Soaring Away Early: Berchtesgaden's Bartgeier Takes to the Skies!
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Whoa, Nelly! The soon-to-be 107-day-old Bartgeier chick in Berchtesgaden, Germany, recently beat the odds and took off on its maiden flight—an event that typically occurs after around 120 days! According to the LBV and the Berchtesgaden National Park, Generl, the female Bartgeier, made her first flight last Thursday.
Unexpected Early Start
"We didn't anticipate Generl's eagerness to fly so soon," says the Berchtesgaden National Park's project leader, Ulrich Brendel. To date, only Nepomuk, released two years back, has managed a similar early takeoff.
Not too long ago, Generl and her companion, Geier Luisa, were released into a cliffside nest by the Klausbachtal. Both birds have honed their flight muscles over the past 16 days with wing beats and leaps off the cliffs. Luisa, similarly aged but smaller and lighter than Generl, hasn't shown any signs of following her nestmate yet. Despite minor squabbles, both birds seem to get along well, we're told.
Meanwhile, Bartgeier Vinzenz Heads South
Speaking of Vinzenz, another Bartgeier set to be released in 2024, he's venturing off into the lowlands lately. Typically, these birds stick to the Alpine region, but Vinzenz seems to have taken a liking to the plains. Recent tracking data suggests he flew across Bavaria into the Oberpfalz before heading south and making a sudden westward detour near Koblenz in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Dangerous Hunt for New Territory
Young Bartgeiers sometimes explore new territories, heading northwards, where some have been spotted in the UK, Netherlands, and Poland. While these migrations can lead to exciting new discoveries, they also pose significant risks.
"Time and time again, young birds have been found sick, injured, or even dead in flatter regions after coming into contact with remains of game birds contaminated with lead shot," warns Toni Wegscheider, an LBV expert.
The Comeback of Bayern's Bartgeier
The Bartgeier, once extinct in Bayern, has been the focus of conservation efforts aimed at reintroducing them to the Alps.
- Berchtesgaden
- Flight
- Bartgeier
- LBV
- Ramsau
- Alps
- Bavaria
In the heart of Berchtesgaden, the local community is abuzz with the early flight of a Bartgeier chick, Generl. Her unexpected takeoff, at 107 days old, has sparked interest and discussions about lifestyle choices and environment impact. Home-and-garden enthusiasts might ponder if Generl's rapid flight development could be linked to a nurturing environment that allows for strong, healthy growth. Future conservation efforts and the reintroduction of Bartgeiers in Bavaria's Alps continue to rely heavily on understanding and fostering such favorable environments for these majestic birds.
