Against the backdrop of the Argyll Islands this is a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Mull Eagle Watch

21 March to mid-July

Join us at the home of white-tailed eagles - Loch Frisa on the beautiful Isle of Mull.

One of the best places in Europe to enjoy unique and spectacular views of these impressive birds of prey, you will be taken to a hide by a Mull Eagle Watch ranger where you'll watch the nesting family from a safe distance.

As well as these stunning birds of prey, Loch Frisa is home to plenty of other wildlife, including golden eagles, hen harriers, buzzards, otters along the coast and red deer, which will be calving in June.

Slow worms, common lizards and adders are found across the island, and basking sharks, minke whales and other marine mammals are also frequently sighted along the coast.

Advanced booking is essential as places fill up quickly. Price (including RSPB members): Adults £4, children (16 and under) £2, Family ticket (two adults and two children) £10. Free to island residents.

Opening times

There will be at least two trips per day to the hide, usually at 10 am and 1 pm. Each trip lasts two hours, with over an hour at the hide watching for eagles and other wildlife.

How to get there

The eagles have moved and so have we! The rendezvous point for booked trips is now at the south, or Aros, end of the Loch Frisa track. It is 1 km up the track from the Lettermore junction of Loch Frisa forest track and the A848 Tobermory to Salen road. Signs will direct you from the the end of the road, where a ranger will meet you at the rendezvous point and escort you to the new hide. This will involve driving your own vehicle to a site via a locked gate along a forest track at your own risk.

Please note that there is no vehicular access from the north end where there is a locked gate. Any walkers or cyclists on the forestry track are welcome to call in at the hide if a trip is on. Donations to the Mull Eagle Watch project are always welcome. Wildlife law advisory notices and nest area protection measures are in place. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you at the all-new white-tailed eagle hide this year.

What should I bring?

Wet weather clothing and stout shoes are recommended, although parking is available near to the hide. There is a small selection of telescopes and binoculars available for you to use, but please bring your own if you have them. There are no refreshment facilities or toilets at the hide (nearest are at Tobermory or Salen).

Enquiries

Telephone: Mull on 01688 302038

Why not make a day of it?

Nearby attractions that you may also like to visit:

• Aros Park
• Glen Aros

Mull eagle watch and white-tailed eagle viewing project is a partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust, Strathclyde police, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland, the local community and volunteers with funding from the BBC Wildlife Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund/Nadair Trust. All money raised goes back to the project and to local Mull and Iona good causes. Mull Eagle Watch – proud to be members of Wild Scotland.

Mull eagles

Saturday, 26 April 2008 14.26

Week 4 - Eagles, eagles everywhere!!

Posted by Chris Griffin

It's been a fantastic and really exciting week down at Loch Frisa, the sun has been shining, and everyday we've been treated yet again with spectacular views of not only our eagles Frisa and Skye, but of several juvenile birds with white and yellow tags as well as a few golden eagles scouting by too! At one point on saturday, we were fortunate to see 5 eagles at the same time!! Frisa on her perching tree, 2 wandering adults and a juvenile sea eagle circling above along with a goldie for good measure!!

And as if there wasn't enough excitement for the week with all the views we were getting, the time had come........ everyday we watched and waited for any sign that the chicks had hatched..... and finally on sunday we were rewarded with what we had been waiting for, Frisa perched on the side of the nest, stripping little bits of meat off something she'd brought back and bending her head into the nest to feed her newly hatched chicks.........SUCCESS!!!!!

But the challenge has only just begun for Frisa and Skye, now most of their time will be spent searching for more and more food to bring back for our ravenous little eaglets...... how they put so much away is quite beyond me....... hollow wings no doubt!

The next couple of weeks is crucial for them too, baecause they can't control their body temperature yet, so mum and dad will have to constantly brood them to keep them nice and warm, all we can do is keep watch and hope that the sun keeps shining to give them the best chance possible!!!

More...