A golden eagle chick named Beaky Junior has fledged from a nest in the Moffat Hills, marking the first time the species has successfully fledged from a managed grouse moor in the south of Scotland.
Golden Eagle Soars to a Record Population After Relocation Effort
Today, that regional number has climbed to a record level of more than 50 pairs. The arrival of Beaky Junior represents a turning point for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, which relocated birds from the Highlands to a secret location in the Moffat Hills starting in the summer of 2018 when the population had dwindled to just a handful.
Dr Cat Barlow, chief executive of Restoring Upland Nature (Run), described the fledging of five chicks from translocated nests this year as a hugely significant milestone
that provides genuine hope for reversing biodiversity decline across Scotland, England, and Wales.
Gamekeepers and Conservationists Build a Working Partnership
What sets Beaky Junior apart is the nest’s location on a managed grouse moor used for recreational gamebird shooting. A report published by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) documented 182 confirmed persecution incidents involving birds of prey in Scotland over a 10-year period, noting that 64.3% of those incidents occurred on land managed for gamebird shooting.
In contrast, the site in the Moffat Hills demonstrates a working partnership between estates and conservationists. Local gamekeepers even named the chick in recognition of the support they provided. Mark Ewart, regional co-ordinator at the Southern Uplands Moorlands Group, emphasized the positive relationship on the ground.
It is incredibly rewarding to see gamekeepers celebrated for the important role they have played in the success of Run’s South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.
Mark Ewart, regional co-ordinator at the Southern Uplands Moorlands Group, via AOL
Ewart noted that monitoring habitats and protecting eyries form a routine part of daily gamekeeping, adding that encountering golden eagles daily serves as the ultimate indicator of the partnership’s success.
Partnership Model Garners Support Across Southern Scotland
Scottish Land and Estates chief executive Sarah-Jane Laing described the arrival as a powerful example of the success possible when conservationists and land managers pull together toward a common goal.
Michael Clarke, who chairs Run, stated that individuals from all walks of life
contributed to helping the raptors thrive. Supported by farmers, land managers, gamekeepers, and local residents, project organizers intend to keep tracking how the golden eagles affect the region from the Moffat Hills.