Red Eagle Marks 30th Birthday With Special Feathered Passenger

A Red Funnel ferry has celebrated its 30th birthday in unique style by welcoming a very special guest on board.

The Red Eagle marked the milestone by carrying Kailani, an 11-year-old bald eagle, across the Solent as part of her journey to a new home on the Isle of Wight.

Kailani travelled with her handler to Robin Hill Country Park, where she is being rehomed at The Falconry Experience.

During the crossing, the eagle met crew members and even visited the bridge, greeting the captain and crew.

The occasion marked three decades of service for the ferry, which has played a key role in connecting the Island with the mainland.

Over the years, the vessel has taken part in major events, including the Trafalgar 200 Fleet Review in 2005, and once accompanied the QE2 on its final departure from Southampton.

Kailani is one of the latest additions to The Falconry Experience and is currently settling into her new environment, where she is undergoing rehabilitation and training.

Her handler, Charlotte Bell, said the bird is already showing strong signs of progress and is regaining confidence as she recovers.

The journey also continues a theme for Red Funnel, with previous crossings seeing a falcon travel on Red Falcon and a kestrel on Red Kestrel.

The company now hopes to complete the set by welcoming an osprey on board Red Osprey in the future.

Red Funnel’s chief executive said marking the ferry’s 30th anniversary with such a unique passenger was a fitting way to celebrate, adding that the company is proud to support wildlife and conservation efforts across the Island.