Highland Foundation for Wildlife

For the convenience of those who regularly check the movements of Alma, I have now started putting the latest reports at the top of this page of data. New viewers scroll down to the start entry of 2nd July 2007.

6th - 7th July

Alma moved a little east to the north end of the Ladder Hills, and settled down in the headwaters of the Kymah Burn, just below Geal Charn and Little Geal Charn.

5th July

A lovely sunny day and Alma went for a fly around - from dawn to 8am she was roosting just north of Tom Bulrich, and then she flew north. At 9am she was at Breac Leathaid, a low hill just 2.6 miles NE of Tomintoul. She stayed on this low ground, 500metres altitude, and at midday had moved a little further north and was perched in the edge of a Forestry Commission wood on the south side of The Bochel in the Braes of Glenlivet. She then moved north again and spent the afternoon around Carn a'Bhodach, before moving to Corryhabbie Hill at 9pm and then roosted overnight on Bachd Buidhe. See map.

1st -4th July

Alma spent her time either on Delnadamph or north of the county line in the hills west of the Lecht ski area.

25th -30th June

Morning of 25th found her on the Delnadamph moorlands just north of river Gairn, and she stayed in this general area until midday on the 27th when she flew north to the Ladder Hills, and moved across towards Glen Livet, where she roosted near Cairn Dregnie. Next morning she was in this area and then at 11am on 28th had overflown the woodlands and was on Cairn Muldonich, but soon she was travelling back south. By the afternoon she was just west of the Lecht ski area and spent the next two days on the county boundary, in the Cairn Ealasaid and Tolm Buirich area.

22nd - 24th June

Alma moved around north of the river Gairn all day, and roosted just north of the old Corndavon ruins. Next day she moved south of the river and through to the 24th lived in a relatively small area to the west of Tom Breac.

Alma's travels 18th - 21st June

21st June

She was in same area through the early morning, then at 11am moved south-east; at midday she was flying NE at 22km/h and an hour later was well to the east, being just 4 kilometres west of Logie Coldstone. She flew straight back over the A939 Donside to Deeside road and by 4pm was back at her overnight roost area. She was flying NE again at 46km/h at 7pm, but stayed on Delnadamph and roosted west of Camock Hill.

20th June

By 8am she had moved further east and was south of Cockbridge and then she returned to Delnadamph and stayed there all day in some previously regular haunts. It's interesting that after a month in Drumochter, Alma has returned to the eastern side of the Cairngorms - we continue to learn much about the first year of a Scottish golden eagle's life.

19th June

Alma roosted overnight in Glen Eidart and ranged there until at least 9am. Again a break in signals (possibly battery low due to bad weather?) and the next signal at 4pm showed she had flown east and was just east of Loch Builg in the eastern Cairngorms. At 6pm she was flying N at 20km/h, but stayed on the Delnadamph estate where she roosted overnight.

18th June

Alma roosted just north of the A9 road in Drumochter, at a favourite night roost and spent the early morning close by. At midday she was a little to the north flying N at 47km/h towards Gaick. There were no more signals until 11pm when she was 22 miles away in her parents' home-range at Glenfeshie. She was on the eastern end of the area in Glen Eidart. (I'm updating this while at a conference on Steller's Sea Eagle management in Sapporo, Japan so do not have my OS maps with me to be certain of the exact localities).

4th-17th June

Alma spent her whole time in the same general area in southern Drumochter.

1st-3rd June

Alma spent all day in much the same area, moving only 6 miles between hourly fixes through the whole day. On 2nd, she made a slightly longer trip to the north of the area but daily distance again only 6 miles. Today, the weather was poor and raining in the morning and she spent her time close to the overnight roost; as the weather improved in afternoon Alma flew mile and half north, then back to SW. These are the lazy days of summer for immature golden eagles.

Alma's movements 1st-3rd June - Drumochter.

30th-31st May

All day on moors east of main glen and on 31st, Alma spent the morning in main glen, before flying back west to Glas Meall Beag at 5pm, and then roosted nearer the A9.

27th-29th May

Alma moved locally around and south of her roost on 27th, then at 4pm flew NE towards Loch Duin, then south towards the A9, then north to roost at the SE site. On 28th she stayed in same area all day, then moved north to roost in glen south of Sronphadruig Lodge. On 29th She moved in main glen until 3pm when she flew flew to the moors NE of Dalnacardoch Lodge and then at 10pm Alma flew back to last night's roost in main glen.

21st -26th May

Alma's behaviour over the last week has shown the daily routines of an immature golden eagle in early summer. She is too young to breed so does not have a lot to do during the long days at this time of the year; much of her time is spent just sitting around on favourite perches and probably she has started some feather moulting. The following map shows Alma's short movements during this period.

Alma's travels in Drumochter 21st 26th May

25th -26th May

Alma stayed near the roost until midday, before flying west to Glas Meall Beag and then at 3pm flew 3 kilometres S to a hill overlooking the A9 trunk road. An hour later she was south of the Drumochter road near Meall a'Bhiord flying NW at 51km/h. At 5pm and 6pm she was again perched on the hill north of the road. She then flew north to Glas Meall Mor and flew back to roost at the previous nights' site. Next day, she stayed near the roost area until midday, when she flew north into the main glen south of Sronphadruig Lodge.

23rd - 24th May

In the afternoon, Alma was on moors to the west of the glen north of Dalnacardoch Lodge and she roosted overnight near the Allt Shios Chulaidh. Next day, she remained close to the roosting area until 4pm and then Alma flew north to the slopes of Am Meader by 5pm and an hour later was 3 kilometres SW on the west slopes of Glas Meall Beag. Between 10pm and 11pm she flew back to last night's roost site.

21st -22nd May

Alma was in the Allt Shuas Chualaidh area most of the day, east of Glas Meall Beag and then roosted south of Glas Meall Mor. Next day she stayed at or near her roost until midday when she moved 200 metres and then flew SW to the hills north of Meall nam Ruaig. By 5pm she had returned to Glas Meall Beag and then moved north to roost again at last night's roosting site.

18th -20th May

Alma reached the Drumochter hills, north of the A9, in Perthshire on evening of 18th and has remained in that area, moving between several small glens on Dalnacardoch Estate.

