Today marks the release of ‘Return’, a transportive new film which brings to life the RSPB and partners’ successful 50 year-long endeavour to bring the White-tailed Eagle back to our shores. The film blends spellbinding present-day footage of the birds thriving in their Scottish heartlands with archival gems, and features leading voices including RSPB Ambassadors Dave Sexton (who has been integral to the reintroduction project) and Nadeem Perera (co-founder of bird-watching collective Flock Together), who share their passion for the birds, alongside musician and sound artist Alice Boyd.

The UK’s largest bird of prey (affectionately nicknamed ‘the flying barn door’), the White-tailed Eagle was driven to extinction in the early 20th century due to persecution and loss of habitat. Thanks to decades of dedicated conservation work by the RSPB and its partners, an epic reintroduction project – which began with the arrival of eagle chicks from Norway on to the Isle of Rum in 1975 – has seen the species make a triumphant return across Scotland, Northern England and the South Coast.

Watch the film below.