I’d been wondering how to promote our Bird of Prey Campaign through this blog, and now I have the perfect reason.
The RSPB welcomes the Scottish Government’s announcement that consultations on the designation of six new Special Protection Areas for golden eagles will begin in the New Year. By extending the network of sites of European importance (known as Natura 2000) in northern and western Scotland, golden eagles will be better protected.
With large home ranges, golden eagles are very sensitive to land-use changes including poorly located development proposals such as forestry or wind farms. Our support for a revolution in renewable energy, including on-shore wind, depends on the selection of the best locations. These designations give vital clarity to developers and decision makers and ensure that the needs of the eagles are taken fully into account.
Even though this is a good day for golden eagle conservation – the blight of illegal killing still remains and new designations, however welcome, won’t provide a magic solution to this problem. That’s where our Bird of Prey campaign is aiming to help – you can sign our pledge to stop the illegal killing of birds of prey here (and you may even be our 200,000 pledger!)