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Well, having just sat through all the acts for Britain's Got Talent, I'm glad I didn't have to choose the winner - they were all so good.  Congratulations to Diversity!

Well someone has finally heard my pleas - the weather here has been glorious, buckets of sunshine, blue skies and very, very warm.  The Factor 50 suncream had to come out today.  This weather is great for growing chicks too - its gives Skye and Frisa plenty of opportunity to hunt for food too thus giving us fantastic flying displays.

Cotton Grass at Loch Frisa

One of the things I love about working at the Hide is meeting so many different people, all ages and from all differents walks of life - but with one thing in common - to catch sight of our largest Bird of Prey - and Skye and Frisa have certainly given so much pleasure to so many people.  We also have a great diversity of wildlife from our eagles (white-tailed and golden), the siskins and chaffinches on the feeders, our sand martins, the divers on the Loch, through to the butterflies and even a dragonfly that we all stopped to admire today.  What a wonderful World!

First visitor of the day!

As I arrived at the hide this morning, this lamb was waiting with him mum for the door to open - we do meet a diversity of life at the hide!!

Dave is on Iona this weekend doing the Corncrake survey - I guess I will have to text the results of the show!

Dont forget to check the Estonian webcam Live sea eagle webcam

Have you ever thought of joining the RSPB and supporting our work with the eagles? Just click the 'Join now' button and take a look. 

Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Isle of Mull

I returned to the Eagle Hide today, having had a couple of days off.  What do you do on your day off on Mull?  Why, check on the other eagles of course!  I had a great day and had some wonderful views of both white-tailed eagles and golden eagles - we are so lucky on Mull to have both these magnificent birds - I don't think I could ever tire of watching them. 

Both trips today were fully booked and the visitors were not disappointed.  As I arrived at the hide this morning to open up, I was greeted by Frisa flying across the loch and into the nest.  Both groups got fantastic views of both adults and the chicks on the nest.   The two chicks are six weeks old today and growing at a phenominal rate.  As I took a final look at them this evening, you could clearly see their feathers coming through, a wing or two being flapped, getting ready for that first flight which should happen around 12 weeks old.

Did some of you manage to catch 'Animal 24:7' on BBC One this evening? Just wanted to point out that it was filmed two years ago. It was sad for everyone involved (see archived blogs from 2007 'White tail, black day') but the chicks this year are just fine.

I just want to sign off tonight by sending all our very best wishes to PC Finlay Christine, our Wildlife Crime Officer on Mull who featured in tonight's programme.  Finlay 'retired' today (although his official last day is in July) and is one of the nicest guys you could meet.  He has done so much for our eagles and all Mull's wildlife. This year he was awarded Wildlife Crime Enforcer of the Year - a fitting tribute to all his hard work.  A long, happy and healthy retirement and a huge thank you for all that you have done for our magnificent birds.

Dont forget to check the Live sea eagle webcam in Estonia and you will see how Skye and Frisa's chicks on Mull are looking!

I have included some of the stunning photos taken by Iain Erskine

                                     White-tailed eagle - Photos copyright Iain Erskine

Have you ever thought of joining the RSPB and supporting our work with the eagles? Just click the 'Join now' button and take a look. 

Debby Thorne RSPB Scotland

Live sea eagle webcam 

Well, actually I do. Usually. But to wake up to the mizzle (mist and drizzle?) again was a bit of a let down. Especially when the rest of the UK seems to be basking in wonderful warm sunshine.  However, undaunted, two true-grit groups assembled at 10am and 1pm and were not put off by suggestions that we might see absolutely nothing at the hide. They would take their chances. True the mist was down and covered the nest wood. True it was raining so hard you got soaked walking from car to hide. True the midges were loving it. True the morning group saw nothing more than a dark 'atmospheric' eagle silhouette in a tree. The afternoon group were a determined bunch. True Brits. It's as if they were willing the rain to stop.  And then a miracle happened.  It stopped. The clouds parted. A hint of blue appeared in the western sky. Frisa flew from the nest where she'd been doing her best to protect her rapidly growing chicks from the wet. She perched next to Skye and they called to each other. A small cheer went up from the brave crowd at the forward hide. Skye heard what Frisa was screaming: "I know it's wet. I know you're fed up but GO GET SOME FOOD!" Out he flew from the wood, across the loch and off to hunt. Everyone got fabulous views and they left happy and contented, if a little damp and slightly bitten. A small price to pay.

