Welcome return as huge eagle seen again after 200 years
A YOUNG white-tailed eagle has been spotted soaring in our skies for the first time in more than 200 years.
The young bird, part of the sea eagle family, is one of many which have been released on the Isle of Wight since 2019 as part of conservation efforts to restore the species to South England.
The project led by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation are monitoring the movements of eagles by small satellite trackers fitted before release.
The bird’s movements were shared with Eagle Reintroduction Wales (ERW) this week, a conservation project that hopes to restore the bird to Wales.
The ERW team, led by Dr SophieLee Williams took full advantage of tracking male G816 movements, habitats and prey as these species commonly prey upon fish, waterbirds and are keen scavengers.
Dr Williams said: “White-tailed eagles used to nest in south Wales. The last nest site was in 1810 at Kenfig Burrows on the Swansea coast.
“So, it is amazing to observe a young eagle soaring the skies of south Wales again and so close to my home in Aberdare”.
Young white-tailed eagles explore far and wide in their early years.
G816, a male white-tailed eagle released on the Isle of Wight in 2020, entered into Wales on Sunday, April 10, and roosted just west of Brecon town.
He spent all day the following day foraging around the River Usk before moving to Llangorse Lake to roost.
Last Tuesday, he spent time roosting and soaring around Llangorse Lake dwarfing the sight of any other birds flying beside him, before moving on and roosting just north of Rhymney.
On Wednesday, G816 enjoyed much of the morning in the open grasslands of Rhaslas common before heading south-east near the towns of Caerphilly, Cwmbran and Newport and flying over the Severn Estuary into southern England.
Dr Williams said “White-tailed Eagles have extreme commitments to birth/release areas.
“Despite a visit to Wales, he has now headed back towards the Isle of Wight.”
White-tailed eagle reintroductions to Wales may only be a wingbeat away as the ERW project is currently working with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to plan and implement a conservation programme.
More information about Eagle Reintroduction Wales can be found at eaglereintroductionwales.com