Ranging distance of resident Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in western Scotland according to season and breeding status: capsule home-range of resident pairs of Golden Eagle was usually smaller during a successful breeding season than during winter and during an unsuccessful breeding season

Haworth, Paul F., McGrady, Michael J., Whitfield, D. P., Fielding, Alan H. and McLeod, David R. A. (2006) Ranging distance of resident Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in western Scotland according to season and breeding status: capsule home-range of resident pairs of Golden Eagle was usually smaller during a successful breeding season than during winter and during an unsuccessful breeding season. Bird study, 53 (3). pp. 265-273. ISSN 1944-6705

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Abstract

Aims To examine how Golden Eagles use space around their nests with respect to season and breeding status, and to compare home-range-use between a high and a low density region. Methods Nine adults in six mainland Argyll ranges were radiotracked between 1991 and 1996. On the island of Mull visual observations of range-use were obtained for five ranges between 1994 and 1998. Results Overall, Mull ranges were smaller than the Argyll ranges, reflecting the much higher range density on Mull. In both regions there were significant differences between ranging distances with season and breeding status. In general, ranging distances were smallest during breeding seasons when young were fledged. Conclusions Studies of range-use in Golden Eagles must be conducted across a 12-month period, as a minimum.