A sick falcon found grounded at Spittal Pond has been returned to the wild after treatment.

A Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo spokeswoman said the peregrine falcon was spotted by Erich Hetzel, a birdwatcher and member of the Audubon Society, who contacted the organisation after he became concerned about the bird’s health.

She said: “Our staff who responded were able to easily capture the bird, which is not a good sign and a clear indicator that the animal was compromised in some way.

“After initial examinations, it was found to be a young female that was extremely underweight.”

The spokeswoman said staff kept the bird, christened “Milly” — short for the Star Wars spacecraft Millennium Falcon — on a steady diet of mice for two weeks until she returned to a healthy weight.

She said: “Measurements taken of the bird confirmed it was a falcon and she was fitted with a steel leg band with a unique number as an identifier.

“Due to the rarity of acquiring a raptor capable of being released back to the wild we saw this as a valuable opportunity to put a tracking tag on her.”

Milly was released on Trunk Island late last month, fitted with a solar-powered telemetry unit to allow researchers to track the bird’s location.

The spokeswoman said: “The tag weighed only 15 grams whereas the bird was over 700 grams. She was observed overnight to see if there were any ill effects from the tag or if the fitting was incorrect; however, the tag seemed to go unnoticed by the falcon.

“Since her release, the tag has been transmitting data daily.

“This information can be used to help us learn more about migrant raptors, like their movement around the island, site fidelity, when they depart Bermuda and where they go once they do leave the island.”

Peregrine falcons are the fastest animals on earth and have recorded diving speeds of 240mph when hunting birds.

Peregrines are the most widespread variety of birds of prey, but are not often seen in Bermuda.