A second Isle of Wight released white-tailed eagle has successfully travelled across the England Channel to France, covering over 1,200 miles in her 22-day trip to mainland Europe.

The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with Forestry England, continues to track the movements of young white-tailed eagles as part of their ongoing project.

Up until a few weeks ago, G463 was the only one of the Island eagles to cross the Channel, but at the end of last month, G818, a female released in 2021, followed suit.

On March 22, G818 flew across the south coast of the Island and spent time at Brading Marshes before crossing the Solent the next morning.

Tracking east along the coast, she passed landmarks such as Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings before reaching the sea near St Margarets Bay, east of Dover.

A swift 30-minute flight across the Channel landed her in France, west of Calais, where she roosted near Desvres, covering a distance of 301km since leaving Brading Marshes that morning.

Isle of Wight County Press: G818 flew 301 km to northern France on March 23G818 flew 301 km to northern France on March 23 (Image: Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation)

Continuing her exploration, G818 crossed into Normandy, tracking the coastline for several days, passing through cities like Rouen and Caen.

Eventually, she reached the wetlands of Parc des Marais du Cotentin in the Cherbourg Peninsula, covering a total of 454km in four days.

Despite initially heading north towards Cherbourg, the eagle reversed course and ventured south along the west coast, spending a night near Mont Saint-Michel, before moving into Brittany.

She was still there the next morning and was photographed hunting wildfowl by Maude Bachet. 

Isle of Wight County Press: G818 at du Marais de Sougéal in BrittanyG818 at du Marais de Sougéal in Brittany (Image: Maude Bachet)

On April 1, G818 altered her course, heading northeast towards Le Mans before roosting near Longny-les-Villages, suggesting a potential return home.

G818 made another attempt to cross the Channel on April 8, and, despite adverse conditions, she successfully made the crossing, returning to Dover in just 27 minutes.

The eagle has since arrived at one of her favoured locations in the Avon Valley, having flown a total of 2,062km/1,281 miles in 22 days.

Isle of Wight County Press: G818 flew 2062 km in 22 daysG818 flew 2062 km in 22 days (Image: Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation)