Spotted as it wandered back home (7)
I believe the answer is:
stained
'spotted' is the definition.
('stain' can be a synonym of 'spot')
'as it wandered back home' is the wordplay.
'wandered' indicates an anagram.
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'home' becomes 'den' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'den' written backwards gives 'ned'.
'as'+'it'='asit'
'asit' with letters rearranged gives 'stai'.
'stai'+'ned'='STAINED'
(Other definitions for stained that I've seen before include "Soiled" , "___ glass" , "Like many church windows" , "Church feature - side sold was wanting (anag)" , "Marked, discoloured" .)