Last night as I took a last look at the live streaming sea eagle webcam in Estonia, I learned something new about sea eagles after nearly 30 years of watching them. Of course we never really get to see them at roost, at night, 'asleep'. The webcam is 2 hours ahead of British Summer Time so at 2230 Estonian time, there was one of the adults - probably the female - on the nest with the two chicks. Amazingly she had her head tucked under her wing - just like a sleeping swan. I've never seen them do that before. There's always something new to learn about these birds. As I write I can close my eyes and picture Frisa on the nest tonight. She has her two chicks tucked cosily underneath and she rests her proud head under her wing. Let's hope the sun shines on them all (and dries them out) tomorrow.

Welcome back to the new Springwatch team. Great show. I think it works. How about you?

Has Britain Got Talent? Mull's sea eagles get some primetime TV exposure this week. Don't miss 'Animal 24:7' BBC One 7.30pm Wednesday 27 May (except Wales).

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

Have you ever thought of joining the RSPB and supporting our work with the eagles? Just click the 'Join now' button and take a look. 

First of all, on behalf of Dave and myself, we would like to say thank you for all your comments. They certainly make interesting reading and it's great to know so many of you take an interest in our work with the sea eagles. 

One subject that everyone talks about on Mull is the weather!  Yesterday and today were absolute contrasts.

Yesterday the forecast told us to expect sunshine and showers but instead we had wall to wall sunshine, and the four layers I started off with first thing in the morning, rapidly reduced to a tee shirt by lunchtime.  We had great views of both chicks on the nest much to the excitement of the visitors.  Skye and Frisa not to miss out on the attention gave us some fantastic flying displays - and if that wasn't enough, a golden eagle gave us a beautiful flypast too.

During the past week, Channel Four's 'Time Team' have been on Mull working on a dig just outside Tobermory.  They have made some significant finds and we look forward to seeing it televised next year.  Of course, they also wanted to see our eagles too!  So in the early evening sunlight, we took 12 members of the 'Time Team' crew down to the hide.  I wish I could have taped their reactions on seeing Frisa on the nest with two chicks and Skye sat next to them roosting on a branch, soaking up the evening sunlight.  They were just completely blown away - there were shrieks of excitement and delight at seeing the birds and a genuine admiration for them.  They were a great bunch and really appreciated the beauty of these birds. A perfect end to a perfect day.  I left Loch Frisa with the sun going down, Skye and Frisa settling down for the night with their two chicks.

