Love, Loss, and Raptors: New tree cameras aim to provide insight into Golden Eagle behaviour in Wapusk National Park

A: Athena is a female golden eagle who was first spotted by researchers at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky in 2019. She was identified as a companion of Harper, a long-term monitored, male golden eagle. Researchers from Conservation Science Global and Cellular Tracking Technologies outfitted the pair with solar-powered GPS tracking devices to learn more about their habits and migratory patterns – making the two golden eagles the first breeding pair (out of about 100 tracked golden eagles) to be tracked in the eastern United States. Data indicated that they weren’t only companions in Kentucky but nested together when they migrated to Wapusk; even though they took different routes to get there. The tracking also suggested that Athena may have laid and hatched an egg while in the national park. After six months, the eagles left Wapusk, again on separate routes, to reunite in Bernheim for the winter.

Athena has continued to make the 2,700+ km journey from Bernheim to Wapusk every season despite losing Harper in 2021.

Researchers from Bernheim recently announced she may have found a second chance at love. Audio captured during January demonstrated calling between Athena and a male golden eagle. They were also observed sitting together for long periods, chatting, calling back and forth, and taking turns flying off perch. Researchers are eager to see if the pair will migrate to Wapusk this spring, which adds even more questions to the mystery surrounding golden eagle partner selection, mating, and breeding territory. The cameras in Wapusk can help determine that!

A: Little is known about what golden eagles like Athena do when they are in Wapusk National Park, so there are several questions researchers are looking to answer, but the focus is on breeding and nesting.

Not much is known about how golden eagles find or choose a mate, and even less is known about how they replace a lost mate. Will Athena bring the new partner to an old nest? Or is it the male that determines breeding territory?

One of the cool things the camera can tell us is if the male in her territory is the same one that she was with in Kentucky. We can look at tail patterns (if we get them at the nest!) to determine if it is the same individual.

If she has fledglings while in Wapusk, the images will hope to answer questions such as when they hatch, how long before they fly and leave the nest, and what they eat.

A: Some of the most notable bird species that can be observed within Wapusk are seasonal migrants. This makes the park a vital habitat for species, such as the golden eagle, to undertake important seasonal behaviours, such as breeding and nesting. Understanding what golden eagles are doing in the park guides park management and stewardship to ensure they have a protected place to return to each spring/summer.

It's equally as important for researchers in Kentucky to understand the importance and usage of the golden eagles’ winter home. The protection of the species depends on both.

A: Fortunately, golden eagles are not listed as a species at risk under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). However, habitat loss, disturbance at nest sites, poisoning (by toxic chemicals/pesticides and lead as a hunting by-product, including ingesting contaminated prey), electrocution and collisions with vehicles and structures, pose a threat to this species. Impacts on eagles may be highest while migrating and during fall/winter in the eastern United States when exposure to lead, wind turbine collisions, and habitat loss are increased. This underscores the need to understand the migratory corridors and seasonal habitats of these majestic birds and to ensure their protection in Canada and the United States for the species' longevity.

A: No, remote cameras are a non-invasive way to monitor wildlife in their natural habitat. They are motion activated, with no flash and will take, at minimum, daily photos, and possibly short video clips.

A: How many golden eagles migrate to Wapusk each year is unknown. However, as researchers in the U.S. continue to study and tag these birds, we continue to learn about their migrations and breeding territories.

Though this project focuses primarily on golden eagles, they are not the only eagle species to frequent Wapusk National Park. Bald eagles are very common in Wapusk and can often be seen soaring over the park or perched atop trees and beach ridges.

Eagle identification in the park can be tricky at times. Juvenile bald eagles are often mistaken for golden eagles, even by Parks Canada staff!