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Status of Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos in Britain in 2015 |
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| Authors: | Daniel B Hayhow Stuart Benn Andrew Stevenson Patrick K Stirling-Aird Mark A Eaton |
| Institution: | 1. RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Bedfordshire, UK;2. RSPB, Inverness, UK;3. Scottish Natural Heritage, Inverness, UK;4. Scottish Raptor Study Group, Perthshire, UK |
| Abstract: | Capsule: A complete survey of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Britain in 2015 found that the population had increased by 15% since 2003 to 508 territorial pairs. Aims: The survey aimed to investigate the population size, distribution and breeding success of Golden Eagles in Britain, and to compare results with similar surveys since the early 1980s. Methods: Every home range was visited on a minimum of three occasions between January and August 2015. First, to look for eagles or signs of their presence (January–March), then to look for evidence of breeding or further checks for occupation (April–June) and finally to record productivity of nesting pairs (July–August). Results: The figure of 508 territorial pairs represents a 15% increase in the population from 442 pairs in 2003. The proportion of home ranges occupied was 70%. The largest increases in the proportion of occupied home ranges were in south-central Highlands (71%), northern moors and flows (38%) and northwest Highlands (29%), with modest increases of up to 10% in the other regions. Productivity was lower in 2015 than in 2003, and there was significant variation in breeding success between regions. Conclusion: The British Golden Eagle population has increased since 2003, although the species is absent from England and Wales. The population now meets the abundance target identified to define favourable conservation status in Scotland, and while home range occupancy has increased there is regional variation, with some regions falling below the target levels. A combination of increased annual monitoring and tagging of eagles, as well as the introduction of new legislation, may serve as effective deterrents against persecution of eagles thus facilitating this population increase. However, concerns remain over low levels of home range occupancy particularly in the east Highlands, but also the proportion of sub-adult pairs holding territory in that region and in the south-central Highlands. Persecution associated with grouse moor management has been highlighted as a particular population constraint in both of these areas. |
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