Surfbirds News

Currently there are 440 breeding pairs of golden eagle in the UK, all in Scotland. Golden eagles haven’t nested successfully in England since 1996. Currently, there is one male golden eagle in the Lake District, and until persecution - particularly on grouse moors - halts in Scotland, there is little chance of the bird’s re-establishment in England.

Golden Eagle © Mike Nelson, from the surfbirds galleries.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s Conservation Director, said: “The distribution map of ‘missing’ golden eagles is remarkably similar to a map of driven grouse moors in Scotland.

“The Golden Eagle Framework is a compelling report and provides strong evidence that illegal persecution of golden eagles has been the major factor in limiting both their recovery and spread across what should be prime available habitat in some parts of Scotland. Its publication is very welcome, not least because it sets out a comprehensive "roadmap" for the future conservation of this iconic species.

“Whilst there are 440 breeding pairs of golden eagles in Scotland, the report highlights that the health of this population is fragile. Combating human killing of golden eagles, particularly on driven grouse moors in the south and east of Scotland, as well as improving food availability through better habitat management in the west of the country, are identified as the key constraints.”