Shooting Times & Country Magazine
We’re keeping an eagle eye
Golden eagles relocated as part of a pioneering conservation initiative have received a warm reception on local shoots, says project manager
Conservationists have emphatically denied claims that two out of the three golden eagles relocated as part of a pioneering conservation initiative have died.
Rumours circulating in the shooting community claimed that the birds had starved to death, despite supplementary feeding. However, project manager Dr Cat Barlow told Shooting Times that the eagles were doing well and finding a warm welcome.
Young eagles were taken from nests in the Highlands in the spring and relocated to an aviary in the Moffat hills in southern Scotland. The birds were named by the children of local primary schools who called the two females Emily and Beaky and the male Edward. The project is intended to support the small existing population of eagles in southern Scotland and conservationists hope that in time they will be able to spread across the southern uplands and into northern England.
After being released all three birds were initially receiving supplementary feeding near their aviary; however, two of the three birds — Edward and Emily — have moved off and have been fending for themselves for six weeks.
The birds are monitored through satellite tracking and by sightings from volunteers on the ground. While the precise location of the eagles remains a secret to protect
“We are really pleased at the way gamekeepers have welcomed birds on their estates”
them from disturbance, Edward has been sighted in Galloway where a rabbit warren is providing him with hunting opportunities. The birds are expected to move around for four or five years before finally settling in a breeding territory.
The project was met with criticism by some raptor experts who were concerned that the birds would become victims of illegal persecution. However, the eagles have received a warm reception from local shoots. Dr Barlow said: “We are really pleased at the way gamekeepers have welcomed birds on their estates.” The presence on the project team of Brian Burrows, formerly the headkeeper at Gunnerside estate, has helped build bridges with keepers and farmers.
While concerns about persecution have so far proved unfounded, the availability of food remains a worry. The threat to rabbits from viral haemorrhagic disease and the mandatory removal of livestock carcases have significantly reduced the food available to the birds.
Matt Cross