Blogs

but not quite yet!

This evening I went to check up on Half Pint to see whether he has fledged yet.  He and his sibling were 12 weeks old today!  Its a bit of a precarious walk and loaded with a telescope, binoculars, daughter in tow, we tentatively made our way to the best position to view the nest without any of us tripping up, dropping the scope or the other threat, getting soaked to the skin by the heavy, intermittent showers we have had on and off today.  At Loch Frisa the weather has been mainly bright and blustery with the odd heavy shower passing through - I thought a good day for fledging - a nice blustery breeze - great for taking that first step off the nest.

As we tentatively approached, with heart in mouth never quite knowing what you are going to find, we rounded the corner - a beautiful sight of an adult flying around enjoying the break in the weather - then the heart stopping moment as the nest comes into view (now, if I was Dave he would leave you hanging for a day or two!!).

Sat on the edge of the nest, two beautiful chocolate brown chicks, just chilling, looking around, watching Mum flying about.  I was sure one of them would have gone today but no - they looked far too comfortable.  Hopefully in the next few days, Mum and Dad will bring food but not take it directly to the nest, thereby trying to coax them out - thats when the fun starts for us, trying to keep an eye on them.  But for this evening, Half Pint is looking fantastic, ready to face the world (well, in his own time).

As we opened the Hide at Loch Frisa this morning, we were treated to a beautiful display from Heather and Frisa - Frisa flying high on a thermal, Heather, flying lower and just still a little bit wobbly as she turns but beautiful nonetheless.  They spent the morning sat on the other side of the Loch keeping each other company, sat side by side - our visitors were over the moon.

Managed to capture this shot of a Lapwing - often seen in the fields at Loch Frisa Photo Debby Thorne

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

Well, Heather is turning out to be a quick learner.  On Friday as we watched her in a field in front of the Hide, it was clear she had caught something and was feeding.  It was very difficult to see what it was, but I was surprised how quickly she had managed to work out how to catch something.  Today, she took another step forward in her journey towards independence.  As we looked out of the Hide window, we saw a large bird hunting over the crag in the distance.  From the profile, we could tell it was a sea eagle but on closer inspection with binoculars we were taken aback to see the dark brown profile of our Heather!  She had her legs and head down, looking for prey - she wobbled slightly but eventually slipped from our view.  Amazing at this early stage she has started hunting for herself.  Skye and Frisa will still be bringing in food for a while yet but the fact she is hunting on her own means she has the instinct to go out and look for food herself.  What a gal!

Breaking news tonight!  If you check the Google Earth movements for Mara and Breagha, for the first time, neither birds are on Mull.  Mara has been flying around Morvern and Breagha has been up to Loch Maree.  These birds are now out on their own in the big wide world.  Without the satellite tags, we would have no way of knowing their movements and would have to rely on sightings.  Its great that we are able to keep an eye on their movements but at the same time, we know they have lots of dangers to encounter.  Again, in the news, report of a buzzard found poisoned http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8166855.stm

Please encourage family and friends to support our campaign to protect Birds of Prey.  Here is the link to sign our pledge Birds of Prey Pledge.

Tonight as both our youngsters, settled down for the night, let's hope and pray they stay safe.   With most of the chicks now fledged on Mull, it brings home that these birds have an incredible journey in front of them - leaving the nest is only the beginning.

Let's hope Mara and Breagha stay safe.

I apologise for the quality of this photo but someone asked for a picture of Heather - this was taken last Friday in the rain from a long way away but at least gives you a glimpse of our beautiful bird!

Photo by Debby Thorne - Heather, our female chick

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

Sorry for the delay in news but as you may have read we have now moved over to a new blog software!  Still finding my way round it so hope this works!!  I am holding the fort for a few days while Dave has a well earned rest.

The one piece of news I wanted to share with you is the naming of our chicks.  This year Ulva Primary School chose the names and the names chosen are Heather for our female and Bracken for our male.  They are really fitting names as at this time of the year, the Island is covered in heather and bracken and indeed, Heather, our female chick spent this morning sat amidst a clump of bracken - very ironic.

It has been quite a week here on Mull!  We have been seeing Heather, our chick, quite frequently sitting down at the lochside with either Frisa or Skye in close attendance.  On Tuesday afternoon, we had been watching her hop, skip and jumping around when all of a sudden she was flying - albeit quite low, but she flew from the lochside into the field in front of the hide.  We had lovely views and I have to say (not that I'm biased) but she is simply stunning - a lovely rich chocolate colour.  She then decided to fly back from where she came - relishing in this new past time called "flying".

