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Rarities & Conservation: Golden Eagles Could Soon Soar Over England Again
19 August 2025
By James Hamilton
By James Hamilton
Golden eagle by John Wright / SOSGEP
Golden eagles could soon return to England. A new study by Forestry England has found that there is now enough suitable habitat to support their comeback.
The birds are still occasionally spotted in Northumberland, but these individuals are thought to have flown in from strong populations in southern Scotland.
The last English golden eagle, a solitary male in the Lake District, was recorded until 2015. His disappearance marked the end of a species that had once been widespread before persecution and habitat loss drove them out.
Conservationists are looking to the highly successful South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project as a model. Since 2018 that scheme has boosted numbers from just a handful of pairs to over 50, the highest total in three centuries.
If approved, the English project would release young birds taken from broods of two in strong populations further north. The chicks would be carefully raised with minimal human contact and then released at selected sites in northern England. At first, they would be supported with supplementary feeding stations until they were confident hunters.
For birdwatchers, the habitat looks promising. Upland moors offer plenty of prey, including red grouse, rabbits, hares, deer calves and even fox cubs. The open landscapes of northern England, already home to hen harriers, peregrines and short-eared owls, could soon once again feature the silhouette of Britain’s second-largest raptor.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has expressed support for the plan. Any release would be carefully monitored under international reintroduction guidelines and overseen by Natural England.
For birders, this could mean that before long, scanning the skies over the Pennines or the Lake District might bring the unforgettable sight of a golden eagle soaring on broad wings.
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