The eagle has landed! A Russian eagle with a six-foot wingspan that flew away from its bird sanctuary home in Suffolk has been found after two nights of freedom.

By James Fraser

A Russian eagle with a 6ft wingspan that flew away from its Suffolk home has been found after two nights of freedom.

The steppe eagle, called Mir, flew off during a demonstration at the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary in Stonham Barns on Sunday. She got caught on the wind, which lifted her to a height of about 1,000ft.

Staff at the centre, which is home to more than 70 birds of prey, finally tracked down seven-year-old Mir in a field just outside Wetheringsett, near Eye.

Julie Finnis, warden at the sanctuary, said: "She was sitting in the middle of a ploughed field, tired, dirty and caked in mud.

"She was put in a towel, held like a baby in the back of the car and brought back here.

"She has been cleaned up, fed and is now sitting on her perch as if nothing happened.

"We have all been very concerned for her. There is huge relief to get her back.''

Mir, who was born at the sanctuary near Stowmarket, was seen flying towards Debenham after escaping and it was thought she might be in the Framlingham area.