Posted on January, 13 2014

Hainburg, Austria - 300 volunteers braved cold and wind to monitor the whole length of the Danube river and they managed to count a total of 750 white-tailed eagles in nine countries. The numbers prove that the Danube is perfectly suited as a habitat for the majestic species.

The white-tailed eagle is the biggest bird of prey in the Danube region. It sits at the top of the food chain so if its habitat is in good condition the population increases. But for a long time, the numbers were extremely low. In Austria, for example, the white-tailed eagle was extinct. Intensive efforts by several European countries as well as by WWF Austria enabled the recovery of the population. Since 2001, the white-tailed eagle breeds again in the country.

The Danube is a lifeline for Europe and a retreat for numerous threatened species. The habitats along the river and its tributaries are also important for the white-tailed eagle - both the native South-East European population, and the Northern population that arrives for wintering in the Danube region. Protected areas play a key role in the preservation of those habitats.

DANUBEPARKS elaborated an action plan for the conservation of the white-tailed eagle along the Danube in 2009, which was adopted by the Council of Europe. As a first step in implementation, better knowledge on wintering areas is needed - where are the best areas, what makes them attractive, are special conservation actions necessary?

To answer these questions, the first synchronized Danube-wide winter census was coordinated this year. The event was jointly organized by BirdLife, DANUBEPARKS and WWF which share many years of joint efforts in eagle conservation along the Danube.

The result of the count – 750 white-tailed eagles – proves the success of common nature protection efforts across borders and underlines the value of the Danube River as a habitat of European importance.

The cross-border region of Donau-Auen National Park in Austria, Morava River and neighbouring Slovak and Hungarian floodplains represents one of the hotspots: over 100 eagles were spotted there. Improved joint protection measures should preserve this population in the long run.

The most important region for white-tailed eagles along the Danube lies in a border triangle too, covering parts of Hungary, Croatia and Serbia. 200 species were seen there. The conservation efforts at Duna-Dráva National Park, Kopački rit Nature Park and Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve are pivotal for this population. These jewels of nature at the so-called Amazon of Europe will soon be protected in a multilateral UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Lower Danube hosts the largest population. At the Bulgarian and Romanian section, eagles currently concentrate in several hotspots - the Danube Delta is one of them. A total of 360 eagles were counted in these two countries.

Over the weekend 200 participants gathered at a symposium about the white-tailed eagle in the Austrian town of Hainburg. The results of the first international Danube river winter census were announced there. Expertes discussed the improved protection of the white-tailed eagle and the joint efforts against threats like habitat loss, illegal hunting or poisoning.