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The eagle has landed in Inishowen
23.04.09
White-Tailed Eagle
spotted at Pollan Dam
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent
A BIRD of prey, the likes of which hasn’t been a
regular sight in the skies of Inishowen since the
beginning of the last century, has returned to the
peninsula.
And the White Tailed Eagle, first spotted here last
week, is causing something of a stir among
ornithology enthusiasts, according to local Wildlife
Ranger Emmett Johnston.
“The bird was spotted by anglers’ at the start of
last week and has been around the Illies/Slieve
Sneacht/Pollan Dam area all week, said Mr Johnston.
This is very exciting, we’ve had bird watchers
travel up from Belfast and Dublin this week to just
to see our Eagle,” said Mr Johnston. The Golden
Eagle Trust is currently two years into a plan to
reintroduce White-tailed Sea Eagles to Ireland. The
bird was one of 30 raptors released in Killarney
National Park, Kerry, in 2007.
“It’s not that unusual for birds of this type to
travel long distances, but up until now all the
birds released have stayed in the Cork or Kerry
areas,” he added. |
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The bird carries a
small radio transponder allowing for its movements
to be tracked while here in Inishowen. The Sea Eagle
can also be identified by its white and orange
-coloured tags. The last recorded sighting of this
bird, number 09, was on the 1st of April. |
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The bird, which as well
as feeding on fish, preys on hares and even
other birds, such as magpies.
“The bird is on it’s own, but is a couple of years
two young to breed so may stay in Inishowen because
the area is a good feeding ground. Inishowen has
exceptionally good amounts of prey.”
As sea eagles take some 5-6 years to mature and
breed we expect the first breeding attempts by
2012-2013. Because sea eagles, like other large,
long-lived birds such as albatrosses and penguins,
have very low breeding rates, establishing a viable
population In Ireland is dependent on low adult
mortality.
“A couple of years ago Sea Eagles from Scotland were
spotted in Inistrahul and it’s hoped that they might
breed with the White Tailed Eagles in the next few
years.
“This is quite good news, especially after the
return of the Red Kite in recent times,” he added. |
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