A new report from WildLand Cairngorms highlights the success of its ecological restoration efforts, showcasing the positive impact of its work on Scotland’s native raptors. The report follows a promising national trend of environmental rehabilitation, focusing on species such as hen harriers, golden eagles, and goshawks.
The Cairngorms Connect Partnership
The Cairngorms Connect partnership, encompassing a vast 600 km² area of land, includes WildLand Cairngorms as a key contributor. This initiative brings together neighbouring land managers working towards a shared 200-year vision to improve habitats, support species recovery, and restore ecological processes.
Since 2019, WildLand Cairngorms has been dedicated to tagging and monitoring raptor populations in the park, providing valuable insights into their movements, survival rates, and threats. The most recent findings demonstrate the success of these efforts and the positive impact on the raptors’ populations in the region.
Success Stories from the Field
The latest report reveals encouraging results for bird species in the region. The hen harrier, a species of significant conservation concern, has thrived with a 100% survival rate for nests recorded in 2022 and 2023. Golden eagles, which have increased from four breeding pairs in 2021 to seven pairs in 2023, show a promising recovery. Most notably, goshawks, a species once pushed to extinction in the UK due to persecution, successfully bred on WildLand Cairngorms estates for the first time in 2021.
Tracking the movements of these raptors over the past five years has been instrumental in understanding their needs and ensuring their long-term survival. The data reveals that the birds have travelled extensively across the Highlands, with some golden eagles even reaching the Inner Hebrides.
The Role of Habitat Restoration
Ronan Dugan, field ecologist at WildLand Limited, explained that the tagging and monitoring initiatives have provided valuable insights into how habitat restoration is benefiting the species. “We observed the hen harrier most frequently nests on our regenerating native moorland,” Dugan said, adding that improving conditions in these areas will create more resilient habitats for raptors in the future.
The expansion of native woodland in the Cairngorms has been particularly vital for the return of the goshawk, a bird of prey that relies on forests and open spaces. Dugan expressed gratitude for the return of this elusive predator, which plays an important role in maintaining the balance of predator and prey in Scotland’s rapidly regenerating conservation areas.
National Impact and Hope for the Future
The findings from WildLand Cairngorms align with broader national trends. A recent national survey of golden eagles revealed a 15% increase in breeding pairs since 2003, with a total of 508 pairs recorded in 2015. Similarly, the 2023 survey of hen harriers found 529 breeding pairs, up 15% from the 2016 survey. These increases give hope that the restoration efforts in the Cairngorms are part of a wider, national movement toward ecological recovery.
A Golden Opportunity for Southern Scotland
In addition to local restoration efforts, WildLand Cairngorms has worked with partners to bolster golden eagle populations in southern Scotland. Once widespread across the region, golden eagles are now limited to just a few breeding pairs. In 2021, WildLand Cairngorms facilitated the translocation of a golden eagle chick from the park to reinforce the southern population. The chick, which came from a pair of highly productive eagles in the region, is thriving in its new home, offering hope for the future of the southern golden eagle population.
Dugan expressed optimism for the future of golden eagles, saying, “We are delighted to hear that the chick is doing well in its new home and hope it will have a long and productive life.”
A Promising Future for Scotland’s Raptors
WildLand Cairngorms’ work highlights the positive impact of large-scale ecological restoration projects in Scotland. The recovery of hen harriers, golden eagles, and goshawks in the Cairngorms is a testament to the success of these initiatives and the potential for wider environmental restoration across the country.
With continued dedication to habitat restoration and species monitoring, Scotland’s raptors may have a brighter future ahead, contributing to the health of the ecosystem and the country’s biodiversity.
