Birds
In Scotland between 300 to 325 species of birds are recorded annually and 200 of these are either residents or regular summer, passage or winter visitors.
Scotland lies at the junction of two major 'flyways' or migration routes for birds. One comes from the high arctic Canadian islands, across Greenland and Iceland; the other brings birds from the east, from north Russia across Scandinavia.
There is thus a great mixing of migrant species during passage periods with many Scottish habitats, especially wetlands, providing essential 'stepping stones' for these birds.
Review of Irish Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project: donation of Scottish birds under licence issued by SNH
SNH has completed a review of the donation of Scottish bred golden eagle chicks to the Ireland as part of a reintroduction programme. The full findings of the review can be found here by downloading the attached PDF file. Journalists can obtain further information by contacting SNH press officer Heather Kinnin heather.kinnin@snh.gov.uk or 0131 316 2606. Further information on the technical aspects of the project can be obtained from Professor Des Thompson at des.thompson@snh.gov.uk or 0131 316 2630.
The review looked carefully at the survival and breeding rates of the released birds, and found that the population was on track to become firmly established. However the review made a number of recommendations to improve the survival of young eagles both in Scotland and Ireland. The review recommended that the licence to donate birds is continued until 20111 with up to a maximum 7 chicks taken in 2009. The recommendations of the review have been supported by SNH's Scientific Advisory Committee.
Publications and Resources
- A Review of Disturbance Distances in Selected Bird Species
- Red Kites
- Corncrakes
- Sea Eagles
- The Law and You
- Farmland birds
- Terrestrial & Freshwater Breeding Birds
- Golden
Eagle
- Sparrow
Hawk
- Capercaillie
- Corncrake
- Report of the UK Raptor Working Group