"John Power of Waterford For Nature confirmed to WLRFM that the county now has a successful breeding pair of White Tailed Eagles - the first since the 1800s. The pair - known as K and L - were introduced to the southeast a number of years ago and have now successfully raised a chick. "This is the first White Tailed Eagle breeding success in Waterford in upwards of 200 years," he said. "We are absolutely thrilled.""
"Ireland is a natural habitat for eagles given the plentiful food sources on both land and sea. However, the great raptors were driven to extinction by a variety of factors. These ranged from hunting, egg stealing, deliberate nest destruction and loss of breeding habitats. Eagles went extinct in Ireland in the 19th Century. However, the raptors remained plentiful in northern parts of Europe, especially Scandinavia."
"Since 2007, Ireland has been reintroducing eagles with the backing of Norwegian wildlife services who have supplied young birds to support the programme. Over the past 18 years, a total of 245 young eagles have been reintroduced to Ireland. The National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) coordinates the reintroduction programme and have been delighted to see eagles establish breeding territories in Cork, Clare, Tipperary, Galway and Waterford."
Waterford now hosts a successful breeding pair of White-tailed Eagles, the first since the 1800s, after introduced birds K and L raised a chick. Ireland provides plentiful food on land and sea, but White-tailed Eagles went extinct in the 19th century due to hunting, egg stealing, nest destruction and habitat loss. Reintroduction began in 2007 with support from Norwegian wildlife services. Over 18 years, 245 young eagles have been released. The National Park and Wildlife Service coordinates the programme and records breeding territories in Cork, Clare, Tipperary, Galway and Waterford. The eyrie is kept secret and the public are asked not to disturb the birds.
Read at Irish Independent
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