Natural England - Further information about white tailed eagles
Further information about white tailed eagles
Why do we want white tailed eagles in England?
The framework for the release programme was initiated in 2000 at the International Sea Eagle Conference in Björkö, Sweden which adopted a resolution recommending ‘effective conservation action to restore the species throughout its present and former range’. Although its most recent global threat status was changed from ‘near threatened’ to ‘least concern’ in 2005 the latest estimate of the European breeding population is only 5,000 – 6,700 pairs. This is a small fraction of the former population size and it remains on the UK ‘Red List’, denoting high conservation concern, in the latest assessment of the population status of the birds in the UK (2002 – 2007) in view of its historical population decline.
Our view is that the reintroduction of white-tailed eagles which were once native to England deserves serious consideration. To that end we are undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study into East Anglia as a possible release site for white-tailed eagles.
Did white-tailed eagles used to live in Eastern England?
This possible reintroduction is about restoring white-tailed eagles to parts of their former range where they would naturally be found, were it not for deliberate human persecution in the past. There is good evidence from place names, archaeological evidence and historical accounts that white-tailed eagles were once widespread in England, including the east of the country.
An independent paper, 'The older history of the white-tailed eagle in Britain' by Derek Yalden (British Birds 2007), looks at its former status in Britain, especially England, based upon this archaeological and place name evidence and states that: “this evidence makes clear just how widespread it once was in lowland Britain”.
Sir Thomas Browne describes white-tailed eagles (which he describes as 'fen eagles') as regular visitors to Norfolk in the 17th century. Additionally, there is further independent evidence - bone material - indicating white-tailed eagle presence at a Saxon site in West Norfolk and in a 16th century site in Fishergate in Norwich.
Why choose the East of England?
Our view is that East Anglian habitats will provide the best opportunity for a successful reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to England. Occasionally young white-tailed eagles visit the region in winter, for example a young bird spent two weeks in North West Norfolk in 2005. This gives us a useful indication of how the species behaves in the region.
What do they eat?
White-tailed eagles are generalist scavengers and opportunists and feed on carrion or steal prey from other predators. They also catch live prey including fish, water-birds and medium sized mammals.
We are fully aware that there are a number of concerns from livestock farmers – particularly pigs and poultry. We are, therefore, in the process of undertaking further discussions to ensure we understand and work towards mitigating and managing any possible impacts. The project has contracted the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to work with farmers and landowners to explore these issues in more detail.
What are the consultation and licensing stages?
The white-tailed eagle reintroduction project is currently at the feasibility stage and is looking at many aspects including socio-economic considerations, potential effects on livestock farming and wildlife in the region. Public opinion about a potential reintroduction programme is also being gauged at local consultation events.
The white-tailed eagle is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and requires a licence to be issued to release the birds into the wild in the UK. The licensing process can take up to six months to complete as the Natural England Wildlife Management and Licensing Unit undertake their own consultations with statutory bodies. To further the process of discussion with the Licensing Unit we have formally notified them of our intentions by submitting an outline licence application; we will subsequently submit to the Licensing Unit a substantial amount of technical information as this is developed, and this will include the outcome of our discussions with stakeholders. Submission of the licence application at this stage is simply part of the ongoing process.
Once our feasibility studies are completed the project group will develop firm proposals and undertake a consultation, probably early in the New Year, seperately or jointly with the Licensing Unit, which will be the opportunity for stakeholders to make formal comment based on our proposals. In the next few months we will continue discussions and development of proposals. Several meetings are already planned with local stakeholders and interest groups over the next few months to discuss the project.
Decisions about whether to release white-tailed eagles will not be made until the feasibility study has been completed and a fully informed judgement is made; any releases would then be dependent on the issue of a license.
Where will the donor birds come from?
If the license is granted to Natural England, the RSPB and Anglian Water to release white-tailed eagles in England, then this is only the first step. The project partners would then need to obtain a further license from a donor country which has white-tailed eagles. The preferred source would be Eastern Europe.