C4's 'Time Team' at the Loch Frisa Eagle Hide

Today, however, I woke to the sound of the rain lashing against the windows.  The forecast was for heavy showers, but clearing late morning.  As I drove to meet the first trip at 10.00am, I wondered how many would actually brave the weather and be waiting for me.  Everyone was there - all waiting eagerly.  We drove down to the hide, as the trees disappeared from view and the clouds came down and the rain got harder.  Some of the group managed to get a glimpse of Frisa and the chicks but that was it.  Despite the rain, there was a great atmosphere in the hide.  As the day went on, the rain just seemed to get heavier and the clouds thicker.  At one point we couldn't see the other side of the loch.  As I went to meet the 1.00pm trip, I thought "there really won't be anyone there in this weather".  But I was wrong.  A young couple, and a family with two young children, eager to see our birds.  They were really keen and were desperate for a view a white-tailed eagle.  Deep down, I really didn't think we would have much of a chance.  When we got to the hide, we could just make out the birds on our feeders (our trusty great-spotted woodpecker didn't let us down) let alone trying to find a soggy eagle.  We settled down to watch our 'Eagle Odyssey' DVD - a fantastic RSPB film which had everyone glued to the screen (although I had one eye out the window in case anything flew past).  No-one seemed to mind the rain - everyone was just happy to be in the hide learning lots about the eagles.  It was great to see the enthusiasm of the children as one day, hopefully they will take over looking after our wildlife and indeed, the planet.  As we were beginning to pack up, through the raindrops on the window, I caught sight of one of the eagles!  Everyone dashed out into the rain - minus hats and coats.  There, in all her glory, was Frisa - she flew over the loch, circled several times, so close to us, that we didn't need our binoculars.  The joy and excitement on everyone's face was priceless.  You really couldn't have asked for more!  What a great end to the day.  Oh and the weather did clear - about 7pm this evening the sun finally poked its head out.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Here is the link to the excellent live sea eagle webcam whose chicks are the same age as Skye and Frisa's. Estonian Webcam

Dont forget our friends Kate, Chris, Simon, Gordon and Martin on the new-look 'Springwatch' which is back on Monday, BBC Two 8.00pm.

Also, see the 'Join Now' button on the blog tracking page. We know many of you are supporters of the RSPB already and thank you so much for that. If any of you have been thinking of joining and helping us to protect the eagles, please click on the 'Join Now' button and see how easy it is! Thank you.

Debby Thorne RSPB Scotland white-tailed eagle Information Officer

Phew!  What a week that was!  Just about recovered from Wild Isles Week but what a fantastic week it was.  There were many events around the Island from Corncrake Walks, Evening Birdsong Walks, Looking for Otters and lots of talks on a whole variety of subjects, as well as the Eagle Hide open to trips twice a day.  The trips were fully booked all week and our visitors were treated to some great displays by Skye and Frisa as well as sightings of our ever growing chicks. 

I am amazed at how quickly the chicks are growing - it doesnt seem five minutes ago when I rang Dave from the forward hide saying "I think we have a hatching", and then the following week ringing him and saying "I'm pretty sure we have two chicks - just keep seeing a little white ball of fluff bobbing up and down".  They are now an incredible 5 weeks old - they have lost most of their fluffy white down and are now dark grey in colour.  A couple of times, we have managed to spot them trying to feed themselves, trying to take a lump of food and nearly falling over in the process. You can see their little wings moving up and down as they move about the nest.  Skye and Frisa are just brilliant parents, bringing in food to the nest, making sure both are fed and sitting near to the nest making sure they dont get into any trouble.

The siskins and great spotted woodpecker continue to provide great entertainment to our visitors in the hide and the young sandmartins have fledged already - the youngsters sit on the fence down at the lochside begging for food from any bird that flies past.  The buzzards are rearing young as we have seen food being taken into the nest and our pied wagtails are now feeding young - its a real hive of activity.

I shall leave you with some photos I took during Wild Isles Week.  I hope to get some shots of the chicks as they grow but unfortunately the light has been too poor to get a decent photo.

Here is the link to the Estonian Webcam - click on the White Tailed Eagle Camera - direct stream and see how the chicks are doing - they are the same age as Skye and Frisa's and give a great insight to their antics

It's been a good couple of days at the hide. Frisa and Skye have been very busy, in and out with tasty morsels. Today Frisa took some time out for a bath. The excited group at the forward hide watched as she swept round in front of them and then landed on the grassy spit of land jutting out in to the loch. Then, in she went - fully immersed. Imagine a blackbird in your bird bath in the garden and then multiply it a few thousand times. The flapping and fluttering is the same and they certainly seem to enjoy it. An eagle's nest can quickly become a pretty uninviting place after a month or two - unless you're an eagle that is. And for Frisa today, enough was enough. Time for a bit of a wallow in some clean, fresh, loch water. It must have felt very good indeed.

