Chat from the Chair November 25: Dot

Recently I read a report and was sickened to learn that Tarras, a territorial Golden Eagle had gone missing from the Langholm area in “suspicious circumstances”. Tarras’s mate, Wren also went missing around the same time, which has given cause for concern. 

Four year old Tarras’s last transmission was between 27 and 29 August 2025 and the pattern of these transmissions suggested that he had come to harm. Of course despite specialist dog and other specialist searches of the area neither bird nor tracker have been found which seems to be the norm in these cases, the perpetrators disposing of all evidence of their illegal activities. 

Tarras was part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project. It is not known how close the nearest game bird release site is to where these magnificent birds disappeared. The police are looking into the matter and their investigations are on going but appeals for any information appear to have fallen on deaf ears. 

In 2022 there were 61 recorded incidents of raptor persecution (involving all species). At least 64% of all incidents were linked to land used for game bird shooting. The authorities know of the likely perpetrators of these crimes but still very few are brought to justice and punished in any way apart from the odd gamekeeper getting a token fine and a slap on the wrist. The wildlife protection officers hands are tied when it’s quite often the case that decisions as to whether these cases should be brought to court or not are made by those who happily participate in the slaughter of birds reared for the gun! 

In the meantime our wildlife continues to pay the ultimate price for just living and following its instinct to procreate the next generation. 

Dot.

More detail here:

https://www.birdguides.com/news/shock-as-tagged-golden-eagle-goes-missing/