs to abandon their nests entirely 4 .
Tourism Recreation DevelopmentIncreased frequency and intensity of wildfires can destroy active nests, while changing weather patterns may affect migration timing and prey availability 4 .
Wildfires Weather Patterns Ecosystem ShiftsIn Bulgaria, while about 60% of the breeding population is in Special Protection Areas, only 2.3% are within nature reserves, leaving most nesting sites vulnerable .
Legal Gaps Enforcement FundingAgricultural expansion and intensive forestry have reduced and fragmented the eagle's breeding and feeding habitats across Europe 4 .
European-wide monitoring revealed raptors are exposed to legacy organic compounds and heavy metals, causing immune system impairment and reproductive issues 5 .
Changing climate patterns affect migration routes, prey availability, and increase the frequency of destructive wildfires in breeding areas 4 .
One of the key research presentations at the conference focused on a critical question: how do we accurately measure survival rates in Lesser Spotted Eagle populations? This question is fundamental to effective conservation, as it helps identify life stages where mortality is highest and guides targeted protection efforts 3 .
Traditional method involving colored, uniquely coded rings on nestlings with subsequent resightings.
Modern satellite technology to monitor individual movements and survival in real-time.
Innovative approach using DNA from feathers to identify individuals and track territory occupancy.
| Method | Key Advantage | Key Limitation | Adult Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour-ringing | Direct individual identification | Limited resighting probability | 0.88 |
| GPS-tracking | Continuous, precise movement data | High cost and potential device effects | 0.84 |
| Genetic feather analysis | Non-invasive, good for territorial adults | Cannot track dispersing juveniles | 0.81 |
The 2014 conference served as a catalyst for numerous conservation initiatives, many built on the collaborative relationships forged during the meeting.
In Bulgaria, research has informed the designation of Special Protection Areas under the EU's Birds Directive, with conservationists working to expand strictly protected nature reserves .
The "ZOO for NAT" project between Slovakian and Hungarian zoos established rescue centers and educational facilities for rehabilitating and protecting native fauna 6 .
| Tool Category | Specific Examples | Conservation Application |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat Protection | Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Nature Reserves | Safeguard breeding and feeding territories |
| Rescue & Rehabilitation | Budapest rescue center, Kosice aviaries | Treat injured birds and house non-releasable individuals |
| Public Education | "Bottomland Forest" educational trail, digital information boards | Raise awareness and support for conservation |
| Research & Monitoring | Colour-ringing, GPS tracking, genetic analysis | Track populations and identify threats |
More than a decade after the landmark 2014 conference, the conservation status of the Lesser Spotted Eagle remains precarious but hopeful. The gathering in Košická Belá achieved something fundamental: it transformed isolated national efforts into a coordinated international conservation strategy.
"There is a capability across multiple European countries for contaminant monitoring using raptors. However, coordination between existing schemes and expansion of monitoring into Eastern Europe is needed." 5
The Lesser Spotted Eagle's annual migration between continents remains one of nature's most awe-inspiring phenomena. The work initiated at the 2014 conference helps ensure that this spectacle will continue for generations to come, a testament to what international collaboration can achieve in preserving our natural heritage.
As research methods continue to improve—through more sophisticated tracking technology, more precise genetic techniques, and more coordinated monitoring networks—our ability to safeguard these majestic birds grows ever stronger, offering hope for the future of this remarkable raptor.