Estimating abundance in unmarked populations of Golden Eagle ( <i>Aquila chrysaetos</i> )

Estimates of species abundance are key importance in population and ecosystem level research but can be hard to obtain. Study designs using camera traps increasingly being used for large-scale monitoring that elusive and/or occur naturally at low densities. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one such species, we investigate whether existing programs baited estimate the golden eagles, as an alternative traditional labour-intensive searches active territories nest sites during breeding period. The camera-trap data allowed two measures estimated within each four main study areas mid northern Norway; occupancy was measured probability site use, size number individuals a area. Spatial temporal patterns were explored evaluated against independent estimates pair density areas. Annual showed precision, while more precise relation both anticipated fluctuations. may therefore suitable within-study area trends, seem unsuitable eagles. Across areas, average from consistent with spatial pattern densities (r = 0.99, r 0.89, respectively). This suggests camera-trap-based density, reflect territory large scales. In conclusion, our results suggest cost-effective strategy