Wildlife experts were stunned when the 10-year-old female – half of the only breeding pair in the Borders – was found dead on an un-named grouse moor.

A reward of £10,000 was put up in a bid to convict the culprits – that was in August and so far no one has been charged.

The dead bird and her partner had two nests on a Peeblesshire country estate and had produced a chick which had fledged when the mother was killed.

There were fears the chick would die but it was brought-up by its dad and later fled the nest leaving downhearted dad apparently on his own.

But new love was flirting nearby. Unknown to the wildlife teams who had been monitoring the situation a second female Golden Eagle had build a nest on the same estate. It’s thought the male may even have been two-timing his long-term partner.

And now they have set up a nest together and are proud parents of a single healthy chick.

Duncan Orr Ewing, head of species and land management with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland, enthused: “It is fantastic that the eagle which was illegally killed last year has been replaced by a new breeding female so quickly.

“However, the Borders could comfortably support at least 10 pairs of golden eagles, yet this remains the only breeding pair.”

The RSPB in Scotland has just launched a campaign, supported by the Scottish Government and landowners’ organisations, calling for an end to the illegal killing of raptors.

Mr Ewing added: This eagle chick offers hope for the future, one where Scotland’s wildlife can co-exist with mankind’s actions in the countryside.”

Doreen Graham, of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said: “It was the shame of Scotland that such an iconic bird was poisoned illegally last year.

“We are delighted to hear a new breeding pair is established in the Borders. The habitat is ideal for birds of prey, but sadly, due to recent persecutions, the area has been rejected as a release site for other species.

“It is vital that the local community help to protect these birds and any illegal activity must be reported immediately.”

Last week TheSouthern told how a Red Kite had been blasted out of the sky with a shotgun and left to die in agony on an upland grouse moor in Berwickshire. It had been shot in a wing and its rear end, and it was later discovered another pellet had ruptured its liver. Experts said Red Kites could not be mistaken for any other type of bird.

Police are still investigating the deaths of both the Red Kite in Berwickshire and the Golden Eagle in Peeblesshire.