White-tailed eagles to return to Exmoor after more than 200 years

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"Once widespread across England, white-tailed eagles the country's largest bird of prey are set to make a return to Exmoor after more than two hundred years. Raptor persecution along with habitat loss meant the last breeding pair was recorded in southern England in 1780, until modern reintroduction programmes have returned these enormous predators to the skies."

"The reintroduction project in Exmoor will add to an existing programme of releases of white-tailed eagles, also known as sea eagles, which began on the Isle of Wight in 2019. Up to 20 young eagles are set to be released from the Exmoor location over the course of three years, and releases will take place at both locations this summer."

"It is hoped that the new project will link the population of birds in the Isle of Wight to the open moorland, woodlands and hills of Exmoor National Park which straddles west Somerset and north Devon. The species formerly bred along the Exmoor coastline, and in recent years the eagles have routinely visited the area."

The Independent supports on-the-ground journalism across major issues including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, emphasizing separating facts from messaging. It describes funding models that avoid paywalls so reporting and analysis remain accessible to everyone who can afford to pay. Separately, white-tailed eagles are planned to return to Exmoor after more than two hundred years. Raptor persecution and habitat loss ended the last breeding pair in southern England in 1780. Modern reintroduction programs have already returned the species to the skies, including releases that began on the Isle of Wight in 2019. Up to 20 young eagles will be released from Exmoor over three years, with releases also occurring at both locations this summer, aiming to link populations to Exmoor National Park habitats.

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