Crofters in the northwest Highlands claim White-tailed Eagles have killed more than 200 lambs

This page contains 14 reader comments. Click here to view (latest Sat 27/09/08 19:17).

As has been widely reported today, farmers in the northwest Highlands claim White-tailed Eagles have killed more than 200 lambs this year in and around Gairloch. Fifteen birds have been released back into the wild in the area this year by the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage.

White-tailed Eagle (Photo: Rudi Debruyne)

Crofters in Gairloch claim the two conservation groups are not taking their concerns seriously enough. William Fraser, chairman of Gairloch and Poolewe branch of the Crofting Foundation, believes these birds are directly to blame for the rise in sheep mortality.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Farming Today, he said: "This year has been particularly bad. The crofters know how many lambs they put out after lambing season and one woman has lost 50% of her animals. She actually saw a Sea Eagle lifting a lamb from her field and flying off with it. We've had lambs that have had their necks sliced, they then can't lift them and are found going round in circles." Mr Fraser went on, "We have been keeping lambs here for generations and if this is not sorted out, this could be the end. We feel they put the birds here without our consent and without asking our advice."

White-tailed Eagle, Hastigrow, Highland (Photo: Dean Eades)

The RSPB examined one nest in the area which contained the remains of four lambs. But it pointed out there are only three breeding pairs of White-tailed Eagle in the Gairloch area, and it would therefore be highly unlikely the birds were responsible for the loss of all 200 lambs. In fact the majority of the carcases found in the nest were Fulmars.

The Scottish Government has produced a report on the impact of White-tailed Eagles on Sheep farming in Mull which is available to download here (283KB). The report makes interesting reading: it acknowledges that White-tailed Eagles do kill lambs, but given the overall mortality levels, the numbers taken by the birds are relatively low. It also gives some possible strategies to minimise predation.

Fiona Barclay
Tuesday 23rd September 2008

The information in this article was believed correct at the time of writing. BirdGuides Ltd accepts no responsibility for errors, or for any consequences of acting on information in the article. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily shared by BirdGuides Ltd.

Reader comments (14)

#1 Very interesting report, I have just been reading about this in the Farmers weekly...
Dean Eades, 23/09/08 22:03	Report

Nothing much changes, does it? It was the farming community back in the 1800's who were largely responsible for the extinction of the White-tailed Eagles - and based on exactly the same sort of doubtful evidence. Incidentally, I wonder how many of the Gairloch crofters also have jobs in the local tourism industry which is boosted by the hundreds of birders who visit the area every year in search of the eagles?

Ken Chapman, 24/09/08 10:34

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This is not a simple problem; the crofters have a point. They should be regularly consulted or even better, invited to work in partnership with the re-introduction programme. I have met other crofters in the highlands and islands who are profoundly unhappy with what they perceive as the high-handed approach of the RSPB. If large raptors are to co-exist with local, indigenous peoples anywhere in the world, those people need to be encouraged to take ownership of their conservation.

Marcus John, 24/09/08 12:57

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It is not true that 15 birds have been released in the area this year, they were released some 170 miles away in Fife. It is ten years since the last reintroduction of sea eagles in this area was carried out. It would also be good to know if the three territories stated as being in the Gairloch area had chicks this year and how many, as this would contribute to how many eagles are feeding in that area off the lambs,as well as all the other food they eat. The number of lambs lost in thea...

Les Garnett, 24/09/08 13:12

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This year I saw a pair of Sea eagles on Mull one carrying a lamb. Although this does not prove if the lamb was killed by the sea eagle , would it not be possible for the eagles to change their behavior towards live lambs if they had gotten used to feeding on dead lambs? Is it possible that this food source is easier to find than other food sources at this time of year ? I am a birder and love going to Mull whenever I can , but I do understand the worry of both farmers and birders alike.

