Golden eagles, poisoned as recently as 2007 in Peeblesshire, may once again be a regular sight in our skies.

That is the conclusion of a report published by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Currently there are estimated to be one to three pairs attempting to breed in the Scottish Borders. The study suggests the south of Scotland could support between 11 and 16 pairs.

The golden eagle is the UK’s second largest bird of prey and has a wing span of around two metres. It was voted the nation’s favourite species by the public last year in the Year of Natural Scotland’s Big 5 contest.

Borders MSP, Environment and Climate Change minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “As a resident of the Scottish Borders, I very much look forward to golden eagles once again becoming a regular sight in our skies.

“We will work hard to ensure that they are given the best possible chance to expand their population and range in the South of Scotland, given the region contains habitat that we would expect to see and sustain a greater population of this most magnificent bird.” Clearly not everyone would welcome the news as no one was prosecuted for the 2007 poisoning of a female bird on a Peeblesshire estate despite the offer of a £1,000 reward.

The animal was killed after eating bail laced with the banned substance carbofuran.

Its death is highlighted on the ‘Raptor Persecution Scotland Website’ which contains the statistic of 32 golden eagles killed on grouse moors since 2007 with no resulting prosecutions.

Each eagle death is described and the location where it took place.

SNH’s report presents a novel approach in which each of the nine principal regions is assessed for habitat suitability.

The study explored several factors which can affect range use in detail, including rainfall, plant growing days, potential recreational pressure, persecution records, wind farm developments, nest sites and woodland cover.

The report suggests the next steps involve monitoring the ranges for any golden eagle activity, developing work to improve habitats and other conditions for eagles.

Professor Des Thompson of SNH, and chair of the Project Group, said: “With our partners, we would like to see on-the-ground, practical work to improve the habitat for golden eagles in South Scotland.

With habitat improvements, we could see connections with the small reintroduced population in Ireland. This would help both groups of eagles, and could even help bolster the population in North England. The approach is novel, and could work well for other regions and species.” The Project Steering Group includes members of the Scottish Government, SNH, Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB, the Scottish Raptor Study Group, Scottish Land and Estates, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, British Association for Shooting and Conservation.