The Bassenthwaite ospreys have provided many of the raptor headlines from Cumbria during the last few years but that situation might change in the near future with the release of red kites in Grizedale forest. When the kites begin to breed they will, no doubt, generate a huge amount of publicity for the people involved and probably some self-congratulatory back-slapping.
As with the ospreys, though, to justify the effort and resources required on this project attention will be diverted away from other species and it is a sad indictment of attitudes and fashion that the species most likely to suffer in this way will again be England’s rarest bird, the magnificent golden eagle.
It is safe to say that the golden eagle has been resident in Cumbria for at least fifty years but its fame has followed its fate. The necessary secrecy which added to the mystique of the early years was replaced by publicity as its breeding status became established but in its decline the cessation of breeding saw interest waver and the loss of an established pair saw professional concern disappear altogether. The RSPB continue to monitor the site but with biodiversity still a buzz-word it is odd that there is no apparent effort or desire to improve the eagle’s status or secure its future in the north of England. So with kites being released nationwide, with ospreys released in the English Midlands and elsewhere and, after Scotland, there being proposals to release white-tailed sea-eagles in Suffolk, of all places, why is there so little effort on behalf of the golden eagle?
The taking of Scottish eaglets for release in Ireland has had some success so why could one female not be considered for release in the long-established and still occupied Haweswater territory here in Cumbria? On a broader scale, why can there not be a golden eagle reintroduction project for the north of England? It cannot be through a lack of suitable habitat or food supply as visiting many parts of the Pennines reveals richer habitat and prey diversity than is found in many Scottish territories and it would take very little effort and resources to improve the situation at Haweswater.
The risk of persecution cannot be an issue either. In fact, some people might consider that to be beneficial because if the general public were prevented from seeing golden eagles by criminals directly linked to field-sports the outcry would be deafening. There would appear to be few good reasons not to take a more proactive approach to golden eagle conservation.
[SinglePic not found]In reality, the problem with eagle conservation has long been largely one of political expediency. It is easier to work with kites, ospreys and sea-eagles because they are more amenable to public display. Regardless of its ‘iconic’ status the golden eagle is apparently too dull to attract the general public in large numbers or to generate significant income. A reintroduction project would not see flocks of eagles coming to feed close to major roads at a set time every day, there would no birds to track to Africa and back every year, and no flying barn doors that would happily spend time at Leighton Moss or Martinmere, just a bird or two that might be seen briefly from several kilometres away or missed altogether as it sits on a rock for hours on end. But is that really a sufficient reason to shun the golden eagle or to leave the remaining Haweswater bird forever trapped in a wasted life?
Historical Information
Eagles first returned to Haweswater about 1967, the first clutch of 2 eggs were laid in 1969 but they were unsuccessful. Geoff Horne removed both abandoned eggs; currently the clutch is retained in Tullie House Museum.
The first male from the territory disappeared in 1976, followed with the loss from the site of a second male in in 2001. The territory is currently occupied by the third male of unknown age.
The first female died in 1981 and was then replaced by a second female which disappeared in 2004.
Successful Breeding Years.
Between the years 1970 – 1996 a total of 16 eaglets successfully fledged from eyries at Haweswater, one single chick in each of the years
below.
- 1970
- 1971
- 1972
- 1974
- 1977
- 1978
- 1980
- 1982
- 1983
- 1984
- 1986
- 1988
- 1989
- 1991
- 1992
- 1996
David Walker (Cumbria)
I try to get to see the Eagle at least twice a year outside the times of the RSPB watches which have now been scaled down to just weekends and Bank Holidays during the summer months. It has struck me just how this magnificent bird has been abandoned and to me it is heartbreaking, without sounding too emotional.
Standing in that valley watching this bird displaying, nest building and calling brings a tear to the eye even of the hardened birder, and I listen to all the excuses that are thrown around as to why there cannot be a female introduced, but in all this supposition no one has ever tried.
People now walk up the valley with no one to stop them and there is a feeling of total hopelessness. I come away considering I will stop my RSPB membership, or encourage people to do the same until the possibility of a reitroduction is considered, but I know that my comments will fall upon deaf ears.
Thankyou Dave Walker for all of your efforts with these birds over the past, your books are an inspiration to us all and if there is just the slightest glimmer of hope please try to make yourself heard, I for one would be only too willing to help.
I cancelled my membership to the RSPB because of their lack of support for the European Eagle Owls breeding in this country; these magnificent owls attract a lot of visitors to the Bowland area as you can imagine.
