Efforts to release rescued Aberdeenshire sea eagle fail

It had been hoped the sea eagle would be released on Wednesday

A sea eagle rescued on the Aberdeenshire coast has been taken back into care after efforts to release it failed.

The eagle was rescued after RSPB Scotland were called to reports of an injured bird at a remote cove near Pennan.

Its team managed to save the tired, wet but "feisty" sea eagle.

The bird was due to be released at the RSPB's Loch of Strathbeg reserve, near Fraserburgh, but it failed to fly.

It will now be taken to eagle specialists in Fife.

The bird was identified as a young male released in Ireland as part of a reintroduction project in 2010.

The distressed eagle was first spotted by a sea kayaker and the alarm was raised.

RSPB Scotland moved in to help, with help from Banff-based business North 58˚ Sea Adventures.