Mull Eagles : Frisa

Form an orderly "V" please!

Debby Thorne — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:35:00 GMT

I don't believe it! I'm sat inside typing when outside the sky is blue with a few whispy clouds - hubby is out in the garden pruning a hedge in a tee shirt - is it nearly the end of October? Walking the dog this morning, I had a lovely view of a flock of barnacle geese and a small flock of pink footed geese stopping off to feed before they move on, maybe to the RSPB reserve at Mersehead.

There is something quite magical about seeing that wonderful "V" formation in the sky. Have you ever wondered why they fly in a "V" shape? Flying in a flock can help reduce the energy that is needed for a long flight. It is estimated by flying in a "V" formation can help save an individual bird between 12-20% of the energy they would need if they flew alone. According to scientists, flying in a "V" formation helps birds conserve their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the one in front of him or her. This results in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds also take turns being at the front of the "V" and will fall back when they get tired. The young, inexperienced juveniles tend to fly towards the back so they dont have to take up the lead position. Again, it is estimated that a flock of geese can fly 70% farther in the "V" formation than flying alone! The other advantage of flying in a "V" is that each bird will have a clear field of vision, allowing them to see each other and communicate in flight. Apparently fighter pilots will use this formation for the same reason. How clever is that?

With Autumn in full swing and as we creep towards winter, I find it a reassuring time - Mother Nature continues her work year round with the changing seasons, the change in behaviour of wildlife too. My thoughts turn to Skye and Frisa - it won't be long now before they start thinking of building a new nest. Heather is still very much part of the family, but in time, she will gradually move away and leave Skye and Frisa to start the whole process again. With the Scottish schools on holiday, we had a great number of visitors to the Hide and they were rewarded with some beautiful views of our family, either sat on the lochside or just flying against a beautiful blue sky. Don't forget you can still visit the Hide at Loch Frisa - we are staying open and you can hopefully see some wonderful views of nature - from our white tailed sea eagle family, migrating geese flying over, divers on the loch, down to the beautiful colours of the bracken and trees at this time of year. Full details here http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/mull/index.asp

A reminder of Loch Frisa in the Autumn

Photo - Debby Thorne

Dont forget to encourage family and friends to help protect our Birds of Prey by signing the pledge here http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/birdsofprey/index.asp

Debby Thorne, White Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

Don't Let the Sun go down on Me!

Debby Thorne — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:11:00 GMT

Well, September is certainly proving to be a saviour in terms of weather. We are enjoying lots of warm sunshine and blue skies - you could almost be fooled into thinking it was May or June. Tee shirts have come out of winter storage and its lovely to feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Our family at Loch Frisa have been enjoying the warm weather too. Skye and Frisa are spending long periods, perched on the larch trees in front of the hide, looking so relaxed now the majority of this year's parental duties are done. They will still be feeding Heather but the majority of their work is done. They seem to be enjoying some "me" time before the whole process starts again.

The golden eagles have been enjoying this weather too and our visitors have been getting great views as they fly across the hide, trying to steal the limelight from Skye and Frisa. The buzzards are still a joy to watch - the youngsters now hunting on their own but occasionally taking 5 minutes out to play tag with a sibling! We still have butterflies and dragonflies around and just occasionally, we glimpse the odd swallow - so we can still pretend its summer.

Calgary Bay this week - white sand, blue sea and blue skies - Photo Debby Thorne

After tomorrow, we start a new phase at the Hide. Previously, we would now be planning to put the hide into mothballs until next Spring but from next week we are going to keep the hide open through autumn and winter, running our trips at 10.00 am and 1.00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Bookings can be made through our friends at the Tourist Office in Craignure (Tel: 01680 812556). We are fortunate that our eagles do not migrate and are here all year round so if you are planning a trip to Mull come and see us! Details of our Eagle Watch project can be found here http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/mull/index.asp. The leaves on the trees are starting to turn, the heather is in bloom and the bracken starting to die off - autumn on Mull is stunning - the colours breathtaking and as for the wildlife, well ........ you will just have to come and see if for yourself!

This Sunday also sees our "Fledge" party at Loch Frisa - a chance to raise a glass to all our chicks and to say thank you to everyone involved with these magnificent birds. We are meeting at the hide at 1.00pm and the gates at both ends of the Loch will be open - if you are around, do come and join us.

Debby Thorne, White Tailed Eagle Information Officer,

Isle of Mull

I Wanna Hold your hand (I mean wing!) ...

Debby Thorne — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 19:08:00 GMT

Lennon and McCartney

Well Skye and Frisa have certainly been spending a lot of quality time together now that Heather seems to be fending for herself quite nicely. Most days this week they have been together either sitting on the same branch or just a branch apart. On one occasion, Skye slightly spread his wings, just touching Frisa who was sat next to him - they are such sociable birds and seem to just enjoy each others company. On another day after a heavy bout of rain, Skye was sat on a branch with Frisa sat just above him. They had just dried off from a shower, when the heavens opened again. Skye looked up at Frisa and she looked down at him, as if to say "oh not again, I've only just dried off". It was really comical.

Heather is still around but getting more and more independent and it seems mum and dad are happy to let her explore on her own and look for food which she seems to do pretty well. This week, we were visited by Roger and Justin the guys who do the ring tagging. They were over to clear out the nests and in the Frisa nest found remains of greylag geese.

Skye above and Frisa below

The Golden Eagles still pay us a visit as well as both the male and female hen harrier. Our young buzzards are a delight to watch, learning how to hunt from one of the parents who is always nearby keeping an eye out.

We are putting the finishing touches to our new satellite tracking page for the two chicks that were satellite tagged this year - the names have been chosen - keep tuned and all will be revealed shortly!

Another piece of news is that the Hide is going to remain open this year through the Autumn and Winter. We are lucky in that our birds do not migrate so you can come to Mull any time of the year and see them. From the third week in September (beginning 21st) trips will run on Tuesday and Wednesdays, still at 10.00 and 1.00. Anyone wishing to book a trip can do so through our friends at the Tourist Office tel 01680 812556. Here is a link to our page http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/mull/index.asp. We are happy to accommodate visits from any birding groups throughout the autumn and winter.

I took this photo of Loch Frisa this week. It was a beautiful still day and the water was like glass. There is certainly an air of autumn about - the leaves are beginning to turn and it wont be long before we are treated to the stunning reds, russets and oranges as the leaves change colour.

And finally, as soon as we know the date of the Blue Peter transmission we will of course let you know!

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Isle of Mull

One Day I'll Fly Away ........

Debby Thorne — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:31:00 GMT

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

"Look Mum - I can fly!"

Debby Thorne — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:17:00 GMT

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