War in Ukraine disrupts vital eagle migration routes

Scientists have discovered that migrating eagles, whose migration paths cross Ukraine, have changed their flight routes to avoid areas affected by armed conflict. Data collected from GPS transmitters show that greater spotted eagles not only avoid these areas but also limit or completely forego stopping in Ukraine for rest. Researchers claim that the change in routes extends their return to breeding areas and requires more effort from them.

The study revealed for the first time how the war affects the migration of the endangered greater spotted eagle species flying over Ukraine. The analysis, initiated before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 by a team of scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA), the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and the Estonian University of Life Sciences, unexpectedly included a new, dramatic factor—armed conflict.

Initially, scientists focused on assessing the impact of atmospheric phenomena and land use changes on this species' migration patterns. However, when the invasion began in February 2022, researchers started observing how war affected these delicate birds. The team monitored their flight path over Ukraine by using GPS devices installed on 19 greater spotted eagles. The birds encountered war activities along their way – artillery shelling, jet flights, tank movements, and mass movements of civilians and soldiers.

The publication in "Current Biology" describes how the birds had to change their traditional migration route significantly, limiting time spent in Ukrainian resting areas or completely bypassing them. Before the invasion, 90% of eagles stopped in these areas, but after the war began, this number dropped to just 30%. Males moved slower, and the average additional distance the birds had to travel was 90 kilometres, which significantly extended the migration time. For females, this increased migration time from about 193 hours to 246 hours and for males from 125 to 181 hours.

Charlie Russell, the lead author of the study from UEA, commented on its findings: - The war in Ukraine has devastated people and the environment. Our findings offer a rare perspective on how conflicts affect wildlife, increasing our knowledge of the potential consequences of such events -. Prolonged flights without the possibility of rest and food acquisition can affect the birds' condition, negatively impacting the endangered species on the eve of the breeding season.

Scientists emphasize that this disruption can significantly affect bird behaviour and their survival adaptation. Among the consequences, they mention delayed reproduction, as the birds will need more time to recover after such extended journeys. This, in turn, can affect the young's chances, as food may be less available when the eggs hatch.