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https://www.positive.news/environment/king-of-the-birds-set-to-return-to-englands-skies/>
"One of Britain’s most iconic birds, the golden eagle, could soon soar over
England again after more than 150 years of absence, following new government
backing for a recovery programme that blends conservation science with
community-led action.
Once widespread across England and woven into the country’s cultural fabric –
appearing more than 40 times in the works of William Shakespeare – golden
eagles were driven to near extinction during the Victorian era through
sustained persecution and habitat pressure. In modern times, sightings south of
the Scottish border have been rare, and the last known eagle in England died in
the Lake District in 2016.
Now, a new feasibility study by Forestry England suggests that the conditions
for their return may finally be in place. The research identifies eight
potential recovery zones, primarily across northern England, where landscapes
could once again support sustainable populations of the birds.
Backed by £1m in government funding, the next phase will explore how a
reintroduction could work in practice. This may include the release of juvenile
birds, aged six to eight weeks, as early as next year. The aim is not only to
restore a lost species, but to rebuild the ecological balance that golden
eagles once helped maintain.
“This government is committed to protecting and restoring our most threatened
native wildlife – and that includes bringing back iconic species like the
golden eagle,” said Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds. “We will work
alongside partners and communities to make the golden eagle a feature of
English landscapes once again.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
