Broedende Zeearenden Haliaeetus albicilla in Nederland in 2022

In 2022 30 pairs of White-tailed Eagles occupied a territory with nest in or near wetlands in The Netherlands. At least 22 pairs commenced egg-laying. Fifteen pairs were successful, raising a total of 22 fledglings, of which 13 were colour-ringed (since 2006, when the first pair bred, Dutch White-tailed Eagles produced almost 150 fledglings up to and including 2022). Some breeding attempts failed in the aftermath of nest damage caused by late winter storms. At least eight nestlings died (complete broods and partial mortality within broods), possibly related to bird flu (one case confirmed by post mortem research); the other nestlings were not analysed. Expansion in 2022 was mostly restricted to the northern Netherlands and Flevoland with adjoining lakes. No such trend was visible along the large rivers in the central Netherlands nor in the delta in the southwestern Netherlands. The larger wetlands, most of which protected, are now occupied by White-tailed Eagles, and further expansion will invitably bring eagles in closer contact with humans (and their associated disturbance and obstacles, such as wind turbines and powerlines; so far, four White-tailed Eagles are known to have been killed by wind turbines in The Netherlands).