A lesson from the continent

Sir, – It is tragic to hear about another death of one of our magnificent golden eagles, for whatever reason.

Might I suggest a line of inquiry the authorities should investigate?

Are rogue landowners ‘clearing the air’ of pesky protected birds so they can get the Scottish Government to rubber stamp their multiple wind turbine applications?

In Germany trees that contain the nests of protected birds – such as the red kite or lesser spotted eagle – are being cut down illegally.

That’s because a new turbine would not be permitted near such a nest.

Just look through German regional newspapers and you’ll see examples of these crimes all over the country. Eight incidents were reported to the German Wildlife Foundation in only one year.

With a potential profit of around £40,000 per turbine, per year, to be pocketed there is surely an irresistible temptation in Scotland, too.

Bitter experience from Germany also shows that, as a result of the rash and hasty expansion of renewable energy from wind power, the populations of almost 50% of all bird species have significantly decreased.

The German Wildlife Foundation describe their ‘Energy Transition’ as: “The most widespread destruction of nature since the Second World War.” George Herraghty. Lothlorien Lhanbryde, Elgin.