Rare sighting of white-tailed eagle

White-tailed eagle sightings are rare on the Cumbria and County Durham border

A rare sighting of one of the largest birds of prey in the UK far from their usual breeding ground has delighted nature lovers.

The white-tailed eagle was spotted by bird watchers at Stainmore, on the border between Cumbria and County Durham.

It has been identified as G818, a female eagle originally released on the Isle of Wight in 2021, by volunteers from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.

Tim Mackrill, an ornithologist for the foundation, said a number of eagles pass through Cumbria each year but sightings are "rare".

G818 has spent the summer in the Scottish Highlands and is now making her way down to the south coast.

G818 is on her way south after a summer in the north of Scotland

"She began heading south on 2 August and then spent 3-9 August near Stanmore," Mr Mackrill said.

"We are hopeful she will find a mate and settle somewhere on the south coast over the course of the coming autumn and winter.

"There are currently three established pairs of white-tailed eagles on the south coast as a result of the reintroduction, with two of the pairs breeding successfully this summer."

White-tailed sea eagles

• Brown body with a noticeably pale head and neck, which can become almost white in older birds

• Enormous, broad wings – much broader than a golden eagle's – with fingered ends

• Huge, chunky yellow beak (dark in juveniles) and yellow feet

• Adults have white tail feathers, as their name suggests

• Soars with wings held flat, rather than in a 'V' shape like golden eagles

Source: RSPB