Green Limerick: Eagles have landed - and taken off

TWENTY-four white-tailed eagle chicks have been released around the country, including the Shannon Estuary.

The eagle chicks were released as part of an ongoing National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) programme to reintroduce the one extinct species in Ireland.

So far, a total of 171 white-tailed eagle chicks have been released as part of the programme with a small population of eagles now fledging chicks across the nation.

Over the past week, the 24 white-tailed eagle chicks have been released in locations around Lough Derg, the Shannon Estuary and the west of Ireland.

White-tailed eagles are predators who play an important role in nature and the ecosystem.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, who released four chicks at Killarney National Park as part of the release programme, said: “The juvenile white-tailed eagles we have released this week are joining a growing population across our island. This incredible endeavour is the result of 16 years of work and collaboration, not just on the reintroduction programme, but also on habitat restoration and engagement with landowners to secure their ongoing protection.

“These apex predators perform a vital role in our ecosystems and the sight of them soaring in the thermals is a privilege that everyone who lives in or visits Ireland will now have the opportunity to enjoy. I would like to pay tribute to NPWS staff for their commitment and dedication to this initiative, our international partners from Norway, and the communities around the country who are embracing the return of the white-tailed eagle to our landscapes,” he added.

A comprehensive satellite tagging system is now in place so that the birds can be monitored as they disperse around the country.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien who also participated in the release of chicks in the vicinity of Lough Derg added:

“This reintroduction programme is the result of a combined effort by my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service, participating landowners and communities and endangered species experts. I commend each of them for the role they are playing in protecting these iconic birds of prey.”

Eamonn Meskell from Castleconnell and Divisional Manager NPWS, Killarney National Park who heads up the white-tailed eagle reintroduction Programme added: “There is huge interest from the public in the white-tailed eagle programme. Locations where they are spotted attract many visitors and local interest and we love to hear about sightings of the birds around Ireland and further afield.

“There are great stories to tell about the project. For example, the first Irish-bred female to breed in over a hundred years has fledged seven chicks in three years. In Lough Derg this year for the second time a nesting pair fledged triplets. This is incredibly unusual – even in the wilds of Norway, and it shows how well suited Ireland really is for the white-tailed eagle from both a habitat and a feeding perspective. We’ll be watching this year’s chicks with interest as they mature and hopefully go on to fledge more chicks,” he said.

According to Birdwatch Ireland white-tailed eagles were first reintroduced to Killarney National Park in 2007 and were formerly a widespread resident along all Irish coasts.

They are the largest resident bird species in Ireland, having a wingspan of over two metres, with a body length of around one metre.

They feed on carrion, such as dead sheep and seals, as well as fish and are usually silent when away from nests.