15th-18th May

Alma stayed in same area near Corndavon until 9am on 16th when she moved to eastern slopes of Ben Avon and upper river Gairn, roosting on eastern crorrie of Ben Avon. On 17th she moved during the day to the hills above Fealar Lodge in north Perthshire, and next day flew south to Loch loch and then west to reach upper Glen Bruar by late afternoon - so she has returned to her autumn haunts.

Alma's movements on 16th-18th May

13th-14th May

She decided to move again. She spent the morning of 13th close to her overnight roost in the Upper Blackwater, then after midday was away to the west on Cairn Muldonich, near Tomnavoulin. Alma then moved north to Hill of Achmore before flying back to her earlier locations, where she roosted overnight.

On 14th May, she was again slow to move from her roosting area and then around 11am started moving SW along the Ladder Hills. She flew over the Lecht road between 1pm and 2pm, and visited Delnadamph estate. She then flew south and at 3pm was on Meikle Geal Charn and an hour later was on the south slopes of Cairn Sawvie. Alma flew south to be just north of the remains of Corndavon Lodge at 5pm before flying back north to the south slopes of Cairn Sawvie at 6pm. She is revisiting old haunts in Aberdeenshire after some days in the Ladder Hills.

Alma's travels on 13th-14th May - viewed from the North, looking south into Aberdeenshire

11th-12th May

Alma remained in much the same area - on 11th May she did not move from her overnight roost until 9am (it was grey day with rain, and later thunderstorms and heavy rain showers), she moved a little way along the upper glen of the river Blackwater, but the total distance between her hourly GPS positions was only 1.23 kilometres. On 12th May, a nice sunny day, after spending the morning close to her roost she travelled a few miles south towards Hill of Three Stones before turning back. In all her tracked positions covered only 9 kilometres in two days. This is in marked contrast to her long journeys in recent months. At this time of the year, non-breeding eagles have a leisurely time compared to breeding adults feeding young, there are increasingly long hours of daylight and good weather. Soon they start their annual moult. Will Alma stay here in the Ladder Hills or will she make new journeys exploring Scotland?

Alma's positions and movements in headwaters of Blackwater river 11th - 12th May

10th May

All day in the hills of Blackwater forest.

9th May

Alma remained in the hills to the east of the Lecht until at midday she flew east through the Ladder Hills and ended up in old haunts in Blackwater forest.

6th-8th May

She remained on the northern part of Delnadamph estate, to the west of the Lecht road, moving quite widely until after midday when she flew to the east and at 3pm was near Moss Hill and then spent rest of day just east of the Lecht road..

6th May

Alma roosted in the headwaters of the Dulnan, and was in that area during the morning; at midday she was was soaring over hills to the north of the Wildlife Park at Dunachton and then crossed the Spey. An hour later she was flying east at 24km/h over Abernethy Forest reserve to the north of Ben Bynack and at 2pm was back in the Lecht hills, to the west of the ski area.

2nd - 5th May

Alma spent all her time in a relatively small area of Dunmaglass estate - roosting in four different closeby sites and spending the middle of two days perched on a high point down the north side of the Mondahliaths ridge. On afternoon of 5th she moved south across the Findhorn river and spent the rest of the day on Balavil and Dunachton estates in the head waters of the Dulnan river. Maps to follow - as very busy at the moment.

2nd May

Alma roosted overnight in Dunmaglass, on the north slopes of Monadhliath mountains, then spent the rest of the day hunting and perching on the northern slopes, close to the site of a proposed massive windfarm, including within the proposed positions of the turbines. This windfarm is regarded as being a serious problem for golden eagles, other wildlife and the scenic beauty and wild nature, and has already attracted objections from organisations (government and NGOs) and individuals.

Alma's movements on 2nd May at Dunmaglass - approximate positions of propsed turbines.

1st May

Alma spent the morning in the hills between Strathglass and Strathfarrar. There was then a break in transmissions, but at 6pm Alma was flying SSW over Dunmaglass after crossing back over Loch Ness. She roosted overnight in the hills of Dunmaglass.

Alma's travels 29th April to 1st May

30th April

She spent the early moring in same area, then at 11am was flying SSW at 81km/h about 10 miles south, after passingover Lochs Morie and Glass. An hour later she was perched on Little Wyvis, and at 1pm she was 11 miles SW on the hills abover Strathconon opposite Glen Meanie. She was still there an hour later, then flew west into the top of the river Orrin near Am Fiar Loch. At 6pm, Alma was flying at 29km/h SE towards Beinn a'Bha'ach Ard and an hour later was in the hills above Glassburn. Finally moving at dusk to roost in woods in Strathfarrar.

29th April

Alma still there early morning; then a break in transmission. At 2pm she was near Kildermorie Lodge, inland from Alness in Easter Ross. She spent the rest of the days on hills closeby and rosted that night in woodland near a small loch. This was a new area for her and the most north-easterly she has visited in the Highlands.

28th April

Alma was still at her roost in the NNR at 5am - and later in the morning I informed the Scottish Natural Heritage staff at Kinlochewe of her arrival on their reserve, close to their mountain footpath. Around same area until 3pm; then western slopes of Ben Eighe at 4pm and 5 pm; then flew east and at 6pm was on south slopes of Moruisg, an hour later on north slopes, and then roosted overnight in hills 4 miles south of Achnasheen.

Alma flying from Achnashellach to Loch Maree, Wester Ross evening 27th April

27th April

She flew towards Loch Builg in the early morning, and then south to the river Gairn area again. At 10am she was near the summit of Ben Avon, and an hour later on the north side of the mountain before setting off on an epic flight across Scotland. At midday she was flying NNW at 47km/h over the Braes of Abernethy, near Eag Bheag; an hour later she was flying west at 51km/h over the river Findhorn at Garbole and at 2pm was flying WSW at 63km/h over Dunmaglass estate heading for Conagleann.

