A young golden eagle has flown from its nest in the hills of southern Scotland. The young bird is named Beaky Junior. It is the first golden eagle chick to grow up and fly from a nest on land managed for bird hunting in the region.
This is a very important event for wildlife. In the past, hunting areas were often dangerous for birds of prey. People sometimes shot or killed eagles to protect game birds. A recent wildlife report showed that most attacks on birds of prey in Scotland took place on hunting land.
Now, hunters and wildlife workers are working together. Local gamekeepers, the people who look after the hunting land, helped protect the nest in secret. They even chose the name Beaky Junior, after the chick's mother.
In 2018, only a few pairs of golden eagles lived in southern Scotland. Experts began moving young eagles from northern Scotland to help the birds return. Today, more than 50 golden eagles live in the area, and five chicks have successfully left their nests this year.