The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected the migratory routes of migratory birds.
.in_text_content_22 { width: 300px; height: 600px; } @media(min-width: 600px) { .in_text_content_22 { width: 580px; height: 400px; } }
This is evidenced by the results of a study by scientists from the University of East Anglia, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Estonian University of Life Sciences, who, using GPS trackers attached to birds, studied the migration of the Greater Spotted Eagle (also known as the skittled eagle) – an endangered eagle, reports EurekAlert. .
The study began before the full-scale invasion and examined the threats migratory birds face in peaceful environments—usually associated with disruptive weather or drought, land-use changes affecting traditional stopovers, or destruction of key habitats.
However, during the invasion, the team discovered that the eagles, previously equipped with GPS tracking devices, were exposed to numerous conflict events during their journey through Ukraine in March and April 2022, which included:
- artillery fire;
- jet planes;
- tanks and other weapons;
- an unprecedented number of soldiers moving through the area;
- displacement of millions of civilians.
As a result, it turned out that:
- Compared to previous, more peaceful years, spotted eagles began to use stopping places less. Stopover sites are important locations for food, water, and shelter for migratory birds during their long journeys;
- the birds also deviated significantly from their previous routes – flying further and less directly to their nesting sites, traveling an additional 85 km on average;
- migrations also took longer – 246 hours compared to 193 hours before the war for females and 181 hours compared to 125 hours before the war for males. Males also moved more slowly than in pre-war years;
- changes in the migratory behavior of birds have delayed their arrival at breeding sites and likely increased the energy expenditure of animals in a manner detrimental to them;
- Although all 19 tagged birds survived, the researchers suspect the experience may continue to affect them during the breeding season and possibly beyond.
The scientists note that similar reactions have previously been documented in birds living in military training zones, but these new data showing the impact on migratory species mean that these kinds of events could have a more far-reaching impact – on more individuals and over longer distances.
The study’s findings serve as an important reminder that the consequences of armed conflict are widespread and extend beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the article notes. “Post-conflict recovery must also take into account the impact on the environment, both on individual species and on entire ecosystems.
Source: EurekAlert
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.