The Tale of the White Tail

A documentary film that details the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle to Britain, and hopefully now Wales, after being driven out by humans. This documentary also explores the issues farmers have with these eagles coming back.
I produced this documentary for my final major project, completing my degree in Photojournalism. I wanted to cover this topic because I believe it is an important discussion that deserved a documentary. I spent a year planning, filming and meeting and interviewing people. All the shots (without a credit in the bottom left corner) are my own. I am trying to break into the wildlife filmmaking industry and one day hope to do this as my job!
Thank you to all the people who took part and helped me along the way, I couldn't of done it without you!
I visited to Isle of Mull, the Isle of Wight, Devon and Carmarthenshire to produce this piece, I had a great time exploring the wonders British wildlife has to offer.
Context note: David Rampling farmed on the Isle of Mull 1989, 90 and 91.
Fact mistake in introduction: white-tailed eagles were reintroduced in 1975 on the Isle of Rum. The first chicks fledged 1985.

[@joenicholson3447]

The White-Tailed Eagle is a very beautiful and majestic Eagle, and I hope the re-into to the U .K is a sounding success.. I hope the U K. will federally protect them too !!!!!

[@frankieangus14]

Thanks Joe !

[@doghouseriley4732]

When we become a federal state, I am sure that will happen...................

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. 👍📷😎

[@Derbyshire_bird_tours]

Really well put together Liv. Like you said, it's evidence that will answer the question and apart from anecdotes from farmers, there is none at present.
Brilliant, well done.

[@frankieangus14]

Thanks a lot for your feedback Stewart 👍

[@brenttomlinson7871]

the eagles are amazing please bring back to Wales

[@frankieangus14]

ERW project hope to have them back soon!!!

[@frankieangus14]

www.eaglereintroductionwales.com

[@kontrolla1]

Thanks for creating this excellent film Liv. You shone a light on both sides of the debate around the predation of lambs by the Sea Eagles. I am going to Mull in two days and I am looking forward to seeing and photographing these magnificent birds again. I think your suggestion that satellite tracking should be used with the Sea Eagles in Scotland is a good one.

[@frankieangus14]

Thanks for your comment Paul, I hope you enjoy Mull it is a magical place 🙂

[@serendeeganparry]

Amazing

[@frankieangus14]

Thank you Seren !!

[@klbmilad7799]

لا اِلهَ اِلّا رَبُّ الْعَوالِم حُسَين جَلَّ جَلالَه خالِقُ شَئ وَ الْرازِقُ كُلُّ شَئ و القادِرُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُالْمُطلَق فَلَيسَ كَمِثلِه شَئ ❤️

[@GazandJulesTravelAdventures]

Great video , we’re new subscribers

[@frankieangus14]

Thank you both, it means a lot 🙏🏻

[@comutter8]

Great film. I live in the west coast of Norway and I have been banding white tailed sea eagles for 10 years now, and studied them for 20 years. I have been in close to 200 nests and I have never found lamb carcases. But there is not so many sheeps in Norway as in Great Britain. The white tailed sea eagle is defently a scavenger, and not a hunter as the golden eagle. The white tailed just sits around and will try to steel food from other birds, like the great blacked backed gull. The white tailed prey on other birds, like goose and gulls. In Norway there is no film evidence of white tailed kills live helthy lambs. Parden my English, hope you understand.

[@frankieangus14]

Thank you very much for your comments, I am glad you enjoyed my film :)

[@doghouseriley4732]

I only know one farmer really well. He's a nice enough guy and I have known him for 30 years. But his genuine belief is that whatever he does on his land is his business and no-one elses. If he is typical of the farming community, then the truth of the matter is that the problem is attitude. This idea that the farmer is a custodian of the land is a myth. Some thing warm and woolley for the naturalists to think about whilst they butcher the harrier populations to maintain their grouse numbers.
The myth that the farmer is looking after the countryside, is as long as time itself. It enables farmer to act as they wish, without the intervention of the authorities. Which is exactly what the farmer wants. In no other industry is there so much autonomy.
A few years ago there was a Golden Eagle flying around near Royal Deeside, that had a trap hanging from it's foot. It was getting some press, not the sort of press that the local shooting estates wanted to see. So a bounty was placed on the eagle. The person who shot it and brought it in would be given £300. That's the sort of mentality you are dealing with.