INTREPID white-tailed sea eagle Culver has now returned to the Isle of Wight, following an eight day, 680km pilgrimage in which he flew over some of southern England’s most desirable locations.

The majestic bird of prey made it back to the Island yesterday (Thursday) following his adventure, landing at Culver Cliff, the sea eagles' last know breeding site in southern England in 1780 — and the location he is named after.

Yesterday morning, Culver remained close to his roost site at Thorney Island until just after 9.30am. While stationed there, he was spotted by an eagle-eyed passer-by, who noted a south-westerly flight path.

As anticipated, Culver began traversing the Solent shortly after being spotted.

The 15km crossing took him 40 minutes to complete, as he passed over the famous cliffs at an altitude of 222m.

Tim Mackrill of the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, has been keeping absorbed onlookers abreast with the latest updates on Facebook.

He said: “Once back on the Island, Culver showed no sign of letting up.

“He continued on a westerly heading just south of Yarmouth, at an altitude of 379m, and twenty minutes later, he was circling over another of the Isle of Wight’s famous landmarks, the Needles.

“He then turned east over Tennyson Down — the exact spot he had set off from eight days earlier — an incredible flight for a young white-tailed eagle.”

For further updates on the eagles, visit the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation website at www.roydennis.org