Sea Eagle soaring over Cornwall
THIS photograph captures the moment the skies of Cornwall were graced with a very rare sight.
One of the largest birds of prey in the UK, with its brown body plumage and pale head and neck, the white-tailed sea eagle is an unusual sight in Cornwall the birds are more common in Scotland and have been recently introduced on the Isle of Wight.
The species became extinct in the United Kingdom during the early 20th century and the present population is descended from reintroduced birds, says the RSPB.
It’s believed the juvenile whitetail sea eagle was taking its first trip away from home on the Isle of Wight – and chose to visit Cornwall.
The Roy Dennis Foundation, an organisation that undertakes species restoration work, said on Twitter that satellite data showed that the eagle flying over Cornwall was one of the 2020 juveniles released on the Isle of Wight.
It reported: “The latest satellite data shows this was G463, one of the 2020 juveniles from the Isle of Wight. It subsequently flew west to Land’s End before turning back around and heading east. This is the bird’s first exploratory flight away from the Isle of Wight.”
Martyn Rooney, who captured the pictures, said: “I don’t believe there’s ever been a report of one in Cornwall. They’re normally seen in Scotland although some had been released on the Isle of Wight.
The bird was also seen flying over Hawkers Cove in Padstow on its trip to Cornwall.
A white-tailed eagle is the largest UK bird of prey. Boasting a brown body plumage with a pale head and neck which can be almost white in older birds, the tail feathers of adults are white.
In flight it has a massively long, broad wings with ‘fingered’ ends. Illegal killing rendered these majestic birds extinct in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century, with the present population descended from reintroduced birds.
Versatile and opportunistic hunters and carrion feeders, whitetailed eagles are sometimes known for pirating food from other birds and even otters. They eat largely fish but also take various birds rabbits and hares. Some pairs kill many fulmars, which are thought to be the source of DDT and PCBs (chemicals) recorded in eagle eggs.