White-tailed eagle chicks have fledged from wild nests in England for the fourth consecutive year, marking a significant milestone for the species’ return to the country.
According to a recent announcement by Forestry England, two out of five released eagle pairs successfully bred and raised their young. The three chicks that fledged were located in Dorset and Sussex.
The reintroduction initiative, a joint effort between Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, commenced in 2019. Since its inception, the program has released 56 white-tailed eagles into the wild, resulting in nine birds born naturally in England.
Roy Dennis OBE, representing the foundation, described the breeding success as another vital step in restoring the species, which was driven to extinction in England by human persecution. The last known pair bred in southern England in 1780.
Dennis praised the skilled wildlife managers responsible for the outcome and highlighted the resilience of the birds, noting that one male adult had lost a leg five years ago yet continued to breed successfully.
He emphasized that restoring a species is a long-term endeavor requiring the cooperation of various communities, particularly landowners and farmers.
Steve Egerton-Read, the white-tailed eagle project officer at Forestry England, expressed delight that the three chicks survived to fledge. He added that they would continue to monitor the young birds as they begin to explore their surroundings.
In addition to the existing releases, the project has expanded its efforts this year. Six additional birds were released at Exmoor National Park in partnership with the Exmoor National Park Authority, marking the first time releases have taken place in that location.
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