The Kintyre Forum

Just thought I would draw your attention to the fact that 2 golden eagle chicks have been successfully reared at Beinn an Tuirc windfarm. They were hatched in May and have now fledged - perhaps Govangirl has some sympathies with the parents
It is on the main TV and radio news reports this morning and is the first time a breeding pair of eagles have been successful in 10 years at that site. There is more information in this article: http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/other/d ... d_farm.php
For a change, it is actually a positive news story for Scottish Power! The chicks are being monitored, so best of luck to Ben and Turk.
Kx

It is on the Radio 2 news too - listen out at 11 in the Ken Bruce programme, and it will probably be covered.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/gla ... 601000.stm

That is where I heard it, and also on the main BBC Breakfast news too. I think it is good to get this sort of national coverage for the area and could encourage twitchers who will contribute to the local economy - a wee boost hopefully for our tourism and hospitality businesses

Definitely, katya! Good news indeed. And it should help to silence the nonsense from the RSPB and others that wind-farm development amounts to an ornithological disaster.

Mary G wrote:Definitely, katya! Good news indeed. And it should help to silence the nonsense from the RSPB and others that wind-farm development amounts to an ornithological disaster.

Exactly what I was thinking

I'm sure that the RSPB will be as delighted as anyone at this success story and not concerned about point scoring.

Is it possible that these large companies would have made less an effort to maintain this habitat if it did not have an environmetal body like the RSPB keeping an eye on them?

Saw it in the Press and Journal as well this morning.

It just goes to show how effective habitat management can be.

History wrote:Is it possible that these large companies would have made less an effort to maintain this habitat if it did not have an environmetal body like the RSPB keeping an eye on them?

Good question, History! Hard to say, and I agree that the RSPB does lots of positive work in this and other spheres.

Nevertheless, it would serve the RSPB's interests better if they took a more balanced and reasoned view. I know quite a few RSPB members who are embarrassed about the more extreme stances adopted, and the scare tactics deployed. Do you know, are they still against off-shore wind-farms too?

It's great to hear that the golden eagles have resumed nesting at Carradale and and were successful in rearing two chicks.

Visit our web site for all local bird news at www.machrihanishbirds.org.uk

John and Eddie at Machrihanish Seabird and Wildlife Observatory

Mary G wrote:

History wrote:Is it possible that these large companies would have made less an effort to maintain this habitat if it did not have an environmetal body like the RSPB keeping an eye on them?

Good question, History! Hard to say, and I agree that the RSPB does lots of positive work in this and other spheres.

Nevertheless, it would serve the RSPB's interests better if they took a more balanced and reasoned view. I know quite a few RSPB members who are embarrassed about the more extreme stances adopted, and the scare tactics deployed. Do you know, are they still against off-shore wind-farms too?

Aie Mary, they should be working together, and this example shows the benefit of so. After all, windmills is good for the environment, compared to the alternatives.

Is this a result of that £2m which was spent a few years ago to "help" these birds?

katya wrote: 2 golden eagle chicks have been successfully reared at Beinn an Tuirc windfarm. They were hatched in May and have now fledged -

Fantastic news whatever our own opinions. Great end result however it was achieved and hopefully the first of many.

History

This is wonderful news.