Thanks to the good contacts of Pentti Runko, a duck ringer in central Finland, Pierre-Lou had the chance to take part in a last ringing experience in Finnish Lapland. At the end of June, he met Jarmo Ahtinen, Petri Piisilä, Olli-Pekka Karlin and his wife Lea near Vuotso. On the program, ringing of Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)!

​After an important tracking work led by Petri to locate the nests, Jarmo and Olli-Pekka go to the different sites to capture and mark the non-flying chicks on the nest, perched at the top of high trees. Threatening little chicks that sometimes weigh more than 4 kilos!

​Although conducted on a voluntary basis, these operations require great know-how and impeccable concentration in order to be performed safely for the ringer and the birds. It is not given to the first amateur to be able to catch and manipulate a sharp-clawed eagle, perched 15 meters high in an uncomfortable position! All ringers actually have a ringer license obtained after several years of training and practices.

​Pierre-Lou shared for a few days this impressive experience alongside these two passionate and experienced ringers. This year, eagle breeding has been very good, and Jarmo has set records: he has ringed his 600th Golden Eagle and his 100th Eagle in the same week!