The number of Golden Eagles in Scotland is to surveyed to check how its population is doing. This is the fourth survey of its kind to be undertaken and is being funded Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and RSPB Scotland. Licensed surveyors from the RSPB and the Scottish Raptor Study Group will spend six months recording the number of these majestic birds.
Golden Eagle
All of the golden eagles in Great Britain are found in Scotland except for a solitary male in the Lake District. Much of the population is in the west Highlands and islands of Scotland.
Long term monitoring has shown that although the golden eagle population has remained stable there is a variation in numbers across different areas. The most recent survey in 2003 revealed that the overall number of breeding pairs had increased, since 1992, by 20 to 442. However, there were declines of 24 per cent and 28 per cent in North Central and South Central Highlands respectively, since the first survey in 1982.
Andrew Stevenson, SNH ornithological adviser, said: “Although around half the golden eagle population is monitored every year by the Scottish Raptor Study Group, these broader national surveys are vital to fill the gaps on the status of the whole population. We use the results of these surveys to make decisions about the future conservation of the golden eagle.
“Golden eagles face a range of issues. Persecution is a major concern in some areas, but poor quality habitat with reduced prey is also a worry in parts of the west Highlands. Intriguingly, there has been a suggestion in recent years that some pairs have learned to cope with fairly extensive forests, despite it being a factor in some range losses historically. The potential risks from renewables have also increased as the industry grows.
“Clearly, the factors affecting the conservation of golden eagles need us all to work together. One example of this is the recent study of the golden eagles in Southern Scotland with an aim of working with all types of groups – from conservationists to land owners to public bodies – to improve the low number of occupied ranges there.”