SIR, – The recent accusations by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) linking persecution to the decline of the golden eagle is wrong, especially if one considers the major changes that have taken place in the countryside over the past 50 years.
Afforestation of the eagle’s habitat and the general decline of the mountain hare, red grouse and ptarmigan, along with the massive reduction in deer and sheep numbers, means that, in some areas, eagles now require a greater range than ever before.
Never mentioned by SNH and RSPB is the impact of the sea eagle and expanding buzzard population into the eagle’s domain, or the difficulties experienced by these great birds in finding food for themselves and their young. It may be that, due to the reduction in range and availability of prey species and carrion, the present eagle population is all the land will carry.
Perhaps the greatest threat to the eagle’s future comes from the Forestry Commission, which wants a further 25% of Scotland’s landmass under trees by 2050. This undoubtedly is a major cause of the removal of the nation’s sheep flock and deer population from the hills.
Peter Fraser, East Auchallater, Braemar.
SIR, – The anticipated demise of the CrossRail project (Press and Journal, September 3) is hardly surprising. It is just the latest in a catalogue of transport fiascos for Aberdeen, such as the £20million-plus Denburn “road to nowhere”, the 30-year debates about Haudagain roundabout and the third bridge over the Don, and the ridiculously expensive and ineffective AWPR.
It is easy to pin blame on incompetence or sleaze, but we must ask how Aberdeen used to be able to build inspired schemes such as Union Street, the Denburn Valley railway and Anderson Drive.
Perhaps the answer is that, instead of relying on computer models and interminable consultation, the city fathers applied commonsense and employed visionary engineers. Acquiring both should be a priority for our inept council.
Douglas L. Stewart,
Benview, Peterculter,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – I refer to the letter from Tony Comerford (Press and Journal, September 2). I am surprised that after “working” with wildlife for 30 years, he is not aware of the nature of those he is in touch with.
Predators change their eating habits every time they are unable to find their usual prey by usual methods. If they cannot source their usual diet, they seek whatever else is available. It is the law of survival. That is why buzzards have killed several of my chickens this year. I have kept poultry for 15 years and, despite living in a buzzard breeding area, it has never happened to me before. This spring, road kills were scarce in this area. In fact, hedgehogs and pheasants were very few this year.
I’m all for preservation, but once a preservation order has been issued it would seem that it stays there forever – hence we are overrun with peregrine falcons, pine martens and rooks, all of which damage livestock and poultry.
Christina M. Palmer,
Carnyx, Aultvaich,
Beauly.
SIR, – I am a bit puzzled by the Peacock Visual Arts proposed Centre for the Contemporary Arts. It will cost £13million, seemed to come from nowhere, and the artist’s impression indicates that it will be housed in a large and unprepossessing looking building in the heart of Union Terrace Gardens.
The gardens, a great, green, open space in the centre of Aberdeen, are a unique survivor of the original, mediaeval level of the town.
It should be a focal point for the city, filled with glorious horticulture and, at the same time, a halt for a reinstated subbie (suburban line) between Culter and Dyce, taking people into the city centre.
The Union Terrace Gardens halt could have a row of small shops and cafes, and the Victorian toilets, scandalously allowed to run down, could be reinstated.
I can understand why the supporters of the Peacock scheme are determined to hang on to the funding on offer from the Scottish Arts Council – £4.3million – but surely this offer cannot be thirled to having the gardens as a venue?
A more acceptable site would be the former Greyfriars Church, currently for sale at £1,250,000. It would make a stunning centre, be conveniently close to Marischal College for city arts agencies and add a new dimension to the civic square that is being developed for Broad Street.
Diane Morgan,
Waverley Place,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – The new owner of Manchester City FC must appreciate art if the football club is prepared to pay £135million for Cristiano Ronaldo.
My suggestion to the first minister is to approach the new owner of Manchester City to buy the Titian paintings for galleries in Edinburgh and London.
Football, as they say, is the beautiful game.
Andrew J.T. Kerr,
52 Castlegate,
Jedburgh.
SIR, – I am trying to connect with my great-grandmother’s family. Her name was Ann Cobban and she was born around 1875 in Alford, Aberdeenshire. She married a John Rettie and had a daughter, Marjory. Ann died in 1958.
I believe her daughter may have been married to a Mr Dunbar, but I am not certain. My grandfather, George Sinclair Cobban, was her son.
Sandee Martindale,
Possum Hollow,
1 Woodford Street,
One Mile, Ipswich 4305,
Queensland, Australia.
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