Ruaridh MacKay estimates that in an average spring and summer, he loses around 60 lambs to mysterious deaths, a phenomenon he refers to as blackloss. Last year, however, that number surged to 200, leading him to believe there's a significant issue with predation, particularly from the sea eagle population. He emphatically states, 'The lambs out on the hill were decimated... I'm 99% sure it’s the sea eagles.' Despite his conviction, he admits he cannot definitively prove it without photographic evidence.
MacKay's long tenure at Stronmagachan Farm has given him deep insights into the land and its history. Farming on these hills has remained largely unchanged for the last 150 years, maintaining a legacy of pastoral practices. However, he is now grappling with unprecedented challenges as he watches his flock dwindle due to what he believes are the predatory behaviors of reintroduced sea eagles. The conflict between traditional farming and modern conservation efforts remains unresolved.
The sea eagle, a once-endangered species that has been successfully reintroduced, is facing criticism from local farmers who attribute the decline in lamb population to its predation. Conservationists, however, defend these majestic birds, arguing that the farmers' claims are exaggerated or completely fabricated. This ongoing dispute highlights the tension between farming practices and wildlife preservation, creating a complex narrative that lacks clear evidence on either side. 'In the absence of a smoking gun, competing narratives are inevitable,' the article notes.
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