Greater and lesser spotted eagle nest camera 2023

25.04.2013 | Rubriik:

LIVESTREAM
FORUM

In 2023, we’re following the nesting of a mixed pair of greater and lesser spotted eagles. This is the same breeding territory where the greater spotted eagles Tiiu and Tõnn nested successfully in 2017-2020. After Tõnn went missing during the autumn migration of 2020/21 (probably due of poaching), Tiiu found a new mate in the form of a lesser spotted eagle.

Hybridization of two closely related species is not a rare phenomenon in itself, but it can be fatal for the globally endangered greater spotted eagle. Hybridization is not a natural process only, but is amplified by the deterioration of the habitats of the greater spotted eagle and the resulting decrease in the number of the species. In Estonia, there are only 5-10 breeding territories of the greater spotted eagle, most of which are occupied by mixed pairs or at least one of the adults is already a hybrid itself. Hybridization is assessed as a critical threat for greater spotted eagles in Estonia.

The dried spruce on which the greater spotted eagle’s nest was located, fell down in the winter of 2021/22. So Tiiu and her new mate used the spare nest on the birch tree. In 2022, one chick fledged. The chick resembled a lesser spotted eagle in appearance. In 2023, Tiiu laid two eggs on April 25 and 28, respectively. We expect the chicks to hatch at the beginning of June (incubation period 42-44 days). However, usually only one chick survives, the other dies in the competition for food. Both eaglets have fledged rarely. Spotted eagles fledge at the end of July or at the beginning of August, they start migrating at the beginning of October the latest.

Livestream from the greater and lesser spotted eagle nest can be seen on Eagle Club Estonia’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/Kotkaklubi.

  • Konnakotkaste pesa 2017. aastal Konnakotkaste pesa 2017. aastal
  • Suur-konnakotkas Tiiu ja tema väike-konnakotkast kaaslase poeg 2022. aasta juulis Suur-konnakotkas Tiiu ja tema väike-konnakotkast kaaslase poeg 2022. aasta juulis

The nest camera was set up by Urmas Sellis (Eagle Club Estonia) and Omar Neiland (Beta Grupp OÜ). We use Dahua camera with a custom-made soundsystem from Omar. The camera is powered by solar panels. We transmit the camera image via 4G mobile internet, so in case of intensive network use, there may be interruptions in the transmission.

The camera is streamed through the Eagle Club Estonia’s YouTube channel. We recommend following Kotkaklubi channel in case the broadcast needs to be restarted due to technical errors, which may change the direct link of the broadcast. Kotkaklubi channel also features all other nesting cameras of Estonian eagles and black storks, as well as a capercaillie camera.

The preparation and recording of the camera signal for streaming takes place with the support of Estonian Fund for Nature. Events in the nest are documented by the viewers in Looduskalender forum. The use of the stream from the nest for non-commercial purposes is not prohibited, but please let us know if possible (send a message to urmas(ät)kotkas.ee). Contributors are welcomed with each camera, as some components need to be replaced every year and we do not have any project support for hardware costs. The Environmental Investment Centre supports the installation, removal, and maintenance of cameras.

Greater and lesser spoted eagle nest camera team and supporters:

Eagle Club – nest related actions, camera installation and information
Beta-Grupp OÜ – camera testing and setup, microphone construction, technical support
Looduskalender – forum on the Web
Estonian Fund for Nature – server support
Akukeskus Tartus – battery assistance
Environmental Investment Centre – financial support
Private donors – to cover unexpected and expected hardware costs
Thousands of viewers – The most important, because otherwise the cameras would not make much sense!