Returning Species
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Programme summary
The prospect of the return of Beavers, Pine Martens and White-tailed Eagles is creating much interest, excitement and debate across the West of England.
Although many people will welcome the return of these iconic and charismatic native species, news of returning species can be a cause for concern for others, especially where it might impact farmland, fisheries, woodlands or other businesses.
In these situations, we will make sure that appropriate engagement, support, advice and training is readily available to ease and facilitate any transitions required.
Our work is aligned with national efforts led by the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce to reintroduce native species.
In developing our species-specific strategies, we will align with the forthcoming register of priority species and habitat needs from the Taskforce and carefully consider their recommendations on conflict mitigation as we balance ecological and socioeconomic factors.
We are mindful that, as these re-introductions are not being delivered by local organisations, there may be a need for us to build greater capacity for management, habitat creation and public engagement.
The Programme will:
- Support beaver, pine marten and white-tailed eagle reintroductions
- Support local stakeholders with advice and training in management, habitat creation and eco-tourism opportunities
- Mitigate any potential impacts and facilitate the transition to living alongside these returning species
- Engage the public with the story of these species’ return and allay any concerns.
Programme area
Some of our work will cover the entire West of England region, while other work will target specific areas where Beavers, Pine Martens and White-tailed Eagles are either present already or expected to spread.
PARTNER QUOTE
TBC
Key measures
As we see the return of Beavers, Pine Martens, and White-tailed Eagles to the West of England, each species will require carefully tailored strategies and support.
As we see the return of Beavers, Pine Martens, and White-tailed Eagles to the West of England, each species will require carefully tailored strategies and support:
- For Beavers, the focus will be on habitat creation, flood risk management and water purification. Conflict mitigation with landowners will also be key, especially where damming or flooding could impact farmland.
- For Pine Martens, the emphasis will be on habitat connectivity between current populations and future expansion areas. Management plans will include the monitoring of Pine Marten impacts on local biodiversity, particularly Grey Squirrel populations.
- For White-tailed Eagles, habitat suitability assessments and practical guidelines for mitigating conflicts with farmers and fisheries will be key. Learning from reintroductions elsewhere in the UK, we will also explore potential ecotourism benefits for the region.
Habitat enhancement
We will work with our other habitat programmes to expand wetland habitats for beavers, improve woodland corridors for pine martens, and enhance coastal and freshwater environments for white-tailed eagles.
Public engagement and education
We aim to improve public understanding about the integral roles that Beavers, Pine Martens and White-tailed Eagles play in our natural systems. Public talks, schools programmes and media/outreach campaigns will highlight the benefits that these species bring to woodlands, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems, whilst addressing common concerns.
Stakeholder support and training
We will offer tailored training and support to key stakeholders, such as farmers, landowners, environmental groups, and local authorities, on how to coexist with these returning species - including guidance on any legal responsibilities and practical advice on habitat management and conflict mitigation.
Monitoring and evaluation
Long-term monitoring, coordinated with national frameworks, will survey the numbers, health and spread of returning beavers, pine martens and white-tailed eagles and track any changes to wetland and woodland habitats with a view to assessing their impact on local ecosystems.
Spotlight on species
Pine Martens
Pine Martens were once widespread across the UK, but their populations drastically declined due to deforestation, hunting and loss of habitat - so need to protect their genetic diversity and population resilience through habitat creation and connectivity.
In 2016, 35 pine martens were reintroduced to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. Recent reports suggest that 17 of them have remained in the Forest of Dean, while others have spread into Wales and Gloucestershire. Going forward, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project plans to release 30–40 Pine Martens across Exmoor and Dartmoor in 2025 and 2026 – and the West of England will be a crucial link for connecting these returning populations.
The return of pine martens to our woodlands contributes to the overall health of the ecosystem, including the natural population balancing of small mammals and birds as well as the control of grey squirrels - an invasive non-native species that causes significant damage to trees, outcompetes our native red squirrels and degrades key habitats for iconic woodland bird species like hawfinches and lesser spotted woodpeckers.
