Sea eagle releases are moving too fast, says NSA
12th November 2025
The National Sheep Association (NSA) has expressed concerns over further releases of white-tailed sea eagles in England, urging conservation bodies to prioritise long-term monitoring of existing populations across the UK before any new birds are introduced.
NSA believes that more time is needed to monitor the current white-tailed sea eagle population expansion and behaviour before more birds are released.
“Evaluating how existing populations spread naturally in an organic way is a better indicator of species viability than undertaking reintroductions. It also allows us to learn more about their compatibility with other land use interests,” said NSA chief executive Phil Stocker.
NSA has communicated its misgivings about predators being reintroduced when there are so many other species under threat in the UK already.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List includes more than 8,000 species on it for England alone, and the latest British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Red List contains 70 species, many of which are being actively supported through sympathetic and multi-functional livestock grazing.
Calls for extended monitoring and project evaluation
NSA member concerns are growing in two particular regions of England, Cumbria and Exmoor in Devon/Somerset, where efforts are being made from some pro-reintroduction groups to state a case for the further introduction of the large prey birds.
A proposal for release on Exmoor has been submitted to Natural England, while a Cumbrian release is going through early consultation processes.
Accounts of crofters and farmers in Scotland show that acute predation issues can be seen in specific locations where birds alter their natural behaviours away from hunting fish towards the relatively easy prey of terrestrial mammals, including sheep.
NSA policy manager, Michael Priestley, added: “NSA has opposed the Exmoor proposal and has responded to the Cumbria consultation, stating clearly that we believe experiences of farmers and crofters in Scotland show the dangers sea eagles can pose to flock viability in instances where rogue birds adapt to hunt lambs.”
There are many reasons why sea eagles in different areas may be adapting to hunting differently, varying from population size, estuary habitat, fish stocks, individual bird behaviour, and reintroduction methods, which have become far more sophisticated over the years.
Mr Priestley continues: “NSA does not advocate for further releases and instead calls on relevant organisations to invest in extending the monitoring and project evaluation work to see how breeding pairs are faring and where they are moving.
“NSA feels that stakeholder engagement can be more inclusive and speak to more farmers in more open and indiscriminate meetings. We also feel that the best sign of a bird being happy with a habitat is if it moves in of its own volition. This is far more akin to a natural and sustainable adaptation.”
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