Predators the world over grab the headlines as much as they grab our imagination. White-tailed (or sea) eagles are no different in that regard. These colossal raptors with a 2m wing span are a huge draw on Scotland's West coast most notably the Isle of Mull where thousands of visitors flock each year to catch sight of Britain's most impressive avian predator. Following their reintroduction more than 30 years ago using chicks taken from Norway, Scotland's sea eagles have made slow progress with a breeding population of just over 40 pairs. Despite their low numbers they continue to court controversy and claims of lamb predation have been vociferously voiced in Wester Ross where crofters blame the eagles for unusually high levels of lamb losses. These claims are as yet unproven and await the outcome of a research study commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage. Such concerns do little to ease tensions over further releases that are currently being undertaken in Fife as part of the East Scotland Sea Eagle project. Similar concerns are also being raised over possible release sites in East Anglia where conservationists fear the eagles may predate rare birds such as bitterns.