Mull Eagle Watch and RSPB Scotland are delighted to unveil a pioneering satellite tagging project to follow two white-tailed eagles once they leave the nest. The chicks are from the Loch Frisa nest which is a partnership between a number of bodies including SNH and Forestry Commission. The chicks fledged in mid July and are now flying strongly. Additional funding for the project has come from the Highland Ecology Foundation and Natural Research. The progress of the young birds can be followed on www.rspb.org.uk/mulleagletracking

Journalist Jeremy Watson is out on the Perthshire Moors with Logan Steele, a member of Tayside Raptor Study Group checking Hen Harriers. This story provides an insight into the commitment and perspective of raptor workers. Logan's study is centred on the Rannoch area of North Perthshire where he studies Merlin and Hen Harrier. Jeremy Watson's article captures much of the atmosphere enjoyed by raptor workers but also the highs and lows associated with studying a species which continues to be widely persecuted. The full article can be read at http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum/Trail-of-feathers.4323571.jp

The second phase of the 3 year project to reintroduce Red Kites in the Aberdeen area starts to-day with the release of the first batch of 35 young birds gathered from sites around the UK. Last year\'s release proved extremely successful with many birds being seen in the Echt and Garlogie areas. The project is funded by a number of bodies including local industry. The birds will be fitted with wing tags and radio transmitters so that their progress can be monitored. Any sightings should be reported to

The Species Framework Analysis for Golden Eagle has been published by SNH. Much of the data provided for the analysis represents years of active fieldwork by members of Raptor Groups throughout Scotland. Unfortunately the report confirms that some parts of Scotland no longer have viable populations of Golden Eagles despite having the ideal habitat conditions for the species to thrive. The report concludes that there is clear evidence of Golden Eagle decline in areas where there still appears to be use of illegal poisoned baits. The report found that only three of sixteen regions in Scotland had populations which were stable or expanding, and occupying most of the existing suitable habitat - all of these are in the west of Scotland. The most serious problems were found in the central and eastern Highlands , where less than half of the known territories were occupied, and the existing populations continue to decline. The report's authors looked at ten factors which could effect the Golden Eagle population. Results showed that illegal persecution is the most severe constraint on our Golden Eagle population preventing them from achieving a healthy population. The report can be downloaded from the SNH website at http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/Report%20No193.pdf and a full SNH press release is also available http://www.snh.org.uk/press/detail.asp?id=1909. Welcoming the report, Duncan Orr-Ewing head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland said "The Golden Eagle framework is a compelling report and provides conclusive evidence that illegal persecution of golden eagles has been the major factor in limiting both their recovery and spread across what should be prime available habitat in some parts of Scotland." The full press release is available from RSPB Scotland.