WHITE‑tailed eagles – the UK’s largest bird of prey, with a wingspan reaching up to 2.5 metres – are set to return to Exmoor this summer after Natural England approved a new three‑year reintroduction licence.
Up to 20 young eagles will be released between now and 2029, expanding one of the most ambitious species‑recovery projects in modern British conservation.
The move builds on the successful programme on the Isle of Wight, where 45 birds have already been released since 2019, leading to the first wild‑born English chick in more than 240 years in 2023 – since followed by five more chicks.
Tracking data from the Isle of Wight birds showed that several eagles regularly visited Exmoor’s coastal woodlands and wetlands, confirming the landscape as ideal habitat. The species historically bred along the Exmoor coastline before persecution drove them to extinction in England in 1780.
A public consultation by Exmoor National Park Authority found 80% support among more than 2,000 respondents – a strong mandate for the next phase of the project. The reintroduction is being led by Forestry England, the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, and Exmoor National Park Authority.
Natural England’s national delivery director, Matthew Heard, described the approval as “a carefully planned reintroduction, grounded in strong evidence and built on collaboration with local communities and land managers”.
Project manager Stephen Egerton‑Read added that the birds were already “forming pairs, establishing territories, and breeding” across southern England – a sign that the species is successfully re‑establishing itself.
While the public response has been overwhelmingly positive, some farmers have expressed concern about potential impacts on livestock. White‑tailed eagles are opportunistic predators, but evidence from Scotland and the Isle of Wight suggests livestock predation is rare and manageable with proper support. Farmer concerns were widely reported in coverage of the approval.
Exmoor National Park Authority has committed to working closely with farmers throughout the transition.
Why white-tailed eagles matter
The return of the white‑tailed eagle is more than a symbolic victory – it’s a major step in restoring lost ecological function. As apex predators and scavengers, eagles help regulate ecosystems, support biodiversity, and draw significant eco‑tourism interest.
This is one of the most high‑profile rewilding efforts in the UK, and Exmoor’s involvement marks a major expansion of the species’ potential breeding range into the South West.
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