Golden eagles’ return to English skies gets government backing

Government Backs Golden Eagle Reintroduction in England

The UK government has committed £1 million to support the reintroduction of golden eagles to English skies, aiming to establish the species as a permanent part of the landscape by next year. This initiative follows the extinction of golden eagles in England during the 19th century due to extensive hunting efforts.

Forestry England, in partnership with the charity Restoring Upland Nature, will initiate a public consultation to determine the best approach for bringing the birds back. While the Scottish border has already seen a successful return of the species, this new project will focus on Northumberland. The charity reported broad public enthusiasm for the eagle’s comeback but noted that farming groups had expressed worries about its potential impact on livestock.

Golden eagles are renowned for their speed and visual acuity. They can achieve velocities up to 200mph during dives and spot prey as far as three miles away. Despite these abilities, they were driven to extinction in England and Wales because of their perceived threat to farm animals and game birds.

After years of research, Forestry England identified eight suitable sites for eagle reintroduction, with Northumberland emerging as the top choice. The study assessed 28 locations, selecting those with optimal climate, terrain, and low human interference. Previously, 28 young eagles from the Scottish Highlands and Orkney Isles were moved to the Scottish border, where they have successfully established populations. However, the birds have only temporarily entered English territories, requiring additional support to expand their range naturally further south.

Support for Species Recovery

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds highlighted the golden eagle’s ecological significance, stating it is “Britain’s second largest bird of prey” and a “keystone species” crucial for ecosystem balance. The UK ranks among the most nature-depleted nations globally, with 2023 research indicating one in six species face extinction risks. The government has previously supported similar projects, such as reintroducing pine martens, beavers, and whitefaced darter dragonflies.

“Golden eagles are impressive and beautiful birds, and one of our only remaining apex predators in Britain. Any predator applies a pressure on a system to balance all the different other animals that are living in that place… allowing space for rarer animals to survive and to thrive.”

Ed Parr Ferris, species recovery manager at Forestry England, emphasized that reintroducing eagles could help manage mesopredators like foxes and badgers. Dr. Cat Barlow, CEO of Restoring Upland Nature, added that the project would not only revive the species but also foster public interest in nature restoration. “It is really difficult to get people excited about peat restoration. But something like a golden eagle can get new audiences excited, and get them aware of how the whole ecosystem can work together,” she said.

Prof. Davy McCracken, from Scotland’s Rural College, questioned the timeline for the consultation, arguing that 18 months might not be sufficient for land managers and farmers to engage meaningfully. William Maughan, chair of the National Farmers Union North Regional Board, stressed the need for “thorough, meaningful, and clear” collaboration with agricultural communities. “Farmers cannot be expected to carry the cost, risk, and responsibility of poorly implemented reintroduction projects,” he warned.