Mull Eagles

Out of the blue

david sexton — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:27:17 GMT

There have been so many times over the last three years that a young white-tailed eagle from Mull called Kellan has occupied my thoughts. From those early autumn 2010 days when he was in the Scottish SPCA wildlife hospital to the first weeks and months after his release he has never been far away from our minds. We were all so pleased and relieved how well he did to begin with but deep down none of us really knew what his chances were back in the harsh realities of the wild. His wing and leg injuries had been severe and life threatening but he deserved a second chance at life on his island home. From the moment the farmer reported him badly injured in the bracken, everyone worked tirelessly to fix him up and to return him to where he belonged.

No one has seen him alive since August 2011. As he lifted up above the ridge that day on unsteady, faltering wings and was mobbed mercilessly by a buzzard and an army of crows, I really felt that was that. It had been worth the effort. It was right to do all we could for such a rare UK bird. After what he and his distant Scottish ancestors had endured over so many Centuries of persecution, we owed him that chance - even if it was to be a short lived one.

Ever since then - and even recently from Australia - people all over the world, visitors to Mull, comments on the blog or Twitter, have asked "How is Kellan? Have you seen him?". My answer was always the same: "No not since 2011 but he could still be out there..." But did I really believe my own wishful thinking? So many fit and healthy young eagles do not survive their first winter. What chance did an eagle with a once broken wing and leg really have?

We stood searching the skies for the return of Kellan's feisty mother (wing tagged Yellow Black Spot - YBS) last week. Mull Charters were just kicking off another season of boat trips to see the eagles and as the 'Lady Jayne' waited patiently off shore on a flat calm Loch na Keal, Kellan's dad sat tight incubating this year's precious clutch.

The sky was blue and the sun shone as it has done now for weeks on Mull. A distant speck of an approaching eagle drifted into view high up from the north. Here she came at last. About time too! A changeover was long overdue. I got the eagle in the telescope and immediately knew it wasn't YBS. I don't know why I doubted it because I knew that peculiar flight profile in an instant. There was never any doubt in my mind from the first second I saw it but still I hesitated to utter the words out loud. As others chatted I kept silent. Although I knew, I couldn't quite believe my own eyes. I felt my heart rate quickening. Eventually as the mystery eagle cleared the tops of the old nest tree, coming ever closer, I half whispered under my breath "You won't believe this. It sounds mad...but I think it's Kellan..."

By this point it was clear for all to see. Our wonky-winged white-tailed wonder was now circling high above our heads in the blue sky and sunshine. His right wing still showing that distinctive kink - flapping and gliding merrily along as he always had. His flight silhouette is distinctly odd - it almost puts me in mind of that of an Egyptian vulture - wings slightly bowed - and yet he gets around. And he's been getting around and surviving now for nearly three years. The more he circled above us the more excited we all got. I seriously could not believe it. After all he'd been through, the terrible winters, all the odds were stacked against him but he had, somehow, won through. The farmer, the landowner, the vets and the SSPCA carers had all been part of this amazing success story. One eagle. One life. A second chance. And he'd taken it!

He glided towards Salen then turned expertly and headed straight back home, landing out of sight in a gully. We hugged, we looked at each other in complete disbelief. Kellan was alive. Not only that, he was positively thriving.

Later that afternoon my daughter Bethan and I returned to a great vantage point high on the hill overlooking the gully. Kellan had spent his first night after capture in 2010 in the girl's playhouse in the garden. It was safe and dark and comforting, though for him plucked from the wild, probably still terrifying. Now, before us there he was again, perched high up in a larch. No longer that hunched, cowering bundle of brown feathers, scared eyes and lashing talons in the darkness. Now a three year old immature white-tailed eagle sitting proud and dignified surveying some very familiar territory. His parents, with this year's nest within view, let him be. There had always been a special bond. As he flew to roost just metres from where he once fledged, we could even see the first hint of white in his tail. Kellan, the miracle eagle, had come home.

As we turned the Landrover and headed for home, the radio played and we turned it up loud. The words of the song summed it all up: "It's a beautiful day...and I can't stop myself from smiling"

Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer

Echo beach

david sexton — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:50:00 GMT

There are places on this planet that draw you back time and time again. Even on Mull with lots of visitors from Easter to October there are still many stretches of secret coast where you can lose yourself and never see a soul. There's one such place I have the arduous task of having to visit several times a season to check on one of the remotest pairs of nesting white-tailed eagles in Scotland. And actually, it is quite arduous! Not that I'm expecting any sympathy but it is a long four hour flog to get even close to where I need to be. It can be bleak amd barren in early spring with no wheatears yet to keep me company along the boulder-strewn shoreline and no willow warblers in the coastal birches to urge me on my way.

But one day last summer it all came together. Within an hour of setting off I could see distant splashes out in the glistening sea loch. As I neared the coast and settled down for a good scan I could see five or six bottle-nosed dolphins - adults and young - leaping and cavorting as they steamed northwards. Such a sight always gladdens the heart and spurs you on. A recently fledged family of ravens was much in evidence, cronking loudly as they chased hard-pressed parents for food. I almost stumbled onto one fledgling which was sheltering on a rocky outcrop and had somehow failed to notice me approaching. As I got to within a few metres it suddenly realised its folly and took off with a loud clatter of stiffened black primaries. It wouldn't make that mistake again.

Further on, a small herd of red deer hinds with a group of following calves were grazing. The old look-out hind gave a bark and as one, the rest of the herd looked up and straight at me. I stopped; they froze. We watched each other for several minutes before the lead hind turned and trotted elegantly away across the moor followed by her fellow hinds and calves. They weren't unduly spooked; stalking season was still some months away and maybe they never got my scent. Just the vision of a lone figure tramping towards them across the bog. They all reached the skyline, looked again and one by one slipped over the top and out of sight. It was time for a breather; a coffee and a Tobermory bakery Chelsea bun for that extra bit of energy. I was still only half way there.

