White-tailed Eagle (Sea Eagle)

 

What?
White-tailed eagles are the largest raptor in the UK with a wingspan of up to 2.5m, dwarfing more common raptors such as buzzards. Most commonly seen in coastal areas or near to large lochs, they often nest and roost in forests.
White-tailed eagles, their nests, eggs and young have a very high degree of legal protection. Birds must be protected from disturbance at all times and their nest sites are protected even when not in use.

Look out for:
Adults: broad wings, white wedge-shaped tail, uniform brown body, bright yellow beak, feet and eyes.
Juveniles: dark tail, dark brown or mottled plumage, dark brown head, dark beak and eyes. Not to be confused with the golden eagle, which are smaller with narrower wings and a longer tail. Juveniles have a pale tail band and disc-shaped patch on the wings.

Breeding behaviour: aerial display flights and stick-carrying may indicate that a nest site is close by.
Nests: often >2m wide and 1m deep, mostly in trees. A pair may have multiple nests in their territory, selecting one to breed in each year.
Roosts: white-tailed eagles often roost communally so the ground under roost trees can be littered with feathers and droppings.
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Why?
Avoid prosecution: It is a criminal offence to ‘intentionally’ or ‘recklessly’:
❌ Damage, destroy, obstruct or interfere with a nest whilst it is being built or is in use.
❌ Damage, destroy or interfere with a habitually-used nest, even when not in use.
❌ Disturb a white-tailed eagle whilst it is building, on or near a nest containing eggs or young.
❌ Harass a white-tailed eagle at any time of the year.

DO
✔️ Immediately STOP work and inform your line manager if you see a white-tailed eagle, nest or roost signs.

DON’T
❌ Proceed with any operations until advice has been sought.