Wednesday saw her again sitting down by the lochside.  The afternoon group had left having seen Frisa flying over the loch and being attentive to her chick.  I had tidied up the hide, done the paperwork and wondered down to the forward hide to lock up when I spotted a large bird flying above the trees.  "It must be Skye or Frisa returning home" I thought.  But I had to do a double take, as the bird I was looking at didn't have the usual pale head - this bird was chocolate brown all over - I quickly checked the lochside where she had been sitting and nothing!  It was our Heather flying high above the trees.  She looked a little wobbly but she started calling with excitement - a noise I have never heard before but it was obvious it was sheer excitement that she could really fly.  It wasn't long before Frisa appeared and joined the flying display.  I have to confess that at this point I had tears streaming down my cheeks - it was a magical moment to see her flying high with her new found wings - it was a beautiful evening and ideal flying conditions - as if to anticipate her next move, Frisa then landed on one of her favourite branches, remained for about a minute and then flew up - Heather then landed on the same branch albeit a bit clumsy but it was as if Frisa was showing her how to land. She stayed there for a short while but it wasnt long before she was up again soaring and screaming with delight.  She kept looking at Frisa as if to say "look mum, I'm flying".  It was very touching. Of course, this was the evening I said I wouldnt be late home but how could I leave?  It was a truly memorable moment  - Heather is officially airborne!

Please bear with us as we familiarise ourselves with the new software - I hope you will continue to read and join in our blogs.

Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Mull

courtesy Simon and Garfunkel

Well we arrived home yesterday evening after a great week over on Speyside and the Black Isle.  We had some great views of the osprey family at Loch Garten who are doing really well.  I also love seeing the red squirrels too - something we don't have on Mull!  We then travelled up to the Black Isle for a few days - I can nearly say I swam with dolphins - in fact I had my trousers rolled up to the knees and was stood in the sea at Chanonry Point with dolphins swimming all around - what an incredible experience.  And as we set off for home yesterday morning, we were treated to a fantastic view of the red kites. 

Today has been taken up with the usual mountain of washing and returning to normality but by this afternoon I could stand it no longer and had to drive up to Loch Frisa to see how our eagles were doing.

As you drive along the track towards the hide, there is a stretch where the Loch comes into view and the whole glen opens up before you - it still takes my breath away and this afternoon, the sun was glistening on the loch and it looked just as stunning as ever.

At first glance, no sign of any eagles, only our friendly buzzard hunting for an afternoon snack - I felt slightly deflated half expecting a welcoming committee.  I trudged down to the forward hide and was quite taken aback to see Frisa flying low across the Loch with some food and deliver it to our female chick.  Fantastic!  Frisa then went down to the water's edge where she proceeded to bath in the Loch.  She then flew up into one of her favourite roosting trees and spread her wings out to dry - just like a cormorant. I watched our chick feeding and after she had finished, stared up at mum as if to say "I've eaten all my dinner - what do I do now?".  I felt a pang for the lost sibling as she sat alone looking around her.  I stayed and watched for a while content in the knowledge that she is doing well. 

As from Monday 20th July, the Hide will be open Monday to Friday (closed Saturdays and Sundays).  There is a new telephone number to book trips 01680 812556.  The trips will still run at 10.00 and 1.00 (booking essential!).  The meeting point is still at the Aros end of the Loch Frisa track. 

Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to meet some of you and show you our eagles.  Incredibly, as I sat in the Boat of Garten Village Hall, last Monday listening to Richard Thaxton speaking, a couple came up to me and said hello, they had been at the hide the previous Tuesday and as I was about to dip my toe in the sea at Chanonry Point, a lady came up and said "hello Debby - how are the eagles?" - what a small world we live in!

Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Mull

You may have noticed that comments have been disabled on our blog - this is to enable our web team to set our some new software which should hopefully be completed by tomorrow - all is well at Loch Frisa - great view of our chick today and a lovely flight - more to follow when software has been sorted - Debby

Ok so we're a bit early to celebrate the first landing on the moon by the lunar module but it was 40 years ago today that Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Canaveral. Our second chick at Loch Frisa, a female, blasted off from the nest over a week ago. Although I've made sure I've heard her each day to ensure she's ok, I just wanted to see her. But she has kept herself well hidden. After what happened to the male chick, it hasn't exactly been the most relaxing time. To be honest I was beginning to get a bit anxious. Until tonight. I finally found her sitting in a tree down by the loch. She looked great. Very alert and calling to Frisa and Skye who were up in the field opposite. Frisa was sitting on the ground on her favourite hummock. At one point a ewe and large lamb walked straight up to her and there was a stand off. The lamb looked like it was a matter of inches from Frisa. They were almost beak to nose. They just looked curiously at each other. What an image it would have made. Frisa held her head at an angle while the lamb edged loser still. Finally she held out her wings as if to say 'that's close enough buddy' and the lamb lost interest and started to graze. I'm not sure either was particularly afraid of the other, just a close encounter of potentially predator and prey but neither acted out their parts.

Finally Skye flew back towards the chick and landed above her. She eventually launched off the branch and once again glided earthwards and landed with a bump in the bracken. The eagle had indeed landed, on the ground - again. She'll get the hang of this flying thing sooner or later.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

I know. There is terrible news from Afghanistan so I won't linger for long on the death of one young eagle but just to bring you quickly up to date on some news from Loch Frisa which I know many of you have been thinking about. Thank you all for your support. The first chick we thought had fledged was found dead Friday afternoon. We had all hoped so much that he would make it. We now know the chick was a 'he'. Ironically, his DNA results came through in the morning. We knew he'd gone too early. We knew it would be a struggle for him. We grasped at every possible clue or hint that he was still up there near the nest. But in truth he was probably already gone. I heard the two of them calling last week so we know he survived a short while but probably not for long after that. It just never really felt right to me despite all the positive thoughts. It was very early for him to fly. Frisa and Skye never delivered any food, that we saw, to him on the ground which is where we presumed he was. It's likely they knew there was little hope. Clambering up through the wood, I had a pit in my stomach as I approached the nest tree. A dark shadow near the base of  the tree made me flinch. But it was just dark leaves. At the same moment as I felt deep relief it wasn't him, my eye caught sight of his bright yellow feet amidst the lower branches perhaps a metre off the ground and then his proud but limp head overhanging a branch. Eyes closed. At peace. Above him were bits of nest. Clearly a major part of the nest had collapsed and taken him with it. But he wasn't ready. I will send him for a PM in case there are any clues. Looking at him lying in the back of the landrover, I think he would have made a fine young eagle. The usual questions swirl around: what if...? I know from experience that going in to check that 'all is well' can end up causing more problems, possibly flushing a resting bird or making the second chick go too soon. We had to let nature take its course, however hard that is sometimes. But we'll always wonder: what if...? His spirit will live on, we hope, in his big sister who today was down near the loch edge and being well looked after by Frisa and Skye. Perhaps now with only one big beak to feed, they can focus on her and she will grow strong and go on to a long and productive life.

Tonight Debby caught a glimpse of her sitting on a rock at the water's edge, perhaps a little confused to be on her own after so long in the nest with her brother. But Frisa and Skye would be nearby. She will be fine. This evening, I went down to the other nest to make sure Half pint (remember him?) was doing ok. He is looking good, big and strong and was sitting next to his sibling. Both looked great. I did manage a smile as I remembered him being too small to ring just a few short weeks back.

Not for the first time this week, the lyrics to this song hit home: "...when there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by..." 

Ok, the news is on. Time for a deep breath, some global perspective and to move on.

Sunday update: Our female chick is fine. Still down by the loch and calling like mad. Skye was sitting nearby keeping a close eye.

Earlier, it was some behaviour from Frisa which makes you stop and gulp. She flew up from the loch side and then perched in the top of the nest tree, something she hasn't done weeks. Then she flew up and down the row of trees, head down, clearly searching. Then back to the nest tree and finally, into the nest itself. She stayed there for some minutes. Perched, then looked all around her. Then one final sweep, ever hopeful, then away, as if finally resigned to her loss. Sometimes, these birds make you wonder.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

