The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sea eagles programme is a soaraway success
Pair’s birth marks 10th anniversary of programme
Hatchlings of sea eagle chicks have been filmed at their nest in a Fife woodland as the species continues to grow in number.
Footage shows the mother tenderly feeding one of her twin chicks, the latest to be born since the species was brought back to Scotland’s east coast.
Almost a century after the huge birds-of-prey were wiped out in the UK, the pair’s birth has marked the 10th anniversary of a programme to reintroduce sea eagles.
The raptors, also known as whitetailed eagles and often dubbed flying barn doors because of their 8ft wing span, were once a common sight in Scotland but the last one was shot in 1917.
In the clip, mother Turquoise 1 can be seen bringing food to her not-so-little hatchling before father Turquoise Z swoops in to check on his young brood.
The parents were among 85 birds from Norway released in the area between 2007 and 2012.
The species’ number is growing once more and they can often be seen at Tentsmuir Forest, in north-east Fife.
This is the fifth year running that chicks have hatched in the programme run by RSPB Scotland, Forest Enterprise Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Graeme Findlay, environment manager with the FES team in Tay, said: “We are delighted that in this, the 10th anniversary of the project launch, that our star pair of white-tailed eagles have once again hatched chicks in Fife.
“The birds kept us waiting, laying later than usual, but for everyone involved in the project we are delighted that they have successfully hatched twins.”
It is hoped the chicks will flourish as last year’s Fife youngster, White L, has.
Owen Selly, RSPB Scotland sea eagle project officer, said: “White L, is now a year old and we have been able to monitor his travels thanks to his satellite tag.
“He has spent time in Deeside and Perthshire over the winter meeting up with White Diamond, a female who fledged from a nest in Speyside.”
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the project, a sea eagle festival is to be held on August 26 in Tayport, close to Tentsmuir Forest.