Thursday 20 August, 2026
In a successful collaboration, Civil Air Support has once again utilized volunteer aviation to support wildlife conservation efforts. The organization recently flew six young white-tailed eagles from the Scottish Highlands to Exmoor National Park, where they will be released as part of a landmark reintroduction program.
The mission, which took place in mid-June 2026, was a joint effort between Civil Air Support, Forestry England, the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, and Exmoor National Park Authority. This marks a significant milestone for the project, as these eagles are the first to be reintroduced to Exmoor after the species disappeared from the area over 200 years ago due to persecution.
A meticulously planned flight
Civil Air Support pilot and Operations Manager Graham Mountford flew a specially equipped PA-32-300 aircraft from Turweston to Inverness, where the six eagle chicks and a representative from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, Zoë Smith, joined the flight. For the birds’ safe transport, the rear seats of the aircraft were removed to create enough space.
The aircraft flew directly to a private landing site on Exmoor, with the mission being conducted in visual flight conditions. Close coordination between Civil Air Support, the conservation team, and waiting rangers on the ground was crucial for a smooth and successful operation. After delivering the birds and their handler to Exmoor, Graham returned the aircraft to Turweston. The entire flight took seven hours and five minutes.
The use of a light aircraft significantly reduced the journey time compared to a lengthy road transfer. This speed and efficiency helped minimize the time the young birds spent in transit and allowed for a direct handover to the specialist team responsible for their care. Civil Air Support extends its gratitude to Highland Aviation, which generously waived its handling charges in Inverness to support the mission.
From Scotland to the skies above Exmoor
Upon their arrival on Exmoor, the eagles were under the care of experts as they acclimated to their new surroundings. Each bird was fitted with a satellite tracker before being released, enabling the project team to monitor their movements and progress. The six young eagles were released in July and are expected to range widely across the UK and potentially into Europe before returning to settle and breed in four to five years.
Exmoor was chosen as an additional release area after tracking data showed that several eagles from the existing Isle of Wight program had already visited the region. The area’s diverse landscape, including coast, woodland, and abundant fish, provides suitable foraging and breeding habitat. Under the current license, up to 20 young white-tailed eagles may be released on Exmoor over three years, strengthening the developing population and expanding its range into South West England.
Volunteer aviation supporting nature recovery
This flight builds on Civil Air Support’s previous support for the southern England reintroduction program. In 2025, the organization transported another group of young eagles from Scotland to the Isle of Wight, where releases began in 2019 and have already resulted in birds establishing territories and breeding in the wild.
By bringing together volunteer pilots, suitable aircraft, and careful operational planning, Civil Air Support can provide charities and public-interest organizations with rapid transport when time, distance, or challenging logistics make conventional options less feasible. In this case, the organization’s capabilities allowed six remarkable passengers to complete the first stage of a journey that will hopefully see white-tailed eagles return as a permanent presence in the South West.
Graham Mountford, Operations Manager and pilot at Civil Air Support, expressed his gratitude for being a part of this mission, stating, “Transporting these young eagles safely from the Highlands to Exmoor was a privilege. Missions like this demonstrate how volunteer aviation can solve a practical transport challenge while making a direct contribution to an ambitious conservation program. Everyone involved understood that the welfare of the birds came first, and it was extremely rewarding to see the careful planning come together.”
