Did White-tailed Eagles once soar over Wales? | A oedd Eryrod y Môr yn arfer hedfan dros Gymru?
They certainly did — and the evidence is all around us.
Imagine looking up at the Welsh coastline hundreds of years ago and seeing a magnificent White-tailed Eagle soaring overhead. With wings stretching up to 2.5 metres, these impressive birds were once part of Wales's wild landscapes, from rugged coastlines and estuaries to rivers and inland wetlands.
Although White-tailed Eagles disappeared from Wales as a breeding species in the early 1800s, they left behind clues to their fascinating history. From ancient bones buried beneath our feet to centuries-old written records and Welsh place-names, these clues help us uncover the story of Wales's lost eagles.
Through our published research, Eagle Reintroduction Wales has brought together over 5,000 years of evidence to piece together their fascinating history and former distribution across Wales.
Uncovering the Evidence | Datgelu'r Dystiolaeth
How do we know White-tailed Eagles once called Wales home? The clues lie in ancient archaeological discoveries, centuries-old written accounts and even the names of places around us. Together, these fascinating pieces of evidence help us uncover their forgotten history.
Clues beneath our feet
Ancient bones reveal that White-tailed Eagles lived in Wales thousands of years ago. Archaeological discoveries provide physical evidence of their presence long before written records began.
Stories from the past
Historic manuscripts, natural history books and written observations reveal where White-tailed Eagles were once recorded across Wales, helping us trace their former distribution and eventual disappearance.
Eagles in our landscape
The Welsh word Eryr means ‘eagle ’. Eagle-related Welsh place-names preserve clues to our cultural heritage and historic relationship with these birds. Although not always species-specific, they offer another fascinating connection to Wales's eagle history.
