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How do you lose something that big?

Stellar's sea eagle
Photo of Nikita the Stellar’s Sea Eagle by Hawk Experience.

A Stellar’s sea eagle called Nikita has gone missing in the Yorkshire Dales in England.

The female bird, which is one of the world’s largest bird of prey species with a wingspan of 2.4 metres (8ft), went missing from her home at the Hawk Experience in Settle on Saturday. Her trainer, Chris O’Donnel, said that while she could have travelled a vast distance in the interim, he believes she’s only likely to be a few miles away.

“It’s a very tame bird,” he said. “You could walk up to her and almost pet her if you wanted to. It will be sitting in a field wishing it was back home.”

Mr O’Donnel said that they fly birds every day, and don’t get too concerned if one goes missing for a short period of time. They can often track birds with radio transmitters, but a bird the size of Nikita can pull a transmitter off in seconds, he said.

North Yorkshire police are advising people to keep their pets indoors until the massive eagle has been relocated.

While Nikita could easily make the trip from Yorkshire to Ireland, it’s highly unlikely she’ll be making it onto anyone’s Birdwatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey list. But don’t forget to look up every now and then! You really never know what you might see….

3 comments

  • Sarah fitzgerald

    Hi Calvin poor Nikita hope they find her soon didn’t know that my husband saw a hawk maybe a peregrine falcon not too sure at youghal pitch and putt club I have the bird feeder out on the horse chestnut with a clothes peg last year a crowd kept pulling it off the branch fierce clever he gets odlums anyway our dog is medium half springer sprollie no fear of Nikita getting poppy she was in Murphy’s farm curraheen cork this morning saw this fella amazing website come on cop26!!!oh can’t send a photo tech!iit is a lovely grey heron by the small waterfall waiting for his breakfast

  • I am 99% sure i have seen this Bird today in ireland .

    • Avatar photo
      A

      Hi Cambo. I think it’s unlikely to be the same bird, but you never know.

      How good a look did you get? In silhouette a white-tailed eagle (recently reintroduced here) would look superficially similar. If you got a good look at it though that black and white plumage, huge bulk and enormous bill are diagnostic for the Stellar’s sea eagle. Certainly an escaped bird, if it was one.

      If you’re sure, then it’s probably a good idea to report the sighting — not sure where is best really — either your local garda station or through the Golden Eagle Trust perhaps, who look after the official bird of prey reintroduction programmes — they should be able to point you in the right direction.

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