News and Views from Scotland
Golden Eagles - Flying High in Scotland
Golden Eagle - Photograph: Peter Cairns/RSPB
A survey of golden eagles in Scotland has shown the birds to be thriving, with numbers close to an historic high.
RSPB Scotland announced there had been a 15% rise since 2003, when the last survey took place, from 442 to 508 pairs. The research was carried out by experts from the wildlife charity and the Scottish Raptor Study Group. Scotland is now thought to be home to the UK's entire population of golden eagles. The huge raptors have a wingspan of over 6 feet.
England's only resident golden eagle, which occupied a site near Haweswater in the Lake District, has not been seen for more than a year and is feared to be dead.
The RSPB said the six-month survey - which the charity co-funded with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) - showed the raptor could now be defined as having a "favourable conservation status".
Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland, said the birds were an "awe-inspiring part of our natural heritage" and welcomed the news from the survey.
"Across many parts of Scotland there's been a very welcome turnaround in how people respect these magnificent birds, part of a more enlightened public attitude towards birds of prey," he said.
"Increased monitoring and satellite tagging of eagles, as well as stronger sanctions against wildlife crime may be serving as effective deterrents against illegal activity, therefore helping their population to increase. However, the continued absence of golden eagles in some areas of eastern Scotland remains a real cause for concern and suggests that much more work needs to be done."
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David
October 2016Return to News and Views Index
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