Golden eagles appear not to have been affected by the 68MW Beinn an Tuirc wind farm in Scotland, according to a 20-year research project commissioned by ScottishPower Renewables (SPR).
The project concluded that resident eagles are among the most successful breeders in Kintyre, despite the presence of the wind turbines.
The project, run by ecological consultancy Natural Research Projects, began in 1997 to safeguard a golden eagle breeding territory identified during the planning process for Beinn an Tuirc.
It found that the same female golden eagle has occupied the Beinn an Tuirc site since monitoring began and she was joined in 2007 by her current mate.
The pair have since fledged six chicks, substantially improving previous breeding performance, the study found.
SPR added that it was recently discovered that one of the eagles’ offspring is now nesting close to its Cruach Mhor wind farm in Cowal, and a second offspring has established a territory elsewhere in Kintyre.
A satellite tagging project, which is supported by SPR and Natural Research, has revealed other offspring from the site ranging widely within Kintyre and further afield in their first few years.
Natural Research Projects ecologist Iain Mackenzie said: “We’ve learned much about how golden eagles interact with wind farms, and the project has highlighted how careful planning can allow renewable energy projects to co-exist positively with upland wildlife.
“Chicks fledged from near the Beinn an Tuirc wind farm are helping to ensure that these iconic birds continue to occupy the Scottish uplands.”
RSPB Scotland head of planning and development Aedán Smith said: “This study is a good example of a wind farm operator taking its responsibilities to the surrounding wildlife seriously and we need to see more long term studies of this sort taking place at operational wind farms across Scotland.”
Image: ScottishPower Renewables
