The White Tailed Eagle in North Jutland

The White Tailed Eagle with its wing span of two and a half meters is breeding again in North Jutland after about 150 years. One couple is nesting in Lille Vildmose, where they have raised a chick.

The White Tailed Eagle at Tofte Sø Tower

The couple have set base in a tree in Tofte forrest not far from Tofte Lake. This location is most likely chosen because of the special nature around Tofte Lake, where a colony of cormorant also lives. The cormorant functions as an important source of nourishment for the White Tailed Eagle, so the Tofte Sø Tower is the perfect place to observe the giant birds. The eagles may also be spotted from the East Coast, especially between Øster Hurup and Dokkedal where they often hunt.

Two types of eagles

Lille Vildmose is the only natural resort in Denmark to host both the White Tailed and the Golden Eagle. The Golden Eagle has bred in Lille Vildmose for 12 years, but the White Tailed Eagle is a new and welcome addition. The reappearance of the White Tailed Eagle occurs almost 100 years after the species disappeared from the region.

Eagle history

The last time the White Tailed Eagle was known to nest in North Jutland was in 1912 – this was only about 6 kilometers from Lille Vildmose, where the White Eagle breeds today. In 1800th century North Jutland, the White Tailed Eagle would breed in several places in North Jutland, but along with various other bird species it was extinct from the area by use of poison, traps and hunting. The large birds of prey were thought to impose on the resources of farmers and hunters. Today it is a well known fact that birds of prey are indispensible contributors to wild nature, because they as the final link of the food chain clean up by feeding on carcasses. Additionally, they help keep the population of smaller birds healthy by feeding on the weakest individuals.