It doesn't do to close your eyes in the sun, propped up against a lichen covered boulder with skylarks and curlews calling overhead. As I listened to the bird calls, I thought I heard a golden plover. There were the ravens again. A wee wren let rip from a damp mossy cluster of rocks and the ever present gulls calling as they streamed up and down the coast lulled me all too quickly into a very brief mini-siesta. At least I think it was brief.

Time to move on. An hour later I was as close as I dared get to where I thought my new pair of white-tailed eagles may have a nest. I'd seen them on and off during survey trips the previous winter. Short, dark, frustrating days when I would catch a glimpse of an adult eagle disappearing in to a hidden grove of oaks and birch but then nothing for hours on end. But they were up to something. I just knew it.

At last my target stretch of coast was in view. Time to keep a low profile, to settle down, to watch and to wait. Three hours later, an adult white-tailed eagle drifted over my head and landed in a dead tree jutting out from the cliff top. By now the sun was behind me so I suspect it never clocked me crouched and cramped amongst the tick and midge infested bracken. It called loudly, the harsh notes echoing off the cliffs all around and then, it was answered. The bird I could see had a higher call - a male; the answer that came back was lower - the female was hidden somewhere in the trees. My heart skipped a beat; that little rush of excitement I still get even after 25 years of doing this when you know you may be close to a big discovery. The long flog and effort made that moment even sweeter.

Slowly I shifted position and focussed the 'scope on the male, now preening in the late afternoon sun. He had wing tags. They were fluttering in the breeze and impossible to read. Up, down, nearly and then the wind would blow them again. They were yellow...that meant 2006. Then the wind dropped and all was revealed: Yellow G. I could hardly believe my tired, watering eyes. Here was one of the two chicks Finlay, Roger and I had rescued from the rocks after their nest had been torn from the crag in a violent May storm. Amazingly. they both survived after we revived them from hypothermia, built them a new nest nearby and placed them in it with a whole wild salmon to feast on. Within hours their mother was back and feeding them at our makeshift eyrie and both went on to fledge successfully later that summer. If that all felt pretty good, sitting here now, six years later, looking at him as a fine young adult with gleaming white tail, banana-yellow beak and a piercing sunlit eye, well it was almost enough to make you shed a tear. But no, it was just the salty wind in my eyes.

Without warning, he launched off his perch leaving the dead white branch bouncing in the breeze and headed down low, just above the waves and out to sea. Within seconds he was on the tail of his intended victim: a gannet. But he wasn't trying to catch it, he was trying to scare it, which he did, very successfully. Rather than risk being caught, the gannet coughed up his latest catch of fresh mackerel which Yellow G immediately swooped down to retrieve from the choppy waters. So simple, so skilled, so delicate. With a talon or two full of fresh fish from a gannet's gullet, he headed homeward. This was the moment I'd been waiting for.

I knew where he was going and I could hear the food begging calls already. No messing, he went straight to his hidden eyrie shrouded in foliage and there was his fully feathered chick, propbably eight or nine weeks old. He dumped the fish and jumped out onto a side branch as the chick devoured the lot in a few minutes. The whole experience meant even more as I knew I was looking at Skye and Frisa's great-grand chick! Yellow G's mother had been their first surviving chick from 1998.

It was time to drop down to the shoreline and head for home. By now my dinner back home was already either stone cold or burnt to a crisp in the 'warming oven' of the Raeburn. I still had a soggy Marmite sandwich and a luke warm flask of tea to celebrate with so it wasn't all bad. Back at sea level, a pair of oystercatchers went beserk and I was glad to get out of their earshot. And then the weird echoing spouting noises began. Looking around I expected to see a water spout being forced up between the basalt dykes but no. There it was again, louder this time. Some feral goats along the shore even stopped eating the seaweed and looked up. Was it just waves crashing onto the shingle? No it was moving! The echoes got louder and then, there before me were the pod of dolphins heading back south, this time even closer inshore. No playing or jumping this time, just a steady procession along the coast, their spouts echoing off the walls of the ancient raised beach.

A final glance back and Yellow G was back on his dead tree. The boy had done well. I never did see his mate that day but she can't have been far away. A month later their chick was flying strongly and getting uplift along the towering cliffs above echo beach. The oystercatchers had fallen silent, the dolphins were long gone but the eagles flew on.

Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer

The 5* Mull Eagle Hide opens on Monday March 25th. Come and see us this year in the Year of Natural Scotland. Fingal and Iona are waiting for you! Call 01680 812 556 to book a trip, 10am and 1pm Mon-Fri.

Farewell to a friend

david sexton — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:40:00 GMT

Finlay Christine, our good friend and supporter at Mull Eagle Watch passed away on 26 December 2012. His funeral was on 3 January 2013 at the beautiful little church near his home in Lochbuie, Mull. Many friends were able to attend to pay their respects but some were not and many others will have bumped into Finlay - on or off duty - on their visits to Mull over the years. So here in tribute to his amazing and full life and work are some extracts from the eulogy written and read by Alistair Dewar at his service...including some of our adventures with the eagles on Mull.

"Finlay was born on 9^th January 1961, in Paisley. Following his education at Simshill Primary and then Kings Park Secondary, he had part time jobs doing a milk round and labouring in the brick factory managed by his father. On 16^th July 1979, Finlay joined Strathclyde Police and was posted to the Gorbals area of Glasgow. At that time it was still a tough environment to police, but it did not particularly phase Finlay who took it in his stride. In 1983 Finlay applied to join the Police Support Unit, which is principally a specialist department whose officers are trained in the use of firearms and search techniques, but mainly used to deal with disorder throughout the force area.

