Coming soon: RSPB film about the epic return of White-tailed Eagles

The UK’s largest bird of prey, the White-tailed Eagle, was once lost from our skies having been driven to extinction. But thanks to five decades of human endeavour to right that wrong, our biggest bird of prey soars over the UK once more.

It’s now 50 years since White-tailed Eagles were successfully reintroduced. To celebrate this milestone, we are launching Return, a film that tells the story of how the birds were brought back.

Through awe-inspiring footage and first-hand interviews, we will follow the story of the White-tailed Eagles’ return. It’s been slow, heartbreaking, and at times controversial. 

Our story starts in Scotland, where the work to bring these birds back began in the 1970s, moving south to where the eagles are beginning to return to England and inspiring a new generation of nature lovers.

We’ll bring you stunning footage of White-tailed Eagles, soaring free and majestically in their Scottish heartlands, as well as over their more recent home on England’s south coast. Shot over two years, prepare to be wowed by these awesome birds.  

We’ve also delved through the archives to uncover the films that tell the story of the birds’ history and difficult first reintroductions.

We’ll meet people who’ve dedicated their lives to the eagles' recovery, including RSPB Ambassador Dave Sexton. Dave was instrumental in the reintroduction of White-tailed Eagles during his 21-year career as the RSPB Scotland’s Mull Officer. And Roy Dennis OBE, who played a crucial role in the birds' return to Scotland and, more recently, their reintroduction to the Isle of Wight.

We hear from Alison MacLennan, RSPB Senior Conservation Officer, who has spent around two decades on the Isle of Skye working with the local community to help White-tailed Eagles thrive.

And we’ll speak to a new generation of nature lovers, including Wildlife TV presenter and RSPB Ambassador Nadeem Perera, and musician Alice Boyd. To coincide with the film’s launch, Alice has written an original song based on her experience of working on the project.

Once revered by our ancient ancestors, the White-tailed Eagle's history is inextricably linked with ours. And its return has inspired generation after generation of people to take action. 

This new film will show that conservation can only be achieved through collective action. Through the efforts of a broad alliance of volunteers, conservationists, ecologists, and local communities, we look at how a lost species has returned.  

And with reintroduction projects now underway in the Severn Estuary in Wales, and Exmoor in England, we celebrate the slow but steady return of a once lost icon.