Rare Sea Eagle was first spotted in the Solway Firth
There is real excitement on the Solway coast of Cumbria.
A white-tailed sea eagle has been spotted feeding on the beach there for the first time in more than 200 years.
The predator was photographed as it graced the shoreline. It sat regally - surveying its new lands.
It is one of the largest birds in this country. A true king of the skies which until now was only found in Scotland.
Its appearance on the Solway has excited wildlife enthusiasts, including Dr Roy Armstrong from the University of Cumbria.
"This is a stonking great big door of a bird, and to find it here is so exciting. It's like a red-letter day for birdwatchers. It doesn't get better than this," he said.
Dr Armstrong lives in Port Carlisle, a small village in the heart of the Solway.
He spotted the bird sitting on the harbour wall just yards from his house and has been celebrating ever since. There is an inlet in the Solway where the eagle was last seen feeding on a salmon.- See link to website below
Camera shy
The word was already out that this was the place to see the eagle.
Dozens of bird watchers had gathered, binoculars pressed keenly to their faces, telescopes scanning the length of the Solway. But alas, the Sea Eagle had become a little camera shy.
A 26-year-old had driven 60 miles (97km) from Kendal to spend his birthday searching for the Sea Eagle.
Visit the website for full story BBC
A white-tailed sea eagle has been spotted feeding on the beach there for the first time in more than 200 years.
The predator was photographed as it graced the shoreline. It sat regally - surveying its new lands.
It is one of the largest birds in this country. A true king of the skies which until now was only found in Scotland.
Its appearance on the Solway has excited wildlife enthusiasts, including Dr Roy Armstrong from the University of Cumbria.
"This is a stonking great big door of a bird, and to find it here is so exciting. It's like a red-letter day for birdwatchers. It doesn't get better than this," he said.
Dr Armstrong lives in Port Carlisle, a small village in the heart of the Solway.
He spotted the bird sitting on the harbour wall just yards from his house and has been celebrating ever since. There is an inlet in the Solway where the eagle was last seen feeding on a salmon.- See link to website below
Camera shy
The word was already out that this was the place to see the eagle.
Dozens of bird watchers had gathered, binoculars pressed keenly to their faces, telescopes scanning the length of the Solway. But alas, the Sea Eagle had become a little camera shy.
A 26-year-old had driven 60 miles (97km) from Kendal to spend his birthday searching for the Sea Eagle.
Visit the website for full story BBC
