White-tailed eagles to be released on Exmoor

White-tailed eagle release approved for Exmoor

White-tailed eagles are to be released on Exmoor this summer after Natural England approved an expansion of a reintroduction programme that has been running on the Isle of Wight since 2019. Up to 20 birds will be released across the national park over three years, with the project led by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in partnership with the Exmoor National Park Authority.

The birds were chosen for Exmoor on the basis of tracking data from previously released individuals, several of which had already been visiting the area. The species is also known to have historically bred along the Exmoor coastline. Forty-five birds have been released from the Isle of Wight since 2019; six chicks have now been born in the wild, the first in England for more than 240 years.

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Farming organisations raise concerns

The announcement has drawn a cautious response from farming organisations. The National Farmers’ Union acknowledged that views are divided – some farmers welcome the birds’ return – but warned that Scotland’s experience should not be ignored. The Scottish Government spent £970,000 last year supporting farmers in managing the impacts of white-tailed eagles on their livestock, and the union said English farmers must not be left to face equivalent costs without support.

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Calls for safeguards for livestock

Andrew Connon, president of NFU Scotland, said any Exmoor release “must learn from Scottish experience and ensure that farmers are supported within their existing farm systems to embed strong safeguards for livestock from the outset”.

Peter Delbridge, chairman of the National Sheep Association and a fifth-generation Exmoor farmer, said: “We don’t want to reach the situation where the genie is out of the bottle and we’re experiencing losses but because they are a protected bird we won’t be able to deal with it ourselves.”

The extent to which white-tailed eagles actively kill lambs, rather than scavenge carcasses of animals already dead, remains disputed. Natural England said the Exmoor licence would be closely monitored.

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Conservationists welcome return of the species

Roy Dennis OBE, founder of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, said: “It is exciting to be able to play a part in restoring these birds back to their former home, and to see how well they are fitting into the English landscape.”