Alma then flew high over Loch Ness into completely new lands for her - she passed over Meal Fuar Mhonaidh and at 3pm was over Loch nan Meur in Balmacaan Forest flying WNW at 36 km/h. By this time, Alma was flying high above the land, altitude 3552 feet (1184 metres) with the land below being 600 metres (1800 feet). The weather was perfect, a beautiful sunny day with fresh SE winds. There was a real feeling of spring in the air with lots of swallows, willow warblers and other summer migrants pouring into the Highlands. I heard my first cuckoo of the year. She then crossed high over Glen Affric and Loch Mullardoch, and at 4pm was flying NNE at 46km/h above An Riabhachan.

She continued north-west in Wester Ross, crossing the Torridon road at 5pm and heading for Liathach at 77km/h NNW at 1059 metres. Alma was perched on the SE summit of a mountain called Baosbheinn in Flowerdale Forest at 6pm, and then flew a few more miles to the Ben Eighe National Nature Reserve, where she was perched at 8pm on the SW slope of Meall Ghiubhais. An hour later, she had flown round to the NE cliffs.

Alma's day's journey was at least 106 miles (171 kilometres) point to point, but with soaring and deviations en route she would have travelled much more. She has moved into a completely new area of Scotland and a quite different coastal environment where blue hares, ptarmigan and red grouse are scarce compared to her earlier haunts in the Cairngorms.

Alma's flights on 24th to 27th April

26th April

Some missing early morning GPS data; but at 11am Alma was in Glentromie near An Stac, and then flew east into her natal home range of Glen Feshie, and for the first time for many months would have seen at least one of her parents - the other would have been hunkered down on the eyrie incubating eggs for the next brood. At midday she was perched on Mullach Clach a'Blair on the high ground, and at 1pm she was flying ENE at 63 km/h out of her parents' home range. At 2pm she was back on the SE slopes of Ben Avon and then moved to spend the rest of the day in old haunts around the river Gairn in Aberdeenshire, then roosting at night in the east side of Ben Avon near Big Brae.

25th April

In the headwaters on the Findhorn River in the Monadhliaths all day, until 8pm when she had moved into the Spey watershed near Loch Dubh, NW of Newtonmore.

24th April

Alma was still at the roost at 5am, and an hour later had crossed the Findhorn valley and was perched on Torr a'Mhuilinn on Dalmigavie Estate. She crossed back over the river and at 7am was on a hill top above Creag Ruairidh and then at 8am was circling the hill ridges to the north of Coignafearn Old Lodge. An hour later she was perched above the river Cro in the headwaters of the Findhorn, below Calpa Mor and then moved upriver to spend the rest of the morning and the early afternoon in the headwaters of the river Cro. This is completely new territory. Coignafearn estate is excellent golden eagle habitat for golden eagles, but she will be competing with other eagles, young, sub-adults and adults.

Flight tracks on 23rd and 24th April

23rd April

She was in the same area all morning, and then at 6pm on a lovely spring evening, she moved SW to perch on Beinn Bhreac, north of Loch Moy. Next she took a long flight west in perfect weather,passing over or close to the Farr Wind Farm (remember lines on the maps join hourly fixes and are not exact flight lines) and was perched on Carn na Farr Bheinne, just south of the Findhorn river to Farr road. An hour later she was a little south and at 9 pm was perched on Carn Oighrean, south of Glen Kylachy in the Findhorn river catchment. At 10pm she was roosting on a wooded hil, Carn Thulagain, less than a mile south of Glenmazeran Lodge. The transit of the Farr Wind Farm was worrying and shows that young from within the National Park and the Cairngorms SPA may be at risk when ranging as youngsters.

22nd April

Alma stayed in same area all day

20th - 21st April

Alma again stayed in same area, although on the 21st April she flew as far east as the hills above Drynachan Lodge on Cawdor estate, above the Findhorn river, before moving back to the hills above Assich.

Alma's travels on 19th, 20th and 21st April

19th April

Alma stayed in this area all day, moving a little west on the lower moors.

18th April

In the early morning, Alma was in the same area, then at 11am flew NW over Ben Rinnes and out over Ballindalloch estate. At midday she was flying east at 10km/h over Roy's Hill, not far from the Paul's Hill windfarm, she was at 943 metres altitude. She passed north of the turbines and at 1pm was perched on Carn Kitty in Moray. She then flew on north and at 2pm was flying north at 46 km/h at 439 metres on the south side of the Knock of Moray (just 4 miles from my office, where I receive her signals). At 3pm she was on the NW slopes of Beinn Bhuidhe Mhor, just 7 miles SE of Inverness. An hour later she was on the slopes of Carn a Chore Odhair. Another days journey of 60 kilometres into completely new territory for this young golden eagle. How fascinating and revealing these travels are becoming.

Alma's travels on 17th and 18th April

17th April

Alma remained in same area to the south and east of Loch Builg until 2pn, when she moved south into Invercauld estate; at 3pm she had headed east and was 3.5 kilometres north of Balmoral Castle. By 4pm she had flown north over Cockbridge and an hour later was back in the Ladder Hills. At 8-9 pm she was back in the Cook's Cairn and Blackwater area. Her day's travels were at least 60 kilometres.

16th April

It was a lovely sunny day, and she moved north to range along the south-east slopes of Ben Avon, and at midday had moved west to perch on high ground north of Beinn a'Bhuird, then she moved back east to her haunts of yesterday. This is a new area for her.

Alma's travels on 14th -16th April

15th April

Alma spent the whole day along both sides of the river Gairn and roosted again in the west side of the glen.

15th April

The outer limits of Alma's recorded range between August 2007 and mid April 2008

14th April

After roosting overnight in Glen Tanar the only GPS signal in this transmission was to the west near Cairn Hillock, south of Ballater, at 10am. At 11am she was 9 kms S flying west at 37km/h near Easter Balloch, west of Glen Lee; Alma then turned back north and at midday she was flying NNE at 58 km/h over Am Mullach, to the south of Ballater. An hour later she had crossed the Dee and was between north slopes of Culardoch, south of Loch Builg, and Cairn Drochard, and stayed in that area restof the day.

