2012 has been another interesting year for the project. We were lucky to have more funding from HLF and LEADER for this year’s translocation to go ahead and to fund two fantastic new posts on the project-Meriem Kayoueche Reeve as “SEEVIEWS Community Engagement Officer” and Heather Richards as “Sea Eagle Project Assistant”. They both worked incredibly hard and contributed enormously to the project. Meriem’s work made new connections in the local community and engaged the tourism industry in preparation for when white tailed eagles establish here on the east coast of Scotland and become a potential tourist draw. Just imagine a situation in Fife/Tayside like that on Mull and Skye with Mull’s eagle hide receiving a 5* tourist attraction certification! Something to aspire to!
Despite a poor breeding season in Norway with only six young eagles being collected, they all did well during their time in the aviaries in Fife and all “fledged” with great success in the presence of our hard working volunteers, major funders, and of course the media!
Three birds frequented the food dump left for them on the roof of the aviaries and we got some great photos of the interaction between them. Grey “H” made a rapid escape down to Inchkeith Island where he has been spending time since and being spotted near Kinghorn loch in south Fife. Grey “T” ventured north towards Stonehaven whilst “A” and “X” remained in the release wood until recently. One of them moved to Rossie bog this week and another one has been spotted near Auchtermuchty!
Sadly as happens every year, not every bird survives and loosing one or two individuals is “normal”. However, as there were so few birds released this year, loosing two birds hit pretty hard. Within days of release, Grey “O” was electrocuted under power lines; a common cause of death amongst all cohorts released on the east coast and also in Norway. On the day I decided to take a few days off and visit family in Wales, Grey “R” was found dead on the shore on the south Fife coast...I should have known not to venture too far! Unfortunately the cause of death remains unknown but not suspicious.
With winter here now, as we all hoped, some special visitors arrived at RSPB Loch Leven. Turquoise “H” – a 2009 female was the first to appear. This is her third winter in a row at Loch Leven. This year instead of her usual partner in crime (Turquoise “X” who is currently on Loch Etive!!) she was joined this winter by Yellow “O” a 2010 male, and Red “E” a 2011 male! All of them have been seen moving between Reed Bower Island and Castle Island, and rumour has it that Douggie in the cafe has been making some “eagle buns” to celebrate!
Two (and at one point, three!) turquoise tagged birds (2009) are being seen regularly around Tentsmuir point and the Eden estuary. So there are plenty of places to go and enjoy east Scotland sea eagles over the Christmas holidays!
Happy Christmas!
Thanks for your latest update, Rhian.
Glad to hear that so many birds are still thriving in the Fife area despite this years sad losses.
Looking forward to one final visit to the release wood next week just in case one of them is still around and prepared to pose for a photo!
May I wish you and your colleagues a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thank you again for your efforts this year. You've done a marvellous job.
Me and my fellow 'eagle watchers' are eternally grateful!