IT IS hoped two of the Isle of Wight's sea eagles will establish as a breeding pair, after they have been showing signs of bonding.

An update from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation confirmed birds G3 24 and G2 74 have struck up a friendship, despite not being reared in the same pen.

They found each other on release and have been roosting in close proximity to each other — and have enjoyed soaring alongside paragliders.

The update said: "The birds have spent much of the past four months together on the Isle of Wight.

"These two birds were not reared in the same pen but found each other on the Isle of Wight while exploring after fledging.

"Although the birds are reared in pens with at least one other, they have no contact with the other young eagles during this period.

"This means when they meet each other after release, it replicates the natural process of young eagles from different nests encountering each other.

"The tag data shows us the two birds frequently roost in the same copses, and sometimes even in the same tree, and we have had a number of reports of them tumbling with each other mid-air.

"The project team were also told they had been seen soaring with paragliders over the West Wight, which must be the most extreme sighting we have had to date.

"The satellite data indicates the two birds also soared together over Newport early in December, but it seems they went unnoticed.

"Although white-tailed eagles do not breed until they are around four to five years old, it is sometimes possible for pair bonds to become established much earlier than that.

"G3 24 is a female and G2 74 a male, and so there is a chance that if the two birds survive the next few years, they may eventually form a breeding pair."

None of the eagles have moved far in recent weeks, with three birds remaining on the Island, and bird G3 93 still in Oxfordshire.

They are often extremely sedentary — perching in wooded areas for much of the day and seldom flying more than a few kilometres from their roost site.

The foundation said: "We receive a number of queries asking where is best to view the eagles and we hope as the project progresses there may be a suitable place we can recommend.

"However, on a sunny day, you have a good chance to see the Isle of Wight eagles at any of the Island's many landmarks — you just need some luck.

"If out exploring, please stick to public rights of way and if you are lucky enough to encounter an eagle, or any other wildlife, give the animal plenty of space and avoid scaring it from its position.

"In future years it will become easier to watch white-tailed eagles as they establish as a breeding species in southern England."

More eagles will be released in summer 2020.