Civil Air Support, the UK’s leading volunteer aviation charity, is proud to announce its continued involvement in one of the most significant wildlife conservation efforts in recent history. The charity is playing a crucial role in the reintroduction of White-Tailed Eagles to southern England.
In July 2023, Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation announced that their project to return this species had reached a key milestone, with the first of the released birds successfully breeding. Civil Air Support has been instrumental in this achievement, revealing its role in transporting young White-Tailed Eagles from Scotland to the South Coast. This mission supports the re-establishment of breeding colonies of these majestic birds, marking the first time in 240 years that they have nested in England.
This year, Civil Air Support has successfully transported another eight chicks to carefully chosen locations along the South Coast, in collaboration with Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation. These young birds will grow into juveniles before being released into the wild, with the aim of achieving full maturity and breeding potential expected in three to four years.
The birds that were first relocated by Civil Air Support in 2020 have already begun to thrive, with six healthy chicks hatching across Hampshire, Sussex, and Dorset – a promising sign for the future of the breed.
Graham Mountford, Civil Air Support Operations Manager, expressed his pride in being a part of this historic conservation effort. “It’s not every day you get to help reintroduce a species that’s been missing for centuries,” he said. “Flying these birds safely to their new home was a privilege, and knowing they’ve now bred successfully makes it all the more rewarding.”
Helen Mountford, a zoologist and Civil Air Support crew member, added, “Transporting these birds isn’t just about logistics – it’s about giving them the best possible start. Every flight is a step toward restoring balance to our ecosystems.”
The White-Tailed Eagles, with wingspans reaching up to 2.5 meters, were once widespread across England. However, human persecution led to their extinction, with the last recorded breeding pair in southern England in 1780. The current reintroduction program is conducted under license from Natural England, with chicks collected from wild nests in Scotland under license from NatureScot. Civil Air Support ensures their safe transport to England, where they are released on the South Coast, each fitted with satellite tags to monitor their progress.
Steve Egerton-Read, White-Tailed Eagle Project Officer for Forestry England, commented, “Returning lost species like the White-Tailed Eagle is a key part of Forestry England’s approach to restoring biodiversity and helping nature to recover. We hope that in years to come, these iconic birds will become a much more common sight, inspiring future generations and deepening their connection with nature.”
Tim Mackrill, an ornithologist from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, emphasized the crucial role played by the aviation charity. “We are extremely grateful for the valuable support the project receives from Civil Air Support,” he said. “The welfare of the birds is of paramount importance, and being able to transport them to the Isle of Wight so quickly and efficiently is extremely helpful in this regard.”
Civil Air Support is honored to contribute to this historic conservation initiative, helping to restore one of Britain’s most iconic species to its rightful place in our skies.
For more information about Civil Air Support, visit their website at https://www.civilairsupport.com/.
For more information about Forestry England, visit their website at https://www.forestryengland.uk/.
For more information about Natural England, visit their website at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england.
For more information about the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, visit their website at https://www.roydennis.org/.
Media Contact:
Will Ingleby, Media Officer
Civil Air Support
Email: Will.ingleby@civilairsupport.com
Mobile: 07976 853378
