Greater spotted eagles wintering in Kuwait

 

Juvenile Greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga) at Jahra Pools, Kuwait (Photo: A. Al Zaidan, Kuwait Environment Public Authority)

Greater spotted eagle (GSE, Clanga clanga) is migratory, and considered globally Vulnerable.  It has a huge breeding range that extends in wet forested areas from central Europe (the Baltic, Poland) east all the way to the Pacific coast.  Its wintering areas are mostly in southern Asia and some parts of Africa. In Arabia it is known to winter mostly in wetland areas along the coast.  They sometimes winter at waste disposal sites, where they scavenge. The main habitat used by GSEs throughout the year is wetland, in summer wet forests or forests near wetlands are needed because they nest in trees.

GSE is generally understudied, especially in the eastern part of its distribution and on its wintering grounds.  GSE regularly winter at the Al Jahra wetlands in Kuwait.  We have initiated a study of GSE that are wintering at Al Jahra.  The study of these birds will provide a portal through which we aim to learn about their year-round ecology and conservation.  We are establishing links with GSE researchers and conservationists working on the breeding ground (here is a video a GSE conservation project in Poland), and intend, if advantageous and feasible, to work with others studying their migration. 

This is just a quick introduction to the Greater spotted eagle.  There is much more to be said, and we’ll give more information in coming blogs.A good source of further information is the BirdLife data zone page http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-spotted-eagle-clanga-clanga.