BBC Radio Scotland's 'Out of Doors' programme was here today. Presenter Mark Stephen, joined us at the hide at the end of the day and later had a stunning view of Skye perched on his loch-side tree. Mark was almost lost for words - but thankfully not quite! You can hear his encounter on line, on digital and on BBC Radio Scotland this Saturday 0630-0800, repeated Sunday morning 1105.

See how the sea eagles in Estonia are doing on the direct link below. The chicks are almost the same age as Frisa and Skye's and you can follow their progress via this excellent high quality live streaming video. Remember though that Estonia is two hours ahead of the UK so it gets dark earlier. Click on the 'White-Tailed Eagle TV' link and watch the amazing videos since March 2009 of the pair as they build their nest, lay their eggs, incubate in the snow, see off hooded crows and young sea eagles and eventually hatch within a day or two of Frisa and Skye. It's fascinating viewing. Enjoy!

White-tailed eagle TV  

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer   

Click here now to see how the sea eagles are doing:

Live sea eagle webcam

There will now be a permanent link on this blog page to the fantastic live webcam from our friends in Estonia showing a pair of white-tailed eagles at their nest. This pair and their two chicks are at a very similar stage to Frisa and Skye and their two youngsters. Just click on the white-tailed eagle camera link. They have other great cameras too. The timings for the two pairs, thousands of kilometres apart, are almost identical. So with a bit of imagination, you can log on to this link above and see what is also probably going on here! We are unable to get a camera onto Frisa and Skye this year as we cannot run any risk of disturbing them. As they move around alot from year to year, we can't get a camera in before they settle down as they often seem to leave their decisions to the last minute. By then it's too risky to install anything. Ospreys are easy by comparison! Anyway, with the quality of the Estonian project giving us very similar information, we will be leaving Frisa and Skye in peace.

It's been a very busy week for us here on Mull and Iona. Our 7th Wildlife Week has been blessed with fine weather for the many guided walks, talks, film shows and events from mountain top to sea level. A quick look at the programme on the Wild Isles website shows just what an amazing array of things were happening, what a stunning environment we have here and what brilliant people we have running things on these islands!  Debby, Jenny and I did our bit too kicking off with a corncrake walk on Iona for 25 people. We heard several calling corncrakes and a handful of lucky people even managed to glimpse one in the gardens of the Columba Hotel - alas Debby wasn't one of them! Next day we ran a guided walk with the Mull & Iona Ranger Service along the coast from Fishnish to Garmony; on Thursday Debby was out on a boat trip all day on a Seabird Searcher finding minke whale, porpoise and a whole host of seabirds. That evening we ran a film show for 40 people at the Isle of Mull Hotel showing clips from the brilliant RSPB film "Eagle Odyssey" and a video diary I'd made when Springwatch came to Mull. We ended the week on another evening boat cruise with Sea Life Surveys. The on-board curry for everyone seemed like a nice touch when we set off but by the time we rounded Ardmore Point into the teeth of a gale, the novelty and appetites were wearing off fast. Despite the rough end to the week, we still managed to see sea eagles, golden eagle, porpoise and seals. Quite glad to get back to Tobermory though and onto dry land! While all this was going on, of course, the Eagle Hide was open every day for trips at 10am and 1pm and all is well with our famous family. As you can see from the webcam, the chicks at this age are growing fast with the first feathers coming through, leaving tufty down on their heads. So a full-on week and we could do with a rest but that won't be happening anytime soon. Mara and Breagha, meanwhile, are fine and still on Mull although Mara did recently have a day return to Loch Sunart and the Morvern mainland opposite Mull. They don't like to over exert themselves do they? Just so long as they're safe, that's fine with us. Debby is back at the hide today. I wonder what she's seen? Find out tomorrow. Meanwhile, enjoy the webcam!