Richard Jones, 24/09/08 15:00

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I am a Muilleach, from the Island of Mull. I know thats Sea Eagles DO take live lambs, ask around the Farming community on Mull and you will find out about it, and also the compensation to cover such activity. Also ask about the level of discussion with local people, prior to the introduction to Mull, or to Rum years ago. I rescued an Eagle that had left Rum and was being mobbed on the ground by Hoodie Crows, presumably it had left Rum due to lack of prey and was heading to Mull for sustenance, anyhow it didnt get any from our farm that day. Le gach durachd. DC

duncan campbell, 24/09/08 17:39

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#7 I fully understand the crofters point of view if not consulted.As for sea eagles taking lambs that is correct as for more than 200 dubious.More research into the predation of these crofters lambs is needed and then the RSPB should compensate accordingly from the evidence.
Richard berry, 24/09/08 23:02	Report

Recent prices at markets published in Scottish local newspapers suggest that the current average lamb sells for around £30. This would mean that crofters have lost a total of about £6000 depending on the sheep they rear. If it can be documented that the White-tailed Eagles are taking as many as 200 (presumably) living lambs it would be a small price to pay. The birds will no doubt add significantly to the tourist trade in the highlands and islands. Crofting is no easy occupation to make a living from even if they do receive subsidies over and above regular farmers. But as with many communities under a threat to their traditional way of life there is a tendancy to externalise their problems. I remember some years ago it was Greylag Geese being blamed for destroying the crofters' livlihood. They have a valid point nevertheless. I hope an acceptable compromise can be reached.

Malcolm Stewart, 25/09/08 13:35

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#9 I seem to remember that when this reintroduction program was extended the various authorities put in place come compensation scheme for farmers with proven likestock kills or injuries. I think the same applies to Red Kites. Luckily they do not have Stellars Eagles to contend with.
Brian H Brocklehurst, 26/09/08 12:05	Report

#10 Regarding Mr Garrets comment. All those birds have tracking devices on them instead of wing markings. At the last count all were still on or about the east coast and many return to the release area to roost at night.
Brian H Brocklehurst, 26/09/08 12:08	Report

#11

i have been studying eagles on the isle of mull for 30 years i was the person who found the 1st pair of sea eagles nesting at loch ba, over the years i have witnessed the taking of not only lambs by these birds but full grown sheep, over the last few years they have also killed golden eagles five in all one of them even paired up with the male golden eagle, they nest every year but fortunatly the eggs are addled the trouble is yes it is big money but for who certanly not the local people the only ones getting anything out is the tour companies especially mr woodhouse on the isle of mull, i have letters from the rspb etc admitting all this i even wrote to tony blair and the norwegean goverment i love birds as much as anyone i have also being running a rescue centre for over forty years but enough is enough, and as one person said they are not happy to leave them in peace they have rto stich transmiters and rings and great big wing tags come on wake up to the truth (mac)

mac cook, 26/09/08 20:14

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#12

I have no doubt that some birds will take sick or soon to succumb lambs they are, after all, opportunist scavengers - so are foxes and corvids - do we have to live in a world where everybody is compensated for everything ? These things happen but some people who do not directly benefit from the presence of these birds have an axe to grind perhaps ? Maybe overstocking and weather is an issue these are both important factors that are far more subtle than a larger showy raptor perching on or trying to fly off with a dead lamb (very Bambi) - i would like to know what subsidies the hill farmers already receive if it is like their lowland counterparts methinks they might protest too much ! The Scots like the Welsh already do rather nicely out of the English taxpayer altho i have no doubt that somebody will correct me on some or all of the above .....

Laurie Allan, 27/09/08 09:34

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#13

It seems that most or all of the people posting on this story are in favour of the release of large raptors, but differ in their assessment of the impact on livestock and how to manage this impact. The various responses serve to underline my main point - the RSPB and other conservation bodies must ensure transparency in their work and establish close partnerships with local communities - or these divisive debates will always arise!

Marcus John, 27/09/08 11:32

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#14

I don't see the problem, what are a few lambs to a farmer who has probably hundreds. White-tailed eagles are a part of Britain just as much as farming is. I read that one farmer saw one of the east coast eagles on his farm and he was delighted to see one on his own farm. How do farmers know that Sea Eagles are responsible for most of the killing? There are ravens in the highlands as well! It makes me feel sad that White-tailed eagles are getting bad press; I have seen plenty white-tailed eagles and I would personally like to see more. If the farmers are that bothered about their lambs they should keep them inside until they are big enough to not be prey items for white-tailed eagles. Andrew Kinghorn County Durham

Andrew Kinghorn, 27/09/08 19:17

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