Eagle returns to Antrim skyline (UK)

[Donna]

More than 100 years have passed since eagles commanded the skies above north Antrim, but the recent arrival of one of these massive birds of prey has raised conservationists' hopes they might be back to stay.

The exact location of the bird is being kept secret and a team of conservationists and local farmers are helping keep watch over the eagle.

There is no secret though over where this female eagle has come from.

An electronic tag on its wing confirms it is one of a number released in County Kerry.
   
With a wingspan of up to eight feet they are often called the "flying barn door".
Martin Cassidy

A satellite tracking device fitted to its wing means members of the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group are able to track its movements.

Searching for the bird in this beautiful landscape is rewarding work.

Winter has bleached the greenery from the rugged north Antrim countryside and the fields, trees and cliffs are all tones of brown, grey and white - perfect camouflage for a white-tailed sea eagle.

But a bird this size cannot hide when it takes to wing - with a wingspan of up to eight feet they are often called the "flying barn door".

The giant bird rises from a steep field over a mile to our right.

Its take off is slow, even ungainly, but when it climbs above the cliffs and rides the cold winter wind the eagle looks master of all it surveys.

The distinctive finger-like wing tips are clearly visible as it sweeps across the leaden sky.

We track it towards a small lake where it has been catching wild duck.

A bird this size will eat half a kilo at a sitting.

And as we reach the top of a small hill the giant bird is suddenly flying low across the field beneath us - a breathtaking sight.

But two crows suddenly try to swarm it.

At low speed the eagle is vulnerable to disturbance from smaller birds which are keen to move on this huge predator with its meat cleaver beak and razor sharp talons.

Brendan Dunlop of the Raptor Study Group is hoping this female eagle will eventually manage to team up with a male bird and produce young.

But these are early days and the priority now is to keep the eagle safe.

Like other birds of prey, eagles were persecuted to extinction here.

The major threat is poison laid for foxes and crows.

Feeding mainly on carrion, the eagle could easily feed on a dead bird or animal laced with poison.

Then there are the bounty hunters who would prize shooting such a prestigious bird.

The body of an eagle was recently recovered from Lough Neagh, which conservationists believe was shot.

As daylight fades we see the eagle swooping low across distant fields - after it feeds it will perch for the night.

Perhaps this young eagle will move on, but for now there is high excitement amongst the volunteers guarding it that this may represent the start of a new population.

Caption: White tails over a secret location.