13th April

Alma off on another journey. From dawn to midday she was on the Moray/ Aberdeenshire border hills between Broomieknowe of Garbet and Sand Hill. An hour later she was flying at 69km/h East over the Hill of Towanreef, SW of Rhynie. The furthest she has been in this direction. At 2pm she was over Burnside just south of the River Dee at Dinnet, flying SE at 80km/h at 678 metres altitude - having flown south over the Donside and Deeside. At 3pm she was over Glendye Lodge still flying east at 80km/h at 787 metres altitude. Soon she turned back from this most eastern position because an hour later she was north of Cortach Hill near Forest of Birse flying west at 54km/h. By 5pm she had reached the Glen Tanar pinewoods where she roosted overnight in the ancient pines.

Alma's flight on the afternoon of 13th April to Glen Tanar

11th - 12th April

Alma has been east of her usual haunts spending much of the two days around Glen Laff above Kildrummy in Aberdeenshire. This is a rather low ground forested situation - she was presumably sheltering in the lee of the hills from the cold NW winds with rain and snow showers.

9th - 10th April

Alma was in the Ladder Hills during both days, moving back and for, mainly north of the Aberdeenshire border. Snow showers on both days, but today the weather has improved with some sunshine. The Cairngorms have a thick covering of snow and are looking majestic - the most snow in April for a good number of years - more like an old spring.

Alma's travels in the Ladder Hills 9th & 10th April

8th April

Still miserable weather with snow and rain, but wind less; Alma was in Glenlivet on 7th and on the Strathdown side of the Ladder Hills on 8th April; often quite low down in bad weather conditions.

6th April

Alma sheltered in south facing cliffs in the Glen Livet hills in the morning. There were snow blizzards in the Scottish mountains, and even two inches here in lowland Moray - it was a rough day in the mountains. It is the type of weather - strong northerly winds with driving snow, that can cover up eagle nests which are exposed to the north. Sometimes then, incubating females have to give up brooding and eggs get covered in snow and become chilled, and a nesting season is lost.

5th April

Alma was in the Blackwater hills most of the afternoon, flew south to Carn Mor at 6pm, and then returned north. It was a cold snowy day with strong north winds.

3rd-4th April

Was in the Strathdon side of the Ladder Hills on 3rd, around Moss Hill; then on 4th moved north over the watershed and was later in Blackwater - not a great deal of movement - cold windy days with showers. Overnight 4th/5th roosted in woodlands in Glenlivet.

2nd April

Alma was still at the roost at 8am, and was flying north at 41km/h over Beinn Bhuird at 9am. An hour later she as in the Larig Ghru, flying east at 68km/h floowing a previous route which saw her over Beinn Chaorainn at 11am, when she was flying NNE at 64km/h. She spent several hours again in Dorback estate, and was on Geall Charn at 4pm. At 5pm she was back in the Ladder Hills flying NNE at 66km/h, and at 6pm she was back where she started on 31st March. See map below.

1st April

A nice sunny breezy day. Alma was at roost until 7am, then moved south into Delnadamph estate, and at 11am was to the north of Loch Builg. At midday, Alma was flying east at 72km/h near Culardoch and moved south over the River Dee. At 1pm she was west of the Glenshee ski area, flying WSW at 40km/h, and an hour later was perched to the north of Loch Crannach, north of Enochdhu - a favoured place earlier in the year. She then spent a few hours east of Loch Loch. At 5pm, she had moved back north and was near Loch Tilt and an hour later was in Glen Quoich, and she roosted in the pine wood at Quoich Water. Joining the locations was a distance of 78 kilometres, so her day's flight would have been well over a 100 kilometres.

31st March

In the morning, Alma was in the Broomyknowe of Garbet area; at 1pm flying east at 44km/h over The Buck near the Cabrach; an hour later was south of Cook's Cairn in Blackwater Forest. This was the start of a big three day journey for at 3pm she was across the Glenlivet road and was flying north at 53km/h at 1104 metres above Cairn Liath (549 metres), west of Tomnavoulin. Then she moved for the first known time to the Cromdale Hills, where she was over the March Burn at 4pm, and an hour later she was flying east over Cairn Tuairneir at 48 km/h. She was in Dorback estate until 7pm and roosted in Inchrory.

30th March

Alma was in the Glenlivet and Ladder hills on 30th between south of Cook's Cairn and Carn mor, and moved east to be east of Threestones Hill by evening.

24th -25th March

Both days around The Cabrach - I am told it is a very good place for rabbits - so she's probably hunting them in the snow.

23rd March

Alma was perched on hill hills midway bewteen Allt Sowan Hill and Hill of Three Stones; then quickly moved over the county march and at 8 am was near the Cabrach; and spent the morning near the edge of the cultivated land near Reekimlane. Probably the blue hares had moved lower down.

It already interesting to see that Alma has often visited low ground areas where eagles are not usually recorded - is she behaving differently or do juveniles visit such areas, and they are not observed.

22nd March

White out conditions in the Ladder Hills with driving snow showers and strong cold north winds. From 7am to 10am, Alma was still sheltering from the weather in Little Glen Burn; then from 11am to 1pm was on hills west of Hill of Righorach; then at 2pm was one kilometre SE of Little Geal Charn, and roosted the night two kilometres north of Glenbuchat Lodge.

21st March

At 7am Alma was flying west at 44km/h near Monadh Slochd Chaimbeal, but was back near Moss Hill at 8am, and the rest of the morning sheltering in the slopes of Little Glen Burn.

20th March

Really bad weather - strong cold north winds and snow showers. Alma around Moss Hill at 9-10am and 6pm, and rest of day sheltering on south slopes of Little Geal Charn

19th March

At 7am, she was over Carn Dregnie, in Glenlivet, but an hour later was perched on the top of Carn Dulack, just north of the start of the Lecht road. Then a break in transmissions (weather cloudy at times, with snow showers and cold north wind) until 3pm when she was over the county march into Aberdeenshire on the south slopes of Carn Mor. An hour later she was flying over The Socach and the rest of the day she was further NE around Moss Hill.

