Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them -

Golden Eagle the Birdie that’s Above Par

The great news is that golden eagle numbers are soaring, with 500 breeding pairs in some parts of Scotland which is great news for the species, but the cloud has a leaden lining. The raptor is still missing from over a third of its original traditional territories. The creatures are now deemed safe, from extinction, for the moment and it is now thought that the species now has a long term future.

Numbers Soar but Not on Grouse Land

These magnificent creatures which have wingspan of over 6 feet in old money have been much troubled by the grouse land usage and sadly there have been illegal killings of this apex predator when eagles have troubled the game animals. But apart from the east of the country where the land is intensively managed for driven grouse shooting the comeback is significant.  

Bird Gone Native

The birds were once familiar across the Union but now Scotland is the sole habitat in the British Isles for the golden eagle, as England’s last breeding pair went missing in 2003, they might have eloped to Gretna! Since Victorian times when the fashion for grouse shooting was at its highest level the raptors have been the subject of first persecution and latterly poisoning. The poisoning happened when organophosphates which made them infertile more than decimated the native populations. Killing of these wondrous beasties is now highly illegal and each pair is satellite tagged. It is this drop in persecution that has allowed the remaining birds to build up their numbers to 508 pairs from just over 400 in the 1990s.

A Viable Future for the Species

Well that is a feel good story and the feel good stories don’t stop  as there is a half price offer on the presentation boxed Edinburgh range of 2 Crystal Flute Champagne Glasses which is surely cause to celebrate. Go on raise a glass.

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