Golden eagle is killed by wind turbine
It was announced earlier this year that the project had the highest population number in centuries.
A turbine in Galloway has been determined as the cause of death of a golden eagle.
A three-year-old male named Sparky was found lying dead and dismembered 15 metres from the base of a turbine at the Windy Rig wind farm in August.
The maturing bird fledged from a secret site in Moffat by the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project.
The conservationists say a pathological investigation has allowed The Veterinary Investigation Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in Dumfries to confirm that the cause of death was the turbine which detached one of his wings as well as caused other injuries.
A variety of tests including toxicology, histopathology and bacteriology determined the young male to be in ‘good condition’ and his fatal injuries were ‘typical of those associated with a wind turbine strike.’
In an interview with Greatest Hits Radio, Project Manager Dr Cat Barlow said that wind farms are at risk of becoming a problem with more and more popping up across the country.
“Typically, golden eagles in Scotland will avoid wind turbines but it does mean that they lose access to that hunting ground where the turbines are built.
“The landscape is facing a huge amount of pressure from both renewable energy developments and commercial forestry.
“So, we’re really keen to work with renewables industries to guide where these developments can take place without impacting species like golden eagles.”
She adds that there is a lesson to be learned from this fatality:
“He fledged from a nest in the south of Scotland - he wasn’t one of our translocated birds. He wasn’t yet settled on territory so he won’t have a mate to miss him, but he is a really sad loss who would have been looking to settle and find a mate.
“I think it helps highlight why it’s really important to work with developers going forward to make sure that developers like this aren’t going to affect the population.”
Chairman Chris Rollie said: "This reinforces the urgent need for decision-makers to work closely with The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project and our Raptor Study Group as further windfarms are approved."
The team has almost 50 birds in the South of Scotland wilderness which was reported earlier this year as the highest population in centuries.
“The need for our new charity, RUN (Restoring Upland Nature), is more important than ever. As a new standalone charity, we can continue to provide a strong voice for golden eagles and other threatened species when it matters most to ensure that nature and humans can thrive alongside each other.
“Though sustainable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis and protecting our natural world in the long term, as Sparky’s death shows, death through wind turbine collision is a risk, so it is important that charities like ours exist to support work to mitigate risks to golden eagles – both at existing sites and when new development proposals are being considered.
“We can use our unique insights to advise decision-makers so that developments do not harm golden eagles, habitats or their prey. Through our monitoring work and technology, we are uniquely placed to do this in the south of Scotland.
“However, support from funders and the public is absolutely crucial to allowing our work to continue”, says Dr Barlow.
Morag Watson, Director of Onshore at Scottish Renewables, said: "Wind energy is one of the key technologies we are able to deploy at scale to reduce the carbon emissions which cause climate change - the greatest long-term threat to Scotland's wildlife.
“All wind farms in Scotland go through years of environmental monitoring before they are built and evidence to date has suggested golden eagles tend to avoid well-sited windfarms, so it is incredibly sad to hear about this incident.
"The renewable energy industry works closely with bodies including the Scottish Government, NatureScot, RSPB and others to better understand bird behaviour and make sure wind developments are sensitive to bird populations.
“We look forward to working with the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project and utilising its expertise to allow the onshore wind sector to play an important role in the protection of golden eagles in southern Scotland.”