It's amazing that after all the years of watching sea eagles, I've never actually witnessed a maiden flight - until yesterday! Watching from Glen Aros, still searching in vain for chick no.1, I could see chick no.2 bouncing about on his favourite branch just to the left of the nest. He's been there many times before. Usually he then bravely launches himself off - and lands straight back in the nest. But yesterday at 1346, something was different. He seemed even more active than usual, more bouncy, more agitated. I could see his beak opening and shutting continuously, clearly screaming his head off at dad Skye perched nearby. At the distance I was from them, all I could hear was the wind in the trees. And perhaps that was the cue - the gusty wind. As I changed  aching eyes, from left to right, glued to the telescope's eyepiece, at 1350, he flew - and kept flying - and this time probably more by accident than design it was away from the nest tree. He had officially fledged! I tracked him through the 'scope as he lurched up over the tree tops, then down, banked left, right, legs down, up again, before dropping like a stone into the soft grass. It had lasted all of 15-20 seconds but he was on his way. All I could see was his dark Bournville chocolate head against the pale moor grass. He looked from afar as if he was a bit startled by the turn of events and was looking nervously around him. Skye stayed where he was and looked on. A proud moment perhaps for him. A few minutes later, the chick half jumped, half flew up the bank to a high point and tried again. This time he flew for another few seconds and crash landed in a tree but at least he was off the ground. He may well stay there now for a few days to recover from his great adventure or he may have got a taste for it and will try again. The tingle of pride I felt down my back at his accomplishment was tinged with continued uncertainty about the fate of chick no.1. Although I heard them both last week, he still hasn't emerged into the open and until he does, we'll just have to be patient. Perhaps now with both out of the nest, we'll soon see them together? I looked back to the now flattened, empty nest which had been a safe home for our chicks for the last three months. It had served its purpose well. Frisa and Skye had built it strongly after all. We should have more faith in them! Looking at the now deserted nest, it was like the traditional closing scenes of the Big Brother House after the final eviction as the camera pans around the empty rooms. Feathers, down and bits of prey fluttered in the wind; some sticks were hanging loose beneath the nest; long forgotten voices and calls echoed round the forest. Fade up music. Roll end credits.

Except it's not the end! Far from it. A new chapter in their young lives is only just beginning. Stay tuned.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

As I drove to the Hide this morning, my favourite band, Simple Minds, came on the radio singing "Dont you forget about me".  As I started to sing along I also began to think about our youngsters at Loch Frisa.  One has already left the nest and when I left the Hide on Friday, the second chick was doing some serious jumping and wing flapping.  It was my day off yesterday so thought it had probably fledged too.  I felt a twinge of sadness that these two youngsters I had help keep watch over from eggs, through to hatching and now to fledging would leave without a backward glance at this person who has watched their every move for the last 3 months.  I certainly wont forget them!

When I arrived at the forward hide, I couldnt see the chick - my heart sank - its gone!  But then later on in the day, he was back - he hadnt really gone - just jumped down a branch below the nest so he hasnt really fledged yet just branched out!  Skye and Frisa as usual, have been providing plenty of food.  Over the last couple of days, they have been sitting out on a hill giving our visitors great views.  We still haven't managed to spot the first chick but believe it may be lower down the tree or in a clearing that we just cannot see from the hide.  Of course, we shall keep you posted.

Its been busy on the Loch too - both our red throated and black throated divers and the red breasted mergansers have appeared showing off their chicks.  The sand martins have had their second fledgings - I managed to count roughly 75 youngsters lined up on the fence down by the lochside.  We now have a butterfly orchid in the field alongside the common spotted and fragrant varieties.  One of the things I love about Loch Frisa is that it is constantly changing, as well as the weather the wildlife changes too - one of our buzzard families has now fledged and we are watching 2 youngsters learning how to fly and importantly, how to land!

And now some news of last year's chicks, Mara and Breagha.  Breagha has recently been over to the mainland visiting Loch Awe but is now back with us on Mull.  But Mara, the male is getting very adventurous. On the 30th June, he was on the mainland at Ballachulish, then flew round Ben Nevis over to Fort William, then across the head of Loch Linnhe, across the Morvern hills and along to Ardnamurchan - all in one day!! Imagine how long that journey would take you by car - incredible!  You can follow their journey by following this link Mara and Breagha's journey

Please help us help the sea eagles in Scotland. We can't do it without you. Join the RSPB today. Click on the 'Join Here' button

Birds of prey continue to be killed, despite the fact that it is illegal and has been for decades.  We are calling for an end to this unacceptable cruelty, but the campaign can only be effective with your help.  Please click on the link below to add your voice to the growing number of people saying the killing must stop. Birds of Prey Pledge

Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Mull