Latest news with #Frisa
Times
11-08-2025
- General
- Times
First white-tailed eagle chick fledges in Dorset for 240 years
A record three white-tailed eagle chicks have successfully fledged from two wild nests in England, including the first in Dorset for over two centuries. The chicks were reared by white-tailed eagles released into the wild by a pioneering conservation project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation to return the lost species to England. Two different pairs of white-tailed eagles successfully bred this year, including the first chick in Dorset for more than 240 years, and two chicks raised in a nest in Sussex. • Frisa, Scotland's oldest white-tailed eagle, dies aged 32 A single male chick fledged from a nest in Dorset. The parent birds were released from the Isle of Wight in 2020, settled in Dorset and paired up in 2023. This is their first successful breeding attempt and made more surprising by the fact that the father has only one leg after losing the other four years ago. Two chicks, both females, fledged this year from a nest in Sussex. Both are the offspring of two white-tailed eagles released by the project in 2020. This year's successful breeding brings the number of these birds born in the wild through the project to six. In 2023 a single chick was born, the first in England since the 18th century when the species was lost due to persecution. A further two chicks were born in the summer of 2024. All of the chicks are fitted with satellite tags so that the project team can track their progress. Over the last year they have used satellite data to follow the fledglings as they have explored widely across the UK. White-tailed eagles typically reach breeding maturity at about four or five years old. From the birds released by the project, three pairs have formed and established territories in southern England. Several of the younger birds are also present in potential future breeding areas typically close to freshwater wetlands or the coast, where the birds can catch fish, which is their preferred food. In time, it is hoped that a population of six to ten breeding pairs will become established within 60km of the release site on the Isle of Wight. Roy Dennis, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: 'This is a long-term project and it will take some years before the population is fully restored, but the progress made over the last year has been incredibly encouraging. We have some well-established pairs and two that are actively breeding. We hope to build on this progress and I'm really pleased that we have been able to release an additional eight birds this year to further boost the population. 'I always find it particularly rewarding to see so much support for these magnificent birds and the positive impact they are having on so many people's relationship with the natural world.' Steve Egerton-Read, project officer for Forestry England, said that it was 'such an exciting time but also incredibly nerve wracking'. He added: 'We hope that in years to come these iconic birds will become a much more common sight, inspiring future generations and deepening their connection with nature.' • White-tailed eagles are set to return — and farmers aren't happy White-tailed eagles are Britain's largest birds of prey with a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres and were once widespread across England, but human persecution caused their extinction. The last breeding pair were recorded in 1780 in southern England. In 2019 Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing the birds to the English landscape. To date, 45 young white-tailed eagles have been released. This includes eight released this summer from the team's base on the Isle of Wight. The reintroduction of white-tailed eagles is conducted under licence from Natural England, the government's wildlife licensing authority. Birds for release are collected from wild nests in Scotland under licence from NatureScot before being transported to England with valuable support from Civil Air Support. The birds are subsequently reared and released on the Isle of Wight, all birds released by the project are fitted with satellite tags. White-tailed eagles are a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). Disturbing, destroying or interfering with them and their nests are criminal offences. The specific locations of this year's nests are not being disclosed in order to ensure the welfare of the birds and to prevent any disturbance to them or the landowner this year or if the birds return to breed at the same location.
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
"Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend.' Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle has died in Scotland at the age of 32, RSPB Scotland has announced. The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to "millions" thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2 . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton , who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as "a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild". He added: "As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. "Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. "But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye . Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart." RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland . A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland .
The Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
The UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle has died in Scotland at the age of 32, RSPB Scotland has announced. The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to 'millions' thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2. RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as 'a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild'. He added: 'As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. 'Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. 'But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye. Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland. 'She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart.' RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs of white-tailed eagles in the UK.
North Wales Chronicle
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to 'millions' thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2. RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as 'a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild'. He added: 'As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. 'Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. 'But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye. Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland. 'She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart.' RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. It is with a heavy heart we announce the death of Frisa, the UK's oldest wild White-tailed Eagle. This clip shows Frisa on the very first series of Springwatch in 2005, feeding some of the 25 chicks she raised during her lifetime. Catch the full story on tonight's episode. — RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) June 2, 2025 Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs of white-tailed eagles in the UK.
South Wales Guardian
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
UK's oldest white-tailed eagle dies aged 32
The eagle, a female named Frisa, hatched on Mull in 1992 and paired up with her long-term mate Skye in 1997. The pair raised their first chick on the island in 1998, and went on to raise a total of 25 chicks in their 28 years of partnership. Frisa was known to 'millions' thanks to appearances in a number of BBC programmes over the last two decades, beginning with the very first episode of Springwatch in 2005. Her death was announced on the latest episode of the programme on June 2. RSPB ambassador Dave Sexton, who spent 21 of his 36-year RSPB career working with white-tailed eagles on Mull, described Frisa as 'a very special bird who had touched the hearts of millions who saw her both on TV and in the wild'. He added: 'As Frisa got on in years, I dreaded the day I would visit her territory and find her gone. 'Sadly, that day has come and I feel like I've lost a friend. 'But what a wonderful life she had with her mate Skye. Together they raised 25 chicks, many of which are now breeding far and wide across Scotland. 'She was a true icon for white-tailed eagles and she'll always hold a special place in my heart.' RSPB Scotland said Frisa has not been seen since last year, leading experts to believe she has died either of natural causes, or following an altercation with another eagle. It is with a heavy heart we announce the death of Frisa, the UK's oldest wild White-tailed Eagle. This clip shows Frisa on the very first series of Springwatch in 2005, feeding some of the 25 chicks she raised during her lifetime. Catch the full story on tonight's episode. — RSPB Scotland (@RSPBScotland) June 2, 2025 Skye has also been spotted with another younger female eagle on Mull, which further suggests that Frisa has passed away as white-tailed eagles mate for life. At 31 years of age, Skye now takes on the mantle as the UK's oldest wild white-tailed eagle. Frisa's mother Blondie successfully raised the very first white-tailed eagle to fledge in Scotland following the reintroduction of the species in 1975. The species previously became extinct in the UK in 1918 when the last known native wild bird was shot in Shetland. A reintroduction project on the Isle of Rum using chicks donated from Norway has since seen the species re-establish a self-sustaining population in Scotland. There are now estimated to be up to 200 pairs of white-tailed eagles in the UK.
