Rare eagle back in the air thanks to rescue effort

Bird found starved and soaking after flying 100 miles from release site

HAPPY ENDING: The sea eagle rescued and released by the Scottish SPCA now carries a radio tag so experts can keep track of her
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A RARE sea eagle found starving and soaked through in the west Highlands has had a new lease of life thanks to bird-lovers.

The Scottish SPCA successfully rescued, rehabilitated and released the giant bird found struggling to survive on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

This is the first time the charity has successfully returned an eagle to the wild.

The female white-tailed sea eagle was one of 19 youngsters released in Fife a few weeks earlier as part of the East Scotland Sea Eagle reintroduction programme by RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, which has been running since 2007.

Named Yellow 3 by her identification tag, she was rescued from Ardnamurchan by the charity’s Oban-based senior inspector, John McAvoy, in September.

After being spotted by a local dog-walker, Mr McAvoy found the bird with her feathers saturated from the extreme weather and unable to fly. She was also lean and in desperate need of feeding.

He fed and cared for the bird overnight before taking her to the Scottish SPCA’s Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife.

Centre manager Colin Seddon said: “Thankfully she had no physical injuries. She was simply naive and got caught up in bad weather so all she needed was resting and feeding up. After recuperating in our care, we released her last Thursday at a secret location.

“Food will be left out for her at the release sight to support her until she is fully independent.

“The whole operation was a team effort involving inspector McAvoy, RSPB Scotland and the staff here at our wildlife centre and we’re all delighted to have been able to help this stunning bird, which has suffered much persecution over the years despite its protected status.”

RSPB Scotland east Scotland sea eagle project officer Claire Smith added: “We are grateful to the Scottish SPCA for helping to rehabilitate this young eagle, at the early stages of a reintroduction every bird counts. Our young released eagles all behave differently each year and, whilst the majority of birds are in Fife and Perthshire, this young female flew more than 100 miles in a couple of days so it’s no wonder she was tired.

“Since her release we’ve been monitoring her by radio tag and checking on her daily. She’s in really good condition and flying well.”

Anyone wishing to report an injured or distressed animal should call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999999.