Guide to the Protection of Golden Eagles in the Alps

The main objective of the Golden Eagle Project in the National Park Berchtesgaden was to identify areas most important to the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in the Alps for hunting.   Recommendations were made concerning the protection of these habitats as well as the areas around occupied nests. Recommendations were communicated to the public through specific environmental education programs, more general public relations exercises and through cooperation with groups that utilize Golden Eagle areas (e.g. hunters, hikers, paragliders). 

Hang- and Paragliders

· Hang- and paraglider flights in the immediate- and near vicinity (0-300m horizontal and vertical distance) of eagle nesting sites create severe disturbances
· during the breeding season from March to the end of June.

· Hang- and paragliders flights in the near vicinity (100-300m) of eagle nesting site create medium disturbances
· at the end of the weaning period  (young birds > 40 days old and no longer fully dependent on parental care). This is usually at the end of June.

· Hang- and paraglider  flights in the general vicinity (300-500m) of eagle nesting sites create only small disturbances when
· the site is in an area which is regularly flown in and breeding eagles are verifiably customised to the presence of hang- and paragliders
· the flights are outside the weaning period (young birds > 40 days old and no longer fully dependent on parental care). This is usually at the end of June.
· pilots respond by immediate leaving the nesting site vicinity, should eagles begin to circle and dive in front of it.

 

 

 

Tip:

Circling and diving from eagles in front of a nesting site is a definite indication of disturbance leave the area immediately.

All newcomers to a flying site should inform themselves through the local hang- or paragliding club of possible nesting or otherwise sensitive areas. Do not fly closer than 300m to cliffs between 600-1800m in the German alps, and around 2500m in the central and southern alps. Even then, disturbances to tree nesting sites cannot be generally excluded – always maintain as much height as possible over ground.

 

The 11 guedelines for the protection of Golden Eagle

Knowledge of general Golden Eagle ecology, as well as the detailed information from the Golden Eagle Project in the National Park Berchtesgaden has resulted in the following 11 guidelines for the protection of the Golden Eagle in the Alps

1. At present, the Golden Eagle is not endangered in the Alps.  However, there is that potential.
2. Wide-spread disturbance at the nest or in important hunting areas could endanger this species in the Alps.
3. The protection of its habitat (i.e. hunting areas) as well as the nest sites are the most important in ensuring a lasting Golden Eagle population in the Alps.
4. Overall habitat quality is determined by spatial distribution and size of suitable hunting areas.
5. In the winter months, areas where updrafts are produced and their connection with hunting areas determine the availability of those hunting areas to eagles.  Unfavorable weather conditions could affect the production of updrafts and be a factor that limits the accessibility of some areas to eagles, especially in the winter.
6. Distribution and availability of prey are closely connected to successful reproduction in the Golden Eagle.
7. Disturbance in hunting areas affects Golden Eagles indirectly, as its main influence is upon the spatial and temporal behavior of its prey.
8. The effect of disturbance within the nest area is greatest during the breeding period. Eagle sensitivity to disturbance within the nest area varies with the reproductive stage in which it occurs.
9. Disturbance in nest areas can be avoided or effectively reduced by cooperation between conservation bodies and land-user groups.
10. Population densities of Eagles are self regulating. Population levels will stabalize in relation to prey availability, and require no human intervention.
11. The ecology of the Golden Eagle in the mostly open alpine and sub-alpine landscapes of the Alps qualifies it as a sentinel species within those habitats