The status of the Golden Eagle in Britain in 1992

A survey of Golden Eagles was carried out in 1992 which, as far as possible, repeated that of 1982-83. In total, 422 pairs were located, 0.5% fewer than in 1982-83. However, changes between 1982-83 and 1992 in the number of pairs in 7 geographical regions varied between a 27% decline (from 22 pairs to 16) and a 28% increase (from 53 pairs to 68). The mean number of young reared per pair in 1992 was 0.32. There was no significant variation in breeding success among regions. Breeding success was lower in 1992 than in 1982 in 6 of the 7 regions. The proportion of IO-km National Grid squares which held pairs of Golden Eagles was positively correlated with the proportion of upland habitats within them, but there was also substantial geographical variation in population density, expressed as pairs per 100 km(2) of upland. Some predominantly upland areas held no Golden Eagles whereas the areas with the highest densities, which were in western Scotland, held up to about 4 pairs per 100 km(2) of upland.