Hen Harriers have successfully fledged from an Angus Glens nest in a reversal of breeding fortunes for the raptor in the region.
A brood of four chicks has been raised by a new pair of adults after barren seasons for a returning pair of birds which were the last to successfully hatch young, four years ago.
The chicks have fledged on a mixed estate which hosts grouse shooting and deer stalking.
The success was recorded by licensed monitor, Mike Groves.
He said: “For a few years, in another nest in Angus, the same pair of Harriers have been trying to breed without success.
“I, and others, were beginning to wonder if we would see chicks in the Angus Glens again. This is a historic moment. This is a different pair of adult birds.
“When I spoke to the estate, they were aware the Harriers were there and understandably wanted to keep it low profile, which I had sympathy with.
“When you visit nests, it places immense stress on the adults and they don’t settle for a while afterwards.
“Thankfully, as of yesterday, all the young were flying. It is wonderful to see. It is a stepping stone for Harriers in this area.”
Hen Harriers – which ground nest among moorland heather – remain the subject of a polarised debate between sporting estates and anti-grouse shooting factions.
Mr Groves said: “Some people make comments online saying that the Angus Glens are desolate. The estates are proud of the wildlife they produce.
“All around, I see attitudes changing. This is an example of that.”
Scientists in a southern Scotland project found breeding Hen Harriers benefit from grouse moor management by gamekeepers but campaigners blame estates for persecuting the birds because they eat red grouse.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg said: “We know from the gamekeepers in the area that sightings of Hen Harriers are now much more frequent in Angus.
“Even though the other pair have not bred successfully recently, they have been coming back safely to the Glens for years, flying around many of the local estates. The news of this successful nest is hugely welcome.”
Despite a slight drop in Harrier numbers at the last review, the Scottish population of the raptor is holding up well compared to the UK-wide population.
Lianne MacLennan of Angus Glens Moorland Group said: “The estate and the gamekeeper deserve huge credit.
“It is that work which has provided the habitat and food source for this nest to be successful.
“We only hope now that the birds are allowed peace as year one chicks are highly vulnerable anyway without the stress of excessive monitoring.”
Lockdown has seen successes for other breeding raptors in the Angus Glens, with peregrines, eagle chicks and large numbers of merlins, buzzards, short-eared owls and kestrels fledging on local moors.
