Young Golden Eagle and Lambs

(Originally published in Scottish Bird News, 77 09/2005 p.18)

I spotted the young Golden Eagle sitting on a small grassy mound in a field of rough pasture close to the village of Ballalan. I had walked round the side of a small hill behind the bird, and now unseen, immediately dropped flat to the ground to view it.

It seemed to be watching a lamb in front of it that had strayed from the other sheep and after a few minutes it took off, flying quite close to the ground in the direction of the lamb. The adult sheep, including the intended victims mother, I presume, spotted the eagle and started to run towards the lamb. The lamb sensing somethin was amiss, started to run towards its mother but before they met, the eagle swooped over the lamb, just missing it.

Veering round to the left, it made another pass, but by this time the lamb was surrounded by a group of protective adults. It still swooped at them though, but to be honest it looked more like devilment than a serious attempt to kill anything.