Young white-tailed eagles released on Exmoor

Six young white-tailed eagles have been released on Exmoor, the first there in about 200 years, as part of a biodiversity restoration project.

Six young white-tailed eagles have been released at Exmoor National Park, marking the first time the species has been introduced there after disappearing from the area about 200 years ago. Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation carried out the release as part of a project to restore biodiversity in the region.

An eagle is standing on a forest floor. It has mostly black feathers but some white ones too. It has a dark hooked beak — Image caption, Six young eagles, such as this one, have been released on Exmoor

Up to 20 more young birds are due to be released in the area over the next three years. Angela Eagle, environment secretary for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, said the return of the "majestic" species showed the government's "commitment to reversing the decline of nature and protecting it for generations to come".

What is the eagle project?

The project began in 2019 and has since seen 45 white-tailed eagles released from the population on the Isle of Wight. In 2023, the project celebrated the first white-tailed eagle chick to be born in the wild in southern England since 1780. It is now being extended to include Exmoor.

Why Exmoor?

Exmoor was chosen after tracking data from released eagles showed the area had often been visited by several of the birds. The species once bred along the Exmoor coastline, which still offers ideal foraging, including an abundance of fish, and breeding habitat for the birds.

Earlier this year, the six young birds were collected under a NatureScot licence from the wild in Scotland and brought to Exmoor.

A white-tailed eagle is flying in a white sky with its wings above its body. — Image caption, The chicks have been taken from Scotland and brought to Exmoor

"We're restoring a native species that should be here and has been removed from the landscape."

"We have a lengthy consultation process before we're granted a licence."

Zoe Smith, from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said the scheme only removes one chick at a time from nests, and the birds are checked for bird flu before they are released.

How will the eagles be tracked?

Before being released, the birds were fitted with satellite trackers so their progress can be monitored by the project team. It is expected that the young eagles will travel widely across the UK and potentially into Europe before returning to the area to breed when they are four or five years old.

"This is such an exciting moment for Exmoor and a real boost to biodiversity in the National Park, as white-tailed eagles play a crucial role in both marine and land-based ecosystems."

Ali Hawkins, senior ecologist with Exmoor National Park Authority, said this was an exciting moment for Exmoor and a real boost to biodiversity in the National Park, as white-tailed eagles play a crucial role in both marine and land-based ecosystems.

Are there any concerns?

"From my own perspective I'm quite ambivalent. There's no direct impacts on me at the moment. But there's been problems reported."

"I don't want to see an impact on farming or hares that are around here at the moment,"

"I'd like to see a much more comprehensive plan there."

Robin Milton, a livestock farmer on Exmoor, said he thinks there has to be a proper balance and that he does not want to see an impact on farming or hares in the area. He said he would like to see a much more comprehensive plan.

"Some farmers have raised concerns about this project. We've given them the opportunity to ask questions and we give ongoing support to these farmers."

Zoe Smith responded that some farmers have raised concerns about the project and that they have been given the opportunity to ask questions, with ongoing support provided to them. She added that in Europe, there have been no reports of the same eagle attacking livestock.