As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Monday, 11 May 2020

Britain's largest bird of prey spotted over Saltburn and Whitby for first time in 240 YEARS

Two of Britain's largest birds of prey seen soaring 'over people's back gardens'; they were last seen in England in 1780 before humans killed them off

Britain's largest bird of prey has been spotted over Saltburn and Whitby - for the first time in 240 years.

Two white-tailed eagles have been seen soaring "over people's back gardens" and across the North York Moors.

The stunning birds, with wing spans of up to two-and-a-half-metres, were last recorded in England in 1780, on the Isle of Wight - but were killed off illegally by humans.

A five-year programme by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England to restore the lost species is under way.

It's hoped the birds will start to breed in the south of England. 

But it's North Yorkshire the young eagles seem to prefer - for now.

"At this stage, young white-tailed eagles are quite nomadic, exploring and learning the landscape," says Dr Tim Mackrill, from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.

"The GPS transmitters are a brilliant way of tracking them, sometimes as often as every minute.

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