Monitoring and conserving Scotland's birds of prey Birds of prey
(raptors) are an integral part of Scotland's natural heritage
and some species, such as the golden eagle, are considered
iconic emblems of our landscape. Raptors play an important role
in our ecosystems and as top predators their presence can be
indicative of a healthy environment. Thousands of tourists visit
Scotland each year hoping for a glimpse of one of these
charismatic birds. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many
raptor species were legally killed in Scotland as they were
considered 'vermin' and a threat to game-bird management.
Several species became extinct while others suffered severe
range contraction. Further massive declines were suffered in the
mid-20th Century following the introduction of organochlorine
pesticides for agriculture. Today there is a more enlightened
approach to raptors and several species are making a comeback.
However, despite decades of legal protection, some of our raptor
populations are still under threat