Golden eagles have not laid eggs before at such a young age in Scotland. Photo: Maurice Koop CC-BY-ND-2.0

Conservation bodies in Scotland are celebrating success after two golden eagles laid eggs at a record-breaking young age.

But the celebrations were tempered with disappointment by the fact that neither managed to hatch its eggs.

The female birds were just three years old when they produced their eggs. Normally the earliest breeding age is between four and six years old.

There is only one other recorded instance of an eagle laying at the age of three, and that was in Spain.

The birds, in Galloway and Strathspey, were tagged with satellite transmitters and mated with older males in the two areas.

The tagging project was run by the Highland Foundation for Wildlife, Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural Research and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Roy Dennis, director of the foundation, said: “This is very exciting, as it is the first proof in Scotland that golden eagles can breed at three years.

“It shows that when they live in areas with plenty of food and little competition, golden eagles can breed at three years old.

“Unfortunately, the eggs did not hatch but that is not surprising for such young individuals.”

Professor Des Thompson of SNH, who chairs the group running the work, said: “Both areas where these young Scottish golden eagles have bred were previously identified as having several unoccupied territories.

“Previous research has pointed to a link between persecution and younger golden eagles managing to secure territories and attempting to breed.

“The shortage of older females may explain why such young birds have managed to breed.

“Provided the right conditions now prevail – persecution-free, good availability of prey, good weather, and appropriate habitat – then we hope that these birds will attempt to nest again next year and young will fledge.

“This would signal the start of an upturn of the fortune of golden eagles in these areas.”

The golden eagle is the UK’s second largest bird of prey and has a wing span of about 2m.

Immature eagles are distinguished from older birds as they have more white areas on the central wing and inner tail.