Parliament Workbench

Petition · PE01500 · Session 4

Golden Eagle as the National Bird of Scotland

Closed Submitted 16 Oct 2013 Rural Affairs
Signatures
0
1,836 online signatures with a country
Comments
139
Considered
6 meetings
in the Official Report

What it asks

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to formally declare the Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, as the national bird of Scotland. This could be done either through legislation, or through a parliamentary motion.

What the petitioner did first

A previous petition (PE783) was submitted on the same subject in 2004 by Mr James Reynolds after a poll in the Scotsman newspaper voted the Golden Eagle the country’s most loved bird.
The petition was referred to the Enterprise and Culture Committee, which was unable to identify a formal process to create national symbols for Scotland. No further action was taken or a conclusion reached prior to the 2007 election.
The golden Eagle has been included in Scottish Natural Heritage’s Big 5 for the Year of Natural Scotland, demonstrating the cultural importance of this well-loved species. This will also provide some measure of public support.
http://www.snh.gov.uk/enjoying-the-outdoors/year-of-natural-scotland-2013/scotlands-big-5-celebrations/
RSPB has been participating in Scottish Environment LINK’s Species Champions programme with Rhoda Grant being the Species Champion for the Golden Eagle.

Where it was considered

Official Report
  1. 28 Jan 2014
    Public Petitions Committee
    New Petitions
    1 mention
  2. 1 Apr 2014
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention
  3. 3 Jun 2014
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention
  4. 30 Sep 2014
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention
  5. 25 Nov 2014
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention
  6. 23 Feb 2015
    Public Petitions Committee
    Current Petitions
    1 mention

Signatures by country

1,836 online signatures
  1. Scotland679 37%
  2. England574 31.3%
  3. United Kingdom416 22.7%
  4. United States52 2.8%
  5. Wales36 2%
  6. Ireland20 1.1%
  7. Northern Ireland9 0.5%
  8. Netherlands8 0.4%
  9. Germany6 0.3%
  10. Australia3 0.2%
  11. 23 other countries33 1.8%

