Shocking images of sea eagle snatching lamb from mother

A crofter has shared images of the moment she saw one of her lambs being snatched by a sea eagle in the Scottish Highlands.

Caitrìona Anna NicDhòmhnaill, who works in the Lochaber area, said she and her husband watched “helplessly” as one of their lambs was grabbed by the bird at around 7am on Easter Sunday.

Mrs NicDhòmhnaill’s friend, Karen Samson, who was staying with her at the time, managed to capture the moment on camera.

The 59-year-old, who has been a crofter on the land for decades, said this isn’t the first time an incident like this has happened, adding that another lamb was grabbed on Wednesday morning.

Caitrìona Anna NicDhòmhnaill said there have been multiple incidents like this recently. Karen Sampson

“It has been coming over around 7am everyday, at this rate there won’t be a lamb left,” she warned.

Mrs NicDhòmhnaill said the lamb was taken alive, and the mother ewe was “distraught” as a result of the “heartbreaking” incident.

“It’s so sad for everyone involved, easy pickings for the eagle and awful for the sheep and lamb,” she said.

White-tailed eagles used to be widespread across the UK before they became extinct due to human persecution in the early 1900s.

An adult white-tailed eagle, also known as a sea eagle, flies above the Isle of Mull, Scotland. Getty Images

They were reintroduced to Scotland – using birds from Norway – in 1975 and 1985, with further releases in the 2000s.

NatureScot, Scotland’s natural heritage organisation which supported the project, previously said it had been an “outstanding conservation success story”.

Mrs NicDhòmhnaill said that the eagles had been reintroduced to areas without ample fish and rabbit populations.

“It’s through no fault of their own, but it’s the sheep crofters and farmers who are suffering,” she added.

The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland said incidents of sea eagles catching lambs were becoming “far too common”.

“We’re deeply concerned to hear of yet another distressing case of sea eagle predation, this time involving a lamb in the Lochaber area,” a spokesperson told STV News.

“This is not an isolated event – we continue to receive regular reports from across Scotland where lambs are being taken by sea eagles.

“While the reintroduction of the sea eagle was well-intentioned, the reality is that in some areas, the rapid increase in population and lack of natural prey is pushing these birds towards livestock, particularly during lambing season, with devastating consequences.”

The Union said farmers and crofters were being left to “carry the burden of this imbalance in nature, through no fault of their own”.

The NFU Scotland called for practical support and management schemes.

“Any farmer experiencing losses is strongly encouraged to record and report incidents directly to NatureScot, who are responsible for overseeing mitigation and support measures,” the Union said.

A NatureScot spokesperson said: “NatureScot and the Scottish Government recognise that white-tailed eagles can cause economic impacts to farms and crofts in some locations.

“We provide support to farmers and crofters through the Sea Eagle Management Scheme, especially for those suffering the greatest impacts.

“The scheme provides bespoke support for farmers, including farm visits to investigate sea eagle activity, advice on mitigation measures, including the loan of equipment where appropriate, and recommendations for longer-term support.”