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

The signs were not good. No off duty bird perched nearby. By now, given the fine weather, I'd have expected to see an adult enjoing the sun a short distance away from the nest. I waited and watched but all was quiet. Under licence, I ventured closer, then closer still. There should have been a reaction by now. Sea eagles react strongly if disturbed at an active nest. If there are young they will call and fly close - one of the reasons they were so easy to shoot at and exterminate 100 years ago. But the closer I got, the quieter and more desolate it all seemed. Then a glimpse of white. Yes, a white tail. But then binoculars and brain engaged and I realised it was just one white tail feather fluttering at the back of the nest. The nest was lifeless and deserted when just before the weather last week, I'd suspected a hatch. Now much closer I could see the hatched egg shell on the nest rim and in the nest cup a cold, unhatched egg. It was all over for this pair for this year. The long courtship, the nest building, the 38 days of incubation, all for nothing. I suspect the cold and wet of last week will have taken its toll on the young eaglet just out of the protective egg. Then as the days passed and the weather worsened, the dutiful parents eventually realised there was no hope and eventually did not return to the nest. Hard to imagine what goes on in an eagle's head at this time. There was fresh prey nearby, clearly brought in with the expectation of a young one to feed. But all to no avail. We can only wish them better luck and better weather next year. Time for the long slog back to the landrover. I kicked the tyres harder than I should have.

But at the next site, the signs were good! The off duty bird was there, preening contentedly in the afternoon sun. On the nest sat the female, somehow to my eye looking like she was sitting higher than the last time I checked. An hour later the male took off and soared high into the brilliant blue skies and away to the north. A determined flight away for prey perhaps? Another hour later, the female almost jumped, startled by a movement beneath her. Constantly peering down she eventually raised her mighty form and stalked delicately around the nest rim. She began to pluck a gull corpse, white feathers flying all round like a pillow fight. Then she did what I hoped was coming but was still mightily relieved to see. She pulled off tiny, thin strips of food and bent low into the nest, just as the vaguest hint of a white downy head wobbled and stretched towards the huge, yellow beak offering a morsel of food. After just a few minutes, she re-positioned herself, rocking gently from side to side and quietly settled back down on her new chicks. With the incoming tide threatening to lap around my boots, it was time to pack up and head back to the landrover, this time with a spring in my step. The oystercatchers and common sandpipers called loudly as I mused what throw of the eagle dice decided why one nest should fail why another succeeded. While one pair sits forlornly together on the skerries, calling occasionally to each other, another pair work together to raise chicks. Two pairs of white-tailed eagles on Mull about to have very different summers.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

Well, when I woke up this morning with the sun streaming through the bedroom, I thought “won’t be long before the rain arrives”.  How wrong I was.  Today has been simply glorious – blue skies and warm sunshine, just what our chicks, and also our adult birds need.  The adults haven’t been out much this week, protecting the chicks from the cold, the wind and the rain – and they have done a sterling job.  Today, both Skye and Frisa were airborne again – a breathtaking sight to see them soaring in blue sky with warm sun on their wings.  Our visitors to the Hide had fantastic views and were lucky enough to see Skye come in with a heron to feed the youngsters.  It seems as if they were airborne for most of the day just enjoying being able to stretch their wings and not get wet.  The chicks are growing at a rate of knots now and are causing great excitement amongst the visitors to the Hide.

Our sand martins are still busy building their nests, and we still have tadpoles in our puddles in the car park.  The cuckoo is becoming a regular visitor to one of the fence posts in front of the hide – a first sighting for some of our visitors.  The latest visitor to our feeders is a great spotted woodpecker, competing with the siskins for the peanuts.  We have had great sightings of both the female and male hen harrier and on the Loch a pair of red throated divers as well as the common sandpipers, curlew and mergansers. 

Wild Isles week has started on Mull and I hope the good weather lasts, not only for our visitors but for all our chicks that have hatched this year.

