The thought of raptors circling over Exmoor once more has a subtle significance. Depending on who you ask, the idea of big birds of prey returning to those thermals is either a dream or a problem for those who are familiar with the moor, its wide grey skies, its heather ridges, and the silence broken only by wind and the occasional grouse. The debate over Environment Secretary Steve Barclay’s proposed plan to reintroduce species that have been lost to England for centuries is complicated.
The more comprehensive framework is not new. A Species Reintroduction Taskforce was created by the government back in 2021 with the responsibility of identifying birds and mammals that had vanished from England and arguing for their reintroduction. White-tailed eagles, beavers, and wildcats had already joined that discussion. The next, and possibly most controversial, chapter is Raptors on Exmoor. Given that species reintroductions produce favorable press, are in line with global biodiversity goals, and are less expensive than extensive habitat reconstruction, it’s plausible that Barclay views this as one of the cleaner conservation victories at his disposal. However, the reality on the ground is rarely so neat.
Exmoor is not a wilderness, but a working landscape. Farmers and gamekeepers who have been in charge of the moor for many generations are keeping a close eye on developments. The issue is not hypothetical. Sometimes livestock are taken by large raptors, such as red kites, which have already made a loud comeback in other parts of England, or white-tailed eagles.
The obvious flashpoint is lambs. Try explaining that to a hill farmer who has discovered a carcass and draws a straight line to the sky, even though it doesn’t happen frequently and the evidence suggests the extent of predation is frequently exaggerated. It seems that the government’s enthusiasm for rewilding occasionally surpasses its comprehension of what marginal upland farming actually entails.
The model created by the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan, which aims to preserve 30% of England’s land by 2030, stop the extinction of species, and reconstruct what planners refer to as a Nature Recovery Network, seems to be the foundation of Barclay’s plan, at least in part. Reintroducing species is a perfect fit for that goal. Before releasing anything into the wild, the Species Reintroduction Taskforce was created to bring together conservationists, landowners, and non-governmental organizations to find common ground. It’s still unclear whether that process has progressed far enough on Exmoor.
The direction of travel has been largely welcomed by conservation organizations. Apex and near-apex predators reshape ecosystems in ways that benefit far more species than just themselves, according to a plausible scientific theory known as trophic cascade. Measurable changes in the way other species used the landscape were brought about by the return of white-tailed eagles to some areas of Scotland. Similar possibilities are mentioned by proponents of the reintroduction of Exmoor raptors: a more biodiverse moorland overall, less intense grazing pressure in some areas, and possibly richer ground cover. It’s an inspiring vision. It’s another matter entirely whether Exmoor’s unique ecology and its unique human communities can adapt to that change without experiencing significant resistance.
It’s difficult to ignore the recurring pattern of rewilding discussions in England. Announcement, zeal, opposition from rural areas, consultation pledges, and sluggish execution. Beavers experienced it. It was traversed by red kites. Every time, the concerns turned out to be both real and overblown, and the results were typically better than opponents had anticipated and messier than supporters had claimed. The Exmoor raptor controversy appears to be headed in the same direction. Whether this turns into a true conservation success or just another point of contention between Whitehall and the countryside will depend on what Barclay and his department do next, particularly how seriously they interact with the farmers and moorland managers who will have to live with this decision.
