New moves to stop sea eagles that kill lambs

‘Serious concerns’

FELLING trees to stop sea eagles nesting near sheep is among measures being tested to stop Britain’s biggest bird of prey killing lambs.

The move comes amid predictions sea eagle numbers will double to around 220 pairs over the next decade.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has provided £400,000 over three years to try to prevent livestock problems caused by sea eagles.

Removing trees where sea eagles nest next to lambing areas and new scaring methods are two techniques being tested on ‘monitor farms’.

SNH granted a licence this week to Forest Enterprise Scotland to fell two trees where sea eagles have nested previously on the National Forest Estate, north of Oban, Argyll.

The work is part of the Sea Eagle Action Plan, managed by the National Sea Eagle Stakeholder Group. It is pinpointing a number of farms in Argyll and Skye to look at predatory sea eagle activity.

SNH sea eagle project manager Ross Lilley said: ‘We recognise the serious concerns some farmers and crofters have about the impact of sea eagles on their livestock.

‘We’re working closely with them, National Farmers Union Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Forest Enterprise Scotland and others to thoroughly understand the part sea eagles play in livestock losses. The trial is about finding a balance between livestock farming and wildlife.

‘This is a great example of working together to tackle issues faced by farmers and crofters while ensuring healthy populations of this spectacular species.’