A HIGHLAND estate is encouraging other landowners to get involved with a ground-breaking Scottish golden eagle conservation project.
One of the first estates involved in the pioneering South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, Pitmain and Glenbanchor Estate, a 12,000-acre estate near Kingussie, volunteered to have some eagle chicks which fledged on its land translocated to the Moffat Hills.
The project has been set up to re-inforce the low numbers of golden eagles in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. The project team has successfully translocated four golden eagles from the Highlands to the south of the country, including one eagle chick from Pitmain and Glenbanchor Estate.
Project partners include RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Forestry, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Southern Uplands Partnership. Funding also
comes from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Scottish Power Renewables, the Scottish Government and local LEADER programmes.
Those involved say support from estates in the Highlands, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders plays a pivotal role in helping the iconic species continue to grow and thrive in the south of Scotland.
Pitmain and Glenbanchor headkeeper Graham Mabon and his team worked closely with project staff at the nest in the Cairngorms before the translocation process.
Mabon said being involved was a very positive experience for Pitmain and Glenbanchor and added: “We would encourage other grouse moors to think about becoming involved. We view ourselves as both land managers and conservationists – we are also playing an increasingly important role in combatting climate change and we were delighted to play our part.”
Project manager Dr Cat Barlow said: “The willingness of estates such as Pitmain and Glenbanchor to work closely with our project team over a long period of time is absolutely fundamental to our success in protecting and increasing the golden eagle population in the south of Scotland. It is fantastic to see an estate so passionate and dedicated to doing this and supporting vital conservation efforts.”
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