Project to protect red squirrels is helping to feed young golden eagles

Grey squirrels which are being trapped and killed to prevent them driving their red cousins from their heartland habitat are being fed to young golden eagles introduced to the south of Scotland.

Two separate schemes in the Dumfries-shire area - which aim to protect red squirrels and boost golden eagle numbers - are working together.

The Moffat and District Red Squirrel Group said the decision to control grey numbers had not been taken easily but was necessary to prevent their relentless march north.

However, it said it was "delighted" to be able to assist the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP) which has successfully brought the giant raptors back to the skies of south west Scotland.

Grey squirrels trapped and euthanised to preserve their red cousins are fed to golden eagles.

The Moffat group has received support from the Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels (SSRS) scheme after raising the alarm about the reds which are "seriously threatened" .

The major concern is the spread of squirrelpox - which is carried by grey squirrels but is deadly only to reds – and can wipe out a population.

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Giuliana Sinclair, of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said the co-operation benefitted both groups involved.

South of Scotland Golden Eagles Project has successfully translocated achicks from nests in the Highland to the Southern Uplands. Photograph: Phil Wilkinson

"The collaboration between the two projects really happened through serendipity," she said.

"SRS already had an active volunteer group in the Moffat area and it just happens to be the same area where the SSGEP has been successfully rearing and releasing their chicks."

She stressed that, although it might seem unusual in conservation terms, it was an extension of ongoing efforts to limit grey squirrels numbers.

"It might seem counter-intuitive to feed one species to another but it's important to understand that grey squirrels are not being controlled for the purposes of feeding golden eagles," said Ms Sinclair.

"This is vital conservation work that's already ongoing in the local area."

She said reducing grey squirrel numbers was necessary in order to preserve a home in southern Scotland for the reds.

"Of course, it is not an easy decision for any nature lover to make," she added.

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Alistair Graham of the Moffat group said its trapping programme had already seen reported red squirrel sightings double this year compared with 2019. However, there is concern about recent reports of greys being seen for the first time in the Stewartry area, particularly in the Dalbeattie Forest.

"Although necessary, the decision to control grey squirrels is not an easy one to make," he said.

"So we were delighted when Forestry and Land Scotland asked if we would consider saving our grey squirrel carcasses for the recently arrived juvenile eagles."

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The SSGEP has seen young birds introduced to the region from the Highlands in a bid to boost numbers.

As they settle into their new home, they initially require help to feed and while no cases have as yet been recorded, there is concern that poisoned bait could be used to lure them by rogue country users determined to halt the programme.

Until the scheme was introduced, golden eagle and sea eagle sightings were all too rare across Dumfries and Galloway.

There were known to be two pairs of golden eagles in Kirkcudbrightshire but no sea eagles – also known as white tailed eagles – had set up home in the area in living memory..

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