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Winter observations of Short-toed Eagle in Crimea

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 45th parallel.

BESKARAVAYNYI M. 2012. Crimean PeninsulaWhile 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.

S. P. Prokopenko, M. M. Beskaravaynyi

Categories: Cape Chauda, Crimea, En-Misc, Our galleries.

One Response to “Winter observations of Short-toed Eagle in Crimea”

  1. Konstantin says:

    One of the authors has informed us about a new observation of those two Short-toed Eagles at the same place in March. This time the birds were sitting on the ground, maybe because of the bad weather with strong wind and even little snowfall.

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