After years of absence, golden eagles are venturing back into England from southern Scotland, raising hopes of nesting pairs. One such eagle, a young male named Talla, crossed the border in 2025.
Ian Glendinning, a Northumberland-based wildlife enthusiast familiar with golden eagles in the Scottish Highlands, unexpectedly encountered one in his home county.
“Late March, driving in a remote national park area with friends, a passenger exclaimed at a bird about 30 meters away, perched on a rock,” he recounts.
“Before I could photograph it, it soared off. Its immense size left no doubt: a golden eagle.”
“An unforgettable close-range encounter with such a magnificent bird.”
Talla is one of approximately 50 golden eagles inhabiting the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway regions.
Their resurgence is attributed to the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project (SSGEP), established after the regional population dwindled to a handful.
Since 2018, SSGEP has successfully relocated 28 juvenile and 15 sub-adult eagles from the Scottish Highlands.
SSGEP chair Michael Clarke stated: “Satellite tracking confirms eagles venturing into Northumberland and beyond, underscoring the importance of expanding our work.”
Sightings also include the North Pennines, Lake District, Forest of Bowland (Lancashire), and Nidderdale (Yorkshire).
“While establishing residency remains uncertain, it’s a potentially significant milestone,” Mr. Clarke added.
Golden eagles were extirpated from England and Wales by the mid-1800s, primarily due to persecution stemming from livestock and game bird predation concerns.
Despite a brief post-World War II resurgence, numbers again declined, with the last English resident eagle vanishing from the Lake District in 2015.
The remaining UK population was largely confined to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Dr. Cat Barlow, CEO of Restoring Upland Nature (SSGEP’s parent charity), finds the English exploration unsurprising.
“Young eagles seek new territories, mates, and feeding grounds,” she explains.
“They survey from high altitudes, selecting appealing remote upland areas, creating a mental map before settling and attracting a mate.”
She welcomes a potential southern expansion: “Being from County Durham, I’d love to see their permanent return.”
Whether populations establish in areas like the Lake District or Northumberland Uplands without further Scottish introductions remains unclear.
“As Scottish territories fill, eagles may naturally expand into England, visiting former nest sites,” Dr. Barlow notes.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust CEO Mike Pratt states: “They disregard borders; the landscapes are similar, so southward movement isn’t surprising. These sightings feel like a blessing, confirming landscape suitability.”
The Trust recently acquired the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate (including the Simonside Hills).
Mr. Pratt hopes for future golden eagle presence there.
“It won’t be rushed; we’ll proceed cautiously. However, the Scottish project’s success, and public enthusiasm, is encouraging. We aspire to similar success here.”
Mr. Glendinning has seen golden eagles three times since his initial sighting, experiencing continued “wonderment.”
“They perfectly complement the landscape; their presence evokes amazement. They belong here,” he concludes.
Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
Subscribe to our flagship newsletter for daily headlines. Sign up here.