Circaetus gallicus information navigator

The following observations have been made for the first time in the history of studies in the Crimean Peninsula. The point, Cape Chauda /map/, is located strictly at the 45^th parallel.

While counting geese on Cape Chauda in the southern part of the Kerch Peninsula (Crimea, Ukraine) we have observed a young Short-toed Eagle (aged less than 1 year) on January 14, 2013. Then at the same location two individuals (male and female) in juvenile plumage too was observed on February 4, 2013. The birds were kept on a power pole surrounded by steppe.

Weather conditions in the autumn and winter of 2012/2013 years were soft, positive temperatures dominated, snowfall was rare and only for short periods. Observations in January and in February were made at above-zero temperature as well, snow cover was missing. Perhaps such weather conditions have caused Short-toed Eagles’ wintering in Crimea.

Possible prey items on Chauda: Steppe Viper (Vipera renardi); the snake is common there, but in warm winters can be active and can appear on the surface of the ground – we have seen them in previous winters; also voles couldn’t be excluded.

We offer you the summary (En) of the following article dedicated to sexing of Short-toed Eagle and Common Buzzard nestlings:

• Jalby V., Malafosse J. P., Nore T. et Wink M., 2012 – Détermination, par la biométrie, du sexe des poussins chez deux espèces de rapaces Circaetus gallicus et Buteo buteo. Comparaison avec les Autours des palombes Accipiter gentilis et les Buses variables adultes [Nestling sexing by biometric and molecular analysis in two diurnal raptors, Circaetus gallicus and Buteo buteo. Comparison with the Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and adult Buzzards] // Alauda, 80 (3): 187-202.

The biometric data on Short-toed Eagle nestlings were collected by Jean-Pierre Malafosse in Cévennes National Park /map/.

A story of life and death of one Short-toed Eagle ringed by Francesco Petretti in Western Central Italy /map/ in 1989 is represented below:

The eagle was born on the 18^th of May 1989 in Tolfa Hills, 40 km north of Rome. The parental pair built the nest on a very large deciduous oak tree covered with ivy on the north facing slope of the hill, at 400 metres of altitude.

On the 27^th of June 1989 P0845 reached the maximum weight of 1,800 grams, then the weight decreased, as it is usual among fledging eagles in the study area, and on the 17^th of July, when the eagle left the nest, she weighed 1,680 grams. She was fitted with a backpack radio for ground telemetry and moved within the home range for a couple of months. Contact with her was lost on the 20^th of September 1989, when the eagle probably left the area to reach the wintering ground in Africa.

On the 16^th of September 2012 the body of P0845 was found dead at a distance of only 9 km from the ringing site. The body was brought to the Raptor Center in Vico Lake Nature Reserve, but death causes are unknown. P0845 was at least 23 years and 4 months old and I suppose this is a longevity record for the species.

This is the next annual report on results of a long-term study of Short-toed Eagle in Cévennes National Park /map/:

• Jean-Pierre et Isabelle MALAFOSSE, 2012 – Le Circaète Jean-le-Blanc, résultats pour 2012. Suivi des Rapaces forestiers en Lozère et dans le Parc National des Cévennes [Short-toed Eagle, results for 2012. Monitoring of Raptors in Lozère and in the Cévennes National Park], rapport interne C.R.B.P.O./ P.N.C.: 12 p. – (Fr) {rough translation}.

A new paper on autumn migration of Short-toed Eagle in Italy /map/ is placed on Guido Premuda‘s Sunbird.it under the Bibliography section:

• BAGHINO L., PREMUDA G. & GIRAUDO L., 2012 – Nuove analisi sulla migrazione post-riproduttiva del biancone Circaetus gallicus nell’Italia nord-occidentale [New analysis on post-breeding migration of Short-toed Eagle in north-western Italy] // Avocetta 36: 107-111. – (It) {rough translation}.

This year Short-toed Eagles’ breeding was observed in southwestern Switzerland /map/ for the first time. On the Oiseaux.ch website you can find the report on this written by Lionel Maumary:

• Lionel Maumary, 2012 – Le Circaète Jean-le-Blanc a niché en Suisse ! [Short-toed Eagle has bred in Switzerland] // Oiseaux.ch (Fr) {rough translation} – the text contains excellent pictures and video. Also photos of this pair of Short-toed Eagles taken by Thomas Nierle in April 2012 can be viewed here. The juvenile Eagle has left the nest succesfully!

This article, which was first published in Alauda journal in 1996, can now be found on the faune-vendee.org website:

• MEYBURG B.-U., MEYBURG Chr., PACTEAU Chr., 2000 – Migration automnale d’un Circaète Jean-le-Blanc Circaetus gallicus suivi par satellite [Autumn migration of a Short-toed Eagle tracked with satellite] // La Gorgebleue, 16 : P. 7-11. – (Fr).