Golden eagle numbers are on the up - but in some areas the malign influence of the gamekeeping industry is still felt

The population of majestic golden eagles is soaring in Scotland, RSPB has said.

Results from the fourth national survey into the status of the birds of prey show that their numbers have increased to 508 pairs in.

That is a rise of 15% since the previous survey in 2003, when 442 pairs were recorded, and indicates recovery of the population towards levels thought to have been present in this country historically.

Golden eagles are regarded by many as Scotland’s national bird and it is more than likely that Scotland is actually home to the entire UK population, following reports earlier this year that England’s only resident golden eagle is feared to have died.

Stronger sanctions against wildlife crime may be serving as effective deterrents against illegal activity

The population increase also highlights the continuing steady recovery in Scotland from very low numbers in the mid-19th century when they, and all other birds of prey, were slaughtered by farmers and the gamekeeping industry.

Golden eagles tend to live in remote areas, but can often be seen performing their spectacular undulating flight displays in spring.

The northern Highlands and the central spine of the country, between the Great Glen and Stirlingshire, saw the greatest increase in eagle numbers between 2003 and 2015. Recovery also continues in much of the west Highlands and islands with modest increases noted there. However, this positive progress is not consistent across Scotland.

Part of the Highlands west of Inverness has remained stable between 2003 and 2015, after showing a significant drop in occupied territories between the 1982 and 1992 surveys.

The reasons for the lack of recovery in this area aren’t clear, but likely involve a number of factors. Previously, grazing pressure by deer reducing habitat quality for eagle prey, persecution, recreation and forestry have all been identified as potential factors affecting eagles in this area.

Poor spring and summer weather also had an adverse impact on breeding success, especially in the western parts of Scotland.

Despite the increases, the malign influence of the grouse shooting industry is still being felt.

Golden eagles continue to be absent in many parts of the eastern Highlands. Less than one third of the traditional home ranges in this area were occupied by a pair of eagles and no eagles were recorded at all in over 30% of them, despite the fact that these should be very productive landscapes for these birds.

Many of the vacant territories in this area are on ground managed intensively for driven grouse shooting and in recent years, four eagles fitted with satellite tags have been found illegally killed in the central and eastern Highlands .

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland, said: “The sight of a golden eagle soaring in the sky above is an awe-inspiring part of our natural heritage, and this increase in numbers of golden eagle pairs is great news.

“Across many parts of Scotland there’s been a very welcome turnaround in how people respect these magnificent birds, part of a more enlightened public attitude towards birds of prey. Increased monitoring and satellite tagging of eagles, as well as stronger sanctions against wildlife crime may be serving as effective deterrents against illegal activity, therefore helping their population to increase.

“However, the continued absence of golden eagles in some areas of eastern Scotland remains a real cause for concern and suggests that much more work needs to be done.”