Colleagues were blown away by Finlay’s dress sense. While most of them arrived at work in old bangers of cars with casual jackets over their uniform, not Finlay, he was very much a 'Dandy', a 'follower of fashion' wearing the most up to date clothes. He even drove a gold coloured MGB GT sports car; when he emerged from his car he was more like James Bond than a Glasgow bobby. His colleagues now realised they had a larger than life character in their midst. His great sense of humour made him very well liked, and he soon became the backbone of their social life, organising the support unit nights out, to a formula which exists to this day. Finlay was seen to live life to the full.

He was physically tough too; playing the weekly, no quarter given, Support Unit 5-a-side football, Finlay was heavily tackled and fell to the ground. Limping and bleeding from the mouth, rather than go off and let the team down, he became goalkeeper for the remainder of the game. It later transpired he had a broken jaw, broken wrist and sprained ankle. His considerate colleagues visited him with a box of toffees! Following service in the Support Unit, Finlay transferred to Pollock where he served until 1991 when he decided it was time to experience rural policing and was successful in his application to come to Mull.

Not surprisingly, Finlay’s easy going nature and policing skills enabled him to adapt quickly to the policing needs of Salen and to Mull as a whole. Finlay, when he first went to Mull did not realise it, but he was to become a specialist in wildlife crime.

Several years earlier sea eagles had been reintroduced to the West of Scotland and a few pairs settled on Mull. Because of their rarity they quickly became the target of compulsive egg thieves and annually their nests were plundered. The sea eagles were very important to tourism on Mull, so it was decided by Strathclyde Police and the RSPB that the local community and volunteers could be organised to protect nest sites.

Finlay helped launch 'Operation Easter' – part of a highly successful and nationwide campaign to combat wildlife crime. This later evolved into 'Mull Eagle Watch' – the world’s biggest wildlife neighbourhood watch and it successfully prosecuted a number of cases over the years. Finlay was the glue that held it all together and as a direct result of this Mull is now on the world stage as a place that both safeguards its wildlife and shows it to thousands of visitors every year.

Finlay was also a media star and in this way helped to spread the message about wildlife crime. On Mull he featured in numerous wildlife programmes including Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Eagle Island, Landward and Wildlife Detectives. And not forgetting a starring role in Balamory! Finlay was justly proud of protecting Mull’s wildlife and of the successful prosecutions over the years; he also enjoyed receiving the 'Wildlife Crime Officer of the Year Award' and a RSPB President’s Award in 2009. But he was possibly most proud of his Blue Peter Badge! He filmed with them at Loch Frisa and Grasspoint in 2009 and wore his badge with honour.

In June 2006 during a nightime unseasonably violent storm, a white tailed eagle nest near Finlay’s beloved Lochbuie was torn from its sea cliff site and plunged 80 feet to the rocks below, taking two young eaglets with it. The RSPB thought they must have perished but the next morning both chicks were found still alive – just. With Finlay’s help the RSPB tended to the two bedraggled chicks, built them a brand new nest on the cliff and placed them in it – along with a whole salmon from the freezer at Laggan Farm. Within a few hours the parent eagles were back feeding their chicks in the nest that Finlay built. A few weeks later both chicks fledged successfully. Five years later, one of those chicks is paired up and nesting on Islay, the other is nesting not a million miles away from Lochbuie and last year raised its first chick. This year a second chick fledged. Finlay was rightfully proud of this achievement. The eagles are his amazing legacy.

This of course was over and above his main role of being a part of the small team of officers tasked with policing the island. He loved this type of policing which he carried out with credit until his retiral in July 2009, a total of 19 years which possibly makes him the longest serving officer in the same rural post ever. Finlay was an old fashioned community police officer who did not always follow the Strathclyde Police Standard Procedures, more often he chose the 'Finlay Christine' way of policing and yes, it worked well in most situations.

Finlay was someone who it was always a joy to meet; he had a twinkle in his eye and usually a humorous story to tell. You invariably walked away feeling much better having met him. A final wee story about Finlay, which I think highlights what a refreshing 'one-off' he was and why he appealed to so many – a few years ago the Chief Constable was visiting Mull. At such times most police officers, although off duty, made themselves available. The entourage arrived at Salen, no Finlay, he had a better offer. The Chief Constable opened the visitor’s book to sign as they do, and burst out laughing. A piece of paper inside read 'Gone Fishing'."

Mull Eagle Watch will miss his wise words and constant support. We all miss him more than words can say.

David Sexton RSPB Mull Officer

Finlay sat on the famous eagle bench at Loch Frisa when Blue Peter came to town

Finlay Christine, sat on the right, Andy Akinwolere (Blue Peter) on the left & Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer Standing

(photo Debby Thorne)

Sgt Angie MacDonald with Finlay at his retirement with an Iain Erskine photograph of
one of the Loch Don white-tailed eagles. Finlay initially set up Mull Eagle
Watch to help protect this particular pair of eagles after their eggs were
stolen just days before they were due to hatch. In 2008 he arrested and charged
a photographer who got too close to them at the nest and caused their breeding
attempt to fail. And it was this legendary old pair of eagles that Finlay filmed
with Blue Peter, wearing his badge with pride from that day on.

(Photo by Caroline Davies)

Stars in our Eyes!

Debby Thorne — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:54:00 GMT

Autumn is in full swing - beautiful shades of red, gold, orange and brown are everywhere; the rowan trees are laden with berries which are being picked off by the fieldfares and redwings that have recently arrived on the Island. Autumn is my favourite season - a chance to reflect on the season just past and time to look ahead as the evenings draw in - wondering what lies ahead.

The Mull Eagle Hide has had a fantastic season this year. Fingal and Iona successfully raising and fledging two healthy chicks, Gorme and Buidhe (named by the pupils at Bunessan Primary School). We had several film crews visit us including BBC Springwatch, John Aitchison for a BBC series on the Hebrides (hopefully due to air in March), Ray Mears filming for ITV1's Wild Britain and a crew from the Discovery Channel. Some fantastic coverage for Mull and its wildlife.

