Miracle bird, Dalta, has landed in the history books

The bird has been spotted over the Isle of Rum - more than two years after flying the nest.

She was orphaned on the Isle of Skye when her father was found dead in Lochaber after being poisoned illegally.

Primary pupils in Broadford named the chick Dalta, Gaelic for foster child.

She had to be rescued, as baby sea eagles normally need the care of both parents.

The frail bird was eight days old and, because of the shock she suffered, was small for her age.

Everyone who has been involved with Dalta is overjoyed to hear that she has been spotted Alison MacLennan RSPB Scotland

She was kept in a cardboard box, and wildlife enthusiasts who were caring for Dalta were uncertain whether she would survive.

But after a pair of foster parents were found, she gained strength "against all odds".

Surving her first winter was Dalta's most difficult hurdle so, when she was identified by her wing tag, naturalists celebrated.

Alison MacLennan, spokeswoman for RSPB Scotland, said: "The survival of this chick to fledging was a massive achievement.

"Everyone who has been involved with Dalta is overjoyed to hear that she has been spotted."

She added: "It is quite incredible that even though sea eagles are our biggest bird of prey in Scotland, they can disappear for such a length of time and then turn up out-of-the blue like this.

Wildlife enthusiasts are celebrating their soaraway success

"We really had feared the worst for Dalta and it's great news that she is still with us and flying well."

Experts are now waiting anxiously to see if the sea eagle starts to breed.

Sea eagles, also known as white-tailed eagles, were driven to extinction in Scotland by 1916 following a prolonged period of human persecution.

The species is the fourth largest eagle in the world, with a wingspan of nearly two-and-a-half metres.

A large-scale release programme was launched in 1975 to reintroduce the bird to the Inner Hebrides.