Plans to return white-tailed eagles to the South of England have taken a step forward after a licence was issued by the Government’s wildlife licensing authority, Natural England.
The licence to reintroduce Britain’s largest bird of prey was granted to The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England who will undertake a 5-year reintroduction programme based on the Isle of Wight.
White-tailed eagles were once widespread across Southern Britain until the 18th century when persecution and human activity lead to the birds being wiped out. The last known breeding place in the region was recorded at Culver Cliff near Sandown in 1780.
The project could give a significant boost to the Island economy after a similar scheme on the Isle of Mull was found to have boosted its local economy by up to £5 million a year.
Roy Dennis, Founder of The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation said:
“White-tailed eagles were once a common sight in England and southern Europe but were lost centuries ago. This project aims to reverse that situation by restoring the eagles to their ancestral nesting places.
“I can remember as a lad walking along Culver Cliffs to see where the eagles had once lived. It is incredible now to be able to play a part in returning these birds back to their home.
“We look forward to working with a range of organisations on the Island, and in the Solent area, to help make this exciting project a success”.
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Bruce Rothnie, South Forest Management Director, at Forestry England, said:
“Our woodlands provide a haven for wildlife and we hope that they will become home to these incredible birds on the Isle of Wight. This long term project is a great opportunity to help to restore the white-tailed eagle to the South Coast of England and we are proud to be involved in helping to bring back this rarest of birds to Britain.”
Reintroducing these birds is a priority in the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan. Implementation of the licence will be closely monitored by Natural England. Public support for the project has been high with 76% of local people surveyed supporting the reintroduction of the birds to the area.
The majestic white-tailed eagle has a wing span over 8 foot and a brown plumage with a pale head and distinctive white tail. Over the next 5 years young birds, bred in the wild in Scotland, will be reintroduced on Forestry England woodland on the Isle of Wight. The young birds will be released once they are familiar with their new home and will initially be fed to encourage them to settle along the South Coast.
It will take several years for the young birds to become established and breeding is not expected to start until at least 2024. During this time the birds will be closely monitored using satellite tracking devices. Data on the movement of the birds will be available on the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation website and once the birds are well established it is hoped that viewing areas can be set up to allow visitors to observe the birds.
The Isle of Wight was chosen as a location for the project given its central position on the South Coast, an ideal habitat for these coastal loving birds. In time it is hoped the birds will spread east and west along the coast and also help to link up existing populations of white-tailed eagles living in Ireland and the Netherlands.
The Island offers an ideal habitat for the birds with its numerous potential nesting sites in woods and cliffs, and is located close to highly suitable foraging areas for fish and other food in the Solent and surrounding estuaries.
UPDATE @ 16:44 – Commenting on the decision by Natural England to license the reintroduction of white-tailed sea eagles to the Island, Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, has said:
“This could be a great leap towards a much wilder future for the Island. The sight of this iconic eagle around the southern English coast cannot fail to inspire people and encourage the kind of love for wildlife which will be vital if we are going to tip the balance in favour of nature’s recovery.
“We have been clear that this programme must help, not hinder, our area’s existing wonderful wildlife and we have been impressed with the work undertaken by the project team to date. We look forward to working together to ensure that this initiative brings real and tangible benefits for the Island’s wildlife and local communities.”
Will they take small lambs to eat
I expect they will
NO
Join the discussion…
Yes, and small dogs, so please keep them on a short lead….
At an NFU discussion the people from this trust admitted that the eagles will take lambs, small animals and ground nesting birds.
Just like the idiots who have released wild boar into the Forest of Dean, where they are now a danger and causing damage, and those talking about reintroducing wolves in Scotland, Of course, in the 18c shepherds were allowed to deal with the problem !! Believe it or not I enjoy the Island’s wildlife but let’s be sensible about it.
What about our small pets – cats, dogs – how will they be kept safe?
Back in the 1700’s there was probably a plentiful supply of fish to eat, that’s now not the case so pur wildlife and small farm animals will suffer, crazy idea!!!
I have read that their main diet consists of fish, rabbits and seabirds. My concern is that if their preferred food is not plentiful, they will start preying on our small animals and birds.
I would not worry about not enough food for them. As they can also be scavengers some enterprising land owner will set up a feeding station like they do in Wales with the Kites and charge people to watch them.
If they go for cats, ill go for them, stupid bringing them here!
Ridiculous. Since these birds last roamed free in this area things have changed and there is no longer space for them to hunt without affecting humans which will end up in them being persecuted again. So called experts again.
People won’t be so pleased to see them when they take their pets or livestock.
Wait what???? Are you all talking about pterodactyls!!
Has this happened where they have been re-introduced? Might be worth researching eh!
Totally agree, Tim. Narrow minded people who have taken no time to do just a little research into their re-introduction to Mull decades ago. Strangely, cats and dogs seem to have survived quite well over that time, as have hamsters, squirrels and small children. I, for one, cannot wait to catch sight of one of these incredible birds – not many people will ever get the chance to see one in the wild so soak it up, people.
76% ?? I find that very hard to believe from people who love our Red Squirrels, dog owners, farmers I haven’t met one person in favour