Alma's movements on 18th and 19th March 2008

18th March

Today saw the start of some very interesting movements. Alma roosted overnight near Cairnbrallan, and in the morning travelled back and for between there and Letterach, in Glenlivet, presumably hunting the ridges, then at 2pm she was over Forestry Commission woodlands just NW of the Cabrach (her furthest move in that direction). An hour later, she was flying at 19km/h NNW over Cook's Cairn and at 4pm she was low over the summit of Ben Rinnes, in Moray, and then at 5pm was just north of Little Conval Hill, just 2 kilometres west of Dufftown. She was flying SSW at 62km/h at 540 metres altitude. This is an unusually low ground area for golden eagles, or may be not for occasional wandering juveniles like Alma! At 6pm she was flying over the hills just one mile west of Glenfiddich Lodge and kept travelling to roost over night in Glenlivet.

16th -17th March

On 16th, she was on Finlate Hill at 6am and then spent the rest of the day down in the Glen of Littleglen Burn in Strathdon. The weather has been awful on these two days, with strong cold north winds with low cloud, rain and even snow. Alma was still sheltering in the same glen, sheltered a little from the north, but at 1pm was back on Finlate Hill and at 2pm was heading for Little Geal Charn. By 3pm she had crossed the watershed and was on Bachd Buidhe in Glenlivet. At 4pm she was flying NNW at 35km/h at 577 metres over the Scors of Blackwater, and an hour later was down the glen from Cairnbrallan in Blackwater.

15th March

Alma remained in this area of Dorback Estate until 12am, then moved by 2pm to Cath Dubh, overlooking the Water of Ailnack. An hour later she was in the Lecht, just east of the road on the north side, and at 4pm, she was back on the summit of Carn Mor in the Ladder Hills, SE of Glen Livet. Later in evening she was along the Dun Muir ridge. This is well known territory to her, and it is really interesting how she moves back and for between quite distant parts of the mountains surroundings the west, south and east of the Cairngorms. Her journey on 14th -15th (see map) involved at least 74 kilometres, discarding local flights.

14th March

Another big movement over the Cairngorms. At 7am she was flying west at 35km/h over Meall a Chore Bhuidhe, and at 8am was perched on a hill just east and above Allt Fearnaich, and spent the rest of the morning on west side of this glen then back on east side at 1pm. Probably feeding in this area. An hour later she was 25 kilometres away, having flown up the Larig Ghru, she was flying at 37km/k NNE up the slopes of Ben Macdhui, just 400 metres west of the summit. She continued in this direction and an hour later she was flying at 38km/h NNW over Carn na Farraid on Dorback Estate, near Nethybridge in Strathspey. She spent the rest of the afternoon around this area.

13th March

First signals not until midday when Alma was on slopes of Glas Tulaichean, east of Loch Loch, and spent rest of day around this mountain.

11th -12th March

Ranging between Loch Crannach and upper Glen Fearnach - usual areas.

10th March

Good GPS data for last two days. On 8th, daily movements and activity was similar to that of 6th and 7th March, but that evening she roosted on relatively low ground at Whitefield Hill, just north of Kirkmichael. On the 9th, she spent most of the day on or near the western slopes of Meall Uaine, 3.5 kilometres south the Spittal of Glenshee, but at 5pm she was flying WSW at 45km/h over the SW slopes of Meall a'Choire Bhuidhe, which is 3 kilometres west of Dalmunzie Hotel..

8th March

It has been very exciting following Alma's movements now that the GPS radio is getting enough sun to work efficiently. Already we have learnt a great deal about this young eagle, and we have been surprised by the amount of travelling she has done. It is particularly interesting that she makes so many long trips exploring new areas before returning to favoured locations. This is very important for her in building up experience of the best feeding and breeding areas, and in meeting other eagles. It would be fascinating to know how many other individual golden eagles she has met since she started her wanderings last July.

7th March

On 6th and 7th March, Alma was back in her old haunts around Gleann Fearnach, ranging from Loch Crannach in the south to the mountains east of Loch Loch during the day. The following map shows some of her daily movements; mainly back and for across the glen.

5th March

Very interesting movements, involving a big circuit of the mountains, during the last couple days of snows in the mountains. In afternoon of 3rd March she was still close to Sronphadruig Lodge, but an hour later at 4pm she was 13kms south close to Loch Errochty, near Trinafour. At that time she was flying SSE at 60kmh. At 5pm, Alma was over the west slopes of Schiehallion, and then moved further south into Perthshire, and roosted overnight near Meall nam Maigheach, south of Bridge of Balgie. Next day, 4th March, there were two GPS positions a little north in Gleann Da-Eig, and then afternoon GPS loactions in Corrour and then east to roost near Loch Ericht. She was travelling widely in beautiful weather after a day of snowfalls.

Early today found her roosting on Creag Dhearg, above Loch Ericht, in the West Drumochter hills, and then by morning she was back in the small glen north of Dalnacardoch Lodge - a favourite haunt from last autumn in the East Drumochter hills. But by night time she had returned to the area north of Strathardle.

3rd March

Poor signals on 1st and 2nd March, when Alma was about 15 kilometres south; then overnight 2nd/3rd roosting again in Gaick; during the 3rd March she moved around in the Gaick and Drumochter area. See map showing positions in relation to Dalwhinnie.

1st March

There were no signals on 25th and 26th February; but great data on 27th and 28th. In the morning of 27th she was still in the Loch Crannach area, but by 10am had moved north west towards Glen Mhor and at midday was flying WSW at 45kmh over the Glen Mhor track, east of Loch Loch. An hour later she was slowly flying west well north of Blair Atholl and an hour later she was flying NW towards Gaick, where she roosted the night. On 28th Feb, she was in the Gaick area until 10am and then flew SW to Loch an Duin and from 11am to dusk was near Sronphadruig Lodge and down the glen towards Dalnacardoch. So she is back in areas she frequented when she was young. The data is now accurate GPS fixes (20 metres accuracy), with speed, heading and altitude. Thank goodness the sun is now strong enough to charge the solar battery again.

25th Feb

Alma in same area, day time signals at midday on 23rd and 3pm on 24th were on southern slopes of Meall a'Choire Bhuidhe; and overnight roost near Loch Crannach. Spending a few days in same area.

