Golden eagle was common in Wales
A NEW study has shown golden and white-tailed eagles were once widespread throughout Wales.
Scientists looked at their historical distribution as part of their bid to bring the species, which became regionally extinct in the early 1800s, back to the Welsh countryside.
During their research they gained insights by looking at archaeological, fossil and observational records – and even Welsh place names.
The study also includes the earliest evidence of golden eagles existing in Wales in the Devensian period – the final glacial period in Britain – about 20,000 years ago.
Sophie-lee Williams, 28, who manages the Eagle Reintroduction Wales Project as part of her PhD at Cardiff University, said: “One of the first challenges for our project was to gather evidence of the past distribution of both eagle species to prove they were once historically native to Wales. In other parts of Britain there’s a wealth of data – but in Wales there is a real lack of historical record, so we had to be creative. Our research has shown, without doubt, that both species were widespread and common across Wales prior to the 18th century. We hope this opens up new optimism about restoring these magnificent species to Wales in the near future.”
The researchers gathered 151 historic records for eagles across every county in Wales – 81 for golden eagles and 70 for white-tailed eagles.
“The golden eagles’ core distribution prior to their extinction in Wales centred on the upland areas of Snowdonia,” said Sophie-lee, whose nan sparked her love of wildlife while growing up in Aberdare.
“White-tailed eagles could be found more commonly in southern, lowland Wales, including coastal areas like Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, and Kenfig, Bridgend and Margam.”
The Kenfig area yielded more than 50 years of regular white-tailed eagle records between 1810-60, with one as late as 1906. Golden eagles were frequently observed in Mid and North
Wales.
“We also looked at place-name records incorporating the Welsh word for eagle, which is ‘eryr,’ and found that these records were dispersed across much of Wales.”
“Even cultural references point to their native status. Written records of eagles date back to the ninth century in early Welsh-language ‘englyn’ poems such as Canu Heledd (The Song of Heledd), Eryr Eli (Eli’s Eagle) and Eryr Pengwern (The Eagle of Pengwern).”
The earliest records came from fossilised remains at Cathole Cave, Gower, Sophie-lee said, adding: “It’s quite incredible, really.”
The last breeding records for golden eagles were in Snowdonia National Park, dated between 1820 and the 1850s. Sophie-lee said further analysis was now being conducted to assess whether the modern Welsh landscape could still support both the golden and white-tailed eagle, and to assess whether a reintroduction of either or both eagle species to Wales is a realistic possibility.