Beavers
Once native to the UK, beavers were hunted to extinction in the early 16th century. Now recognised for their vital role as "ecosystem engineers”, since 2002 they have been reintroduced to various locations across the UK. Beavers are known to deliver significant ecological benefits, particularly in restoring degraded wetlands and improving water quality – by building dams, altering woodlands and creating wetlands, they reshape landscapes, improve habitat quality, enhance biodiversity and build climate resilience for the long term.
Beaver dams create wetlands that act as natural buffers and water flow regulators, storing water locally during droughts as well as reducing flood risk by capturing excess water and releasing it slowly during periods of heavy rainfall. They also act as natural filtration systems, improving water quality by trapping sediments, nutrients and pollutants, as well as providing nature-based “carbon sinks” by trapping and holding sequestered carbon sediments.
The new wetlands created by beavers also provide crucial habitat for a wide range of fish, amphibians, birds, insects, and mammals. For example, a study conducted by UWE Bristol found that bat activity significantly increased in new, beaver-created habitats.
Despite these benefits, the return of beavers also requires careful management to avoid conflicts with landowners, particularly farmers, where local ecology and water flow may be altered.
White-tailed Eagles
The white-tailed eagle is the UK’s largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres. Once a common sight in the UK, they were driven to extinction in England in the 1700s due to habitat loss and persecution. Their reintroduction began on the Isle of Wight in 2021 and there have since been sightings of these birds around the Severn Estuary, which was historically part of their range.
White-tailed eagles play an important role as apex predators, helping sustain ecological balance in marine and freshwater ecosystems by naturally regulating local fish, waterfowl and mammal populations. As carrion-eating scavengers, they also play a key role in nutrient cycling and reducing the spread of disease in wildlife.
Their return also offers wider socio-economic benefits - in Scotland, reintroduced white-tailed eagles have boosted local economies through wildlife tourism.
Any re-introduction needs to be carefully managed, with local consultation at its heart. Concerns from landowners, particularly farmers and fishermen, who may worry about the potential impact on livestock and fisheries, need to be heard and addressed. By understanding and mitigating conflicts, an approach can be found that will allow our returning eagles to coexist alongside us and further aid their re-establishment to how they once were in our ecology.
Why is this a WENP priority?
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The West of England will soon be populated by these species and it is essential that we manage their return carefully and strategically to ensure we reap the benefits they bring and mitigate any potential conflicts.
The Government will be publishing a long-term strategy for species reintroductions in January 2025 and will provide a coordinated framework for national and local reintroduction efforts which it is important the we are aligned with.
Delivery readiness
We aim to further strengthen collaborations with key partners, such as the Beaver Management Group and the Severn Estuary Partnership, aligning efforts, sharing expertise and maximising our impact.
These existing partnerships provide a strong foundation to expand our habitat restoration and species management work and help us integrate further with regional and national conservation priorities.
Our first priority will be the mapping of priority areas for habitat restoration and creation, ensuring that key habitats are in place to support the reintroduction efforts through a tailored strategy for each species.
Case Study:
TBC
Our call for support
We are seeking funding to build a skilled team led by existing experts in the region. This team will be integral to develop and coordinate delivery of species specific strategies, training and public engagement.
Some investment in habitat creation aimed at specific returning species will be channelled through this programme, and we welcome conversations with those interested in funding those works. Partners will also work holistically across our priority programmes – especially Western Forest, Severn Shoreline Levels and Moors and Restoring our Rivers – to ensure that habitat creation and restoration is strategically beneficial for these species.
We are looking for partners to support us on the journey to turn our ambitions into reality. Whether you are a landowner, a potential delivery partner, donor, or something else, please in touch today to learn how you can support us.
Lead contact: Tom Snowball, Avon Wildlife Trust
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