www.birdforum.net After near extinction, Britain's biggest bird of prey was reintroduced into Scotland half a century ago. Hailed as a success, the white-tailed eagle may be under threat again. The population remains small, vulnerable and limited to just one area of the country.
The eagle occupied Great Britain and Ireland since the dark ages. By the time of the Industrial revolution, an estimated 90% were lost. Destruction of habitat and human persecution drove the species to extinction in the early part of the 20th Century, when the last pair nested on Skye.
The bird's reintroduction to Scotland with an attempt to put the species back on Fair Isle seems to have been a huge success. In the face of their critics, the birds not only survived, but gradually grew in numbers until they started to spread around the Western Isles. A report from RSPB says that 'eagle tourism' has contributed to the island of Mull's economy.
Tip to talon, the white tailed eagle' length is 80 cm, with a wingspan of 2.2 metres. The bird's diet consists of fish, birds, mammals, eggs and carrion. It lives on seacoasts, rivers and large lakes.
The eagle occupied Great Britain and Ireland since the dark ages. By the time of the Industrial revolution, an estimated 90% were lost. Destruction of habitat and human persecution drove the species to extinction in the early part of the 20th Century, when the last pair nested on Skye.
The bird's reintroduction to Scotland with an attempt to put the species back on Fair Isle seems to have been a huge success. In the face of their critics, the birds not only survived, but gradually grew in numbers until they started to spread around the Western Isles. A report from RSPB says that 'eagle tourism' has contributed to the island of Mull's economy.
Tip to talon, the white tailed eagle' length is 80 cm, with a wingspan of 2.2 metres. The bird's diet consists of fish, birds, mammals, eggs and carrion. It lives on seacoasts, rivers and large lakes.
www.elcivies.com The UK population of white-tailed eagles is still only about 60 pairs almost 40 years after the reintroduction began. Young, inexperienced eagles face the hazards of power lines or vehicles as well as bait used by some managers on the mainland, where many people object to the bird taking over their area.
I would love the white-tailed eagle to be on a par with the great American bald eagle pictured on the left, which has been taken off the endangered species list since 1977.
There will always be people for and against any new project. What do you think about man's constant meddling with nature?
I would love the white-tailed eagle to be on a par with the great American bald eagle pictured on the left, which has been taken off the endangered species list since 1977.
There will always be people for and against any new project. What do you think about man's constant meddling with nature?
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