Below are photographs taken today just to prove how glorious it was.   The first one is a view from below the Hide towards Ben More, our munro, the furthest right peak in the picture. (All photos Debby Thorne)

And I had to include a picture of Mum – Frisa basking in the sunshine. Sorry about the picture quality but she was a fair way off!

and finally, albeit a bit fuzzy, but if you look closely you can make out 2 small heads in the nest - the first public viewing of our chicks!

So we've made it through this horrible week. Enough of the weather. Apart from reporting that the rain has now stopped. The winds have now dropped and Frisa, Skye and the two chicks are alive and well. It wasn't an easy day at the hide for Debby with constant heavy squalls rattling through every time they ventured outside. But by the afternoon the eagles were out and about, they brought in prey and there were some happy visitors. The week ahead looks fine and settled. It's 'Wildlife Week' here on Mull & Iona, our 7th and biggest and best yet. There are loads of talks, walks and events. The RSPB mini-team (Debby, me and Jenny from the Glasgow office) will be running a corncrake walk on Iona on Tuesday, a coastal wander on Wednesday, a film show on Thursday and at some point yet to be decided, perhaps an evening eagle cruise out of Tobermory and maybe an all day seabird/whale watch. So quite alot going on but most importantly, I will be trying to fit in a complete check on all our nesting sea eagles to see how they've fared during this last horrendous week. There are some worrying reports to follow up on: both adults out and flying at one site where one adult should be brooding small young; another where hatching should have happened during the worst of the storms and another where the nest looked unattended when it should have had an adult nearby. The next week should reveal all. There will have been casualties but for the most part I'm hoping nests and chicks will have been well protected by experienced parents. Thank you for everyone's supportive comments this week. It helps to keep us going. Until next time...  

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

We've just analysed some data from a recent typical day in the life of Mara & Breagha. From 4am to 7am Mara was roosting alone in a forestry plantation near Salen. He wasn't a particularly early riser and who can blame him after the recent deluge? He spent the day over the mountains of central Mull. Meanwhile his sister Breagha had also roosted alone near Glen More. She too was still at roost at 8am and then spent the day around Loch na Keal. As late afternoon turned into early evening, guess what happened? Mara & Breagha drifted ever closer to each other until they met up at about 7pm and by 10pm were roosting very close to each other in a wood. In the terrible weather of the last few days, it really is a comfort to know that they still have a strong bond and seek each other out when times get tough.

Meanwhile at Loch Frisa, the relentless rain has finally eased a bit to sunshine and showers, many of them still very violent with some fierce hail today. Finally late tonight, the winds too have calmed (I'm almost frightened to write it) and Debby managed to get another lovely view of both chicks at the nest with Frisa looking on proudly. There were several feeds today with prey going in as if they were making up for lost time. The chicks, as well as Frisa and Skye, must have been cold, wet and hungry and it was time to get back to normal - whatever that is. The 10 o'clock news is on, followed by the weather. PLEASE let it be good for a few days...

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer 

Well - just back from Loch Frisa, having been soaked and battered by the wind and rain.  I am pleased to say that both Skye and Frisa are well and Frisa has been feeding two chicks.  They are fantastic parents doing such a great job in this awful weather we are having!  The chicks are only 3 weeks old so still have a lot to get through but at the moment, both doing OK.

 The rain had eased for most of the day but was replaced by strong winds but as I sit typing this, the rain is lashing down again - our rivers are full and the lowlands are flooding - lets hope there is an end to this very wet and windy spell - after all - isnt it supposed to be Summer now?

Hopefully a better night's sleep tonight for everyone!

