Soaring sights

In the latest in our series we go in search of where to see Scotland's greatest birds of prey.

If you want proof of the uneasy relationship between man and clawed predator, look no further than a map showing the areas where you're likely to spot eagles in Britain.

Nearly all of the United Kingdom's eagles live in Scotland, clustered in the north and west of the country. In the south and west of Scotland there remain few, and while the hostility of man is only part of the reason for this – unsuitable environment is key, too – the facts remain that eagles have been mercilessly poisoned and shot for centuries.

Myths and misunderstandings have grown up about this magnificent bird and although much has been done to preserve it in recent years, and the white tailed sea eagle has successfully been reintroduced after becoming extinct, progress has, at times, been painfully slow.

And even in these more enlightened times the stories persist. Mull is one of the best places to spot a sea eagle, for instance, but on a recent trip I was told there are now so many of them that they have become a threat to the fishing community and to local farmers, because they have been snatching newly born lambs.

Nevertheless the chances of spotting a golden eagle in the North East are vastly improved these days, and the population continues to grow. There are thought to be nearly 400 mating pairs of golden eagles in Scotland, and as a protected species they have flourished. As young males leave the nest they must seek out their own territory, so there has been a gradual but constant move i...

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• By : Rob Allanson
• In : Wildlife
• Issue : 47
• Page : 42
• Words : 959