Returning white-tailed eagles to South-East Wales and the Severn Estuary

A species in need of recovery

White-tailed eagles (Eryr y Môr in Welsh) once soared across Wales and much of the UK, but persecution drove them to extinction across the British Isles by 1918. Their comeback story began in 1975 on the Isle of Rum in Scotland, and efforts have since been sparked in Ireland and England. Wales is now the only country in the British Isles that has not yet restored this iconic species to its waterscapes and skies.

The white-tailed eagle is the UK’s largest bird of prey, boasting an impressive eight-foot wingspan. Adults are striking, with a pale head and neck, and the iconic white wedge-shaped tail that gives them their name.

Learn more about this iconic predator:

Why white-tailed eagles matter

White-tailed eagles are the largest eagles in Europe and sit at the top of their food chain. This means they help keep certain prey species in check, preventing overpopulation that can put a strain on habitats. When apex predators like these eagles thrive, they bring what ecologists call “top-down” control to the ecosystem, which nurtures biodiversity and supports the overall health of our wetlands.

Wetlands are some of our most threatened ecosystems, despite playing such a vital role in protecting our climate, water quality, and biodiversity. White-tailed eagles support this delicate balance by controlling prey populations, which helps prevent overgrazing and reduces soil erosion. In essence, these majestic birds are nature’s allies in the restoration of healthy wetlands.

Learn more about the role of white-tailed eagles in a Welsh landscape:

Working together to restore ecosystem balance

Working alongside Eagle Reintroduction Wales (ERW) and Gwent Wildlife Trust, WWT is leading a partnership to restore white-tailed eagles to south-east Wales and the Severn Estuary. The British Bird of Prey Centre are also playing a vital role in education and engagement, helping people connect with white-tailed eagles up close before they return to Welsh skies.

Through this exciting project, we aim to release up to 60 young eagles and, in time, establish a breeding population in Wales once again. These efforts will complement reintroduction efforts across the British Isles, Scotland and Ireland, as well as further into Europe.

The project rests on three pillars:

Reintroduction and monitoring
Education, engagement and communications across England and Wales
Science and research

White-tailed eagles were once a natural part of the Welsh landscape and an integral part of its culture. Together, we’re pleased to be working with local communities to welcome this iconic species back to our waterways and skies.

Looking ahead

In March 2025, we submitted a license request to Natural Resources Wales to progress our reintroduction project.

By returning these iconic and charismatic birds to the Welsh landscape, we hope to nurture not just a single species, but entire ecosystems – bringing life and balance back to our wetlands, one majestic wingspan at a time.

It is very possible that in the coming years that you could see a white-tailed eagle soaring over the rivers, lakes, wetlands and estuaries of south-east Wales and the Severn Estuary, including at either WWT Llanelli, WWT Slimbridge or WWT Steart Marshes.

In the meantime, we’ll use this project page to update you on our progress.

You can find out more about white-tailed eagles below.

: At this stage, the likelihood of seeing a white-tailed eagle at WWT Slimbridge and WWT Llanelli is very low but not impossible. Our reintroduction project is still in its very early stages, and we'll keep you updated on its progress. White-tailed eagles are, however, regular visitors to our WWT Arundel site due to it’s close proximity to the Isle of Wight reintroduction project.

: Evidence from Europe suggests that white-tailed eagles cause similar or even less disturbance to waterfowl and waders than predators like peregrines, marsh harriers, and greater black-backed gulls. Birds quickly adapt to eagles being around, and we know that the wild birds that use our sites on the Severn Estuary to rest, feed and breed are very used to encountering predators like white-tailed eagles along their migration routes.

Since the release of 37 white-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight in 2019, there have been no reports of eagles taking lambs, livestock or poultry. In Scotland, where this can occasionally occur, eagles typically scavenge dead lambs or take small, weak individuals during bad weather or in biologically poor areas. However, this is rare and mostly limited to certain regions of Western Scotland. Nature Scot has found their impact on livestock farming to be minimal.

With an abundance of wild prey in south-east Wales and the Severn Estuary, including waterbirds and fish, and a different livestock farming system in south Wales, white-tailed eagles are not expected to pose a significant threat to farming or domestic animals.

: White-tailed eagles do not pose a threat to pets or people. If you are lucky enough to encounter an eagle while out walking, we suggest keeping a respectful distance.

: Across Europe, white-tailed eagles coexist with a range of wildlife. There is no evidence to suggest white-tailed eagles have any negative ecological impacts on particular species. These birds have broad and varied diets, and favour the most seasonally abundant prey, including carrion. It’s also important to remember that these birds are opportunistic, and will hunt injured, sick and dying wildlife.