The Golden Eagle at Haweswater has been left to fade into the background in my opinion, as well, and I also think this is very sad as they are a part of the British Heritage. What saddens me most is that the very people who are supposed to help and protect these wonderful birds are doing it for publicity and glory instead of all the right reasons. The White-tailed Sea Eagle is a magnificent bird but it seems to have pushed the Golden Eagle into the shadows because of it’s size and high visibility. This is not what conservation is all about so once again I would ask Natural England and the RSPB to get their priorities right and put what needs the help first for a change.
A very interesting and informative read that I thoroughly enjoyed – Thank you David Walker. The fate of the lone Riggendale goldie being something I find my self contemplating often.
As much as I would back the cause of introducing a female bird to the area a broader spectrum needs to be looked at intitially I believe.
Firstly golden eagles have been observed south of the border in many areas of England’s upland more regularly than people realise.
Granted these lone individuals may be nothing more than a passage birds enjoying the view on a fine day suitable for flying. An eagle a few thousand feet up could easily cover vast tracts of countryside in very little time. Lost falconers birds and sat tracked birds prove this. So why given the relatively close proximity (roughly 60 miles max) from Riggendale to the nearest occupied eagle territory over the border in Scotland has there never been a natural recolonisation by either a female bird or indeed surplus young birds/pairs? A female adult eagle was observed in Lancashire’s Gisburn Forest (Forest of Bowland) in 1998 and a feather moulted from this bird is still held by Terry Pickford.
I strongly feel this is where greater attention to detail needs to be shown in the ecology of Riggendale and surrounding valleys. One could be forgiven for a brief moment for thinking when at Haweswater you were at the start of a Scottish mountain range. Indeed it is not by chance eagles first colonised this location back in 1967 – Everything was just right for them, isolation and an abundance of suitable prey. But sadly it’s not simply just the date which has changed in the passing 40years. I do not live near the Riggendale valley and can only profess to visit the area a couple of times a year so the snap shot of the prey diversity I witnessed is literally just that, a snap shot! However from what I have seen I strongly feel there isn’t an abundance of food to support a pair of breeding eagles and eaglets now. However that is hardly a scientific analysis and I am more than open to being corrected upon this.
But secondly, and more importantly, the area has become a Mecca for visiting hill walkers and tourists today changing in character completely from four decades ago. Riggendale is a widely visited area with many, many people visiting to walk up and along High Street or to the top of Harter Fell- And who could blame them, a truly stunning and inspirational part of the Lake District National Park. We are truly lucky to harbour such places in this country.
Unfortunately I strongly agree with Mr. Walker comment as regards the birds “fame followed their fate.”
The influx of people has turned the Haweswater valley from a secluded, almost secret corner ideal for the shy and wandering eagle into a tourist hot spot which quite frankly trumpets everything but the right tune for breeding eagles.
To be brutally frank the only thing that surprises me is the lone male eagle and his courtship display year upon year. Why this bird is still in Riggendale surprises me when a few wing beats would see him back across the border to the homelands of the golden Eagle with a much greater chance of securing a mate?
Has he become accustomed to the thousands of people visiting his mountain kingdom? Does he wait in hope or knowledge – If birds can experience some form of feeling?
Maybe in all the analysis there really is something that I have missed – I would love to be proved wrong by the arrival of a mature female! Lets all keep our fingers crossed for that momentous day.
Its a difficult one, this – on the one hand it would be so easy to just release a few more birds and I guess there wouldn’t be much red tape involved because you are simply moving birds between already occupied areas rather than introducing them to a new area.
On the other hand, should we interfere when there is a healthy population north of the border which could colonise the Lakes by itself?
Much as I’d like to see eagles in the Lake district, an emotional reaction to a single lonely bird isn’t really a sound basis for a reintroduction.
Thought provoking article however I dont think its fair to say the other raptor reintroduction projects are motivated purely because of their visibility, that is unfair on Roy Dennis et at. Additionally having tracked both species down on Skye I have to say it is still far easier to see a Goldie there, yes even by the roadside, than it is to bump into a Sea Eagle. Lets not knock the reintroduction projects so far carried out just the the powers that be dont support our own particular preference.
I have been lucky enough to see the “pair” referred to in Haweswater several years ago, having only seen Golden eagles in Scotland myself and husband were amazed by the site of these two birds on a late winters day with not a soul in site, truly one of the best moments in life for someone able to marvel at the Goldie… would totally agree that the Lakes are a viable area for reintroduction or at least to introduce a female to the Haweswater birds territory. Any support or help needed let people know I am not alone in this view many Cumbrians would welcome the site of the Goldie although some articles would have you believe Cumbrian Farmers are all quaking at the potential loss of livestock…not been expressed by any I know…!
Why not follow the Irish plan which seems to have worked? If there was only one breeding pair at any one time since the 1960s surely it was only a matter of time that the Cumbrian eagles have died out. Is not in-breeding also a factor here?