It's late so just a quickie. As you'll continue to see from the weather forecasts, there is no let up in the current autumnal onslaught from the Atlantic. To say we're concerned would be an understatement. But it's raw, wild nature and there isn't a damn thing we can do about it. The good news - and we're mightily relieved about this - is that Frisa and Skye's nest is still there. Tonight at 7.30pm they were both out and flying in the brief 30 minutes of dry blustery conditions. They looked so dark, almost black with the wet but as the wind blew, you could see their drier plumage returning. Skye again perched with wings out. Ravens and hoodies gave him no peace and mobbed him relentlessly. Frisa did what she did two nights ago and soon flew back in to feed on the nest. Still only one chick confirmed but still the conditions were far from ideal with the telescope shaking in the wind. To be frank, if we still have one chick surviving after this monsoon, Frisa and Skye will have done well. We remain optimistic. Until it all calms down, which surely it must soon, these glimpses of life at the nest mean only one thing. There is still an active nest and that's the main concern right now. The chick we saw looked strong and active. And it couldn't have better parents. More tomorrow. Time for bed.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

Oh how I chuckled to myself as that song came on the radio this morning!  As I drove up to Loch Frisa, I wondered why I had bothered doing my hair as I knew within the space of half an hour I would be resembling someone who had just stepped out of the shower!  The rain has been pretty persistent for a few days now, not heavy, just persistent.

This morning our forward viewing hide was moved into place.  It is positioned in the field in front of the main hide and our local farmer has kindly given us permission to use his field in order to give us a view of the nest, far enough away that we don’t disturb them but close enough for us to get a really good view of the nest.

I took the first group down this morning and through the rain, we were able to make out a very soggy looking Frisa sitting on the nest.  This afternoon we saw her sitting on a tree near to the nest and then fly off for a well earned stretch of the wings and a spot of lunch.  Skye had sneaked in round the back and taken over nest duties.  In this weather, the bird that is on nest duty will be protecting the chicks from the wet and rain – they will be well hunkered down in the nest, protected from any wind too.  I know some of you were concerned as Dave had only seen one chick the night before, but Skye and Frisa are great parents – they will be sheltering and feeding the chicks as they have done for years gone by!  They are well experienced and are used to this type of weather.  Once the weather clears, we will let you know – we have every faith in Skye and Frisa.

We can't pretend it's always wonderful and perfect here on Mull. You only have to look at the TV weather maps at the moment to see what's going on. It seems like one low pressure system after another drifting in and then standing still. It's not been a very memorable day at the hide for Debby and indeed many folk took the sensible course of action and postponed their visit until a better day. Usually we still press on regardless as things can change fast and sometimes the sun breaks through and the eagles fly high to dry off. A sight to behold. But not today - at least not until about 6pm when all our visitors were back at their guest houses or self catering cottages and getting ready for dinner. Don't blame them either.

In this cold, wet rain we worry for the chicks and not without good reason. For some nests that have only just hatched, it can be a killer. The adults will brood and keep them warm but they still have to feed the chicks and themselves and that's when the wet strikes and hypothermia can take its toll on fragile downy chicks. In fact they're better off when they're still in the egg. At least they have an extra layer of protection inside that shell.

I wanted to reassure myself that all was well with Frisa and Skye and their two chicks. I half wish I hadn't bothered and had remained blissfully unaware but sometimes you just have to check. Both adults were there. They did indeed come out when the rain finally stopped and flew high in the blustery wind to dry off. Skye perched in his favourite tree with wings held open and then drooped as he let the wind act like a hair dryer through his damp feathers. Frisa was only on the wing briefly before she swooped back into the nest and started to feed herself and then one of the chicks. But try as I might I could only confirm one chick. It was always the same confident, strong little head that begged and was then fed. There was no sign of its sibling. But we've been here before. The view wasn't great. Branches kept getting in the way and the 'scope shook in the wind. Sometimes one chick is stronger or hungrier than the other. Eventually, the other one pops up and you can breathe again. But not tonight. Not yet. I comforted myself by listening to the early evening bird song - song thrush, blackbird, a mistle thrush (his old country name of 'stormcock' couldn't be more apt), willow warblers and a robin. They were all doing their best to remind us it's spring and I did my best to stay positive. That other chick would be there somewhere, Probably tucked in snugly under Frisa's warm brood patch. Probably.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer