‘Significant milestone’ as golden eagle chick fledges from grouse moor

A golden eagle chick has fledged from a nest on a managed grouse moor in the southern uplands, as conservationists hailed it as a “hugely significant milestone” in efforts to restore the species.

Named Beaky Junior, the chick is one of four young eagles directly descended from birds translocated to the south of Scotland by the charity Restoring Upland Nature (Run).

He is named after his mother Beaky, who was one of the first chicks translocated to the area by the charity’s South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project in 2018.

It is the first time a golden eagle chick has fledged from a new nest on a managed grouse moor in southern Scotland.

The previously fragile population in southern Scotland has risen to more than 50 individual birds – the highest number of golden eagles seen in the area for three centuries.

Beaky Junior is one of five golden eagles successfully fledged in southern Scotland this year.

Run chief executive Dr Cat Barlow said: “It is wonderful to see a golden eagle hatch, fledge and fly freely from the newly established nest of a translocated golden eagle that has made its home on a managed grouse moor in the southern uplands.

“This reflects the incredible support we have had from landowners and gamekeepers – from translocations in the Highlands, to continued monitoring and protection of birds and eyries on their lands and estates.

Dr Cat Barlow described Beaky Junior’s fledging as a ‘hugely significant moment’ (Sacha Dench/PA)

“Indeed their support has been absolutely vital to our success in restoring the population of golden eagles to record numbers.

“This has culminated in the fledging of five young birds from the nests of golden eagles that we translocated to southern Scotland, which is a hugely significant milestone in our work.

“It shows that where there are healthy ecosystems, ample food sources and the risk of interference is low, translocated eagles can successfully integrate into native populations to breed successfully.

“It gives us genuine hope that, with the continued support of the sector and our wider partners, we can help reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across Scotland, England and Wales experience that incredible sense of awe when they see a golden eagle.”

The charity invited gamekeepers on an estate in the south of Scotland to name the fledgling, in recognition of the vital role they have played in helping golden eagles thrive in the area.

Other fledglings descended from birds translocated by the charity include GoldenEye, named by actress Dame Judi Dench in recognition of her support for conservation, and Sassy, named by actor Sam Heughan in recognition of his support for the South of Scotland.

Run chairman Michael Clarke said: “The significance of our project’s success goes far beyond the record numbers of golden eagles now soaring in southern skies – individuals from all walks of life, including many who live and work in the landscapes they share with golden eagles such as gamekeepers, farmers and forestry workers, have responded positively to the project and played an important part in its success.

“We are incredibly grateful for this and take every opportunity to celebrate the vital role in which gamekeepers and land managers have played in our achievements to date.

Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive at Scottish Land and Estates, said they were “thrilled” gamekeepers have named the chick.

“This is fantastic recognition of the vital role of the profession in returning one of Scotland’s most iconic birds of prey to landscapes where it once thrived,” she said.

“Beaky Junior’s arrival serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved when land managers and conservationists unite behind a shared vision, grounded in trust and genuine partnership.

“Seeing this magnificent species return to and flourish in these landscapes is something we can all take pride in.”

Speaking on behalf of the gamekeepers, Mark Ewart, regional coordinator at the Southern Uplands Moorlands Group, said: “It is incredibly rewarding to see gamekeepers celebrated for the important role they have played in the success of Run’s South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.

“Monitoring and providing the right habitats for golden eagles and other species to flourish is an important part of what gamekeepers do on a day-to-day basis.

“To encounter golden eagles daily is the ultimate indicator of the success of the project-gamekeeper partnership.”