Britain's eagles to get year-round protection

LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) Britain's biggest and rarest eagles will get year-round protection under new laws that come into effect in England and Wales today.

The nests of Golden Eagles, White-tailed Eagles and Ospreys are currently only protected during the breeding season.

But under the new laws they may not be touched, damaged or destroyed at any time of the year.

''These birds nest in the same trees year on year and the nesting tree and site itself will have protection rather than just the eggs, chicks and nest,'' said a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

Currently in Britain there are 16 breeding pairs of White-tailed Eagles, 422 pairs of Golden Eagles and 127 pairs of Osprey, the British Trust for Ornithology said on its Web site.

Most of these breed in Scotland where the nest sites are already protected.

''Whilst the Golden Eagle and Osprey are rare residents of England and Wales, it is increasingly likely that more breeding pairs will become resident,'' said Biodiversity Minister Barry Gardiner.

''There is every likelihood the White-tailed Eagle will extend its range into England in the near future,'' he said.

Reuters VJ VP0520