A check this evening on the GPS data for Alma, between 11am and 6pm on 24th Feb, showed that she left upper Glen Tilt at 11am and was flying north at 28km/h; an hour later she was 19.5 kms north in the Cairngorms north of Glen Derry Lodge, but by then was flying SSW at 17km/h. An hour later she was 21.5kms SSW, back in north Perthshire, flying SW at 32km/h. Then she settled down locally for the rest of the day. Map for 24th Feb.

23rd Feb

Apologies but updates not everyday at present: on 20th Feb Alma was still same area of North Perthshire as 18th; a GPS reading on 21st showed she was back at Loch Crannach; and on 21st she was in the Glen Tilt area.

18th Feb

At 4am, she was roosting somewhere near Loch Loch in North Perthshire, north of Beinn a'Ghlo - another place she has visited before.

17th Feb

Back where she started this latest trip! - at 3pm she was 3 kms north of Loch Crannach, where she was 11 days ago. 2 hours later she was a further 3 kilometres to the NW.

16th Feb

Alma has moved about 7 kilometres to the south, and this evening was roosting in woodlands to the east of Glenhead Lodge, just north of Backwater Reservoir in Angus. These are quite low hills rising to 611 metres at Corwharn and not far north of the farming lands of Kirriemuir and Alyth. Alma continues to intrigue us by carrying out such extensive wanderings to the outer limits of golden eagle distribution in Scotland.

14th Feb

Alma on the move again as at 1308GMT today she was near a mountain called Mayar, between upper Glen Prosen and Glen Doll in Angus; some 34 kms SW of her position in Glen Muick. Her trip north from Perthshire has been wide ranging and she is now visiting the Angus glens. Will she now go back to Perthshire and Drumochter?

12th Feb

She is still moving around a great deal as a signal at 11am was about 3 kilometres NE of Loch Muick, south of Ballater; a distance of 42 kilometres SSE of Glenlivet.

11th Feb

Two GPS signals from this day received on 14th Feb. At 1pm she was on a hill just north of Inveran House in Strathdon and four hours later at 5pm (roosting time) she was 18 kms south at Sgor an t'Iolaire (translated as rocky peak of the eagle) in Deeside, about 5 kms ESE of Balmoral Castle.

10th Feb

Just one signal in today at 0218GMT (middle of night) when Alma was roosting somewhere in the vicinity of Carn Dregnie, just north of Glenlivet, probably in woodland. This is 11.5 kms NW of her previous roosting sites.

8th Feb

Strong signals at 0420GMT and 2200GMT showed that she roosted in exactly the same place each night on Moss Hill; but no GPS signals were received during the day: must have been cloudy over the mountains.

Jim Craib emailed to say he was at Glenlaff Hill on Glenkindy and at 1015am, on the 8th, an immature eagle flew over him heading for Moss Hill - he thought it was probably Alma after checking the webpage.

6th Feb

At last a really sunny day and the radio charged up and sent in 4 hourly GPS signals. At midday, Alma was 43 kms NNE of Loch Crannach, over Inchrory; an hour later she was between Craig Veann and Tolm Buirich heading north at 25 kmph. At 2pm she was north of the Lecht near Carn Mor in the Ladder Hills flying south at 45kmph, so clearly circling and possibly back hunting white hares. Finally at 3pm she was north of Geal Carn. It is very interesting that after a short trip back to Drumochter, Glen Tilt and north-east Perthshire, she has returned to the Aberdeenshire/Moray border near Tomintoul. It is exciting that the solar battery is now charging, with the sun increasingly higher above the southern horizon, so hopefully we will start getting really accurate data again. She roosted overnight at a previously used site on Moss Hill.

4th Feb

One very poor signal on 31st Jan and nil on 2nd Feb, due to snow and dense clouds preventing battery charging, but at dawn this morning two strong signals within a couple of kilometres of Loch Crannach, and with a sunny day more may come in later in the day.

29th Jan

Alma had moved 10 kilometres south; two signals at midday were very close to Loch Crannach, which is north of Glenfernate Lodge, and north of Straloch and Enochdhu in Strathardle, Perthshire; and about 6 kilometres SW of the Spittal of Glenshee. The map belows shows her positions since 19th Jan, when she returned south from the Ladder Hills.

27th Jan

I have been away working on ospreys in southern Spain so this morning was first chance for several days to check Alma's radio. There were no signals on either 23rd or 25th January, presumably because of overcast weather, but today at 6.30am there was a very accurate fix. Alma was on the north-west lower slopes of Carn Liath, some 6 kilometres NE of Blair Atholl. She was 25 kilometres SSE of her location in the Drumochter hills on 21st. I drove north past Blair Atholl late last night; it was gale force westerly with rain, in fact a really nasty night, so hopefully she had found a sheltered roost low down on the mountain.

At 1.07pm she was 11 kilometres to the east, near Daldhu in upper Gleann Fearnach, and nearly half an hour later she was 6 kilometres to the north, near the summit of Carn an Righ.

21st Jan

Alma has moved 30 kilometres WNW of her North Perthshire location. She is back on the Drumochter Hills and Gaick, where she spent much time last autumn. The two most accurate positions were an hour apart around midday - firstly she was on the high slopes overlooking Dalwhinnie and then 1.8 kilometres to the east on the plateau to the north of Vinegar Hill between Loch an Duin and Carn na Caim. She would be able to see her parents again, if they were flying, not far away, above the mountains of Glen Feshie!

19th Jan

Today's signals between 1055 GMT and 1309GMT were the first since 13th, and were a big surprise because Alma had left the Ladder Hills area and was back in North Perthshire. The best signal just after midday gave her position close to the track between Strathardle and Fealar Lodge, near Carn an t'Sionnaich. This area is 33 kilometres SW of Loch Builg and 50 kilometres from the Ladder Hills, where she has been since 24th November. This location is just 8 kilometres east from her visit to Glen Tilt on 4th October and 8.2 kilometres SW of her position on 16th November, when she was heading north. The weather has been stormy during the past week, with very strong winds, so no signals were received on 15th or 17th. I wonder where she will go next, or will she settle in this remote area of mountains and moor land. The map below shows the estate track and in the foreground Loch loch, 13 kilometres NNE of Killiecrankie.

