Fifteen Sea eagle chicks released in Eastern Scotland

14/08/2008 09:34:56 August 2008. Fifteen more sea eagle chicks have been released in the East of Scotland. The huge birds (known as 'flying barn doors' due to their enormous eight foot wingspan) will hopefully soon become a much more common sight all over Eastern Scotland. This is the second year that chicks have been collected from nests in Norway, reared in specially constructed aviaries in Fife, and then released into the wild. The goal is to re-establish this magnificent raptor all over Scotland, as it once existed prior to extinction due to human persecution in Victorian times.

2007 releases
In 2007, the first year of the project, 15 chicks were released and travelled widely all over the East of Scotland. Bird F, known as 'Fifer', even made it over to the sea eagle haven of Loch Frisa on Mull over the winter, before returning close to its 'birthplace' near Perth. Of the 15 birds released in 2007 (The first year of East Scotland Sea Eagles, ESSE), 11 are left alive - 7 males and 4 females. Two were electrocuted, one disappeared in the Angus Glens and one died of unknown causes. They've been doing what immature sea eagles do - explore. Often hanging around in pairs, they've spent the last year exploring the coast, straths, glens and firths. They have been eating carrion, rabbits, geese, gulls, heron & a swan. Most recent confirmed locations are: 2 birds in Fife, 1 in Lothian, 3 at Loch Tay, 1 on Skye, 1 near loch of Lowes, 1 near Blair Gowrie, 2 west of Perth. It helps greatly if the public report sightings of Sea eagles in the East by emailing eastscotlandseaeagles@rspb.org.uk .

This years chicks will also be radio tagged, so that their progress can be tracked over coming months and years, up until the birds reach breeding age in 3-5 years time. 

Environment Minister Michael Russell said: "This is a very important moment for the birds as they take their first flights into Scottish skies. They will be facing many challenges in the years ahead and like others, I'll be crossing my fingers that they find their way and breed in the future. The sea eagle is one of the cornerstones of Scotland's species re-establishment programme and it will be an incredible experience for more people to see these huge birds in their natural environment."

Report sightings
Claire Smith, Sea Eagle Project Officer for RSPB Scotland said: "From the time these chicks were collected in Norway and brought over to Scotland in June, I've watched them grow up and now they're raring to go. I'm really excited to see where they go, and if they'll meet up with last years birds. People are usually amazed when they see how massive they really are, and it really helps if people can report sightings to me at eastscotlandseaeagles@rspb.org.uk .

Scottish sea eagle. Iain Irskine.

Tourism boost
Martin Gaywood, project manager for SNH's five year species action framework, said: "The re-establishment of Scotland's sea eagle population range to its former glory is a key part of our species management plans over the next few years. This is an important step in that process. The presence of these amazing birds in the east will support populations already established in the west. And it should bring similar benefits in the form of tourism and quality of life for those in the area."

East Scotland Sea Eagles (ESSE) is a five year partnership project between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) to reintroduce sea eagles to Eastern Scotland, building on successful reintroductions in the West Coast.

Furthermore, ESSE plays an important part of the strategy to restore Scotland's biodiversity in the years ahead, as part of the species action framework announced by SNH last year. As well as reintroducing sea eagles and beavers, 30 other species of mammals, birds, invertebrates and plants will have detailed conservation plans drawn up to ensure their long term survival.