Forestry England has released a stunning new video filmed on the Isle of Wight documenting the pioneering white-tailed eagle reintroduction project.
Once extinct in Southern England due to human persecution, the project to re-introduce white-tailed eagles to the Isle of Wight has made significant progress since its inception in 2019. The aim is to introduce 60 young white-tailed eagles on the Island in the hope of establishing a local population of 8 to 10 pairs. Previously, the last pair to live on the Island did so in 1780.
The birds in this project are collected from Scotland at between 7 to 10 weeks old and are brought to the Island where they spend their 1st 6 weeks in specialist aviaries before being released in Bouldnor and tracked in order to gather data on their behaviour.
It was expected that the eagles would thrive on the abundant stores of grey mullet and bass in the Island’s waters but the team’s investigations have also uncovered a surprise inclusion in their diet of another species found along the Island’s coastline – cuttlefish.
They have also had no issues of conflict with livestock or pets and the organisations involved are optimistic that, in time, the white-tailed eagle population will become embedded in the Isle of Wight and, eventually, further afield.
Tim Mackrill of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation said:
“This is a bird that should be part of this landscape. This is a bird that we as humans have removed.”
The newly released video can be watched below:
That is a nice photo Linda
I’m looking forward to the day they reintroduce dinosaurs back to the island
Thought we had loads at the moment, Kevin. Think I qualify for a start.
We have plenty.
They move here to retire.
ReeSmog will be visiting soon
Not really critical of this tbh but Red Kite’s would be just as welcome here as a species across the island.Very low key but pleasant a sight to behold when in flight. I suspect also less of a threat to the squirrels here when compared with something the size of a sea eagle? They’re very well established in the south generally but not here seemingly.I think questions need to be asked in WEFminster ?
Red kites are on the Island.