By Our Environment Correspondent
The golden eagle, once driven to extinction in much of the United Kingdom, could soon reclaim its skies over England in what conservationists are calling a landmark moment for British wildlife.
Once widespread, the eagle’s English population was wiped out by the mid-19th century, with only a handful clinging to the remote Highlands of Scotland. Today, thanks to decades of protection and careful management, Scotland now holds around 500 breeding pairs, the highest number recorded in modern times.
A major boost came with the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, launched in 2018, which translocated young birds from the Highlands to the Borders. Around 40 juveniles have since been released, swelling the southern population to nearly 50 birds—a figure not seen in the region for more than three centuries. These young eagles have not stayed put; some have been tracked soaring as far south as Yorkshire and the Forest of Bowland, sparking hopes of natural recolonisation.
Now, Forestry England and Natural England are exploring whether the same success can be repeated further south. Early feasibility studies suggest the uplands of northern England could once again provide the food and habitat needed to sustain these iconic raptors. Supporters say the return of the golden eagle would not only restore a missing predator but also bring a significant tourism boost to rural economies.
Farmers, however, remain cautious, raising concerns about livestock safety. Conservationists counter that golden eagles prefer wild prey such as rabbits, hares and grouse, and pose little threat to healthy farm animals.
The eagle’s recovery is not without risk. Persecution and poisoning remain real dangers—only last year, police confirmed that a released eagle, “Merrick,” had been illegally killed. Yet with tighter protections, community engagement and careful planning, experts believe England may soon welcome its first breeding pairs in more than 150 years.
For now, the golden eagle remains largely a bird of the Highlands. But with nearly 550 individuals now recorded across the UK, its powerful silhouette could soon become a familiar sight once again in English skies—a triumphant return of one of Britain’s most majestic hunters.
