Isle of Wight’s got the bird

Is it a plane or is it a bird? If visiting the Isle of Wight you might find yourself asking that very question as the UK’S largest bird of prey has been successfully reintroduced. Otherwise known as a sea eagle, the white-tailed eagle is bigger even than a golden eagle, has double the wingspan of a buzzard, and a distinctive white tail.

After being wiped out throughout the UK, the last breeding pair of the species in the Isle of Wight was recorded in 1780. But having been reintroduced to Scotland there is now a 5-year project to establish them back on IOW. The first juveniles were released in August 2019 and spent spring exploring wide and far over England, startling unsuspecting people who looked up as one went over. However, at least two of the eagles are now settled back on the Isle and seem to consider it home. Follow Sea Eagle England on Twitter: @Seaeagleengland