From the Guardian · · 3m
Eagle reintroduction threatens seabird colonies, experts warn
Plans to release white-tailed eagles in England and Wales risk destroying endangered seabird populations already in decline, conservationists say.
In brief
Plans to release white-tailed eagles in England and Wales risk destroying endangered seabird populations already in decline, conservationists say. Ecologists warn that reintroducing white-tailed eagles to England and Wales could wipe out vulnerable seabird colonies already weakened by population declines. Originally…
Eagles back after a century
White-tailed eagles were driven to extinction in Britain in 1918. Their return in recent decades has been a major conservation success, with over 200 breeding pairs now in Scotland.
New releases planned for Wales and Exmoor
Proposals would release up to 60 eagles in Gwent, south Wales, plus 20 young birds over three years on Exmoor. An eagle from the Exmoor release was recently sighted over Skomer, a renowned seabird sanctuary.
Seabirds already in trouble
British seabirds have suffered the worst declines of any bird group over the last five years, with populations falling by a fifth. South Wales seabird populations are relatively healthy but remain vulnerable.
Which species are at risk
Puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars and kittiwakes could see breeding populations collapse if large numbers of white-tailed eagles are released, according to ecologists and conservationists.
The overlooked threat
Tim Birkhead, emeritus professor of ecology and evolution at the University of Sheffield, said the impact on seabird colonies has been completely overlooked in the enthusiasm for reintroduction.
“Amidst all the excitement and enthusiasm for reintroducing white-tailed eagles, the fact that these birds will probably destroy our seabird colonies seems to have been completely overlooked.”
Conservationists divided
The Gwent Wildlife Trust supports the proposed Gwent reintroduction. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales opposes it, citing alarm about eagle impacts on cliff-nesting seabirds.
Indirect damage may be worse
Beyond direct predation, white-tailed eagles cause adult seabirds to desert breeding sites through fear, exposing chicks to predation by gulls and corvids. This indirect effect could be much greater than direct killing.
Scandinavia offers a warning
A 2023 scientific paper found that in northern Norway, increasing white-tailed eagles accelerated the loss of a kittiwake colony in Røst in 2020 by many years.The colony was already declining but eagles worsened the collapse.
Experts urge caution on Wales
Annette Fayet and Tycho Anker-Nilssen, co-authors of the Røst study, said they cannot assume Norway's situation will repeat in south Wales but find it impossible to rule out something similar could happen there.
Supporters say risks are manageable
Geoff Hilton, head of wetland evidence at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust leading the Gwent reintroduction, said eagles are generalist feeders.
Decision expected by year end
Natural Resources Wales is assessing the Gwent reintroduction application. A verdict is expected by the end of this year, with public consultation from late 2026 into early 2027 before any final decision.
What matters most
Ecologists warn that reintroducing white-tailed eagles to England and Wales could wipe out vulnerable seabird colonies already weakened by population declines.
