Unprecedented numbers of visitors have this year been drawn to RSPB Scotland nature reserves and viewing sites to witness exciting stories of drama, intrigue and survival played out in intimate detail.

Remote CCTV cameras at RSPB Scotland's  'Aren’t Birds Brilliant!' viewing sites - which relay live pictures directly to indoor screens - have attracted more people than ever to get up-close and personal with the country's wildlife without causing disturbance to the birds themselves. Figures just collated over the peak spring and summer period show that more than 70,000 people visited the sites to enjoy the wonders of nature being played out before their eyes.  

With the success of television wildlife series such as the BBC's Springwatch and increasingly sophisticated live-camera technology, RSPB Scotland  - with a range of partners - has showcased the lives of Scotland's wonderful wildlife to tens of thousands of Scots and visiting tourists of all ages throughout 2005. The popularity of wildlife watching is increasingly important to the Scottish economy. Latest figures show that UK tourists alone spend £40 million on wildlife tourism in Scotland each year - in addition to the money spent by visitors from overseas.

Tom Marshall, RSPB Scotland Public Affairs Officer for Central Scotland region commented:

"Most summer seasons are action-packed for our many viewing projects, and this year has been no exception. The popularity of 'Springwatch' sent visitor numbers to the sea eagles rocketing on Mull - with Itchy and Scratchy (the young sea eagles) getting more column inches than 'Big Brother'. The birds have put on a great show across the region, and using the latest camera technology means that visitors are getting the best possible experience of these often very rare birds. The success of programmes like Springwatch and the popularity of our own CCTV viewing sites shows that people enjoy the soap operas of the animal world just as much as those of the human one."

Visitors can still enjoy some of Scotland's rarest raptors - red kites - throughout the winter at Argaty Kites near Stirling, and the Galloway Kite Trail near Castle Douglas.

For more information:

• RSPB
• Aren't Birds Brilliant Campaign
• Argaty Red Kites
• Galloway Kite Trail