The Village Voice Oct /Nov 2019

Isle of Wight - White-tailed Eagle
(WTE) Reintroduction Programme
A lot has been written about the project but
not everybody will have heard about the
incredible journey of the first Eagle to set off
from the Island to the mainland and across
south east England.
The full story of Eagle G3-22 is told on the Roy
Dennis Wildlife Foundation website. Here is a
summary of G3-22’s first flight.
Before release, each bird was checked over by
the Foundation’s Vet and a satellite tag fitted.
Having been passed 100% fit the birds were
let out from their secret pens.
G3-22 has been named ‘Culver’ after Culver
Cliff which was the last place that WTE’s bred
on the Island. Culver is a male bird and was
released on the 22 nd August.
MCV NEWS
www.milfordcv.org
ground before setting off northwards across
the New Forest. He passed east of
Brockenhurst at 955m, crossing north-west to
Blashford Lakes.
Next morning he explored the Avon Valley
before heading close to Stockbridge. He
passed Romsey and followed the River Test
south before roosting north-west of
Lyndhurst. Next morning he crossed
Southampton Water and flew east across the
City at 500m. Continuing east, he passed
north of Portsmouth before turning northeast
to Surrey and onwards to Staines. As he
approached Heathrow Airport he sensibly
turned east heading for central London. At
2.23pm that day he passed directly over Big
Ben at 705m.
He was photographed by a London birder as
Culver flew over Victoria Street. He then
more or less followed the Thames, passing
over Canvey Island and then Southend-on-Sea
before landing on the North Sea coast near
Great Wakering. He flew inland to roost after
an incredible 220km journey.
Next day he set off and flew out to sea but
turned back and headed south towards Kent
and then west into East Sussex.
STOP PRESS: Culver back on Island.
Culver spent his first week exploring the
Island before settling down to roost east of
the Needles on the evening of the 28/8. The
following day he set off and headed north
from Yarmouth to Lymington, which took him
about 15 minutes following the route of the
Wightlink ferry! He flew at about 89m above
Steve or Lorraine Mabbett
lorrainemabbett@sky.com
(01590) 381255 or
(07543) 901324
or
keithmetcalf@btinternet.com
Please mention The Village Voice when responding to adverts
17