Judi Dench and Sam Heughan name fledgling eagles in conservation projectThe golden eagle population in southern Scotland has been restored to more than 50 individual birds.This fledgling was named Sassy by Sam Heughan (Bjorn Beckmann/PA)Lucinda Cameron2 minutes ago
Bond star Dame Judi Dench has called a fledgling golden eagle GoldenEye as she and Outlander star Sam Heughan named two of the latest fledglings in a conservation project.
This summer, five birds have fledged as part of the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, four of which are directly descended from birds translocated to the area through the charity initiative which aims to boost the population.
Project chiefs said it provides further evidence that the region’s population, now restored to record numbers, is showing encouraging signs of becoming self-sustaining.
Dame Judi and Sam Heughan have now named two of the fledglings to help celebrate the success of the project, which is run by the charity Restoring Upland Nature (Run).
Dame Judi Dench hailed the project as a ‘triumph over adversity’ (Aaron Chown/PA)PA Wire
The actress decided on GoldenEye for the fledgling she named, in a nod to the Bond film in which she starred as the first female M.
She said: “I would like to congratulate the charity Restoring Upland Nature and everyone who has supported their pioneering work to restore this iconic species to record numbers in the south of Scotland. A real triumph over adversity.
“It is an enormous privilege to name a golden eagle that has fledged from the nest of an eagle translocated by the project.
“Many years ago, as the first female M, I instructed James Bond to ‘find GoldenEye’ and here he is.
“I wish GoldenEye a long life soaring in southern skies and Run the best of luck in their continued work.
“I really hope they can now replicate their success south of the border.
“Seeing golden eagles in the wild is a truly awe-inspiring experience, and it is wonderful to think that even more people will now have the opportunity to witness them soaring freely once again.”
The fledgling she named is the grandchild of a male eagle that project chiefs said is currently recorded as the oldest living golden eagle in Europe.
Sam Heughan, co-owner of the Galloway Distillery, named the other fledgling “Sassy” as a nod to his Sassenach Whisky.
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He said: “It is a great honour to be invited to name a golden eagle that represents such hope for the future of this magnificent species in the south of Scotland.
“I’m delighted to know that this magnificent creature might explore the beauty of my hometown and surrounding area, I hope it may even fly over the Galloway Distillery.
“There’s something incredibly moving about seeing a native golden eagle soaring over the landscape and it was truly moving to meet one recently up close.
“It reminds you just how wild, beautiful and special these birds are and how they belong in southern Scotland.
“I’d like to congratulate Restoring Upland Nature, and all their supporters, on their continued success.
“Knowing these young birds are once again taking to the skies thanks to the dedication of communities here is truly inspiring and I cannot wait to see them in the wild.”
Run said that through its work on the project, the previously fragile population of golden eagles in southern Scotland has been restored to more than 50 individual birds.
It said this is the highest number of golden eagles seen in the area for three centuries.
Sam Heughan has named one of the fledglings (Ian West/PA)PA Archive
Dr Cat Barlow, chief executive of Run, said: “Seeing not just one, but four young birds hatch, fledge and fly freely from the nests of golden eagles that we translocated to southern Scotland is a hugely significant milestone in our work to restore the species to southern skies.
“It shows that where there are healthy ecosystems and the risk of interference is low, translocated eagles can successfully integrate into native populations to breed successfully.
“It gives us genuine hope that we can help reverse biodiversity decline and ensure current and future generations across Scotland, England and Wales experience that incredible sense of awe when they see a golden eagle.
“We are thrilled that Dame Judi Dench and Sam Heughan accepted our invite to name chicks.
“They are both wonderful champions for golden eagles: Dame Judi through her role as a wildlife ambassador, and Sam through his fantastic support of the communities which play such an important part in the project’s success across southern Scotland.”
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