The Winter Distribution of Young Greater Spotted Eagles ( Clanga clanga ) Marked with GPS–GSM Trackers in the European Part of Russia

Using GPS–GSM trackers, data were obtained on the winter locations of four young Greater Spotted Eagles ( Clanga clanga ) in the center of the European part of Russia. The birds migrated to wintering areas located in the Middle East (Israel, northern Egypt, and Saudi Arabia), in southeastern Africa (Sudan and South Sudan), and also in southern Russia (the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Territory). The dates of arrival at the wintering grounds differed significantly and on average were October 27 (±22 days), while departure occurred almost simultaneously, March 24 (±3 days) on average. It has been established that, unlike the birds of western populations (Polish, Baltic and Belarusian), our Spotted Eagles flew from their wintering grounds later. According to the results of the research, an uneven distribution of Greater Spotted Eagles in the wintering areas was revealed. Most of the time, the birds kept to favorite places confined to both natural and anthropogenic wet habitats. During the entire wintering period, Greater Spotted Eagles used from 2 to 4 key areas, between which they periodically moved, only occasionally flying out of them.