'Incredible': Five new white-tailed eagle chicks born in Co Clare

• Published date: 05 June 2023

The male eagle, released in 2008, had previously partnered with, and produced chicks. However, the previous partner succumbed to avian flu and this male eagle had lived alone in East Clare for the past four years until he recently paired up with his new partner, a female eagle who was released in 2020

Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) White-Tailed Eagle Reintroduction project, said the fact the male eagle has now found and bred with a new partner was "significant to our project but we're also delighted to see this eagle that we know well make a new bond and start a new family."

In addition, at another site in Co Clare, NPWS staff have in recent days observed and tagged three chicks reared by one of the male eagle's offspring from his previous partner. This earlier offspring, a female eagle, has so far reared 10 chicks, which are spread around the island of Ireland, some of whom themselves are forming pairs.

"It is also incredible that one of his offspring is now herself rearing three chicks. This is a very rare occurrence, as a very small minority of nest sites – in Ireland, Norway or anywhere else – have more than two chicks on nest," Mr Meskell said.

"This is the second year that three chicks are on the nest at this particular nest site. This shows how suited Ireland and our lakes are from a habitat and feeding perspective for this reintroduction project."

The male eagle, who has found a new partner, was originally released in Killarney National Park in 2008 and set up territory with a female from that batch, eventually...