Building nests for Golden and White-tailed eagles

Conservation biologist Hannah joins our partners in the field for a site visit to identify the location for the white-tailed sea eagle nest. 

After a delay in fieldwork due to COVID-19, a site visit takes place to identify the location for one of the nest platforms. 

The second nest site is identified. Construction of the two eagle nest platforms is completed and cameras are installed to monitor the activities at the site. 

A field report on the wildlife seen at the nest from camera trap footage revealed an exciting variety of guests.

Learn more about why we are building nest platforms for eagles

Historically, white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) and golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) could both be found patrolling the skies of Scotland. Around 100 years ago when white-tailed eagles were eradicated from Britain primarily through persecution due to its reputation of predating lambs. Golden eagles were also persecuted for predating lambs as well as economically valuable game birds until it was eradicated from England and Wales. Habitat loss and pesticide poisoning also played a role in the decline of these species. In the 1970s, reintroduction efforts began to return white-tailed eagles to Scotland using birds from Norway while golden eagle populations in Scotland have soured through. In 2019, a white-tailed sea eagle was spotted at Alladale Wilderness Reserve and stayed in the area for several weeks for the first time since their disappearance. A pair of golden eagles have already made the reserve their home. 

In partnership with Alladale Wilderness Reserve and the Roy Dennis Foundation, Mossy Earth funded the construction of artificial nest platforms to encourage these magnificent birds of prey to nest on the reserve and support the local population of these rare species.  The project involved building 2 artificial nest platforms, each targeted towards a species. After identifying suitable areas of the reserve for the nests, construction began in Autumn 2020 in time for breeding the following spring. Camera traps were installed on the platforms to monitor the activity at the nests and identify any species that visit the sites within the first year.

Hannah Kirkland, Conservation Biologist at Mossy Earth

Hannah with the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation crew

To support the local population of golden eagles and white-tailed sea eagles we will build nest platforms to encourage the eagles to nest on the reserve. 

Building Eagle Nest Platforms

In the autumn of 2020, we supported Alladale Wilderness Reserve and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in building eagle nest platforms in Scottish pinewoods. The nests aim to promote breeding among the resident population of golden eagles and support the return of white-tailed eagles, two birds of prey of conservation concern in the UK. This project was funded through the business membership of our partner Inlumi.

White-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Scotland are known to build nests in both trees and on cliffs, but they show a preference for nesting in trees in wooded areas close to water. They don't display a preference for specific tree species, with both coniferous and deciduous trees being suitable, but typically favour large trees.

During a site visit, the field team identified a relict pinewood located high up on the middle ridge that runs through the reserve as a potentially suitable site for a nest platform. This would enable visiting white-tailed eagles to see the platform as they travel down the two parallel glens that run through the reserve on either side.  A tall Scots pine tree was chosen close to the centre of the woodland, to provide some protection from the harsh weather of the Scottish Highlands. This site would also offer nesting eagles a clear view of the landscape and possible threats.

Before setting out to survey the area close up, the team scanned the hillsides to identify a suitable woodland to survey

To access the site, the team had to hike through thick heather characteristic of the open moorlands of Scotland

The chosen Scots pine is market ready for the construction to begin

After a long day of hiking amongst the tall heather and shrubs of the pinewoods, the team is ready to go home

Scouting the location for the white-tailed eagle platrform

A site visit was carried out our reforestation project area in Scotland to identify a suitable tree to build an artificial nest platform for white-tailed eagles.

White-tailed eagle - February 2020

Scouting a suitable site for a white-tailed eagle nest

Nest Update - February 2020

Species requirements

Identifying Suitable Habitat

Site Visit

Sources & further reading