Two rare white-tailed eagles were born in the Lauwermeer area on the border of Groningen and Friesland. White-tailed eagles are the largest birds in the Netherlands.
By Hans de Preter / Translation by Traci White
Things are going well at nature reserves across the northern Netherlands. Thanks to nature conservancy efforts across the region, beavers and otters have returned to the north and wolves have been spotted in Groningen, Drenthe and Friesland. The largest bird species in the Netherlands, the white-tailed eagle, also seems to be responding positively: two chicks were born in the Lauwersmeer area this week.
White-tailed eagles are large birds of prey with a striking appearance, and they remain quite rare in the Netherlands. According to Omrop Fryslân, employees of the Dutch bird research foundation Sovon and the Forestry Commission noticed the newborn birds on Wednesday. The white-tailed eagle family has built a nest on the southern side of the Lauwersmeer, an area which is not open to the public.
This is not the first time that young eagles have been born in the country. The Forestry Commission has placed identification rings on seven eagle chicks in recent years, although it is uncertain if they are still alive. White-tailed eagles are most commonly spotted in large forested areas. They have been seen at the Zuidlaardermeer in the province of Groningen as well.
Photo source: Wikipedia
