Birds of Prey form a unique part of our natural heritage in Scotland and provide tremendous pleasure to countless thousands of visitors to the countryside as well as to local communities. Although appreciated by most people living in rural areas, unfortunately, and despite legal protection for over 50 years, raptors continue to be persecuted. Some species also remain at risk to egg collectors. SRSGs are dedicated to the monitoring and conservation of raptors.

Historically, the conservation and protection of raptors has been dependant on the commitment of dedicated individuals who unstintingly gave of their time and energy studying behaviour and monitoring breeding performance. The longest known studies for Golden Eagles are in Galloway and Deeside and have been monitored for 60 years. Similar studies in Skye and Argyll have lasted over 30 years. These have been critically important for informing the policy decisions of statutory organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage, as well as the work of conservation organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The re-colonisation of the Osprey and the re-introduction of White-tailed Eagle and Red Kite would not have been possible without the dedicated and selfless work of individuals, many of whom have formed the core membership of Raptor Study Groups.

The first Raptor Study Groups were formed around 25 years ago as a need to improve co-ordination in monitoring of Golden Eagle and Peregrine populations in the Highlands and North East of Scotland. Since then the number of Groups has grown to ten, covering a significant part of Scotland (see Area Groups). There are now over 200 members of groups, involved in both individual and co-ordinated studies on all diurnal raptors breeding is Scotland as well as Owls and Ravens. (see Raptors).

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Homepage photographs © David Whitaker

Red Kite

Osprey

Golden Eagle