1 of the 6 white-tailed eagles that were released on the Isle of Wight last month has made an incredible journey from the Island to Essex – via the heart of London.
The huge birds of prey, which can boast a wingspan of up to 8ft, were released in the area of Bouldnor on 22nd August. The Forestry Commission and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation have been working together to reintroduce these animals to the South. It is hoped that a total of 60 birds will be released over the next 5 years at a cost of £250,000.
Each of the juvenile eagles is equipped with a satellite transmitter that logs the bird’s location once every 3 minutes. The tracking gives the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation a fascinating and very detailed insight into their movements.
Whilst 5 of the birds have remained at or close to the release site on the Isle of Wight, one – G3 22 – has surprised all by making an incredible flight over central London to Essex and down towards Kent.
G3 22 is a male from the North of the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and rather than refer to it by its ring number, the Foundation has given it the name ‘Culver’ – a nod to the last place white-tailed eagles were bred in Southern England.
Culver’s journey has taken him across the New Forest, towards Winchester and then back down to Southampton. The eagle has then ventured across Sussex and up through Surrey before flying over central London to Essex, across the Isle of Sheppey and down to the South Coast in Kent.
The other 5 birds are all settled on the Isle of Wight and have been spotted by eagle-eyed bird watchers and photographers alike.
Is there a way we, the reader can monitor the tracker. Totally understand others may use it against the birds
Probably not as it could put the birds at risk from hunters etc
Did he come back to the I of W?
Will be back when had a Orange spray tan.
Must be a Essex bird.