THE PROJECT

All ABout

The South of Scotland golden eagle Project

An Introduction to the Project achievements and objectives

An Iconic Scottish species

Golden Eagles have always been admired and celebrated as an essential element of native Scottish wildlife. A glimpse of a wild Eagle soaring high over mountain and loch is a memory to be treasured for a lifetime. Despite the overall increase in Eagle numbers throughout much of Scotland, this growth has not been seen in the areas south of the Central Belt. With birds from the flourishing populations in the North reluctant to move South, the small population of isolated and vulnerable Eagles in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway were at risk of disappearing from their native homeland in much the same way as they have from England and Wales.

REINFORCEMENT, NOT REINTRODUCTION

Unlike other similar projects such as the White tailed Eagle, Osprey and Red Kite reintroductions, a very small number of Golden Eagles had clung to survival in Southern Scotland. Our project has been successful in supplying these isolated and vulnerable birds with a vital life-line to prevent the extinction of this stunning raptor from Scotland's Southern Skies.

TRANSLOCATION

In order to boost the numbers of Eagles in the South, Eaglets were relocated from eyries further North and brought to custom built aviaries at a confidential location in the Moffat Hills. After a brief stay they were released into the Southern Uplands to interact with the few resident Eagles and provide more incentive for wandering birds to remain in the South. Only eyries containing two chicks were collected from, with one eaglet remaining in its natal territory. The Eaglets were not collected until they reached 5-8 weeks old, at which point they were feathered, could keep themselves warm and dry and were able to feed themselves from the food provided. Our immense gratitude goes to the Scottish Raptor Study Groups and Land-owners without whom these collections would not have beenpossible.

SATELLITE TAGGING

In order to track the translocated Eagles, all released birds were fitted with satellite trackers. These state of the art, solar powered devices transmit regular, reliable and accurate information, allowing us to precisely follow the movements of the youngsters as they explored their new surroundings. The tags were fitted by highly experienced, licensed individuals shortly before release and weighed less than 4% of the birds overall body weight. The birds were also fitted with a colour ring with letters and numbers that are readable in the field when good views are permitted.

RELEASE

When the young Eagles were ready to be released, hatches on the front of the aviaries were opened and the translocated birds were free to leave of their own volition. Established feeding locations in view of the aviaries continued to be provisioned with carrion throughout the late summer into the colder seasons to support the young birds through their first winter and to encourage them to remain in the South. Historic eyrie sites were built up in readiness for potential first breeding attempts in the latter stages of the project and beyond.

MONITORING

The Project Team continue to monitor the young Eagles following their release by both following the satellite data and monitoring the birds in the field. Eagle Officer John Wright coordinated the fieldwork and with open and regular communication with the Scottish Raptor Study Groups, land-owners, land managers, farmers and local communities we have watched the young pioneers flourish and once again become a more prosperous part of the landscape for generations to come.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Our Community Outreach Officers Philip and Rick worked closely with local communities, schools, businesses and volunteers, offering opportunities for engagement with the project and the Eagles. Moffat, Scotland's first and only 'Eagle Town' was established where visitors and local communities can learn about and welcome their local Eagles, celebrating the return of these iconic birds through the annual Moffat Golden Eagle Festivals, now in its fifth year. Eventually, we hope to establish a 'Where Eagles Soar' Raptor Route, which has the potential to increase eco-tourism in the South to the benefit of these small and often isolated communities.

EDUCATION

Through our 'Eagle Schools' Program, over 10,000 students across the south not only learned about Eagles but have adopted and named many of the released birds, following their progress as they move beyond the release sites and explore the Southern landscape. Initially focused on Primary Schools, a program of 10 Eagle themed lessons was delivered, culminating in 'Eagle Day', a celebration of the student's achievements and the Eagles themselves. Parents, families and members of the local communities were invited to attend an exhibition of student's work and an awards ceremony with the schools receiving a plaque, a piece of Eagle themed artwork and a visit from a falconry Golden Eagle!

Link to our EAGLE SCHOOLS page here

COMMUNICATION

Over the past 7 years we aimed to be as open and communicative as possible, ensuring that a regular dialogue is established and maintained with all who are touched by this project. Our Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Brian Burrows has been available to talk with landowners, gamekeepers, farmers and land managers while our two Community Outreach Officers, Philip and Rick were always on hand and active across the South, presenting talks and events and engaging with communities from St Abbs to Stranraer.

THE FUTURE

Our biggest hope is that Golden Eagles can once again thrive in the South of Scotland and that generations to come will be given the opportunity to find a place for these magnificent birds in their homeland, their heritage and their hearts.

The next hope for the project is that we can repeat our successes in southern Scotland across the border, in northern England to re-establish a population of these iconic birds, returning them to another piece of their native homeland.

Partners