where RaptorWatch will continue to monitor it. If it is successful in attracting golden eagles to nest there might be future opportunity to add a webcam to the setup as long as it does not compromise the birds’ safety.”Glenlivet Estate installs eagle ‘des-res’ to attract iconic birds
A bespoke nesting platform has been built on the Glenlivet Estate in a bid to attract more breeding pairs of golden eagles to make it their home.
The project was undertaken by North-East Scotland RaptorWatch, a partnership involving RSPB Scotland, Grampian Police, Scottish Natural Heritage and Cairngorms National Park Authority. The Glenlivet Estate is one of 22 working with RaptorWatch to try and improve breeding numbers of golden eagles, peregrines and hen harriers in Scotland’s north-east.
“Getting the platform into place took two expert climbers from the RSPB Scotland along with assistance from myself and the RaptorWatch project officer,” said Glenlivet Estate countryside manager Vicky Hilton “The platform sits high in a larch tree in a secret location on the Glenlivet Estate where RaptorWatch will continue to monitor it. If it is successful in attracting golden eagles to nest there might be future opportunity to add a webcam to the setup as long as it does not compromise the birds’ safety.”
The Glenlivet Estate sits within the Cairngorm National Park and benefits from a rich and diverse environment. It is already popular with bird watchers and the golden eagle is frequently spotted within its borders.
Jim Craib, Project Officer, North East Scotland RaptorWatch said platforms such as the one installed at Glenlivet have been used successfully in other areas of Scotland where more commonly used nest sites such as cliffs are lacking. “I am delighted to be working with the Crown Estate in an attempt to increase the breeding numbers of this iconic bird,” Jim Craib said.
North-East Scotland RaptorWatch was set up in 2006 to try to increase the breeding numbers and nest success of declining populations of golden eagles, hen harriers and peregrines in north-east Scotland. The main objective of the project is to try to increase the breeding numbers and nest success of these raptors through increased communication and cooperation between the main partners and estate owners, estate managers and gamekeepers.
The project was initially set up in 2006 for three years but has now been extended to 2012. The Glenlivet Estate was one of the first estates to work with the project.