Latest news with #reintroduction programme
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Record breeding year for England's white-tailed eagles as three chicks fledge
Three white-tailed eagles have successfully fledged from wild nests in England, marking a new high for a reintroduction programme on the south coast. Conservationists said a record three chicks fledged from two wild nests, including the first chick in Dorset for 240 years, as well as two youngsters raised in a nest in Sussex. The successful breeding attempts by two pairs of white-tailed eagles brings the total born in the wild through the reintroduction project to six. White-tailed eagles – nicknamed flying barn doors because of their wingspan of up to 8ft (2.4m) – were once widespread in southern England until the 18th century when persecution led to them being wiped out in the region. A project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation began reintroducing white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight in 2019, to bring back a long-lost species to the skies of southern England. The birds, which are the UK's largest bird of prey, have previously been successfully reintroduced in Scotland. Some 45 young white-tailed eagles have been released as part of the English scheme, including eight birds released this summer from the team's base on the Isle of Wight, which provides good habitat for the wetland and coast-loving species. The birds reach breeding age at around four or five years old, and three pairs released by the scheme have formed and established territories in southern England, the team behind the project said. In 2023, a single chick was born – the first in England since the 17th century – and two more were born in the summer of 2024, to the same parents, who have gone on to breed successfully again in Sussex this year. Steve Egerton-Read, white-tailed eagle project officer for Forestry England, said the team had been monitoring the nests for months, describing it as 'such an exciting time but also incredibly nerve-racking'. 'This was especially the case for the pair of eagles in Dorset who were first time parents,' he said. 'It was an incredible moment when we caught our first glimpse of that tiny fluffy chick in the nest, but equally, it is an anxious time as the parents get to grips with what they need to do.' He said it was 'so rewarding' to see the pair of eagles, which are often spotted around Dorset, care for the chick through to fledging, adding he hoped one day the youngster would itself breed in England. And he said: 'Returning lost species like the white-tailed eagle is a key part of Forestry England's approach to restoring biodiversity and helping nature to recover. 'We hope that in years to come these iconic birds will become a much, much more common sight, inspiring future generations and deepening their connection with nature.' Roy Dennis, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to see another year of successful breeding and that two pairs have now reached this key stage. '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,' he said. '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.' It is hoped that in time, a population of six to 10 breeding pairs will become established within 60km (40 miles) of the release site on the Isle of Wight. Conservationists said some of the younger released birds are present in potential breeding areas, typically close to freshwater wetlands or the coast where they can source their preferred prey of fish. A study into the food they are eating in the region shows they are targeting prey such as cuttlefish, rabbits, fish and other birds, and there are 'no conflicts' with farming, despite concerns in some quarters that the birds could prey on livestock such as lambs. In 2022, two released white-tailed eagles were found dead, prompting police investigations in Dorset, which ended after tests on the bird were found to be 'inconclusive', and on the Isle of Wight, where no evidence of an illegal act was found, though the presence of rat poison brodifacoum was found in both. The chicks are all fitted with satellite tags so that the project team can track their progress.
Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Nearly 250 white-tailed eagle chicks released into wild via Kerry scheme
A white-tailed eagle reintroduction programme set up in Killarney National Park has resulted in almost 250 chicks being released into the wild. As the 18-year-long project draws to a close, the initiative has resulted in 245 white tailed eagle chicks being reintroduced, with 26 released in 2025. There are now large numbers of breeding pairs among the established population after an absence of more than 100 years. Once native to Ireland, the white-tailed eagle became extinct in the 19th century due to human persecution. Since 2007, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been working with partners in Norway, along with farmers and communities countrywide to reintroduce the white-tailed eagle and establish a population in Ireland. The white-tailed eagle is a bird of prey and plays an important part in protecting Ireland's biodiversity. READ MORE The programme is ending following several releases around the country this month. Minister of State for Nature Christopher O'Sullivan released four of the chicks into the wild at the Co Kerry park. He said more than 18 years of work and collaboration have led to a 'growing white-tailed eagle population and also has seen habitat restoration and engagement with landowners and farmers' to secure the eagles' ongoing protection. [ White-tailed sea eagles win over farmers thanks to successful Irish return Opens in new window ] Mr O'Sullivan said 'we now have evidence of white-tailed eagles breeding in counties further afield – from the south of the island in Cork right up to Donegal.' 'Whilst we are sad to see the programme come to a close this year, it leaves a lasting legacy in the skies.' All of the chicks are fitted with satellite tags so that their movements can be tracked as they disperse and establish in new areas. The chicks are vulnerable to external factors such as adverse weather conditions, avian influenza, disease, and illegal poisonings. Norway's ambassador to Ireland, Aslak Brun, said eagles are 'once again spreading their wings in Ireland, thanks to wildlife experts and volunteers from both our countries.' The ambassador pointed out that each country has an 'obligation to protect nature and halt the loss of biodiversity. It is my hope that the unique co-operation to reintroduce eagles will serve as an inspiration for other wildlife projects.' It is estimated that there are now approximately 150 individual eagles in the wild in Ireland, enough to maintain and sustain the population. So far this year, the exact number of chicks born in the wild is unknown, but there are 17 known pairs in total. In 2024, a total of 13 chicks were born from 10 pairs of the birds.
