White-tailed eagles have brought millions of pounds worth of tourism to an island in Scotland, according to a study.
The rare birds, part of a programme to reintroduce the species to Scotland, are now thought to help generate at least £5 million for Mull.
The survey, by Progressive Partnership on behalf of RSPB, said income from tourists on Mull has tripled in five years.
Affectionately known as “flying barn doors” because of their eight-foot wing span, the eagles were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 19th century.
The reintroduction programme involves RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.
The birds were reintroduced to the west coast of Scotland in the 1970s, and to the east coast five years ago. Plans to bring them back to England were shelved last year because of spending cuts.
The birds are now thought to bring at least £5 million into the Mull economy every year, up from £1.4 million when the last study took place in 2005.
The tourism the birds help generate is also said to support 110 full-time equivalent jobs, up from 36 in 2005, and £2.4 million of local income.
The survey asked 1,200 visitors to Mull what their reasons were for travelling to the western island. Almost a quarter said the eagles were an important factor in their trip. The report then used economic modelling to work out what proportion of the total money tourists spent on Mull could be attributed to the eagles.
VisitScotland has said white-tailed eagles account for around half of all inquiries in the summer months at their information centre in Craignure, the island’s main ferry terminal.
RSPB Scotland’s Mull officer Dave Sexton said: “This survey backs up previous studies looking at just how much wildlife tourism contributes to the Scottish economy, a strong argument for investing further in nature conservation projects.
“And, of course, these figures say nothing about the additional benefits these projects can bring to our health and well-being, as well as the sheer exhilaration of simply watching these incredible birds soaring free.
“Living and working with predators like eagles also has its challenges and we should be grateful for the work of farmers and land managers who have an essential role in safeguarding them for the nation.”
Half the income generated from visitors to the world’s only white-tailed eagle hide at the Forestry Commission Scotland’s property at Loch Frisa, Mull, is distributed to local good causes on Mull and nearby Iona.
In 2009 more than £20,000 was raised, which was used by local groups the Girl Guides and the Piping Society, and helped pay for the restoration of war memorials and church benches.