Endangered Steppe Eagle finds new home in Hampshire

An impressively sized Steppe Eagle is settling into his new home at the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover in Hampshire.

Visitors to the Trust have already been meeting the new resident and learning his name is ‘Stilton’, in line with the bird of prey charity’s 2024 cheese-based naming theme.  However, this migratory species is named after its preferred breeding habitat - the Steppe region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Stilton is a magnificent example of these dark brown eagles which can be between 71 and 81cm tall, weigh from 2.4 to 4.9kg (the same as an average Yorkshire Terrier) and have a wingspan typically extending up to two metres!

Sadly, the Steppe Eagle is globally Endangered and its population is estimated to have declined by around 60% since 2010. Habitat loss and electrocution on powerlines are the big problems and, in Europe, the Steppe Eagle is Critically Endangered.

The Trust is hopeful that Stilton will join experiences and flying displays in time for the start of the summer programme on 29 March.  These activities not only enable the public to witness the real-life beauty of wildlife but also serve to raise awareness of the Trust’s need to continue vital conservation and research work. 

Talking about Stilton’s skills as an ambassador for all Steppe Eagles, Bird Team member Jennie Marshall said: “He has a really lovely character - very chatty and well-mannered. Birds of prey are often pretty wary when meeting new people for the first time, so on our first face-to-beak meeting, I wasn’t expecting him to be immediately comfortable with me. However, the first thing he did was jump onto my gloved hand to say hello!

“Stilton really is a rising star. It will be amazing to see how he progresses and it’s great that visitors can follow his journey – from seeing him in his aviary right now right through to his debut in flying displays which is expected to happen at the end of March.”

Anyone interested in visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust to see Stilton as well as many other stunning birds of prey should visit the website at www.hawk-conservancy.org

The Hawk Conservancy Trust is dedicated to the research and conservation of birds of prey and their habitats both in the UK and overseas and utilises income from its visitor centre near Andover, Hampshire, to fund its work. Visitors can experience rare birds of prey up close, watch world-class flying displays in three completely different arenas or simply meander through 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow.