White-tailed Eagles make Co.Clare their new nest after 100-year wait

A pair of White-tailed Eagles has begun nesting in Co. Clare.  They are breeding near Mountshannon, in what is the first documented nesting attempt for the species in Ireland in over 100 years. Nest building began in recent weeks, with the birds spending time in and around the nest site before laying eggs. The breeding pair are a four year old male and three year old female who were collected on the island of Frøya off the west coast of Norway and settled in the Mounshannon area in early 2011.


The White-tailed Sea Eagle was driven to extinction from Ireland in the early 20^thcentury.


The pair was released in Killarney National Park, Co Kerry, as part of the White-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme and developed and funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with Golden Eagle trust. 


Dr Allan Mee, project manager for the Golden Eagle Trust, described it as “a truly momentous event for Clare and Ireland”.


Although people may want to see the birds, they are warned that disturbance, particularly during the early stages of nesting when the birds are on eggs, would be detrimental to the pair’s success.


Dr Mee explained:
"We are very conscious of the risk of disturbing the birds especially at this stage of nesting. Disturbance could result in the birds leaving the eggs unguarded for a period during which the eggs could be predated or be chilled or the birds could desert the site. We would caution people not to approach the nest area but instead avail of the unique opportunity to watch a nesting pair of sea eagles from nearby Mountshannon pier where a telescope or binoculars will be made available for viewing by the Golden Eagle Trust. Information on the birds, their ecology and conservation will be available."


Birds can live for 25-30 years and generally mate for life with adult pairs remaining within their home range throughout the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_Eagle