Welsh Country - Issue88 - May - Jun 19

Re-Introducing Eagles
Back Into Snowdonia
Two years ago I wrote a piece wondering about the chances of
re-introducing Eagles back into Wales. Since then, a lot of
work has been undertaken and an exciting project has
been proposed by Wilder Britain to re-introduce the Golden
Eagle, Aquila Chrysaetos.
The proposed area for the project would be the
mountains of Snowdonia. The name Snowdonia is
historic proof that the Golden Eagle once graced these
mountains and the name Snowdonia was derived from
the term abode/land of eagles. Indeed around twenty
towns and villages in Wales actually have an association
with eagles.
Golden Eagles are an apex predator yet they have a
shy presence. The Golden Eagle is a bird that would
stay well clear of human activity. During their lifetime
once they have bonded with another eagle they will mate
for life. They have their own home range and advertise
this space with long soaring flights notifying other eagles
of their territory. Each home range hosts a number of night
dwellings known as eyries, normally found on high craggy
peaks. They rely on birds and mammals for their main income of
food, however they are also a carrion eating bird, providing us with
a natural dustman of the countryside. These eagles are also very agile
and while they don’t do this too often Golden Eagles have been documented
covering speeds in a stoop of 150 mph to attack their prey.
14
www.welshcountry.co.uk