Sea Eagle/Beaver

[HARIMAU1610]

Hello

I am just wondering what peoples views are on the proposed idea to release Sea Eagles into Suffolk. From a personal point of view they are a lovely bird and the work done in Scotland on Rhum, Mull and Skye has been successful and has increased tourism and replaced a species lost. However I think that they should be left to spread on there own wings and believe a forced introduction to be good for the local revenue/tourism but I cannot see it positively enhancing the actual environment and species contained within it. I wonder if a Beaver re-introduction would be a better proposition for Suffolk.

Take care

Ian

[ARGON]

I think if the area will support them then go for it, the more more breeding pairs the better.
Still cant get a photo of one, not for the want of trying.

[Ann2]

Try a boat trip from Portree on Skye for an easy way of getting a photo of a sea eagle. (I've got a pic in the WAB Gallery and I'm far from being a good photographer.)

Yes I'd imagine it would be good for tourism if they were released in Suffolk although I don't see anyone on holiday here in Bucks for the released red kites (perhaps because there are so many now).

Ann

[bogstandarduk3]

Surely if your are against forced re-introduction of sea eagles and believe they should spread naturally then the same must apply to the beaver. The point is does it unbalance nature?

[bogstandarduk3]

The place to go to see the Red Kite is east Wales in Rhayader. They are fed on a farm regularly and on occasion there are literally hundreds on view.

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by bogstandarduk3

..... The point is does it unbalance nature?

I'm sorry if this is going slightly off topic here, but doesn't this beg the question of whether there really is such a thing as a true 'balance of nature' any more - personally and so far as the UK is concerned, I've come to believe that this is simply a romantic (and perhaps slightly naive) notion but doesn't actually exist.

What I think we tend to mean by the phrase is MAN's perception of what nature should be like.

There is virtually nowhere left in the UK that can be truly described as a natural environment and many of our 'nature' reserves are actually some of the most unnatural and over-managed areas.

Similarly, all agricultural land (including hill farms) are managed by man and 'this green and pleasant land' we still enjoy today is the result of that management over many centuries.

Our forests and woodlands; our rivers, lakes and other waterways; our National Parks; our gardens - nearly all are managed in such a way as to actually prevent nature taking its course.

So, in my view, the phrase 'balance of nature' has really lost its original meaning and given that today's so-called natural environment here in the UK is almost entirely the result of man's influence, I don't think re-introductions (or even new introductions) of any species can really be said to be unbalancing nature - that happened centuries ago!

Wow, that's all a bit heavy for a Sunday morning isn't it - sorry about that folks

Jeff

PS. Yes, bring on the Sea Eagles - think of the carbon savings resulting from those of us living in the southern half of the UK having to travel only to Suffolk to see them, instead of to the west coast of Scotland.