Golden eagles set to return to England's skies after 150 years

Golden eagles are poised for a comeback in England after the government backed plans to reintroduce them. The birds might arrive under their own steam first, though

Golden eagles are poised for a comeback in England after the government backed plans to reintroduce them. The birds might arrive under their own steam first, though

One of Britain’s most iconic birds, the golden eagle, could soon soar over England again after more than 150 years of absence, following new government backing for a recovery programme that blends conservation science with community-led action.

Once widespread across England and woven into the country’s cultural fabric – appearing more than 40 times in the works of William Shakespeare – golden eagles were driven to near extinction during the Victorian era through sustained persecution and habitat pressure. In modern times, sightings south of the Scottish border have been rare, and the last known eagle in England died in the Lake District in 2016.

Now, a new feasibility study by Forestry England suggests that the conditions for their return may finally be in place. The research identifies eight potential recovery zones, primarily across northern England, where landscapes could once again support sustainable populations of the birds.

Backed by £1m in government funding, the next phase will explore how a reintroduction could work in practice. This may include the release of juvenile birds, aged six to eight weeks, as early as next year. The aim is not only to restore a lost species, but to rebuild the ecological balance that golden eagles once helped maintain.

“This government is committed to protecting and restoring our most threatened native wildlife – and that includes bringing back iconic species like the golden eagle,” said Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds. “We will work alongside partners and communities to make the golden eagle a feature of English landscapes once again.”

The proposal builds on recent momentum in species restoration across England. Last year, the government approved the reintroduction of Eurasian beavers into the wild, while a separate £60m funding package has been earmarked to protect threatened native species. Together, these moves signal a shift towards more ambitious, ecosystem-level approaches to conservation.

Golden eagles are considered a keystone species – a predator at the top of the food chain whose presence can influence the health of entire ecosystems. By regulating prey populations and shaping animal behaviour, they help maintain balance across landscapes, from upland moors to forest edges. Their return could therefore have wider benefits for biodiversity, particularly in areas where ecosystems have become degraded or simplified.

Research by Forestry England identifies eight potential recovery zones, primarily across northern England, where landscapes could once again support sustainable populations of the birds. Image: Dmitry Grigoriev

There are already signs that nature is beginning to do some of the work itself. In southern Scotland, the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project has successfully boosted eagle numbers through translocation and habitat management. Satellite tracking shows that some of these birds are now venturing across the border into northern England, hinting at a natural recolonisation that could be supported and accelerated.

The new programme aims to build on that success. Led by conservation charity Restoring Upland Nature in partnership with Forestry England and other organisations, it will focus as much on people as on wildlife.