Golden Eagle breeds in Orkney for first time in 40 years

Golden Eagle has started breeding again in Orkney for the first time in 40 years.

The species was once a common sight across the islands but just a single pair was left by 1848. Orkney had to wait until 1966 to see the return of breeding Golden Eagles, when a pair recolonised, but one of those adults died in 1982.

A Golden Eagle pair has nested on the remote island of Hoy (Steve Nicklin).

RSPB Scotland staff discovered a pair nesting at the organisation's nature reserve in Hoy and have been able to confirm that they now have chicks. The number of youngsters is not known as the those watching it having been keeping a safe distance away because Golden Eagles are extremely sensitive to disturbance. Their exact location is not being revealed, for their own protection.

RSPB Scotland's Hoy warden Lee Shields said: "It is wonderful to see these magnificent eagles return to Orkney and we're delighted that they are nesting in Hoy. Golden Eagles are one of the most iconic birds in Scotland and they have been missing here for too long.

"We want to give these birds the best chance of success which is why it's so important to not reveal where the nest is. It is an inspiring sight to see the male and female soaring over the Hoy hills, and we're eagerly awaiting finding out how many chicks they have."

In 2018, Orkney's first White-tailed eagle chicks for more than 140 years hatched on Hoy. The terrain in uninhabited areas of the island is described as being "well-suited" for eagles.