An eagle soars in circles in the gray-blue sky. Water glistens beneath it. A few more loops, then it swoops down from a height of 60 meters, dips its talons into the water and rises back into the sky with a wriggling fish. This natural spectacle is best admired in the summer months. After the young have fledged, they learn to hunt for themselves. The chance of observing an eagle from one of the numerous viewing platforms with binoculars is great.

Eagle species

Three species of eagle live in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which differ greatly in their way of life. While white-tailed eagles live here all year round, ospreys and lesser spotted eagles only return from Africa in April.

• Sea eagle: With a wingspan of up to 2.40 meters, the sea eagle is the largest native eagle. It builds its eyrie in the forest on exceptionally large trees. Characteristic are its wings, which are held board-like in gliding flight, and its uniform gray-brown plumage. Pairs of white-tailed eagles remain faithful to their partner for life.
  The white-tailed eagle is bound to large bodies of water and forests. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it can be observed mainly in the Müritz area. The Boek fishponds offer it plenty of food – here the skillful sea eagle can be observed catching prey.
  Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, 300 pairs of white-tailed eagles are breeding in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern again today, more than in any other federal state.
  
• Osprey: With a wingspan of up to 1.70 meters, the osprey is significantly smaller than the white-tailed eagle. It can be easily recognized by its high-contrast plumage and light underside. It prefers to roost on high, free-standing trees in the landscape and in many places on high-voltage pylons. Unlike almost any other bird of prey, the osprey is a pure fish hunter, diving into the water from great heights and even catching fish from a depth of one meter.
  In Federow, seven kilometers east of Waren (Müritz), there is an osprey nest. Visitors to the Federow National Park Information can watch the eagles' family life via a webcam. An observation stand enables good observations without disturbing the animals.
   
• Lesser spotted eagle: Lesser spotted eagles are only slightly larger than a common buzzard but very shy. With their chocolate-brown plumage, they are well camouflaged and breed hidden in structurally rich deciduous and mixed forests. They need wet meadows and fallow land close to their breeding grounds to find food. Lesser spotted eagles prefer to hunt small ground-dwelling animals and insects on foot. Lesser spotted eagles are the most vocal of all eagles. The parents emit the sonorous call "tjück, tjück, tjück“, especially until the young are hatched.
  The highly endangered lesser spotted eagle is almost never seen in the forest. It reacts very sensitively to disturbances. If it feels disturbed in its breeding territory, it leaves its nest and never returns to the area. This is why there are eyrie protection zones that must be respected at all costs.

All three eagle species are breeding birds. However, observing them at their nests is difficult or even prohibited so that the birds are not disturbed. You can observe the eagles in the following places without disturbing them. The elegant birds of prey live for the most part in the Mecklenburg Lake District and on the edge of the Pomeranian Bodden waters. White-tailed eagles and ospreys can often be observed on and near the water, e.g. in the Müritz National Park, in the Feldberg Lake District, in the Nossetiner Schwinzer Heide Nature Park, in the Peeneteal River Landscape Nature Park or on the coast. Guided eagle safaris with rangers in the national parks or guided boat tours offer unique nature experiences.