The following map shows the weekly movements of Alma over the first six months since leaving her eyrie

the locations refer to weeks since fledging.

13th Jan

Big change today - back to milder winds and rain, with snow disappearing fast from lower hills. At midday the eagle was passing the south end of Loch Builg and two hours later was on the northern slopes of Ben Avon, around the north of Big Brae, in the Eastern Cairngorms.

11th Jan

Great information received today. The mountains in the Cairngorms National Park are at their very best; plenty of snow throughout the hills, cold, clear skies and light winds. All the ski centres reporting excellent conditions. Alma was busy to the south of the Lecht ski centre.

Yesterday's sunny skies had charged up the solar battery on the radio, so really accurate signals at 0622 and 0659GMT showed exactly where she roosted in the southern parts of the Ladder Hills. At 1pm she was ten kilometres to the south-west on the royal estates near Delnadamph Lodge, and just over an hour later was close to the southern end of Loch Builg (see map below). The furthest position was 10.3 kilometres from her night time roost.

7th Jan

At 6.30pm this evening. she was back roosting in the southern slopes of the Ladder Hills, near the Peat Hill.

5th Jan

A snow blizzard was raging on 4th Jan, the Lecht road was closed and so was the Cabrach by late afternoon. (I was trying to drive that route to Banchory and had to turn back and travel via Huntly). The mountains received a big snowfall and for once the mountains hares in winter coat would have been camouflaged. This morning the weather cleared, and the snow started to disappear on the lower ground. Over midday two signals were received as Alma flew south from the Ladder Hills across Strathdon, presumably to find food on lower hills. The distance between the Carn Mor and Birkford/Lynemore is 4.3 kms.

Cabrach 5th January 2008

3rd Jan

No signals received on 30th or 1st, but at 2.15pm this afternoon received a low quality signal from north of Grantown-on-Spey, with Alma possibly moving onto Dava Moor. It was snowing quite heavily in the hills with strong easterly winds.

30th Dec

No signals came in today, but received an email from a person who knows the Ladder Hills very well, saying that "Alma is picking the hills with the best numbers of mountain hares, especially Carn Liath, Cairn Sawvie and Moss Hill."

28th Dec

Midday signals on the main ridge of the Ladder Hills, some 4 kilometres south of the last position, but these movements are all within a normal day's ranging by an eagle searching for food.

26th Dec

At midday, Alma was 7 kms NNW of her position 4 days earlier. She was back on the Crown Estate of Glenlivet.

2nd July

Glenfeshie Estate. Ringed the eagle chick in late afternoon. Kevin Lawler climbed down to nest and brought up the chick in a bag; Hector Laing helped me; Thomas MacDonell, Estate Manager, on other side of cliff with radio to guide us into the eyrie; his wife and two keepers down below with radios keeping watch.

The chick was in very good condition, although some fault bars in the big wing feathers showing that food had been scarce during the early part of the summer. BTO ring number ZZ1416. Measurements: wing 465mm; tail 230 mm; bill 38.7 x 27.56mm; head + bill 118.76mm; tarsus 16.37 x 18.29mm; hind claw 49.64mm; spread foot 149mm. Fitted satellite radio 28661

Photographs of the day: Kevin Lawler setting off down the cliff; young eagle looking out of bag with Roy Dennis; young eagle and satellite transmitter ready to be put back in the eyrie; young eagle 'Alma'.

16th July

Thomas MacDonell reports that chick is still in its nest and the estate has named her Alma

3rd Aug

Went to check if the eaglet had fledged. We were not getting signals from the radio because the sun could not shine on the eaglet or the radio as the nest was in a overhanging cliff. Young seen flying near eyrie, and landing in heather. Male also flying in area. Roy Dennis. May have flown about 28th July.

Week 1

Up to 3rd August, eaglet was close to nest

Week 2

4-10 Aug

Eaglet starting to move around the near home range of her parents; main area of use about 2.4 kilometres from the nest, and the 2nd week range was 3 kilometres by one kilometre; roosted close to nest on 9th.

Week 3

11 - 17 Aug

Eaglet spent the week very close to the eyrie, being within an area of one kilometre by 1 kilometre centred on the nest, with the exception of 15th August, when she was 1.4 kilometres away.

Week 4

18 -24 Aug

She moved much further away and started to fly out over the tops of the surrounding hills, presumably following her parents to get food caught by them. Her range during the week was 3.67 kilometres by 2.7 kilometres, with night-time roosts near the feeding sites.

Week 5

25 - 31 Aug

Her area of activity extended further into the hills and covered an area 5 kilometres long and 2.8 kilometres wide; most of her time was spent some distance from the old eyrie, but often, especially in the early afternoons, she perched within 200 metres of the eyrie.

Week 6

1st to 7th September

Alma moved to the southern part of the Glenfeshie estate and ranged within an area of 12 kilometres by 7.8 kilometres, although much of her activity was in an area of hill hill plateaux 7 by 3 kilometres. The photograph spans a distance of just under 1 kilometre by 1 kilometre, where much activity took place and might have been linked to the birds feeding on deer grallochs. The Google photograph is from late winter/spring and shows snow lying in gullies; there was no snow present in September. She must have been with her parents and remained in the area for feeding and roosting. The fixes are accurate GPS coordinates and taken hourly.

Week 7

8 - 14 Sept

She ranged widely, 12 kilometres by 4 kilometres, in her home-range on 8th - 9th and on the latter date moved to a new area to the south-west, into another pair of eagles home-range. This pair also had a flying young in 2007. Her range here extended 12.2 kilometres by 6.5 kilometres. On 14th September she was back in her own home range and flew round much of it, as the distance between fixes that day totalled 27 kilometres. The picture shows her movements in the Gaick and Drumochter hills, viewed from NE looking towards the A9 trunk road.

