Natural England duo expect Exmoor's re-introduced White-tailed Eagles to feed on "fish and coastal birds"

                                                  

Soon to be soaring over Exmoor - White-tailed Eagles

UP to 20 White-tailed Eagles are to be re-introduced  over the next three years to Exmoor in Devon despite opposition from farmers fearful that young livestock could fall victim to the huge birds of prey

Go-ahead for the initiative was today announced by Natural England and the Forestry Commission who have been working on the project with the Roy Dennis Foundation which has extensive experience of raptor re-introduction programmes in Scotland and the Isle of Wight.  

In a statement issued today, Roxannne Gardiner and Olivia Beatty, both of Natural England, say:

"We are aware that some  have raised concerns about the project, especially around livestock predation. 

"Our team have joined meetings with farming sector representatives and read the local consultation responses. 

"These concerns have been fully considered.

"We understand that there are genuine fears but have also reflected on evidence from six years of monitoring the 45 birds released by the Isle of Wight project, and their offspring, which shows no recorded feeding on lambs or other livestock."

So what do re-introduced White-tailed Eagles eat? 

The statement continues: "The Isle of Wight birds have only been observed to take natural prey, preferring fish and coastal birds, which is in line with comparable areas in Europe."

Natural England says there will be a project steering group that includes farming sector representatives.

There will also be a commitment to long‑term monitoring of the eagles’ activities, both through GPS tracking and through activity reporting forms.

The licence duration is for 11 years, by which time the project team reckon released birds should have "settled and begun breeding".