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In the film a young eagle was deliberately poisoned. Why do you think this practice continues?
Poisoned baits are used illegally by gamekeepers to control crows, foxes, and sometimes even birds of prey such as eagles, kites, and buzzards. All three are prone to poisoning because they naturally feed on carrion, especially in the winter when other sources of food can be hard to find. Game preservers believe that the decline of grouse numbers (something which has been going on for nearly a century in parts of Scotland) is attributable to the depredations of so-called vermin or pest species.
Watson waits patiently for golden eagles to fly by. |
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Although some grouse are certainly killed by birds of prey, it is clear that many other factors are involved, not least the loss of extent and condition of heather as a result of two centuries of heavy sheep grazing. The incidence of deliberate and targeted poisoning of eagles is quite rare, though incidental poisoning is more common, when crows and foxes are the real target. Although illegal, the practice continues because it is undoubtedly efficient and it is often difficult to bring a prosecution with evidence hard to come by in the sparsely populated uplands. Nevertheless, attitudes are changing and there is typically a huge public outcry on the rare occasions that perpetrators are caught and charged. Grouse moor management is, however, big business, and to date the meager fines and low incidence of successful prosecutions are not helpful. In the long run the weight of public opinion will probably be the more effective vehicle for deterring this anti-social behavior by a small minority of irresponsible gamekeepers.
Sightings of golden eagles are rare. How do you go about observing these elusive birds?
In the short days of winter, alone on the hill, hiding from the bitter arctic winds, searching for eagles can be no fun at all. Long periods of frozen inactivity are interspersed with the necessary move to another hiding place, but then only to regain the feelings in numb limbs. And then, a brief window of pale sunlight lights up the world and in that moment, the fleeting image of a distant eagle rounding a far-off hilltop confirms that the big bird is still in residence.
I used to think that patience was the greatest virtue of the eagle watcher -- but in winter I think is more persistence that wins. I have a little rule when pursuing a particularly difficult pair of eagles. I set myself a time, maybe three or four hours, and I just stay there until the job is done, when the birds are located. Then, if nothing shows up after the allotted time, I will always add another 15 minutes, for luck. It is amazing how often the eagle makes its appearance in that "extra time." But there are other days, in early spring when all the omens are good, and a steady hike round two or three eyries reveals many sightings, much activity at nests, and all the promise that is somehow symbolic of the new season. These days are magic, and give you the stamina to take on many more days when the birds are lost in the mountain mists, or just plain cursed!
In the film you mentioned a program that aims to reintroduce the golden eagles in Ireland. Can you tell us more about that program and how it is progressing?
Golden eagles were exterminated from Ireland around 1915. Since then there have been no breeding records in the Republic of Ireland and only very infrequent records of wandering birds from Scotland. In 2000 an ambitious plan to re-establish golden eagles in Ireland was commenced. Over the past three summers some 20 birds have been taken as chicks under special licence from nests in Scotland and released in Donegal, northwest Ireland. This area is known as historical eagle country, and before the introductions began much careful work was done to assess the availability of food and nest sites as well as to consult with local sheep farmers. These studies were positive and convinced people that the reintroduction could succeed.
Early evidence from the reintroduction is all very encouraging. Birds have been transported successfully and have been released without mishap. Food dumps have been provided for these youngsters and these have been well used, though independent hunting and ranging well beyond the release site has also occurred. To date there has been only one death amongst the released birds. The attitude of local farmers remains neutral or positive and there have been no reported conflicts with livestock. The project will certainly continue for several more years to give it the best chance of success. It is unlikely that breeding will occur for another two to three years. However, there are high hopes that the first young eagle will be fledged in Ireland well before the end of the first decade of the 21st century. The Scottish population certainly remains healthy enough to contribute to this exciting project -- a national census in 2003 revealed a small but modest increase on the previous 1992 census. Most of the young taken from Scotland are from broods of two where ultimately the second chick would be unlikely to survive.
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Eagle IQ
Learn all about the majestic golden eagle. |
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Interview
Discover one man's passion for this bird. |
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Birds of Prey
What makes a bird a "bird of prey"? |
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Resources
Web links and books related to the program |
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