Sea Eagles on Loch Maree

Sea Eagles on Loch Maree. Sea Eagles were a common sight across Scotland during the 19th century until persecution drove them to UK extinction. The last eagle was shot in 1918. They are now a globally endangered species with only around 10,000 pairs in the world, a third of which live in Norway.

The first sea eagles were reintroduced to the Isle of Rum in 1975 and then at Loch Maree in Wester Ross between 1993 and 1998. These birds have established an increasing breeding population on the west coast of Scotland.

How is reintroduction carried out?

In 1959 and 1968 attempts were made to reintroduce the sea eagle to Scotland but they did not involve sufficient numbers of birds, nor did they continue long enough to guarantee success. So in 1975, the Nature Conservancy Council (now called Scottish Natural Heritage) instigated a longer term reintroduction project. This was based on the Isle of Rum, a mountainous National Nature Reserve in the Inner Hebrides, where sea eagles had bred until 1907. It was also within sight of the last breeding pair in Skye.

Over the next ten years to 1985, a total of 82 eaglets (39 males and 43 females) were imported, under special licence, from nests in northern Norway where the sea eagle population was still expanding. Since the sea eagle often rears twins only one chick was taken from each nest and, such was the density of breeding pairs that different nests could be visited each time.

With generous assistance from RAF 120 Squadron, the eaglets – nearly fledged – were transported swiftly and safely to Kinloss in Scotland, and from there to the Isle of Rum. Installed in roomy cages on a remote shore the chicks were fed a natural diet of fish, birds and mammals, while they completed a statutory five weeks in quarantine. Once they were released food dumps were maintained nearby to supplement the birds’ diet and while they perfected their hunting skills. Even without parental example the young eagles became fully independent over the next few months and soon ranged further afield

Breeding success is achieved

Sea eagles take about five years to mature, so it was several years before the youngsters released on Rum began to form breeding pairs. The first eggs were laid in 1983, but failed to hatch, as did two clutches in 1984. However, in 1985 a pair of Rum birds now established on the nearby island of Mull, successfully reared the first wild sea eagle chick to be fledged in Britain for over 70 years. Progress was slow at first (with only half a dozen young from 8 or so pairs). So between 1993 and 1998 a further 58 Norwegian eaglets were set free, this time in Wester Ross. Momentum gathered and by the twenty fifth anniversary of the start of the project a dozen youngsters were reared from 22 pairs, including the hundredth chick to be fledged in the wild. By 2003 just over 30 pairs were established and a record 26 eaglets took to the wing. A further 19 followed in 2004.

Scotland can today boast over 100 pairs of Sea Eagles.

For a chance to spot one of these massive birds in the wild, book one of our paddling trips from Skye, Loch Ness or Gairloch; click here to view our wesbite.