First sea eagle chick born in East Scotland for over a century

A significant milestone in the East Scotland Sea Eagle Project has been reached with the announcement that this year a breeding pair has successfully raised a chick at a secret location in Fife. The project saw 85 young sea eagles, donated by Norway, released in Fife over a six-year period (2007-2012). This year’s successful breeding pair comprised two birds from the 2009 cohort, now aged four years old. The chick has recently fledged from the nest and is being closely monitored by project staff. Sea eagles still face substantial risks in Scotland, including the threat of illegal persecution. In January this year another sea eagle nest tree in eastern Scotland (on a shooting estate in the Angus Glens) was illegally felled. The police are still investigating that crime. The Scottish Raptor Study Group (whose members have played a part in the East Scotland Reintroduction Project) is thrilled to learn of the successful fledging of the first sea eagle chick and we send warm congratulations to the project team at RSPB Scotland, SNH and Forestry Commission Scotland. View the RSPB press release here.