White Tailed Sea Eagles, IOW
Comments
-
A recent study has backed up the findings of WTEs not being a threat to farming communities in the south of England as some feared. Sightings of these birds, particularly along the southern counties have been much higher this this.
Clearly a good sign. Then we read of this despicable act and one clearly aimed at our raptors. We can only hope the criminals have been taught a lesson and that fine will deter others from such awful behaviours and practices.0 -
Saw this story and thought you might enjoy it.
0 -
Thanks, WN, most interesting.
To link a coup!e of posts there are some superb photos on the Balgavies Loch Facbook page today of an Eagle, possibly a WTSE, over the Loch and being chased by one or more of the resident Ospreys.
0 -
This is fantastic news and just goes to show that these birds really can live in relatively close proximity to humans as they do in other countries. They just need a little space, tolerance and far less persecution like they and many other raptors sadly suffer.
0 -
More good news, except for fish.
0 -
Hope that they get the go-ahead, but I think they will have a hard job convincing the hill farmers that the WTSEs don't take lambs.
0 -
Thanks, micky, great news. What they need now is for other pairs to breed and read a few females so that in five years or so there are at least one pair of English bred offspring with their own chicks.
1 -
Encouraging news today of this first Northern Irish successful breeding in 150 years. These birds are also breeding close to urban areas in Europe proving that wild remote sites are not essential in the reintroduction of these fabulous birds. The future of British WTEs is rosy.
1 -
Well now it looks as if the Welsh, the last UK nation to get involved in the reintroduction of this iconic species will happen soon. There is hope that when a White Tailed Sea Eagle population has been established around the Severn Estuary the individuals will mix with the newly ensconced English birds. Well done to the Welsh in their efforts to make this happen.
Maybe we will see them frequenting the Wash and coastal areas of Lincolnshire one day soon.0 -
Maybe we will see them frequenting the Wash and coastal areas of Lincolnshire one day soon.
Unfortunately, micky, that won't be from the once proposed rehoming of them in Norfolk as that project has been abandoned due to pressure from the farming community.
0 -
A few years ago we did have ospreys stay around Barton upon Humber Broads for a week or so and they make transitory stops here most years whilst on migration. Similarly, White Tailed Eagles have been spotted across Lincolnshire in recent decades so a naturally occurring ‘occupation’ is possible but unlikely. Both species do need a help I think but the irrational behaviour of those who really should know better thwarted the Norfolk Project. What a shame, money and ‘influence’ won over. May be Lincolnshire folk would be more understanding. I’d like to think so.
1 -
Four White-tailed Eagles were seen interacting in the harbour during most recent Winter Safari at Poole Harbour. These were the resident pair and 2 young birds exploring from the 2023 year of reintroductions on the Isle of Wight.
1 -
The Welsh White Tailed Eagle Project is gaining momentum. Of course there will be those that will object, but what an opportunity to build more UK populations and educate those who really should know better.
1 -
There are going to be more consultations about the reintroduction of these magnificent birds into different areas. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of them will be.
0 -
An interesting read, nelliethehooker. There are reports from around the world where these birds will, and can, live in areas close to urbanisations. They are a keystone predator but prefer scavenging although they will take out the ill and weaker smaller/medium sized mammals and birds up to the size of geese. In this way they help clean up the environment and keep natural ecosystems strong. I’d love them to have the chance to spread naturally into old habitats around the UK but sadly this needs to be assisted and ill informed attitudes need changing as this happens. Those currently assisting the spread of these birds are doing a sterling job in kick starting the natural spread and reintroduction.
1 -
Having them in Scotland, they do look to be more of a problem than a benefit. They take lambs in numbers that are making sheep farmers worry about their own future and even seem to be hunting together to attack sheep.
I have seen all of the arguments but we were managing quite well without them and that nature had long since adapted to their absence. I do wonder if we are just asking for trouble bringing in these birds which are larger and more powerful than any others here, killing far too many animals with no real benefits.
I am not sure that being able to see them is a good reason and they seem to add nothing practical to the countryside. I know it is not fashionable but before we go for rewilding with creatures we have lost, we do need to ask if it will benefit us and the countryside. As far as I can see they do not.
0 -
We have so upset the natural balance, Wildwood that creatures which help maintain balanced and healthy ecosystems have, in the past been removed for rather selfish and bogus reasons. Look at the chronic problem we now face without them, deer populations run rampant and are causing far more damage to the environment including both pastoral and arable farmers than the eagles do. Look at the problems with geese, particularly Canada geese and the huge numbers grazing on crops right now. Look at the countries where WTE flourish across Europe and further afield, many seem to coexist with humans pretty well and with governments helping them by ensuring farmers do not legitimately loose out, in fact some suggest the farmers are better off in several ways with eagles present. Unfortunately old habits, opinions and false beliefs are being perpetuated by a few powerful people which hinders repairing the environment . That balance can be found, the evidence and data is out there and it’s a healthy one, we just need to open our eyes and minds and try harder.
1 -
I remember sitting down in Germany and watching Ospreys catching, or in the case of a Juvenile trying to catch, fish from a Fishery and their several lakes and whilst there a local German starting talking to us. He spoke excellent English. I asked him whether the birds were accepted. He knew the owner of the lakes and said that he, the owner, welcomed them. They were, if I understood him correctly, part of the landscape, returning year after year to nest in the same place and so continuity was the order of the day. He also stated that the White Tailed Sea Eagles were treated in the same manner. I asked him about the financial side. He didn't know but did say the owner wasn't short of the odd Euro.
I have no idea whether the owner was receiving recompense from the local govt. or not but the idea of the owner looking upon the birds as a social harmony and his role in maintaining it was pleasing. It can be achieved.
1 -
Totally agree Wherenext and there are farmers and folk in farming communities here in the UK who think likewise.
But let’s look at some numbers. Each year approximately 47 million common pheasants and 10 million red-legged partridges are deliberately introduced into UK habitats. Both species are non native to the U.K. and, despite the first thoughts of many, they do have a significant and profound detrimental effect on the ecosystem and natural habitats into which they are released in such huge quantities.
Further more, those millions of non native birds mentioned are pretty much blasted out of the skies just for fun and do not survive the season. Yes, a very few end up on our tables and a few more in pet food but worryingly these birds have high levels of toxic lead in their bodies and can be dangerous to both us and our pets. The rest are just disposed of to rot in land fill or worse still deliberately dumped and so littering the countryside.
Unfortunately some are vehemently opposed to just a tiny number of our indigenous eagles just attempting to exist, or being helped to exist across the British countryside today.
Where is the balance and common sense that you illustrate exists in Germany? There is a place, a natural place, for raptors like the WTEs here in the UK, we just need to be more enlightened and have a positive and healthy tolerance towards them and be sensible about it? The numbers can add up in favour of nature even for us!
0
