A ten-month-old White-tailed Sea Eagle has joined the team at Isle of Wight attraction Robin Hill, in time for the park to reopen on May 19.

Called Chief, the huge bird of prey is being trained by 22-year-old Charlie Rolle, one of the UK’s youngest qualified falconers.

Chief joins a team of over 30 birds and will play a key role in educating visitors to the park at Downend, near Arreton.

Robin Hill falconer Charlie said, “It has been my childhood dream to train a White-tailed Sea Eagle.

"It’s been a slow and steady journey to build a bond of trust with Chief, with his welfare of the upmost importance.

"It is my passion that time spent with animals and learning from them will help our visitors become more aware of the conservation of our fellow inhabitants and the environmental challenges they face.

"There is nothing more awe-inspiring than to see a bird of prey in action.”

Chief already weighs 9.5lb and has a 7.5ft wingspan, and his signature white tail will develop as he grows older.

He lives on fish, provided by Ventnor Haven Fishery.

Isle of Wight County Press: Chief, in flight.Chief, in flight.

Chief will provide an up-close opportunity to see a species that is already being reintroduced in the wild on the Isle of Wight, thanks to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and The Forestry Commission.

The project started in 2019, with an aim to re-colonise the UK.

Adult birds can live for between 40 and 50 years.

A licence was recently agreed for the Foundation to release birds in Norfolk, from 2022.

James Crofts, Park Manager at Robin Hill, said, “We are so excited to be reopening with a brand-new arrival that enhances our ability to educate and enthral visitors on rare and wild birds.

"Chief signifies our ongoing development of quality falconry experiences on site, and we hope that by getting up close and personal people will have more appreciation for the species overall.

“We hope Chief will not only see a bumper reopening season for the attraction, but also support the Island’s post Covid-19 recovery, by providing a big draw for visitors this year.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Chief, the White-tailed Sea Eagle, will work with facloner Charlie Rolle at Robin Hill.