Since the reintroduction of White tailed- or Sea Eagles in Scotland, there have been by the local farmers th these large birds taking their lambs.
It is vital that it is proven once and for all, if the disappearing sheep are taken by the large birds. A row between crofters and the Royal society for the Protection of Birds in September last year, in which the conservationists claimed they would only take carrion, Herring Gulls, Fulmar and fish thrown to them by fisherman. Yet the crofters have lost large amounts of lamb. Without this survey, the future of the Sea Eagle might be in dire straits. Was it not the killing of sheep which left the specie go extinct in the first place?
Now, a new survey will finally answer the question of how many lambs are taken by the Eagles.
I am sure that the outcome will have impact on the future of the Sea Eagles in any area where these magnificent birds have been introduced (and met with hostility by farming communities)
However I'm praying the outcome will be in favour of the birds. With the breeding season ahead of us, the parents will to ensure that their chicks get the most nutritious and nourishing food. (which I would think is fish rather than lamb) however finding enough fish to make up the weight of a lamb does demand incredible doses of energy by the parents.
I am sure that Kate and Bill will report on this survey, as they followed Skye & Frieda and their chicks in the past. And who knows, these parents might have stuck to the diet of fish just because the eye of the nation was following them on television?
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