Week 8

15 - 21 Sep

She spent the 15th in her own home-range on Glenfeshie Estate, mainly in a area of 8.3 kilometres by 3 kilometres. I was on the Drumocher hills on 17th and it was snowing with a strong north wind. We got no more signals until 19th September, when she was on the Drumochter hills, east of the A9 road at Drumochter Pass. On 20th September, Alma was still in the eastern parts of the Drumochter Hills; at 1pm on 21st she was flying over the eastern side of Loch Ericht, south of Dalwhinnie, an hour later she was circling the western slopes of Aonach Beag to the west of Ben Alder. These two mountains are both over 1100 metres in height. At this point she was about 30 kilometres from her nesting area. At 2pm she was flying east at 50 kph over a thousand feet above the main A9 road to the south of Drumochter Pass near Dalnaspidal. On the 22nd she was in the Gaick area. The map shows the shortest lines between the known co-ordinates.

Alma's tracks on 20th and 21st September - lines joining hourly fixes do not necessarily give the birds' actual track.

Week 9

22 - 29 Sep

Alma moved around a lot this week. She started in the Dalnaspidal - Drumochter hills area, north east to Gaick and east to Dalnamein Forest in north Perthshire; a range of 10 kilometres by 5 kilometres. On 24th and 25th she was back on Glenfeshie estate, and at 6 pm on 24th she was visiting the cliffs holding her nest site. After very strong NW winds and cold rain showers, I did not get more signals until 28th, when she was roosting at the end of the day on a hill between Glen Tromie and Loch Cuaich, to the west of Glenfeshie.

Week 10

30 Sept to 6 Oct

Returned to Glenfeshire home-range on 30th September, and on 1st October flew a big circuit of the mountains. Visited the Great Moss and Monadh Mor, looking down into Deeside. Next day moved back down into Perthshire and went as far south as Glen Tilt, nearly 30 kilometres south and just 12 kilometres from Blair Atholl. Flew from Perthshire back to Glenfeshie on 4th October.

Movements on 2nd -4th October in Glen Tilt and the hills to the north.

For interest, I have analysed all the available GPS hourly reading for each week following fledging; the first figure shows the altitude (mean , highest and lowest altitudes in metres asl) of the eaglet's position. As expected altitudinal range increased and then levelled out over the time period as the bird moved further into the higher hills; there was only one occasion below 200 metres (week 2) showing that the bird avoided being in the lowest parts of the glens, and there were no very high flights above the mountains. The second figure shows the percentage of the hourly readings when Alma was flying rather than perched. This shows that she became more active as time progressed to week 8 and spent more time in flight, whereas in the early weeks she perched and waited for her parents to bring food to her.

Week 11

7-13 Oct

On 7th and 9th she was in Glen Feshie, and then ranging west into Glen Tromie, and continued west to spend time again in the east Drumochter hills on 11th and 12th October. The map below shows her positions in Glen Feshie to Glen Tromie on 8th October.

Weeks

12 - 13

10-24 Oct

Poor weather with much cloud, as well as the fact that the sun is now low on the horizon, which makes it difficult to charge the solar panel on the radio except in the best conditions, means that signals are fewer. Sometimes we are relying on traditional non GPS fixes which are much less accurate. Mainly in the east Drumochter hills and Gaick, in a range of 12 kilometres by 7 kilometres, as far down as Dalnaspidal, and once on 23rd October was 10 kilometres SW of Dalnaspidal on the west side of the A9 road towards Loch Ericht.

Weeks 14 -16

25th Oct to 18th Nov

Alma was still in the usual east Drumochter hills area at the end of October and first days of November; on 2nd and 4th November she ranged down into the Perthshire hills between the A9 road, Loch Ericht and Loch Rannoch. On 9th and 10th she crossed the A9 and returned to the hills around Glen Tilt, where she visited in week nine. On 16th and 18th November, she was near Carn Bhac and An Socach west, mountains to the west of Glenshee. Her furthest east to date.

The following map shows the extent of her wanderings to date. The yellow A9 road runs north to join the road system in Badenoch and Strathspey. The white topped mountains are the Cairngorms.

24th Nov

Yesterday was the first sunny day for a while - good for charging the solar battery. This morning we received an accurate fix from close to the Lecht Ski Centre, on the Aberdeen/Moray border. Alma had moved 38 kilometres NNE from her previous positions near Glenshee. At 0744GMT she was in the hills just east of the road from Tomintoul to Cockbridge, presumably close to an overnight roosting site. This a new area for her in the eastern side of the Cairngorms National Park. Although adult eagles stay in or close to their home ranges in Scotland, young eagles wander and explore new areas. This bird is showing us this period of exploration which can last several years; will she stay in the Ladder Hills or will she fly back home for a visit?

26th Nov

Midday today she was in Glenlivet on heather hills just 500 metres high, interspersed with conifer plantations and surrounded by cattle and sheep rearing farmlands. The area is just north of Tomintoul; 11.6 kilometres NNW of Saturday's position. Top left hand hills and conifer woods in Saturday's map above.

4th Dec

Because of very poor weather conditions I received no signals on 28th and 30th, and just a poor quality one on 2nd; but after a sunny day on Sunday, today the battery was charged and 7 positions were received between 1230 and 1400 hours, but none were highest quality. It is clear that today, a rather wild day, she was back in the Ladder Hills between Aberdeenshire and Moray. Alma was between the Scors of Blackwater and Monadh Slochd Chaimbel, east of the Lecht road, with a centre of activity in the hill tops northwest of Glenbuchat Lodge. The map shows three good fixes and the red cross is the best position in the early afternoon of Tuesday 4th December.

10th Dec

She is still in the same area today, but a little further north-east towards Glen Fiddich. Four different signals during the middle of the day suggesting she was ranging the tops during the first sunny day for some time.

14th Dec

Still in the Ladder Hills

18th Dec

At 6.30am she was roosting in a corrie south of Carn Sawvie, about 2.5 kilometres east of Loch Builg in Aberdeenshire. The location was north of Corndavon Lodge and is about 20 kilometres SW of her previous positions. Weather is hard frost, but clear and sunny in the mountains.

Nov-Dec

The following map shows the eaglet's locations during the last month - yellow lines join the positions but do not represent the bird's actual flight tracks, as the fixes were intermittent.

22nd Dec

Accurate signal came in at 6.30pm to show that Alma was back in the Ladder Hills. Her roost site was on the west side of Moss Hill just to the north of Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. There has been a week of very cold weather, down to -10C, in the mountains but during the day it has been sunny with little or no wind.