We had 3000 visitors to our new location this year at Forestry Commission Scotland's Glen Seilisdeir forest and everyone was blown away by the view and its location - fingers crossed we will be back next spring so if you didn't manage to visit this year, come and see us in 2013 - the Year of Natural Scotland.

And to confirm how fantastic it was - we were graded by VisitScotland with 5 Stars as a 'Wildlife Attraction' - 5 Stars means 'exceptional' - we were over the moon as we were only 1 of 2 wildlife attractions in the whole of Scotland to receive 5 stars. As you know Mull Eagle Watch and the Hide is run by 5 different organisations - Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Strathclyde Police, Mull & Iona Community Trust, RSPB Scotland plus volunteers both visiting and from the local community. The award confirms how well we can work together, each adding something different and with the end result: eagles nesting successfully and a great wildlife experience.

A big thank you to all our visitors and to our many supporters, who though may not be able to join us in person, are with us in spirit - we couldn't do it without you.

Just a quick reminder that BBC Autumnwatch starts tonight - based in Scotland this year at the fantastic Aigas Field Centre. The webcams are up and running with fantastic footage of the beavers and pine marten.

Until next time,

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

Yes this is the year!

Debby Thorne — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:33:00 GMT

(courtesy The Three Degrees)

Wow! What a year it has been! After a fantastic summer of Olympics and Paralympics - we woke up this morning to the fantastic news that Andy Murray has won his first Grand Slam - the first British male since 1936 - there have been some incredible moments and I'm sure we all have our favourites - all I can say is that I'm glad I don't have to choose Sports Personality of the Year!

Here on Mull we have had an incredible year - unlike the rest of the UK, we have enjoyed a warm and sunny spring and summer - this has had a great knock on effect to our wildlife with many species doing very well.

Mull Eagle Watch has had a fantastic year too. We closed at the end of August to enable the Forestry Commission to commence logging operations. It has been a great season with visitors enjoying our new viewing area, hidden amongst the trees at Glen Seilisdeir. There, they could watch Fingal and Iona as they incubated their precious eggs, the hatching of our two chicks, Gorm and Buidhe right through to their successful fledging. Our last trips of the season were very special as we watched all 4 flying together against the backdrop of Loch Scridain. Good luck Gorm and Buidhe - fly long and free and most importantly, keep safe.

Elsewhere on the Island, other eagle families have done well and I shall leave it for Dave to report on this year's breeding numbers once everything has been collated.

We are delighted to report that Mara, Skye and Frisa's chick from 2006, has been spotted safe and well with his mate. These fantastic pictures were taken by Jim Michie from Loch Shiel Eagle Cruises - many thanks Jim!

The first photo shows Mara, now minus his satellite tag. It has provided us with lots of valuable information and thanks to Roy Dennis and his Highland Wildlife Foundation for their help in this area. The second photo shows Mara having his ear chewed off by his East Coast mate.

The other great piece of news this year was Skye and Frisa successfully fledging a chick - called Sunda. I managed to capture a photo of her during a recent visit to Loch Frisa - she is sat with Frisa as Dad, Skye, sits on one of his favourite lookout spots just out of shot of the camera!.

The first picture shows Frisa sat on the left and Sunda on the righ. The second picture is Sunda looking healthy and she is flying strongly too. Good luck - a very special chick indeed.

A big thank you to all our visitors and supporters - we couldn't do it without you!

Until next time,

Debby Thorne

WhiteTailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

Say a little prayer - Mara & Shelly

david sexton — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 08:54:00 GMT

We were all thrilled when we were able to confirm that one of our original satellite tagged white-tailed eagle chicks Mara had settled to establish a territory of his own. It was even more exciting when we also confirmed that he had paired up with a female from the east coast project 'somewhere on the Scottish mainland'. You may have seen him on BBC Springwatch in June after cameraman Mark Yates managed to capture some lovely images of him and his mate. Presenter Iolo Williams explained to Michaela Strachan how they were making a nesting attempt and were incubating a clutch of eggs. Subsequently, we weren't surprised that the eggs failed to hatch as both birds were still only 4 years old but the signs were very hopeful for the future.

We stopped plotting Mara's whereabouts on the tracking map in order to protect his specific location and nesting attempt but he has really done his bit for white-tailed eagle science. Since the day we fitted his tag (along with his sister Breagha) we have been able to follow his every move and for the first time ever we have a complete picture of how young white-tailed eagles disperse: where they go, how long they stay in certain areas and use certain habitats and when they decide to start settling down. Gordon Buchanan who filmed the fitting of the tag for BBC Autumnwatch in 2008 and Roy Dennis of The Highland Foundation for Wildlife who fitted it were equally delighted by both Mara's and the sat tag's performance. The data has all been carefully plotted over the years by the RSPB Web Team and stored by our colleagues in the RSPB Data Unit. We've also had help on this ground-breaking project from Natural Research Ltd, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, BBC Wildlife Fund and the Mull & Iona Community Trust - all of whom have either contributed towards the costs of the tags and tracking or have helped in other ways. Thank you all.

So, dear reader, imagine our worries and fears when in recent weeks we started getting data through that showed Mara's satellite signal was repeatedly coming from exactly the same location over several days. It wasn't just that Mara was roosting in the same tree or feeding in the same spot. This signal was also showing that there was no movement, no activity. This kind of news can often mean very bad news and in the past other satellite tagged eagles have been recovered dead as a result of illegal poisoning. RSPB Investigations staff and the police carried out a search and were able to go straight to the spot, such is the accuracy of the satellite signals. We all held our breaths but quietly we all feared the same result.

