Investigating potential approaches to mitigate predation on lambs by white-tailed sea eagle

The white-tailed eagle (WTE - Haliaeetus albicilla), commonly referred to as sea eagle, is a native species to Scotland which has been reintroduced after becoming extinct through persecution at the start of the 20th Century. The reintroduction of WTE has been a conservation success story.

The reintroduction, however, has not come without challenges and it is widely acknowledged that sea eagle predation of livestock is a serious issue for farmers and crofters in some areas. This project is investigating what more, if anything, can be done to reduce the level of lamb losses occurring on a farm in Argyll.

The objectives of the project are to seek to better understand:
1)When, where and why lamb losses are occurring in the hill flocks on the target farm;
2)Whether visual deterrents can help reduce the level of lamb losses on the target farm.

These objectives will be achieved through four main tasks:
1)Understanding the existing context;
2)Using acoustic sensor and camera traps to assess predator occurrence;
3)Assessing the potential of visual deterrents to reduce lamb losses;
4)Collecting real-time data on the location and health of lambs.