The Export of Eagles to Scotland

In 1980 the population of the White-tailed Eagle was alarmingly low. It had disappeared from several countries where it used to be well-established. In Norway it was still breeding along the coast north of Bergen.

From its low population of an estimated 800 pairs, it has increased to more than 3200 pairs today. The robust breeding population in places such as Gjesværstappan has made it possible to export juvenile birds.

The White-tailed Eagle has been reintroduced in Scotland, where the species had vanished in 1916. Between 1975 and 1993 a total of 146 young birds were released in traditional breeding areas on the west coast of Scotland. Today more than 30 pairs reproduce naturally in Scotland.

Source: ”The White-tailed Eagle – Majestic Bird of the North” by Karl-Birger Strann, Vidar Bakken and Trond Johnsen (2007).

September 2011

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