Sea Eagles v crofters' lambs....

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Bishopswood

If the Crofters say that the tags totally deterred the WTSE then surely all they need do is tie replica tags to all the lambs as a matter of course.

That may be worth a try on a few crofts as part of the ongoing study but I don't know how practical it might be in the long term when dealing with thousands of lambs each year, nor what the cost implications are.

Perhaps the RSPB should fund the cost of supplying such fake tags to all the crofters who claim to be losing lambs?

Personally I think the most important aspect of this whole issue is to do whatever is necessary to win over the support of the local people in much the same way as has been done on Mull where (subject to a few minor exceptions) the presence of WTSEs is now generally regarded as an important asset by most islanders and to the benefit of all concerned.

As an aside, whilst watching Sea Eagles on Mull earlier this year I was told of one taking a Barn Owl (in flight) the previous day - one protected bird preying on another - so there's another issue

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Avocets and Barn Owls)
Jeff Harrison - Wildlife, Nature and Landscape Photography