Latest news with #ScotlandGoldenEagleProject
Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Sir David Attenborough helps mark south of Scotland conservation milestone
The legendary nature broadcaster has named the first eaglet to fledge from the nest of a golden eagle translocated to the region by Restoring Upland Nature Sir David Attenborough has helped mark a conservation milestone in the south of Scotland. The legendary nature broadcaster has named the first eaglet to fledge from the nest of a golden eagle translocated to the region by Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), the new home of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. Sir David, the UN Champion of the Earth, christened the fledgling Princeling, which means 'young prince' to show the new hope for the restoration of the golden eagle population. The development comes as preparations are made for Europe's only annual golden eagle festival in Moffat next month. Sir David described the moment as a 'wonderful achievement' and added: 'Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle.' Through the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, the team from RUN worked to restore the low population of golden eagles through translocations from the highlands and islands. However, this is the first successful fledgling of an eaglet reared locally by a translocated bird with a native eagle, taking the project's achievements to a new level. CEO of RUN, Dr Cat Barlow, said: 'What an honour it is for Restoring Upland Nature to receive such warm recognition from Sir David Attenborough for this game-changing moment in UK conservation. 'Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully. This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar. 'It is important to highlight that this success is testament to the support we have received from of community, partners, funders, raptor workers, gamekeepers, estate managers and more. We know they will all share in our excitement at today's news and look forward to continuing to work with them, and many new partners, as we build on our success, and extend our reach into northern England.' The project has involved a number of organisations, including the RSPB, NatureScot and Scottish Land and Estates. RSPB Scotland head of species and land management, Duncan Orr-Ewing, said: 'This project has represented genuine partnership working between conservationists, private landowners and their employees, as well as The Scottish Government, pulling in the same direction to restore the golden eagle population in the South of Scotland. We have also been supported by an amazing project team on the ground, underpinned by resource from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 'This exciting milestone of first successful breeding of translocated golden eagles is the news we have all been impatiently waiting for, and we fully expect that this will be only the start of a more resilient and flourishing golden eagle population in the South of Scotland in the future. We are very optimistic that it will also lead to re-colonisation of former golden eagle haunts in the north of England over time. 'This project has captured the public imagination, and many people have now shared the thrill of seeing one of the UK's most spectacular bird species in their local area, also benefitting these economies through wildlife tourism.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Sir David Attenborough names golden eagle chick hatched in Scotland
Sir David, 99, named the baby eagle Princeling, meaning young prince, which he says symbolises new hope for the restoration the species. It comes as part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which aims to increase their numbers throughout the country. Sir David Attenborough named the young eagle Princeling (James Manning/PA) SSGEP has now expanded its project to England and Wales under Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), to increase the population of the species elsewhere in the UK. Sir David said: 'Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle.' News of Princeling hatching in spring this year was kept secret until he was ready to fly the nest in a bid to protect his safety and welfare. He was tagged by experts from the RUN team in June, with support from a local Scottish Raptor Study Group, landowners and land managers. His parents, Emma and Keith, made their nest near Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, where he later hatched. Emma was previously translocated by SSGEP in 2021 and was named by Lorna Slater MSP, who at the time served as the Scottish Government's biodiversity minister. She was named after Emma Ritch, an advocate for women's rights and equality. Dad Keith fledged his nest locally, near Galloway. Revealing the latest news, the chief executive of RUN, Dr Cat Barlow, said: 'What an honour it is for RUN to receive such warm recognition from Sir David Attenborough for this game-changing moment in UK conservation. Princeling the eaglet surveys his surroundings (Ian Georgeson/PA) 'Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully. 'This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar. 'It is important to highlight that this success is testament to the support we have received from the community, partners, funders, raptor workers, gamekeepers, estate managers and more. 'We know they will all share in our excitement at today's news and look forward to continuing to work with them, and many new partners, as we build on our success, and extend our reach into northern England.' Princeling being tagged and measured (Restoring Upland Nature/PA) RUN chairman Michael Clarke said: 'We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Princeling and would like to thank Sir David Attenborough, and all our partners and supporters, for helping us mark this important milestone. 'There has been such a great buzz at our initial success, with golden eagles spotted across southern Scotland and northern England. 'This remarkable recovery story has only been possible through a massive team effort by individuals from all walks of life. 'Our sincere hope now is that Princeling's arrival will cement a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for his survival as a totem of what is possible when people pull together, and share a determination, to consign the illegal persecution of these magnificent birds and other raptors to the history books.'
