SIX young white-tailed eagles have been secretly released on Exmoor in the latest lost species reintroduction in the national park.

Commonly known as sea eagles, they play a key role in supporting biodiversity and are the first in more than 200 years to call Exmoor their home.

A number of the eagles have been recorded visiting the national park since Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation re-established a population on the Isle of Wight in 2019, with 45 birds having been released in total.

Several of those birds are now breeding and three years ago the project celebrated the first white-tailed eagle chick to be born in the wild in southern England since 1780.

Now, the team is working with Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) to release further white-tailed eagles in a bid to boost the population and expand their breeding range in the Westcountry.

A white-tailed eagle shortly before its release on Exmoor.
A white-tailed eagle shortly before its release on Exmoor. (RDWF/ENPA)

Up to 20 more young birds will be released on Exmoor over the next three years.

Exmoor was chosen as after tracking data from previously released birds showed the area had been frequently visited by several sea eagles and provided suitable habitat.

It was known the species used to breed along the Exmoor coastline, which continues to provide ideal foraging, including an abundance of fish and breeding habitat for the birds.

The six Exmoor birds were collected under a NatureScot licence from the wild in Scotland and brought to Exmoor, where they have been cared for by a team of experts while becoming familiar with their new surroundings.

Before release, the birds were fitted with satellite trackers so their progress can be closely monitored by the project team.

It is expected the young eagles will travel widely across the UK and potentially into Europe before returning to the area to breed when they are four or five years old.

A white-tailed eagle on a feeding table in its pen shortly before being released on Exmoor.
A white-tailed eagle on a feeding table in its pen shortly before being released on Exmoor. (RDWF/ENPA)

ENPA senior ecologist Ali Hawkins said: “This is such an exciting moment for Exmoor and a real boost to biodiversity in the national park, as white-tailed eagles play a crucial role in both marine and land-based ecosystems.”

The foundation’s Zoe Smith said: “White-tailed eagles would have once been a common natural sight across the south west of England.

“After so many years absent from this landscape it is a special moment to be returning them on Exmoor.

“We will closely monitor their progress as they explore and, in time, begin to settle across this region.”

One of the sea eagles which has been released on Exmoor.
One of the sea eagles which has been released on Exmoor. (RDWF/ENPA)

Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said: “We are investing £90 million into species recovery, marking the largest ever Government investment to directly support threatened wildlife.”

Forestry England project officer Stephen Egerton-Read said: “Seven years into the project we can see just how well the eagles are settling along the south coast of England and the really positive reaction the public have to seeing them back.”

However, the reintroduction of the eagles to Exmoor has not been universally popular, with strong opposition expressed by some in the farming community, particularly over fears the birds will prey on lambs and other livestock.