Scotland's Sea Eagles: Balancing Conservation and Farming

Make Space For Nature

Fifty years since their reintroduction, Scotland now hosts around 200 breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles (also known as sea eagles), representing both a remarkable conservation success and a challenge for some farmers and crofters. This podcast explores the relationship between these magnificent birds and farming communities through conversations with NatureScot's Andrew Kent and Appin-based sheep farmer David Colthart.

We hear how eagle predation impacts sheep flocks and how the recently expanded Sea Eagle Management Scheme supports farmers with deterrence and adaptation strategies. The discussion reveals emerging collaborative approaches, including enhanced shepherding and research to track predation patterns.

From extinction to reintroduction, conservation success to agricultural concerns - this episode examines the multifaceted story of Scotland's sea eagles and the ongoing efforts to balance wildlife conservation with the needs of rural livelihoods.

Chapters

1. Scotland's Sea Eagles: Balancing Conservation and Farming (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Scotland's Sea Eagles (00:00:05)

3. History and Reintroduction (00:01:17)

4. Conservation Success and Farming Challenges (00:03:29)

5. The Sea Eagle Management Scheme (00:05:45)

6. Deterrence Methods and Support (00:10:11)

7. Farming with Hefted Flocks (00:13:53)

8. Collaboration and Enhanced Shepherding (00:18:07)

9. Future Solutions and Ongoing Dialogue (00:22:45)