University of Turku tracks young sea eagles with GPS to study survival and wind turbine impacts

The University of Turku is tracking 20 young sea eagles with GPS devices to study how they navigate and survive in their early independent months, the Finnish broadcaster Yle reports.

Researchers from the university’s biology department fitted the eagles with lightweight GPS units in June across various habitats in Southwest Finland, including outer and inner archipelagos, coastal nesting sites, and inland lake areas. The devices record precise location and movement data, while built-in accelerometers capture detailed behavioural patterns.

The project, led by Academy Research Fellow Carina Nebel, will monitor ten sibling pairs hatched in 2026 and another ten from 2027. Nebel noted that little is known about how young sea eagles learn to orient themselves and adapt to different landscapes.

Data from the GPS units will also help assess how wind turbines affect the species, particularly by tracking flight paths near turbines to inform future placement and reduce collision risks. Researchers aim to follow the eagles for several years, ideally until they begin breeding, which typically occurs at 8–10 years of age in Finland.

The study is funded by the Academy of Finland.