Eagles will return to Wales next year, marking their first appearance in over 150 years, sparking excitement and concern among locals.
Gwynedd: Eagles haven’t been seen in Wales since the 19th century. But plans are underway to bring them back next year. This has farmers worried about the return of a natural predator.
For years, people have talked about reintroducing these majestic birds. Now, researchers are hopeful it will finally happen in 2024.
Sophie-Lee Williams from Cardiff University leads the Eagle Reintroduction Wales Project. The charity WWT is helping to bring more eagles to the UK. They are raising young birds in captivity, using puppets to feed them. This way, the birds won’t get attached to humans before they are released.
There are two programs: one for the Golden eagle and another for the white-tailed eagle, also known as the sea eagle. The sea eagle is the largest bird of prey in the UK, with females weighing around 6.9 kg and having a wingspan of up to 2.5 m. They eat fish, ducks, and even small mammals.
The goal is to reintroduce these eagles to southeast Wales and the Severn Estuary. The last known breeding pair was at Kenfig Nature Reserve in the 1830s.
Golden eagles are a bit smaller, with females averaging 5.2 kg and a wingspan of 2.2 m. They hunt rabbits, hares, and other birds. Their reintroduction plans are still in the early stages.
Rhodri Jones, a farmer in Gwynedd, is concerned about the eagles. He saw one on his land last year and worries about the impact on his livestock.
He described the eagle as amazing but also massive. He was relieved it didn’t cause any issues while it was there, especially since he didn’t have young lambs at the time.
TV ornithologist Iolo Williams confirmed the eagle was a juvenile. Sea eagles went extinct in Britain in the early 20th century due to landowners viewing them as pests. They were reintroduced in Scotland in the 1970s and 1980s.
Farmers often report lambs being killed by eagles, but wildlife charities say the threat is small. More sea eagles were released on the Isle of Wight in 2019, and there were no livestock deaths reported.
Wildlife charities are optimistic about bringing eagles back to Wales soon. The project is led by Sophie-Lee Williams, who is gathering evidence of the eagles’ historical presence in Wales.
According to the WWF, Wales is one of the most nature-depleted countries. Many species are at risk of extinction. Williams’ research shows that both eagle species were once common in Wales.
Sea eagles primarily eat fish and waterfowl, which helps struggling species. Dr. Ruth Tingay noted that reintroducing white-tailed eagles has led to unnecessary fears. Research shows lambs are not a typical food source for them.
Farmers remain concerned. Hedd Pugh from NFU Cymru said Wales has changed significantly. They question if the land is suitable for reintroducing white-tailed eagles.
Pugh expressed worries about the impact on livestock and wildlife. He believes any reintroduction should be carefully assessed, considering the effects on farming and the environment.
Jones added that more control is needed before bringing eagles back. He wants guidance on how to protect his livestock during lambing season.
The Eagle Reintroduction Wales Project has launched a survey to gather public opinions on releasing white-tailed eagles. You can find the survey online.
