In the last few years eagles have been re-introduced to the Isle of Wight with plans for up to sixty in the coming years. With a wingspan of just under 2.5 metres, they have earned the nickname of ‘flying barn doors’. They can be spotted all over the island but with a favourite diet of fish and water birds they are often seen hunting over the Solent and surrounding estuaries, with the woods and cliffs of the island making quiet areas for them to rest. A joint conservation project between Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, the eggs are collected under licence from Scotland and the birds were reared in a secret location on the island before release to the wild. They can fly significant distances in a day and the island’s eagles have been found as far away as South Scotland, Norfolk and Yorkshire before returning to their home.
Updates on the latest movements of the eagles can be found here
Whilst you are on the Isle of Wight why not try:
Walk to the Isle of Wight’s highpoint on St Boniface Down
Enjoy a swim and crab pasty at Steephill Cove
The Needles and Tennyson Down circular walk
Circular walk St Catherine’s Oratory
Wildlife walk at Newtown and Shalfleet