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| On the hunt for something to eat - Golden Eagle (photo: Forestry England) |
COULD the Golden Eagle be poised to make a breeding return to England after an absence of more than 150 years?
Once widespread across England and mentioned more than 40 times by Shakespeare, the species was decimated to breeding extinction by persecution, especially during the Victorian era.
The last resident Golden Eagle died in the Lake District in 2016.
But a study published by Forestry England confirms that England has the capacity to sustain Golden Eagle populations.
The following eight locations have been identified as potential 'recovery zones':
* The Cheviots
* North Pennines
* South Pennines
* Lake District
* Yorkshire Dales
* North Yorkshire Moors
* Forest of Bowland
* South-west of England
The Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, has approved £1-million Defra funding to explore a reintroduction programme with the potential for juveniles, six to eight weeks old, to be released as early as next year.
It is not yet known where the juveniles might be sourced.
Says Ms Reynolds: "This government is committed to protecting and restoring our most threatened native wildlife - and that includes bringing back iconic species like the Golden Eagle.
"We will work alongside partners, including Forestry England and Restoring Upland Nature, to make the Golden Eagle a feature of English landscapes once again."
Not everyone will necessarily welcome the reintroduction proposal, with some estates managers, gamekeepers and farmers likely to fearful that such a large predator could put their own livestock and sporting interests in jeopardy.
Last word to Forestry England which states: "Over the next few years, we will work with project partners to:
* Carry out stakeholder mapping to identify people to engage with, listen to and build trust with, leading to detailed consultation with landowners, land managers, farmers, raptor working groups, game keepers, community groups, and conservation organisations.
* Look at local habitat, potential nesting sites and natural prey availability.
* Learn more about how people feel about the possible return of Golden Eagles.
* Share information openly and regularly.
"If the project moves forward, any release of young eagles would only happen once studies and consultation are complete, and if there is strong support from local communities."
Anyone wishing to comment on the proposal is invited to do so by sending an email to: goldeneagleproject@forestryengland.uk
Does the species have breeding future in England? (photo: Forestry England)
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