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Sir David Attenborough names golden eagle chick hatched in Scotland
Sir David, 99, named the baby eagle Princeling, meaning young prince, which he says symbolises new hope for the restoration the species. It comes as part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), which aims to increase their numbers throughout the country. Sir David Attenborough named the young eagle Princeling (James Manning/PA) SSGEP has now expanded its project to England and Wales under Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), to increase the population of the species elsewhere in the UK. Sir David said: 'Many congratulations to all those in Restoring Upland Nature who have brought about the fledging of a young golden eagle.' News of Princeling hatching in spring this year was kept secret until he was ready to fly the nest in a bid to protect his safety and welfare. He was tagged by experts from the RUN team in June, with support from a local Scottish Raptor Study Group, landowners and land managers. His parents, Emma and Keith, made their nest near Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, where he later hatched. Emma was previously translocated by SSGEP in 2021 and was named by Lorna Slater MSP, who at the time served as the Scottish Government's biodiversity minister. She was named after Emma Ritch, an advocate for women's rights and equality. Dad Keith fledged his nest locally, near Galloway. Revealing the latest news, the chief executive of RUN, Dr Cat Barlow, said: 'What an honour it is for RUN to receive such warm recognition from Sir David Attenborough for this game-changing moment in UK conservation. Princeling the eaglet surveys his surroundings (Ian Georgeson/PA) 'Seeing Princeling thrive in the south of Scotland highlights that, where there are healthy ecosystems and a low risk of persecution, translocated eagles can integrate well into native populations to breed successfully. 'This brings renewed hope to our ambition to reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across the UK, including Scotland, England and Wales, can experience that incredible sense of awe on seeing golden eagles soar. 'It is important to highlight that this success is testament to the support we have received from the community, partners, funders, raptor workers, gamekeepers, estate managers and more. 'We know they will all share in our excitement at today's news and look forward to continuing to work with them, and many new partners, as we build on our success, and extend our reach into northern England.' Princeling being tagged and measured (Restoring Upland Nature/PA) RUN chairman Michael Clarke said: 'We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Princeling and would like to thank Sir David Attenborough, and all our partners and supporters, for helping us mark this important milestone. 'There has been such a great buzz at our initial success, with golden eagles spotted across southern Scotland and northern England. 'This remarkable recovery story has only been possible through a massive team effort by individuals from all walks of life. 'Our sincere hope now is that Princeling's arrival will cement a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for his survival as a totem of what is possible when people pull together, and share a determination, to consign the illegal persecution of these magnificent birds and other raptors to the history books.'
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Rare Scottish Golden Eagle spotted as majestic bird seen soaring south to England
Conservationists and environment lovers have something to cheer about as a rare Golden Eagle was spotted in England After vanishing from England more than a century ago, golden eagles are making a remarkable comeback, soaring south from Scotland in a revival that has thrilled conservationists and bird lovers alike. Among the majestic birds spotted across the border this year is a young male named Talla, who recently turned heads in Northumberland National Park, much to the amazement of wildlife enthusiast Ian Glendinning. 'It was the end of March and I was driving in a remote corner of the national park with a couple of friends and the rear passenger suddenly shouted out 'what on earth is that?'' he told the BBC. 'I looked over to my right and about 30 metres away there he was, sitting on a rocky outcrop." Talla is one of around 50 golden eagles now thriving in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, an extraordinary rise from just a handful in the region less than a decade ago. Their resurgence is thanks to the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), launched in 2018 in a bid to boost dwindling numbers. Since then, the project has successfully relocated 28 juvenile golden eagles, collected from the Highlands at six to eight weeks of age, along with 15 older birds aged between four months and three years. 'Thanks to our satellite tagging, we can confirm that some are beginning to venture into Northumberland and further afield and these sightings reaffirm the importance of us extending our groundbreaking work,' said Michael Clarke, chair of SSGEP. The golden eagles have now been tracked far beyond the Borders, gliding over the North Pennines, the Lake District, and even as far south as the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire and Nidderdale in Yorkshire. 'While it is too early to say if they are settling in these areas, it is a potentially exciting and significant milestone,' Mr Clarke added. Once wiped out across England and Wales by the mid-1800s due to persecution by gamekeepers and landowners, golden eagles only made a fleeting return following the First and Second World Wars, when driven shoots temporarily ceased. The last known English resident disappeared from the Lake District in 2015. Now, the golden eagle, the UK's second-largest bird of prey after the white-tailed sea eagle, may finally be reclaiming its lost territory. These powerful raptors are known for their incredible hunting skills and wide-ranging territories, with pairs covering up to 150 square kilometres. They favour remote, undisturbed landscapes and are most commonly found in the Scottish Highlands and islands, where they glide silently above open moorland and craggy cliffs. They feed on a variety of prey, from rabbits and red grouse to squirrels, smaller birds and even fish. They also scavenge carrion, playing a vital role in recycling nutrients through the ecosystem. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Dwarf birch and downy willow trees once offered ideal nesting spots in Scotland's uplands, but widespread overgrazing by deer and sheep has devastated these habitats. Nonetheless, golden eagles continue to adapt, building vast nests in the most secluded spots, from rocky cliffs to towering trees, and returning to them year after year. The birds mate for life and build multiple nests within their territory, selecting their preferred site depending on the season and weather. The largest golden eagle nest on record measured an incredible 4.5 metres deep. Most golden eagles live between 15 and 20 years, though some have been known to reach 30.