Then I got the call from the team. It wasn't a dead eagle! There was huge relief for everyone. It was just the satellite tag itself which had become detatched - just as they are designed to do. The police and Roy Dennis who has fitted many tags are completely content that after 4-5 years the stitching on the join of the straps which held the tag in place had weathered and worn in exactly the right way allowing the straps to come off and the tag will have fallen safely to the ground. Mara will have had a good shake, a quick preen and will have flown on, possibly wondering where his amazing piece of light-weight technology which has been with him almost all his life, had gone. But I doubt he'll miss it! The old satellite tag which can cost up to £3000 will be sent away to be repaired and checked over and may one day help us to reveal new secrets somewhere else. Whilst we haven't been able to see Mara recently we are confident he has come to no harm. As his mate is a 2008 east coast release and if her radio is still working we will be able to track her and hopefully find Mara not far away. Their territory is remote and vast so there may not be news for a while but we will keep you posted on any future developments or sightings. Mara has contributed hugely to the world of white-tailed eagle science. Skye and Frisa can be justly proud of what their son has achieved!

Meanwhile, we've also just heard that Shelly's satellite tag has also been recovered from a lonely moor in the Western Isles where she has been spending alot of time over recent months. This tag too looks like it simply became detatched and that she has not come to any harm. This tag has come off somewhat sooner than we would have expected but it has been known before and the tough cotton thread can weather at different rates. Shelly is the female chick of Fingal and Iona at the Glen Seilisdeir Mull Eagle Hide from 2010.

And then there was one! Young Midge from 2010 now flies the flag for all Mull satellite tagged white-tailed eagles. The project has shown us so much about immature eagle dispersal and has filled in many of the gaps in our knowledge that wing tags just couldn't tell us. We wish Midge well for the future and will keep the tracking map updated as and when so you can follow his fortunes. Long live the Midge!

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

One day like this

david sexton — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:31:00 GMT

"Drinking in the morning sun, blinking in the morning sun"

Frisa felt stirrings beneath her. The first time had been in the middle of the night. If the moon had been full and bright she may even have stood up there and then to see what was happening but in the darkness of a moonless April night, she sat low and tight until dawn.

Skye was unusually keen to arrive at the nest at daybreak to take over his incubation duties. Or maybe he too sensed that the moment was approaching? Whilst he was ultra-keen, Frisa was unusually reluctant to shift. Ten minutes passed when normally a changeover happens in seconds. Skye stalked around the nest rim, round one way and back the other but she was not for moving. He finally jumped to one side and sat on a branch and then to preen as if he didn't really want to take over anyway.

But then Frisa felt that movement again. There was no mistaking it this time. She rocked gently to reposition herself a little higher. And then she couldn't resist a peek. She raised her mighty form and stood, peering beneath her. There in the nest cup beside an empty, cracked egg shell was a wet, wriggly, downy chick. She cleared the egg shell away, ate a little and then just stared for several minutes. The chick half sat up, its head and neck wobbling left and right and looked back at the piercing bright eyes and yellow beak of Frisa. Both blinked repeatedly in the morning sun.

Skye sensed the moment had indeed come. Not wishing to be left out, he could wait no longer and jumped back onto the nest. For a few moments both adults seemed to just drink in the wonderous sight before them. Then, instinct took over. Skye ruffled his feathers, stretched one wing, then the other and then was away to hunt. He now had a job to do.

Tugging at a tiny piece of prey on the side of the nest, Frisa bent lower to feed her precious offspring. She appeared to drool with delight as her saliva mixed the meaty morsels into a nutritious soup for the chick to swallow.

It might be hours before Skye returned with fresh prey. Frisa fed herself a little too and then settled back down to brood the first chick - and, who knows, perhaps a second hatching chick - and to keep everything warm, snug and protected. Woodpigeons called softly from the forest, the chaffinches were now well into their full spring dawn chorus and a great-spotted woodpecker drummed loudly on a dead Sitka. It was looking like a beautiful day.

It had been a long time since Frisa had seen or felt anything like this; over two years in fact. Up until 2010 Frisa and Skye had fledged chicks almost every year, almost like clockwork. It had come so easily, so naturally to them. But then it would, wouldn't it? They're so 'hard-wired', as the scientists will tell us, to breed, devoid of all emotion. Just an endless cycle of courtship, nest building, mating, egg laying, hatching, feeding, fledging, moulting and then it all starts again.

But that all changed for them and us in 2010 and again in 2011 when they failed to nest successfully. It just wasn't like them. Everyone had a theory: "too old", "not Frisa or Skye anymore", "intruding eagles", "golden eagles put them off..." In the final analysis, disturbance - possibly, sadly, intentional and reckless - is the most likely cause for their failure to breed. So in 2012, both they and we needed a new approach to get them back on track.

With the Mull Eagle Hide already set to move to Glen Seilisdeir to follow Fingal and Iona and with less general public access to Loch Frisa in the midst of ongoing timber harvesting and haulage, the time was right for Skye and Frisa to help themselves. In early spring, they slipped quietly away from their long-time favourite and once secure nest near a busy track and into some remote, hidden glade lost to view in the many square miles of the Glen Aros catchment. And we would, with a heavy heart, let them go. This was to be their time to regroup and to refocus on what was important in their lives. With just occasional sightings and distant checks, the field signs were often hopeful: one of them flying purposefully homeward at dusk over Salen Bay; another preening on a favourite mound in the morning sun. Never together. We knew they were safe, occupied and we held our breaths.

The plan had always been to wait until any successfully fledged chick (or chicks) would be up and about before looking in earnest for them. Judging by previous dates over their long breeding history since 1998 the time to watch, wait and listen would be early August. And so it was that on a sunny, midge-filled summer's morning, the large, dark form of Sunda, loomed into view over the ridge. Sunda (meaning special and precious in Gaelic), was calling loudly for food. Her flight was still a little unsteady but she'd clearly been on the wing for a week or more. She had spotted Skye and Frisa perched on their favourite rocky outcrop long before we had as she steamed towards them, the food begging calls getting ever louder. She paused briefly in the forest, landing with some degree of agility before launching off again and towards her proud, if already somewhat long-suffering parents. This time she landed less gracefully and almost did an Olympic-style double back somersault over the purple blooming heather before she came to a halt, amazingly upright!

