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| Watching and waiting for the sea eagle | Watching and waiting for the sea eagle |
| (1 day later) | |
| By Laura Bicker BBC News, Solway Firth The sea eagle was first spotted in the Solway Firth on TuesdayThere is real excitement on the Solway coast of Cumbria. | |
| A white-tailed sea eagle has been spotted feeding on the beach there for the first time in more than 200 years. | A white-tailed sea eagle has been spotted feeding on the beach there for the first time in more than 200 years. |
| The predator was photographed as it graced the shoreline. It sat regally - surveying its new lands. | The predator was photographed as it graced the shoreline. It sat regally - surveying its new lands. |
| It is one of the largest birds in this country. A true king of the skies which until now was only found in Scotland. | It is one of the largest birds in this country. A true king of the skies which until now was only found in Scotland. |
| Its appearance on the Solway has excited wildlife enthusiasts, including Dr Roy Armstrong from the University of Cumbria. | Its appearance on the Solway has excited wildlife enthusiasts, including Dr Roy Armstrong from the University of Cumbria. |
| "This is a stonking great big door of a bird, and to find it here is so exciting. It's like a red letter day for birdwatchers. It doesn't get better than this," he said. | |
| Dr Armstrong lives in Port Carlisle, a small village in the heart of the Solway. | Dr Armstrong lives in Port Carlisle, a small village in the heart of the Solway. |
| He spotted the bird sitting on the harbour wall just yards from his house and has been celebrating ever since. | He spotted the bird sitting on the harbour wall just yards from his house and has been celebrating ever since. |
| He took me to an inlet in the Solway where the eagle was last seen feeding on a salmon. | He took me to an inlet in the Solway where the eagle was last seen feeding on a salmon. |
| Camera shy | Camera shy |
| The word was already out that this was the place to see the eagle. | The word was already out that this was the place to see the eagle. |
| Dozens of bird watchers had gathered, binoculars pressed keenly to their faces, telescopes scanning the length of the Solway. But alas, the Sea Eagle had become a little camera shy. | Dozens of bird watchers had gathered, binoculars pressed keenly to their faces, telescopes scanning the length of the Solway. But alas, the Sea Eagle had become a little camera shy. |
| A 26-year-old had driven 60 miles (97km) from Kendal to spend his birthday searching for the Sea Eagle. | A 26-year-old had driven 60 miles (97km) from Kendal to spend his birthday searching for the Sea Eagle. |
| Others had crossed the country from Newcastle. Locally even those just walking their dogs could not wait to tell of their brush with the now famous eagle. | Others had crossed the country from Newcastle. Locally even those just walking their dogs could not wait to tell of their brush with the now famous eagle. |
| The Solway visitor is either from Scotland or France | The Solway visitor is either from Scotland or France |
| Flasks of tea were shared and sandwiches handed out as they waited. | Flasks of tea were shared and sandwiches handed out as they waited. |
| "It's such an amazing feeling when you get to see a bird like this," said one watcher. | "It's such an amazing feeling when you get to see a bird like this," said one watcher. |
| "It's like 'whoopee' - a feeling of excitement. They're such big birds, to see one here would be amazing." | "It's like 'whoopee' - a feeling of excitement. They're such big birds, to see one here would be amazing." |
| Birdwatchers alert others using texts and e-mails. And before long, Dr Armstrong's phone was buzzing with the latest news. | Birdwatchers alert others using texts and e-mails. And before long, Dr Armstrong's phone was buzzing with the latest news. |
| It seems the eagle had taken a trip across the water to Scotland. | It seems the eagle had taken a trip across the water to Scotland. |
| Disappointment spread - but many still decided to stay in the hope it would come back soon. | Disappointment spread - but many still decided to stay in the hope it would come back soon. |
| It is not known if the Solway eagle will stay. It is thought the recent winter storms may have forced it to fly off course. It could be heading to Scotland, or back to France. | It is not known if the Solway eagle will stay. It is thought the recent winter storms may have forced it to fly off course. It could be heading to Scotland, or back to France. |
| If it does decide to hang around, it could attract thousands of visitors, and generate income for the local economy. | If it does decide to hang around, it could attract thousands of visitors, and generate income for the local economy. |
| This is the significance of such a rare and magnificent bird. No pressure then Solway sea eagle - we await your return. | This is the significance of such a rare and magnificent bird. No pressure then Solway sea eagle - we await your return. |