Sir, – The article on golden eagles states conditions in the Donegal mountains need to improve to sustain these wonderful birds. ("Donegal golden eagles starving and at risk of extinction", November 24th).
To improve conditions will obviously take many years as it will be up to various groups to assist and this cannot happen overnight. On a bird-watching trip to Spain a few years ago we heard how birds are assisted through lean feeding times by dropping fresh dead rabbits into their habitat, would this be an option for these eagles ?
– Yours, etc,
HILARY CRAN
Carrickmines,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – I am saddened to hear that there is such a paucity of natural prey in Co Donegal that our eagles are having to subsist on a diet of badger cubs and crows. It makes me wonder why it was that the eagles were reintroduced in the first place if the ecosystem was not functional ? Surely it ranks as a cruel absurdity to introduce a top predator into an ecosystem that can no longer viably support it ?
It is very tempting to want to see the grace and beauty of top predators, particularly in an environment that looks as beautiful and as pristine as the Donegal mountains.
However if Donegal was a suitable golden eagle habitat then it is likely Donegal would have been colonised by eagles from their strongholds in the islands and mainland of North West Scotland.
The presence of apex predators are useful indicators of the health of a habitat. Rather than simply reintroduce eagles, we should first attempt to return the habitat to one that is hospitable to other species of insects, birds and wildlife. When that is done, eagles will thrive and their presence will add grandeur to the mountains, while their hunting and killing of weaker hares, rabbits and birds will help keep the ecosystem functioning and disease free.
Your report implicated climate change as having a possible role to play in the decline of the eagles. It disturbs me when the issue of climate change is used as a get-out-of-jail clause.
We are witnessing a hugely disturbing decline in bird, bee and insect numbers. The reason or reasons for this decline need to be addressed and resolved, otherwise we shall leave our grandchildren an ecosystem populated by nothing more interesting than crows, magpies and pigeons.
– Yours, etc,
KEVIN RYAN
Richmond,
London.