Eagles occupy nesting site

A nest, hand-built by an elderly conservationist on a cliffside at the Dundreggan estate in the Highlands, has prompted the return of the first breeding pair of golden eagles to the area for 40 years.

Roy Dennis, a renowned endangered species expert now in his 80s, constructed the eyrie using arm-sized branches while dangling from the top of the crag by a rope in 2015.

Golden eagles build their own nests in remote and inaccessible places. They are highly sensitive to disturbance.

Earlier this year, Dundreggan estate manager Doug Gilbert discovered the artificial eyrie had been taken over by the pair. Last week, the eagles successfully fledged a chick in the nest.

Mr Gilbert said the accomplishment was “beyond our wildest dreams”. “As golden eagles may use their nesting sites for generations, we’re hoping they are back for the long term,” he said.