New batch of sea eagles arrive in Scotland

RSPB Scotland said the 19 chicks from Norway arrived at Edinburgh Airport and have been taken to a secret location in Fife, where they will stay until they are strong enough to fledge.

It is the largest batch to arrive in Scotland since the programme began four years ago and is the result of a good breeding season in Scandinavia.

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Fabulous photo as well.

SM

That's a great story & Photo SM I wonder if it's near where tigerburnie lives thats East Scotland
WS

Wonderful news - let's hope they all fledge successfully.

Lai

Three of last years youngsters over wintered on an island on Loch Leven,one is up near Fraserburgh.Sadly at least one was poisoned by keepers on a sporting estate,so local gossip has it.
I get the feeling that some of those involved in the project are well meaning,but don't really know what they are doing.The environment is not ideal for big Eagles,where the release site is.Some old data shows the species lived there once,but a lot has changed since then.I doubt that the area can support the birds as well as the West of Scotland,there are too many people and too much disturbance.
The same applies to the project to introduce them to Norfolk,well meaning but daft.

There seems to be a bit of difference in thought with the crofters too over this one. I do not know the area so can't comment on what is right or wrong, but surely if the RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission are over seeing this, surely they cant all be wrong on the site chosen can they?

littlewid-x-

I suppose it depends on how much research has been carried out, on the area, if it's being used because at one time Sea Eagles were present there in the past, then thats not good enough. I would have though that a proper study would have to have been carried out to ascertain the amount of prey available to the Birds, so that they could sustain themselves without having a major impact on Crofters, and Estates. If that has'nt been done then as TB says their daft, but there always seems to be conflicting accounts as to how much damage to livestock is caused.
WS

There are very few crofters in the Tayside area,but there are major population areas and some rather,how should we say it,"old fashioned" views on introducing large predatory birds near "their game birds".
A fantastic idea,but it's likely to be as popular and successful as buying a holiday home in the Khber Pass.
The experts released birds onto "ideal" islands on the west coast,they all moved to more suitable locations.I think I'm right in saying there are no Sea Eagles on the original release areas,never mind breeding.

I suppose this is one we will just have to watch and wait and see what happens, I am sure we will hear more about this as time goes on.

littlewid-x-