Comments

139 comments, oldest first
139 comments · showing 1–50
  1. Adrian Stapleton 18 Nov 2013
    Am member oF R.S.P.B.and i agree it should be Scotlands national bird ,and if we get the referendum vote yes all the more reason
  2. Paul Turner 18 Nov 2013
    These beautiful birds are an iconic part of our Scottish natural history and are definately worthy of being our national bird. However they continue to face illegal percecution and I hope that making them our national bird would both raise the profile of these birds and also the work we need to undertake to protect them.
  3. Mike Fuller 18 Nov 2013
    And while we are at it, might we see a realistic allocation of resources to secure the effective protection of this and other raptors, from persecution?
  4. Kathy Gorman 18 Nov 2013
    These magnificent birds need protecting along with all other threatened raptors. It's our duty, as custodians of this planet that we all share, to ensure they live and thrive for future generations.
  5. Barney Thomson 18 Nov 2013
    The Golden Eagle? Only if Scotland votes Yes in September. If the vote is No, it should be the cuckoo, aka gowk
  6. Chrissie Harper 18 Nov 2013
    I to would like to see much more effort to stop the disgraceful persecution of our raptors.
  7. Hazel Kerr 18 Nov 2013
    Us humans need to appreciate whats round us,so yes i certainly go for this,and to stop the people killing these wonderful birds
  8. Christine Merrick 18 Nov 2013
    The golden eagle is such a majestic animal.its the first creature you think of when visiting Scotland.what a iconic bird.
  9. Irene 18 Nov 2013
    The Golden Eagle is a magnificent and statuesque symbol of freedom, which would be ideal as the symbol of Scotland.
  10. Martin Moir 18 Nov 2013
    The eagle and other birds need more protection. The eagle is iconic.
  11. Peter Woodruff 18 Nov 2013
    HOPE THIS HAPPENS.
  12. leslie.p.carter 18 Nov 2013
    Golden eagles are such an iconic bird which should be scotlands symbol you see them all the time in scotland come make it your symbol.
  13. David Adam 18 Nov 2013
    To watch a Golden Eagle soar over our Scottish mountains is a rare and unique experience, to some an expression of freedom and hope. Maybe this designation will encourage future generations to value this species as part of Scotland's precious wilderness habitat.
  14. peter harwood 18 Nov 2013
    if it strengthens the protection for this beautiful bird then it must be signed
  15. Roisin NigFhloinn 18 Nov 2013
    I think this is a very good idea as this will help to secure the protection of this magnificent bird. Plus, as National birds go
    - I think this one is hard to beat!
  16. william scott 18 Nov 2013
    mon the eagles
  17. ronnie graham 18 Nov 2013
    Hopefully with the magnificent golden eagle as the national bird of Scotland it may spur the government on to provide realistic protection for this and Scotland's other iconic species of raptor.
  18. Steve Ormerod 18 Nov 2013
    What better symbol for Scotland to reveal its sense of power, spirit and pride in its landscape
  19. Sue Titchmarsh 18 Nov 2013
    I went to Scotland on a bird watching holiday and wil never forget the day that one of these magnificent birds flew out of some trees right over our heads. It was an unforgettable moment. These birds should be protected and revered for their beauty and importance to tourism in Scotland.
  20. Brian Walker 19 Nov 2013
    Very good idea.
  21. john miles 19 Nov 2013
    With half of Scotland killing eagles it must be the national bird to try and protect it,
  22. Brian Minshull 19 Nov 2013
    Scotland should make way more of its natural assets and the Scottish government should take the lead on this on behalf of all, rather than running scared of vested interests..
  23. Paul & Diann Hind 19 Nov 2013
    Yes, this beautiful and iconic bird, the Golden Eagle, should be named at Scotland's National Bird.
  24. Barry O'Donoghue, Ireland 19 Nov 2013
    It would be a clear indication to people internationally of Scotland's interest (or otherwise) in Birds of Prey
  25. den mather 19 Nov 2013
    use it or lose it!
  26. Samantha Farrell 19 Nov 2013
    I saw the lone golden eagle at Haweswater earlier in the year. It would be fantastic if the Lakes could have a breeding pair once more. My 8 year old son supports this as well. Good luck !.
  27. Martin Moir 19 Nov 2013
    A soaring golden eagle: the symbol of a confident soaring independent nation.
  28. Alex Mackay 19 Nov 2013
    Majestic and powerful.
  29. Alan Templeton 19 Nov 2013
    It is vital that this iconic species is protected from persecution.
  30. Peter Gustas 19 Nov 2013
    Please stop the persecution of Raptors in the UK !!
  31. William Swanney 19 Nov 2013
    I have lived in Scotland most of my life. My wife and I live in the Scottish Highlands and often see Golden Eagles soaring over the hills near to our home.
    This is why I support this petition
  32. Vicki Bloomfield 19 Nov 2013
    They're one of the reasons my family and I holiday in Scotland every year
    - high time they were better celebrated!
  33. Chris Avanti 19 Nov 2013
    Majestic! Just like Scotland
  34. Matthew Ellis 19 Nov 2013
    How lucky we are to have the Golden Eagle as native to our land. Let's hope it can thrive, spread and conquer Northern England!
  35. Paul Forecast 19 Nov 2013
    I have seen golden eagles on Islay and Mull. They are magnificent birds that would be befitting of a magnificent country.
  36. Desmond Dugan 19 Nov 2013
    eagles are important but so are all our birds!
  37. angela fearn 19 Nov 2013
    Good luck
  38. Damon Bridge 19 Nov 2013
    In my mind
    - living here in the South West of the UK
    - the Golden Eagle is so associated with the wild, rugged, and beautiful uplands of the British Isles for it to become the national bird of Scotland will give it a status that it well deserves and will hopefully help to protect it throughout the whole of its native range.
  39. David Jones 19 Nov 2013
    As a top predator it's population reflects the health of our whole environment.
  40. David Braithwaite 19 Nov 2013
    And more Scottish eagles gives hope for their sustained return to England!
  41. Alan Johnson 19 Nov 2013
    Please adopt the golden eagle as the national bird of Scotland!
  42. Claudio Labriola 19 Nov 2013
    Sarebbe bellissimo se la Scozia riconoscesse l'Aquila reale, come rappresentante della Nazione.

    It would be great if Scotland recognises the Golden Eagle, as a representative of the nation.
  43. Monica Whitton 19 Nov 2013
    Quite Right Too!
  44. Maria Justamond 19 Nov 2013
    A beautiful bird and the perfect choice to represent a beautiful country!
  45. S Butt 19 Nov 2013
    Please declare the golden eagle as Scotland's national bird.
  46. Gordon Buchanan 19 Nov 2013
    A potent symbol of power, beauty and majesty. Help offer further protection and officially declare the Golden Eagle Scotland's national bird.
  47. Gilly Robinson 19 Nov 2013
    I saw a golden eagle soaring high above on the Ardnamurchan peninsula many years ago. One of those 'Wow!' experiences... An iconic bird for an iconic country.
  48. Danny Udall 19 Nov 2013
    My best memories of Scotland contain Eagles.
    Without them the landscape would seem empty.
  49. David Gilfillan 19 Nov 2013
    Perhaps we should have done this years ago , many countries would be proud of the Eagle .
  50. david blair 19 Nov 2013
    It should have been well before now