According to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History this summer proved to be extremely good for the Icelandic Sea Eagle. A total of 36 chicks from 28 nests made it to maturity. The total population is believed to be 74 adult pairs. Only 40 years ago the eagle was feared to be in danger of becoming extinct in Iceland.
Cold weather in the spring did not lead to disaster
Ornithologists and volunteers keep an eye on eagles’ nests throughout the summer, visiting the nests in late summer to tag the chicks shortly before they learn to fly. More pairs nested this year than last year, which was a record year. 52 pairs built nests this spring, compared to 50 in 2014. Not all pairs succeed, however. Weather is a huge factor in the survival of chicks, especially due to the fact that eagles nest very early in the spring. However, despite frequent storms and unusually cold weather this spring a large number of chicks managed to survive.
Most eagles nest in Western Iceland and the Westfjords, but thanks to the growing eagle population eagles are increasingly spotted all around Iceland. Kristinn Haukur Skarphéðinsson at the Icelandic Natural History Museum told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that eagles are beginning to nest in Northern Iceland and young eagles can be seen all around the island.
“We see that eagles are beginning to nest by Húnaflói bay and we see them more frequently in Southern Iceland, and in these areas there are a number of ancient eagles’ nests. But we are also seeing young eagles in other places we have not spotted eagles previously, so by now you can expect to spot an eagle almost anywhere in Iceland. “
According to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History this summer proved to be extremely good for the Icelandic Sea Eagle. A total of 36 chicks from 28 nests made it to maturity. The total population is believed to be 74 adult pairs. Only 40 years ago the eagle was feared to be in danger of becoming extinct in Iceland.
Cold weather in the spring did not lead to disaster
Ornithologists and volunteers keep an eye on eagles’ nests throughout the summer, visiting the nests in late summer to tag the chicks shortly before they learn to fly. More pairs nested this year than last year, which was a record year. 52 pairs built nests this spring, compared to 50 in 2014. Not all pairs succeed, however. Weather is a huge factor in the survival of chicks, especially due to the fact that eagles nest very early in the spring. However, despite frequent storms and unusually cold weather this spring a large number of chicks managed to survive.
Most eagles nest in Western Iceland and the Westfjords, but thanks to the growing eagle population eagles are increasingly spotted all around Iceland. Kristinn Haukur Skarphéðinsson at the Icelandic Natural History Museum told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that eagles are beginning to nest in Northern Iceland and young eagles can be seen all around the island.
“We see that eagles are beginning to nest by Húnaflói bay and we see them more frequently in Southern Iceland, and in these areas there are a number of ancient eagles’ nests. But we are also seeing young eagles in other places we have not spotted eagles previously, so by now you can expect to spot an eagle almost anywhere in Iceland. “