Sunda - Skye and Frisa's chick 2012 - sorry its not brilliant but taken from a distance (photo Debby Thorne)

She lumbered towards Skye who took off and landed again a short distance away; then she changed direction and marched towards Frisa who finally relinquished the remains of some prey from her talons. Sunda had got what she came for. She will do well I'm sure, if given a chance in this uncertain world. Watching from afar, the sight of the three of them together was a dream come true for all of us. There have been dark times in the past two years when we wondered if we'd ever see them like this again. We should have had more faith. With Frisa now aged 20 and Skye just 18, they have many more productive years ahead of them.

The first forestry trucks of the day were beginning to roll and were kicking up some dust. It was time to leave. Frisa, Skye and Sunda - the dynasty continues.

One day like this a year would see me right. It's looking like a beautiful day!

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

With grateful thanks to the Mull Eagle Watch partnership of Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Mull & Iona Community Trust, Strathclyde Police, volunteers and RSPB. And special thanks to Debby Thorne.

The Mull Eagle Hide in Glen Seilisdeir is still running trips. Please book on 01680 812 556

Happy announcement from Mull Eagles

david sexton — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:27:14 GMT

Breaking news:

Skye and Frisa proudly announce the successful fledging of their healthy, bouncing, miracle chick. She weighs in at about 6kg, plumage and eyes are brown and she's already taken her first wobbly flaps. Mum, dad and chick all doing well.

Blog to follow but for now raise your glasses to Skye, Frisa and ????

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

Mull Eagle Hide: 01680 812 556

I Believe I Can Fly!

Debby Thorne — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:43:00 GMT

courtesy R Kelly

Well I'm sat at the computer with a huge grin on my face. Our chicks were 11 weeks old last week and the average age of fledging for white-tailed eagles is between 10 and 12 weeks. The larger of the 2 chicks (quite possibly a female but we await DNA results to confirm) has been doing some serious wing flapping for several weeks now. At the beginning of the week she took her first tentative steps along a branch that leads out from the nest - she has seen Iona and Fingal (Mum and Dad) do this quite often. The first time, she crept out along the branch and after 5 minutes returned to the nest - she really wasn't sure about this leaving home business. But as the week went on, she spent more and more time off the nest sat on branches to the left and right of the nest. And then on Thursday it happened! She took her first flight - a real heartstopping moment. She flew out from the nest and did a short circuit before coming to land in a nearby tree. But it wasn't an ordinary landing - oh no! She landed quite clumsily and ended up hanging upside down. After what seemed like eternity, she managed to right herself. I wonder what must have been going through her head at that point - "the world looks kinda different upside down". She returned to the nest late afternoon and then again on Friday, we saw her fly from the nest. Her sibling, who is a bit smaller than her, so quite possibly a male, still has some feathers to develop so will remain on the nest for a few days yet. He has been practising his wing flapping and bouncing skills now that his big sister is off the nest so he has plenty of room.

"I'm leaving home mum" - Here is a picture of our chick, possibly female, sat on a branch immediately above the nest - photo Debby Thorne

Here is our 2nd chick - probably a male - still on the nest practising his wing flapping and bouncing skills - photo Debby Thorne

The chicks will remain in the vicinity of the nest for a while yet so you can still come and visit us at Glen Seilisdeir. Please note the road is still closed around the south shore of Loch Na Keal and access to the hide is from the direction of Loch Scridain. Please call our friends at the Craignure Tourist Office for details on 01680 812556. Trips to the hide at Glen Seilisdeir will finish on Friday 31st August so make sure you book for our ranger led trips before we close. Booking is essential and is made via the Craignure Tourist Office.

We will let you know the names of the chicks in due course! Just a bit longer - sorry!

Dont forget you can find us on Twitter @skyeandfrisa and on Facebook - Mull Sea Eagles

Until next time

Debby Thorne

White-Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

Wish Me Luck as you wave me goodbye!

Debby Thorne — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 20:21:00 GMT

Well - I cant believe how quickly the time has flown this year. It doesn't seem like 5 minutes that we were announcing Iona (our female) and Fingal (our male) were incubating and then the great news we had a hatching! Over the last 11 weeks we have watched their two chicks develop from 2 little white fluff balls into a pair of very healthy, almost full grown white-tailed eagles. And what stunning birds they are!

This week, they started taking those tentative steps to leaving the nest. One of the chicks has been doing some incredible wing flapping and bouncing on the nest. It's breathtaking to see them with the wings outstretched just itching to take off. They have also been edging out to the branches leading out from the nest. Fingal and Iona, in an effort to encourage them to leave, ease off on the food supply. The chicks do not fly straight away but instead hop down the branches eventually landing on the ground. From there they will start with small hops, skips and jumps building up their confidence before taking short flights to the sky, usually following an adult.

Peter Barden, who has been filming our family at Glen Seilisdeir for the Discovery Channel has very kindly sent us this wonderful clip. This was taken on Thursday and shows one of the chick practising its wing flapping skills. Then Iona, mum, appears with a fish which is promptly snatched and eaten. Thank you Peter for sharing - cant wait to see the final programme!

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Strict copyright Peter Barden

Dave is taking a well earned holiday at the moment but I will keep you posted on the chicks. Dont forget you can follow us on Twitter @skyeandfrisa and also find us on Facebook at Mull Sea Eagles

To book a visit to Mull Eagle Watch, dont forget you need to book via our friends at the Craignure Visitor Information Centre, telephone 01680 812556

Until next time,

Debby Thorne

White-Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

New Nest at Mull Eagle Watch!

