The Sea Eagle or White-tailed Eagle is now re-established as a breeding species in Scotland following reintroduction projects. After an absence of about 50 years as a breeding species, the late Pat Sandeman released 3 sea eagles in Argyll in 1959 and later George Waterston arranged for 4 young sea eagles from Norway to be released on Fair Isle in 1968. Roy Dennis, the then warden of Fair Isle Bird Observatory carried out the reintroduction and although all birds were successfully reared and released, it did not lead to breeding. A full-scale reintroduction was started by the Nature Conservancy in 1975 on the island of Rum and this lead to successful breeding in 1985, from which our present population stems (see the book " The Return of the Sea Eagle" Cambridge University Press, 1983, by John Love, the Project Officer).

In 2007, there were 42 occupied territories and at least 35 pairs laid eggs and a record total of 34 young were fledged, while in the Tay area 15 young sea eagles from Norway were released as the next stage of the Scottish Sea Eagle Project Team's long term plans.

We are strong advocates that sea eagles should be restored to all areas where they used to occur in the UK as well as in southern and western Europe. Roy Dennis is on the Scottish and UK Sea-Eagle Team, and been involved in discussions about future releases in Scotland. He has also recommended their restoration to England and advised on the feasibility of restoring sea eagles to East Anglia and Wales, given practical assistance with the reintroduction to Co Kerry, Ireland and given advice on similar projects in Spain, Gibraltar and France.