A new campaign has been launched to officially recognise the golden eagle as Scotland’s national bird.
The RSPB said the move would reflect the majestic bird of prey’s status as the country’s favourite animal and help continue conservation efforts.
The charity’s head of species and land management, Duncan Orr-Ewing, and wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan are giving evidence to members of Holyrood’s public petitions committee today.
The RSPB’s petition is the 1,500th submitted to the committee since the launch of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland said: “The majestic sight of a golden eagle soaring effortlessly above the treetops or along a dramatic cliff edge never fails to impress, so much so that this spectacular species was recently named Scotland’s favourite animal following a public vote.
“What better legacy can we provide for this initiative than to officially designate the eagle as Scotland’s national bird and join together for its future conservation?
“It would formally recognise the place this species has unofficially occupied in our culture for many centuries, and show our commitment and desire to protect and conserve it, and our wider national heritage, for generations to come.”
Conservation charity Scottish Natural Heritage has sounded a warning over plans for a huge windfarm at a sensitive peatland site in the Highlands. It emerged in November that it has lodged an objection to SSE’s proposals for a 47-turbine scheme in Sutherland in the heart of the Flow Country.
Public petitions committee convener Dave Stewart, a north Labour MSP, said he was very proud that Holyrood had been able to offer a platform for ordinary people to try to make change happen.
Unlike the UK Government’s e-petitions site, it only takes one signature for a petition to be considered by MSPs. Mr Stewart said: “The petition by the RSPB shows the diversity of the Scottish Parliament’s petitions system.
“This is truly the committee where the people of Scotland have their say.
“People from all walks of life and from across Scotland can raise the issues which matter to them.
“Our committee shows that one person or one group really can make a difference.”
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