A pioneering conservation project in southern Scotland is preparing to extend its efforts into England and Wales, with the goal of reintroducing the golden eagle to the English uplands. The project has already seen a dramatic rise in eagle numbers in Scotland, and now it hopes to carry that success further south.
South of Scotland Project’s Success
For six years, the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP) has worked to reintroduce golden eagles to rural parts of the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. Initially, young eagles were relocated from the Highlands to these areas, where the population has since grown from a mere handful to about 50. Dr. Cat Barlow, the project manager, highlighted the project’s next phase, which aims to establish a stable golden eagle population in England’s uplands.
In 2018, when the project began, golden eagles were a rare sight in the south of Scotland. However, with careful management, the reintroduced eagles have found success in the region. The South of Scotland now hosts its largest golden eagle population in 300 years. Dr. Barlow is optimistic that similar efforts in England and Wales could lead to the same outcome, as golden eagles do not recognize national boundaries.
Plans for Expansion to England and Wales
The ambitious expansion into England and Wales comes under the guidance of the new charity, Restoring Upland Nature. This organization, which has taken over the SSGEP, aims to build on the success of the Scottish project and spread it across Britain. Dr. Barlow believes the project has proven that with the right support and planning, reintroducing golden eagles can be a viable option.
Golden eagles were once widespread in England and Wales but were wiped out by the mid-19th century due to relentless persecution by farmers and shooting estates. A brief resurgence occurred in the 1940s and 1950s after World War II, but numbers quickly declined once again. The last known resident golden eagle in England vanished in 2015, making it crucial to ensure the species’ reintroduction succeeds.
A Collaborative Approach Across Britain
Restoring Upland Nature’s plan is not limited to the Scottish expansion; it also includes a collaboration with Eagle Reintroduction Wales, a project already exploring reintroducing the species to Wales. The project has reached the feasibility and consultation stages, with plans to import chicks from Scandinavia to help repopulate the area. As part of these broader efforts, the SSGEP’s success will serve as a model for future reintroductions across Britain.
The golden eagle’s return to Britain would be a significant environmental victory. These magnificent birds are iconic symbols of the wild and play an important role in the ecosystem, particularly in controlling smaller predators. The reintroduction could also have positive impacts on tourism, as bird watchers flock to see these rare creatures.
Local Community Support and Future Challenges
The reintroduction efforts have already received widespread support from local communities in southern Scotland, where volunteers, landowners, and stakeholders have embraced the project. Dr. Barlow noted that this support will be crucial as the eagles begin nesting and settling into their new habitats. The next challenge will be to ensure these communities are well-equipped to support the growing population of golden eagles.
The task of supporting landowners as the eagles establish themselves in the landscape will be part of the larger mission of Restoring Upland Nature. The charity plans to provide resources and guidance to those living in the regions where the eagles will be released, ensuring that they can co-exist with the birds and help protect them. The project’s success in Scotland has proven that this kind of collaboration can yield positive results for wildlife conservation.
In Wales, meanwhile, the feasibility study led by Eagle Reintroduction Wales has already identified key areas where golden eagles could thrive. The project aims to reintroduce the birds in the coming years, with the first chicks expected to arrive from Scandinavia soon. This collaboration is just one of many in the works to ensure the golden eagle’s return to Britain.
