Sir David Attenborough names first fledgling 'Princeling'!

The news comes as the pioneering charity Restoring Upland Nature (RUN - the new home of The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project) prepares for Europe’s only annual golden eagle festival, in Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway (12 to 14 September 2025). Describing the landmark moment as a “wonderful achievement”, the globally renowned broadcaster and UN Champion of the Earth christened the fledgling ‘Princeling’, which means young prince. The name symbolises new hope for the restoration of a previously diminished and declining population of golden eagles - a bird often referred to as the ‘King of the Skies’ due to its majestic presence and vital role as an apex predator. Princeling’s arrival brings the number of golden eagles soaring in southern skies to a new record high - over 50 - the most seen in the region for three centuries.

As the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, the team from RUN previously restored the low population of golden eagles in the south of Scotland through a series of pioneering translocations from the Scottish Highlands & Islands. Some of eagles were recently spotted as far south as northern England, where there have been no resident golden eagles since 2016. However, the successful fledging of an eaglet reared locally by one of these translocated birds in partnership with a native eagle, takes the project’s achievements to a new groundbreaking level – confirming that translocated golden eagles can integrate successfully into local populations where ecosystems and humans allow.

Recognising the significance of this moment, Sir David said: “many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle.”

Revealing the latest news, CEO of Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), Dr Cat Barlow said: “What an honour it is for Restoring Upland Nature to receive such warm recognition from Sir David Attenborough for this game-changing moment in UK conservation. “Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully. This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar.” “It is important to highlight that this success is testament to the support we have received from of community, partners, funders, raptor workers, gamekeepers, estate managers and more. We know they will all share in our excitement at today’s news and look forward to continuing to work with them, and many new partners, as we build on our success, and extend our reach into northern England.”

“This remarkable recovery story has only been possible through a massive team effort by individuals from all walks of life. Our sincere hope now is that Princeling’s arrival will cement a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for his survival as a totem of what is possible when people pull together, and share a determination, to consign the illegal persecution of these magnificent birds and other raptors to the history books. “We have exciting plans to build on and extend our groundbreaking work so that other parts of the UK benefit from the return of golden eagles, but we can only do this with continued support. Every donation made to our charity plays a key part in helping us reach new groundbreaking milestones.”

Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland Head of Species and Land Management said: “This project has represented genuine partnership working between conservationists, private landowners and their employees, as well as The Scottish Government, pulling in the same direction to restore the golden eagle population in the South of Scotland. We have also been supported by an amazing project team on the ground, underpinned by resource from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. “This exciting milestone of first successful breeding of translocated golden eagles is the news we have all been impatiently waiting for, and we fully expect that this will be only the start of a more resilient and flourishing golden eagle population in the South of Scotland in the future. We are very optimistic that it will also lead to re-colonisation of former golden eagle haunts in the north of England over time. “This project has captured the public imagination, and many people have now shared the thrill of seeing one of the UK’s most spectacular bird species in their local area, also benefitting these economies through wildlife tourism.”

Dee Ward, Chair of Scottish Land and Estates, another founding partner of the project, said: “It is truly thrilling to hear about Princeling’s arrival. This groundbreaking project is a fantastic example of the positive work of landowners, game keepers and land managers are doing around Scotland to support conservation and be part of the solution to biodiversity decline – from donating chicks for the translocations and providing carrion to help them settle to working with the Restoring Upland Nature team to monitor the birds and ensure there are suitable habits to help birds like Princeling flourish. With thanks to Cat Barlow and her team, this achievement is testament to the benefits of working collaboratively to deliver for Scotland’s wildlife and nature.”

NatureScot Chief Executive, Nick Halfhide, added: “It’s absolutely wonderful to see golden eagles flourishing in South Scotland again – and to see the first eagle fledge this year. Over the last seven years, the project has boosted the number of eagles in the region enormously, helping return them to places where they were once an important part of our wildlife. It is a brilliant example of partnership working between land managers, conservation and government agencies, and we thank everyone involved for their hard work and determination.”