Debby Thorne — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 21:09:00 GMT

Stop press: 18 chicks found in nest at Glen Seilisdeir!

Well 18 pupils to be exact! This week we were delighted to welcome the P4-P7 pupils and teachers from Bunessan Primary School. The children (and teachers) were very excited and after a talk about the eagles, we set off very quietly to the very special viewing area where they would be able to see the chicks in the feathers so to speak!

We headed off down the track, stopping along the way at the remains of the township, Knockroy, and to watch the local buzzard out hunting. Once inside the viewing area, there were several muffled squeals as the children got their first glimpses of the chicks. It was wonderful to see such excited faces - for some it was their first view of a white tailed eagle - I hope it remains a very special time for them for many years. It was very difficult to drag them away as I think they would have been happy there all day watching the antics of our 2 chicks. But tummies rumbled and lunch was calling.

After lunch, the children then had a very important task to carry out - to build a life size eagle nest. They had great fun and were very well organised in deciding how to build it and what materials to use. After the nest was built, the nest needed to be tested - who better than our 18 chicks - I mean children!

Pupils trying out the nest for size and comfort (photo Debby Thorne)

Well as you can see, it was a perfect fit and all agreed it was very comfortable. It was great to have the children spend the day with us at Mull Eagle Watch and everyone had a fabulous time. Tomorrow all the schools on Mull and Iona break up for the summer holidays - just to wish all pupils moving upwards and onwards the very best of luck - a new chapter is beginning for you all.

Oh and I forgot to mention, the pupils had one very important task to complete - the naming of Fingal and Iona's 2 chicks - I am delighted to say, the names are ..............................................

sorry, cant tell you just yet - you will have to wait just a bit longer - but watch this space!

Happy Holidays, until next time

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

and now stars of Radio!

Debby Thorne — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:37:00 GMT

Well - if anyone of you were driving home from work this evening listening to Drivetime with Simon Mayo on Radio 2, you will have heard Dave talking about eagles! Yesterday's guest on the show was Glenn Frey from the band The Eagles (our favourite group of course!) - so this evening Simon wanted to go one step further and talk about the feathered variety. If you missed it, here is a link to it - if you fast forward to 19.30 you can pick it up at the start. Radio 2 - Simon Mayo Drivetime

As many of you will recall, the BBC Springwatch team came to Mull and spent a wonderful few days filming basking sharks, goats and white tailed eagles. If you missed it, here is a link to the clip where you can get a sneak preview of the viewing area of Mull Eagle Watch at Glen Seilisdeir.

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Dave was also invited to write a guest blog for the Springwatch website - here is the link BBC Nature - Mull Sea Eagles - The Young Generation

Dont forget to book your trip to Mull Eagle Watch - the chicks are 8 weeks old today and are doing really well. Trips are proving very popular so make sure you book ahead. Please call the Visitor Information Centre in Craignure on 01680 812556.

Keep up to date on Twitter - @skyeandfrisa

and Facebook - Mull Sea Eagles

Until next time,

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

Heaven is a place on Earth!

Debby Thorne — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 23:06:00 GMT

courtesy Belinda Carlisle

Fingal and Iona's chicks are now coming up to 8 weeks old - where has the time gone? They have been fitted with their snazzy leg rings - so they now have a unique number. Let's hope no-one ever has to ring the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) phone number that is printed on the leg ring, in case found. This week, the pupils from Bunessan Primary School are visiting the hide and they have the very important task of naming the chicks. Watch this space!

Chicks at ringing time - carried out under special license

photo courtesy Justin Grant

The chicks will leave the nest (fledge) between 10 and 12 weeks at which time they will come down on to the lower branches eventually to the ground where Fingal and Iona will continue to feed them. After a week a so, the chicks will start to take short flights, following their parents, learning the finer skills of flying and very importantly, landing! Trips to the hide are proving very popular so to avoid disappointment, make sure you call to reserve a space on 01680 812556.

Last week, I joined the crew of Sealife Surveys on board Sula Beag for their 7 hour whale watch trip to spot seabirds. As you may have heard, Mull has been experiencing almost tropical weather with wall to wall blue sky and sunshine. I expected this to break the day we were due to go out but incredibly I awoke to see the Sound of Mull like a sheet of glass and the sky blue from start to finish. But knowing how quickly things can change, especially out at sea, I took all the waterproofs, extra jumpers and tempting fate, the suncream. I was welcomed aboard by Popz and his trusty companion Millie (the sea dog of course!) and Ewan our guide. We had hardly got out of the bay, when 6 gannets flew past in perfect formation. The gannets that come and feed from the waters around Mull come from one of the colonies as far out as St Kilda. I could stand for hours watching gannets as they dive like daggers through the sea to catch fish.

Immature Gannets in flight

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Soon we were spotting harbour porpoises - as the sea was so flat calm they were very easy to see. I started scanning the rocks and crags along the coast and, as if like a magnet, there it was - an adult white tailed eagle - basking in the sunshine, a magnificent sight. Further out to sea we spotted puffins, guillemots, razorbills, manx shearwaters, common gulls, fulmars, arctic terns, and shags.

