Record breaking year for sea eagles

23/09/2009 12:10:37 Highest number of chicks for 150 years

September 2009. Scotland's breeding population of sea eagles has reached two landmarks - with the highest number of breeding pairs and more young successfully fledged that at any time since the birds were first reintroduced in 1975.

46 breeding pairs produced 36 chicks - Now 200+ Sea eagles in Scotland
The 2009 survey shows that there are now 46 territorial breeding pairs of the UK's biggest raptor, an increase of two pairs since 2008 - with one new pair setting up a territory on Lewis and one in Lochaber. It has also been the most successful year in terms of chicks produced, with 24 successful broods fledging a total of 36 chicks. Experts at RSPB Scotland also believe this number is higher than at any time in the past 150 years, and more than were fledged in the first ten years combined that sea eagles bred following reintroduction. There are now over 200 individual sea eagles in Scotland.

Satellite tags
Five of this year's chicks have been fitted with satellite tags, and several of these are starting to make exploratory flights away from the immediate nest site areas. The progress of two of these chicks on Mull can be followed via RSPB's website at www.rspb.org.uk/mulleagletracking

£2 million annual boost to the Island of Mull
Tourists and wildlife watchers now have their best ever chance of witnessing these spectacular and inspiring birds, often referred to as "flying barn doors" due to their huge eight foot wingspan. The birds help the Scottish economy too; Mull's sea eagles ( See Mull Sea Eagle Hide) have become a firmly established tourist magnet, pulling in thousands of wildlife enthusiasts who boost the island's economy by up to £2m million annually, according to a recent economic survey.

The on-going monitoring of white-tailed eagles, as they are also known, is conducted by the Sea Eagle Project Team, which includes RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, and Forestry Commission Scotland.

On of the 2007 chicks leaving the release pen. RSPB images/Andy Hay

East coast eagles
Professor Jeremy Wilson, head of research for RSPB Scotland, said: "We are absolutely delighted that these inspiring birds, which are rightly seen as icons of Scotland's magnificent natural heritage, are continuing to go from strength to strength. We are now seeing a steady rise in the breeding population every year, and this will grow further as the juveniles from the east coast reintroduction programme reach sexual maturity in the next couple of years. There are plenty of vacant territories available with natural wild prey species to support these birds. As they continue to spread around Scotland's coast, this exciting spectacle will be made accessible to people throughout the country."

Skye, Mull & Western Isles remain core area
Skye, Mull and the Western Isles remain as the core population area since the species were brought back from extinction by reintroduction programmes, first on the island of Rum from 1975 to 1985 and then on Wester Ross from 1993 to 1998. But they are now beginning to significantly expand this range; breeding pairs have established territories up to 100 miles south from the original release sites and west onto the mainland in the Highland district of Lochaber.

More eagles released in Fife
The third phase of the programme to firmly establish a population right across Scotland is now underway at a secret location in Fife, and is introducing chicks taken from nests in Norway to the east coast. Over the last three years, 44 chicks have been released in Fife at the beginning of August, and a further 20 young birds from Norway will be released each year for the next two or three years. The young birds are faring well and we are confident that breeding pairs will establish themselves over the coming years. (See 20 more Sea eagles chicks arrive on Scotland's east coast)

Ireland reintroduction
Eventually, it is hoped that this population will mix with the west coast birds and set up territories right round the suitable coastal habitats of Scotland. In Ireland a similar re-introduction project is underway in the Killarney area in a bid to right some of the wrongs perpetrated by their ancestors - and Natural England are considering plans to reintroduce the bird in England.