Golden Eagles Could Be Reintroduced to England After More Than 150 Years
“The world is grown so bad that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.” This line from Shakespeare’s Richard III offers a poignant social commentary that resonates increasingly with time.
Amidst many troubling environmental stories, there is positive news: the golden eagle, a bird that Shakespeare likely referenced and mentioned over 40 times according to some scholars, may soon be reintroduced to England after an absence of more than 150 years.
The golden eagle, once common in Shakespearean England, has been largely absent from English skies for over a century. Only a few pairs have been observed in the last 150 years. The species, with its impressive two-metre wingspan, has been effectively extinct in England since the last native golden eagle, believed to have lived alone in the Lake District, died in 2015. This decline was primarily caused by centuries of persecution by gamekeepers and farmers who considered the eagles a threat to lambs and game birds.
Occasional sightings occur in areas such as Northumberland, where eagles cross from southern Scotland, home to a growing population. A recent study published on Sunday identified eight potential “recovery zones” in England, mostly in the north, where the environment could support sustainable golden eagle populations once again. However, it may take over a decade for breeding populations to become established.
Government Funding Supports Recovery Programme
In response to the study, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds approved £1 million in additional species recovery funding to support a programme that could see juvenile golden eagles, aged six to eight weeks, released as early as next year.
“This government is committed to protecting and restoring our most threatened native wildlife – and that includes bringing back iconic species like the golden eagle.
Backed by £1m of government funding, we will work alongside partners and communities to make the golden eagle a feature of English landscapes once again.”
In southern Scotland, golden eagle populations have recovered to record numbers due to a major conservation project. Satellite tracking data indicate that some translocated birds have already begun crossing the border and exploring northern England, according to the government.
The new funding aims to support these birds in settling south of the border, alongside targeted reintroductions. Forestry England’s research suggests that Scottish golden eagles could be regularly seen across northern England within 10 years, though establishing breeding populations will require a longer timeframe.
Collaboration and Community Engagement Key to Success
Mike Seddon, Chief Executive of Forestry England, commented on the findings:
“The detailed findings of our feasibility study will guide us, with our partners, Restoring Upland Nature, to take the next steps to explore the recovery of golden eagles in northern England.
This [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)] funding means we can build on the good work we have begun, taking the time to build support and engage with local communities, landowners and land managers and conservation organisations.”
The £1 million funding is part of a larger £60 million species recovery fund announced by Defra last week. This initiative aligns with the UK’s biodiversity targets to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 and reduce species extinction risk by 2042, compared to 2022 levels.
