The number of golden eagles in Finland has risen dramatically in just one year, according to the results of an annual survey carried out by forest management agency Metsähallitus.
Eight new eagle territories have been discovered, after the organisation said it would pay €99 for tips about eagle nesting sites.
In total, there’s an estimated 380 nesting territories, with 205 birds hatched. That’s up from just 108 chicks in 2018, and just 98 chicks the year before.
Around 90% of golden eagle territory is found in reindeer herding areas, and the birds like to build their nests in old pine trees or rocky crevices.
This year’s successful breeding season is being chalked up to favourable spring weather, and an abundance of food supplies - like hares.
Golden eagles are considered a vulnerable species of bird in Finland and are protected. Some artificial nests have been build to the south of their current range, to try and get northern populations to spread to the south of the country as well.
