Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project Eyes Expansion into England

A pioneering conservation initiative in the south of Scotland is now aiming to reintroduce golden eagles into England and Wales. For the past six years, young birds have been relocated from the Highlands and released into rural areas of the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. The population of these birds in the region has significantly increased, rising from a threatened handful in 2018 to currently approximately 50 individuals. Dr. Cat Barlow, project manager with the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), stated: “We hope our next phase will be to give the eagles a hand to establish themselves in the English uplands.” Golden eagles were eradicated from Wales and England by the mid-19th Century, primarily due to persecution by sheep farmers and shooting estates. Despite a brief reappearance in the 1940s and 1950s, following the two world wars, their numbers gradually declined once more. The last resident golden eagle in England vanished in 2015. A new charity, Restoring Upland Nature, is now overseeing the SSGEP, while also looking to the south to help re-establish the species in England and Wales. Dr. Barlow commented: “We have shown with the SSGEP that if you do it well and you do it right, reintroducing golden eagles can be successful.” She added: “We are at the development stage – and it will take time – but I feel we have a good chance of establishing this iconic species elsewhere.” Dr. Barlow further noted: “Golden eagles don’t see a line on a map and many of the birds we have brought to the south of Scotland are already showing interest in the uplands of England.” Golden eagles were reintroduced to Ireland approximately a decade ago, with the first chick in over a century hatching in 2018. A collaborative project in Wales, led by Eagle Reintroduction Wales, has already reached the feasibility and consultation stages, with plans to bring chicks from Scandinavia. The new Restoring Upland Nature charity aims not only to maintain the progress made in the south of Scotland but also to extend its expertise and experience across other parts of Britain. Dr. Barlow additionally stated: “The delivery has been a success in the south of Scotland, but we are not quite finished yet – we need to now be able to support landowners and communities as the eagles start nesting and settling into the landscape.” She further explained: “This will be done as part of the wider Restoring Upland Nature charity which will also be exploring opportunities to re-introduce golden eagles into England and Wales.” Concluding, Dr. Barlow remarked: “The project has so far captured the hearts and minds with fantastic support coming from communities, volunteers and stakeholders across the south of Scotland, and we hope that will continue in other parts of the country as we enter the next phase.”