The number of sea eagle chicks hatched in Scotland has reached its highest level in 150 years, according to the RSPB.

The charity said that 36 chicks were successfully hatched in 2009, eight more than last year. Two new breeding pairs of the sea eagle, the largest bird of prey in the British Isles, were seen during its annual survey.

The species was hunted to extinction in Britain in the last century but has been reintroduced to Scotland, where there are believed to be at least 200 birds and 46 breeding pairs.

The last of the birds, nicknamed “flying barn doors” because of their 8ft wingspan, were shot in 1918.

The Sea Eagles Project to reintroduce the birds to Scotland started in 1975 and involves RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.

Last year 44 pairs of breeding birds produced 28 chicks, a record year for the species since the project began.

In 2009, two new pairs were found on the Isle of Lewis and Lochaber. A further 20 young birds will be brought to Scotland every year for the next three years.

Five of the eaglets will be monitored to help wildlife experts understand more about their habits and keep up with their progress.

The chairman the Sea Eagle Project team, Colin Galbraith, of Scottish Natural Heritage, said that the record number of the birds now living in Scotland was important progress. “This is the result of a huge effort by many people over the past 30 years,” he said.

“It shows what can be done to reinstate a key part of our natural heritage. It remains important however for the population, especially the newly released birds in the east of the country, to be allowed to fully settle in and establish territories.”

Jeremy Wilson, head of research for RSPB Scotland, said that the sea eagle was an “inspiring” species.

“We are now seeing a steady rise in the breeding population every year, and this will grow further as the juveniles from the east coast reintroduction programme reach sexual maturity in the next couple of years,” he said.

“There are plenty of vacant territories available with natural wild prey species to support these birds. As they continue to spread around Scotland’s coast, this exciting spectacle will be made accessible to people throughout the country.”

Times Recommends

• Why Witherspoon is highlighting domestic violence
• No, MP does not stand for Mostly Plastered
• Don’t bottle out of your champagne moment