Eagles Return to Exmoor After Centuries

The UK government will reintroduce white-tailed eagles to Exmoor National Park in southwest England this summer. Up to 20 young birds will be released over three years to expand the species’ range. These eagles, nicknamed “flying barn doors” due to their roughly 8-foot wingspans, were hunted to extinction in southern England by the 18th century.

This new release site complements an ongoing project on the Isle of Wight, which began in 2019. Since then, 45 young eagles have been released there, with the first chick fledging in 2023—the first born in England in over 240 years. Satellite tracking shows released eagles already frequent Exmoor’s coastline, a historic breeding area.

Some farmers express concern about potential livestock predation, though initial studies of the Isle of Wight birds reveal they primarily eat cuttlefish, rabbits, and other birds. The project continues as researchers monitor the eagles' impact and work with local communities.