Dave H
Well-known member
Hi EG,
You clearly have a fair amount of experience of the eagles on Mull. I am genuinely interested in some of the things you have to say. I'm an amateur enthusiast and no expert.
Is it really correct that human inprinting would still be expected on wt eagle several generations after the reintroduction? Is the argument that a small degree of tameness has been bred into the Scottish birds' and their wild instincts? I saw some fascinating video footage at the Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre a few years back which was filmed at a remote location where they put out carcasses to attract the eagles. Although one sequence is hardly conclusive, there was little doubt that the goldie was far more timid and flighty. The bird would barely settle to feed for constantly scanning above. I was rather surprised at the behaviour to be honest (Of course, there are unlimited explanations).The wt eagles seemed much more at ease at the carcass. Subjective though this was, it really highlighted a difference between the eagles for me. It does fit with the broad theory you are suggesting.
The loss of a goldie is of course sad but is it not also just as likely to happen in Norway when the birds come together over territories? The wt eagle is the larger more powerful predator after all (he says without any authority...). Is it not arguably a little higher up the apex?
To be honest, this discussion is now off topic (and I acknowledge I've made that worse!). The recent raptor press articles do nothing to assist in improving society's understanding of these amazing birds. The standard of journalism, aside of any hidden agenda, has been woefully lacking. I can't profess to know all the specific facts about eagle predation so you won't find me blindly pleading on their behalf. However, goldies can't be subject to any reintroduction arguments. They have been natives long before we started mass domesticated sheep farming. And surely losses to natural predation have always been factored into a farmer's finances.
You clearly have a fair amount of experience of the eagles on Mull. I am genuinely interested in some of the things you have to say. I'm an amateur enthusiast and no expert.
Is it really correct that human inprinting would still be expected on wt eagle several generations after the reintroduction? Is the argument that a small degree of tameness has been bred into the Scottish birds' and their wild instincts? I saw some fascinating video footage at the Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre a few years back which was filmed at a remote location where they put out carcasses to attract the eagles. Although one sequence is hardly conclusive, there was little doubt that the goldie was far more timid and flighty. The bird would barely settle to feed for constantly scanning above. I was rather surprised at the behaviour to be honest (Of course, there are unlimited explanations).The wt eagles seemed much more at ease at the carcass. Subjective though this was, it really highlighted a difference between the eagles for me. It does fit with the broad theory you are suggesting.
The loss of a goldie is of course sad but is it not also just as likely to happen in Norway when the birds come together over territories? The wt eagle is the larger more powerful predator after all (he says without any authority...). Is it not arguably a little higher up the apex?
To be honest, this discussion is now off topic (and I acknowledge I've made that worse!). The recent raptor press articles do nothing to assist in improving society's understanding of these amazing birds. The standard of journalism, aside of any hidden agenda, has been woefully lacking. I can't profess to know all the specific facts about eagle predation so you won't find me blindly pleading on their behalf. However, goldies can't be subject to any reintroduction arguments. They have been natives long before we started mass domesticated sheep farming. And surely losses to natural predation have always been factored into a farmer's finances.