The Milvus Group is a Romanian conservation organisation made up of activities which are organized within 11 Working Groups, each group deals with different facets of nature conservation as follows:
- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation WG
- Birds & Powerlines WG
- Environmental Education WG
- Mammal Conservation WG
- Monitoring & Research WG
- Natura 2000 & Protected Areas WG
- Nature Policy WG
- Raptor Conservation WG
- Stork Conservation WG
- Waterbird Conservation WG
- Wildlife Crime WG
Each year, raptor specialists and scientists from Milvus Group examine many nests throughout the breeding period. The primary aims are to establish the breeding status of the birds, to ring the chicks and to determine the threats to successful breeding.
The Scots Pine tree in which the Golden Eagles had made their home this year.
On the 25th of June several raptor specialist visited the territory of a pair of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), where they discovered the nest located at the top of a tall pine tree had recently been damaged by high winds. The original nest in a Scots pine had been blown from its lofty position, most likely due to damage caused by a storm. Fortunately, the eaglet was still alive, and had been roosting in a part of the nest that had been caught on the lower branches.
The remains of the damaged eyrie can still be seen half way down the tree.
The specialists assessed that the remains of the nest would not survive another storm and, as the life of the chick was now in danger, they decided to help it. First it was important to assess the health of the eaglet so they took the chick to the Rehabilitation Centre at Tîrgu Mures, where the veterinarian examined it. Thankfully the eaglet was found to be in perfect health and had not suffered any damage from the experience. The following day they took it back to the nesting tree. The team mounted an artificial nest in the same place where the original nest had been constructed and, after ringing the chick, replaced it back into its new home. When the ornithologists left the territory both parent Golden Eagles were observed watching the party and their precious chick. Several weeks later the eagles successfully fledged and was still being observed flying by Milvus Group members in the same area one month later, a truly successful end to this story.
Milvus Group Scientist rescuing the eaglet from its precarious perch.
Thankfully due to the intervention of the Milvus Group installing an artificial nest this has assured safe nesting for a long period for this particular pair of Romanian Golden Eagles. Scientists are confident that the territorial pair will be back next year and for many years to come to raise new generations of Golden Eagles in the same forest. As Golden Eagles usually only raise one, rarely two chicks each year, the future success of this pair of Golden Eagles is regarded as of great importance for the conservation of this species in Romania.
The Eaglet being carefully roped down the tree into the careful hands of a female Scientist.
The Eaglet has safely landed
Scientist making an initial examination of the eaglet at the bottom of the tree.
My what huge talons you have, the ring is now in place.
The construction of the replacement eyrie begins.
The following day the eaglet is safely returned to its new pent-house home
So happy to be back home, but I am so hungry.
Scientists take one last image before the eaglet settles down to await the return of both adult birds
Thanks to the dedication of members of the Milvus Group this is one story with a very Happy Ending. Did any of our readers pick out the close proximity of the village across the fields to this nest? Can anyone imagine such a territory lasting very long in England? There are a number of Golden Eagle territories similarly situated close to villages in Scotland that appear to be productive because they are protected by the local community/ Long may these situations remain. One last comment, we are aware of several White-tailed eagle territories in Poland where nests have been established within 200 metres of occupied farm houses but are never interfered with by humans. Even though chickens, ducks, geese, goats, sheep and small pigs run around these farms within striking distance none are predated by the WTE.
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