Bridled Guillemot

Photo Debby Thorne

As we got further out to sea, Ewan shouted "dolphins" - and we could see in the distance, splashing and activity on the water ahead. As we got closer an excited Popz came up to tell us that they werent just bottlenose or common dolphins but white beaked dolphins. In 30 years, he had never come across this particular species in the waters around Mull. The engines on the boat were turned off and gradully the dolphins came closer to the boat - we hardly dare breath. It was as if time stood still as we all watched in awe at these gentle, serene creatures as they swam around and under the boat. A very special moment I will never forget.

white beaked dolphins -

photo Debby Thorne

White beaked dolphin - photo Debby Thorne

As we turned to leave, they joined us for a while bow riding - just magical. We ventured on and arrived at the stunning Cairns of Coll - small rocky islands whose only inhabitants are seals, terns, fulmars, pipits and shags. It was like a scene from the Caribbean - turquoise sea and white sand - I had to pinch myself to remember that I was in Scotland. If Heaven exists, then it was surely that moment in that place. After lunch, we all agreed to venture further out to sea as the conditions were just incredible - it wasnt long before we were watching a minke whale working the tide line. As one dived, we all waited for it to surface in front of the boat only to hear a huge splash behind us as we all missed one taking a deep dive to fish deeper down in the sea. We had 3 minke whales (or stinky minke as they are known locally). As we reluctantly headed back towards home, we were rewarded with the amazing sight of a golden eagle, circling along the cliffs, always magical to watch as it caught a thermal and rose ever higher into the clear blue sky. Close by, a couple of gannets were diving into the sea and surfacing with a large fish. I was amazed at the number of gannets we saw that day - hopefully a sign they are doing well in this part of the World.

All too soon, the trip had ended - I arrived back to dry land, with a grin from ear to ear - it was an amazing day out - thanks to Popz and Ewan from Sealife Surveys (based in Tobermory) for an unforgettable day out - keep up the good work.

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

Fingal & Iona - This is their Life 3

david sexton — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:02:00 GMT

By 2004, all the signs looked good for Fingal and Iona for their next breeding attempt. Their nest from the previous year had been added to significantly; huge sticks were carefully woven in or just plonked on top of each other and by mid March Fingal was carrying in great clumps of white hill grass - Molinia - to line the nest in preparation for egg laying. As he landed with yet another pile, Iona tugged it away and scattered it around the nest, pressing it deep into the sticks. Then she settled in as if incubating eggs, making a cup, pushing her legs out the back to form a safe place for her precious cargo which could now only be days away from being laid. Sure enough, right on cue in early April, we saw the first change-over in incubating duties when Iona lifted her great bulk off the eggs, stood protectively over them for a few minutes and then flew away, making room for Fingal to hop down from the branch above and settle himself in for the next few hours. He looked right at home; careful, dedicated, unwavering in his duties.

This should have been their pattern for the next 38 days, come rain or shine. Each adult taking near equal terms incubating the two white eggs. Iona would always incubate overnight, usually landing next to Fingal to resume her night shift as the late winter sun set behind the shadowy ridge. Sometimes Fingal was reluctant to relinquish his position and Iona would have to give him a sharp nudge to move him off. We crossed off the days on the calender: 28, 29, 30...just a week or so to go. Gordon Buchanan was filming them for his BBC Natural World production 'Eagle Island' and we were all gearing up for the big day. Then it started to rain; heavy and persistent rain, day and night for almost 72 hours. It was a deluge; swollen rivers crashed down the hillsides into the bay, big branches with new leaves broke under their own weight, deer and sheep were washed off river banks and down into the sea loch. On the morning the rain began to finally ease, Gordon and I returned to Glen Seilisdeir to check on Fingal and Iona. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by what we found. Both birds were sitting together in another Scots pine, dark, drenched and disconsolate. After watching for a while we ventured closer to confirm the worst and looked up. We could see daylight through the nest; the rain-sodden grass lining had been pulled through the base of the waterlogged structure dragging the fragile eggs with it. We looked down. There scattered and broken amongst the branches on the ground were the shattered pieces of eagle egg shell. I picked bits up; Gordon filmed them. It was not what he wanted to film. For Fingal and Iona, it was all over - again - for another year.

After all their set backs, the following year they moved well away from their doomed nest and built a new one in a Lodgepole pine near the top of a beautiful river gully. That year, 2005, it all worked out right for them: calm, dry conditions throughout incubation. I left it a few days beyond their presumed hatch date before climbing high into the hills to a safe watch point. Iona was sitting higher. Two hours passed with barely a movement from her, then a sudden fidget. She stood at last and revealed her single chick to the warming May sunshine. It looked strong and healthy, already stretching up to be fed. With luck and fine weather, this could just be their year. All the signs looked good. For the first critical 10 days of life, Mull's weather-god was kind to Fingal and Iona and their chick. Soon he grew into an even stronger eaglet, day by day, bigger and more feathered. At 8 weeks old we paid him a brief visit for a close-up health check, a few measurements and wing tags. He was 'Red V' or 'Valiant' as he was christened by local children. At 10 weeks he was fully grown but not yet ready to take the biggest jump of his life. After another two weeks of strengthening his flight muscles, he flapped hard one more time and launched off the top of his pine tree home and into a world of amazing adventures and terrible dangers he could never begin to imagine - but we could. It's always a bitter-sweet moment for us watching from afar. We're thrilled and relieved an eaglet has fledged successfully at last but we also know deep down that we've done all we can, our role in protecting them here is largely over and they must now fend for themselves in an often less-than-friendly environment for our stunning birds of prey. On Mull, Valiant should be safe but soon he would fly further and longer distances away from the protection of Fingal and Iona and then he would really be on his own.

By the late autumn, that day had come. Valiant had gone. Here one day, gone the next. Amazingly within just a few days we had a call from birdwatchers and then a radio station in Northern Ireland to say a young white-tailed eagle with red wing tags and the letter 'V' was being seen regularly on the Antrim Plateau. Valiant really had spread his wings and gone for it, helped aloft by strong northerly fall breezes, carrying him south down the Argyllshire coast, through the Mull of Kintyre and over the Irish sea. Even more amazingly, two weeks later he was back on Mull, seen by a wildlife tour operator on Loch na Keal! He was by now of course completely independent of Fingal and Iona. Their first successful fledgling had proven himself to be a real survivor, able to navigate the twists and turns of coast, hill, glen and loch. There would be more chicks for Fingal and Iona in the years to come but for them Valiant was their turning point from failure to success. He was special...and five years later he was to prove just how special.

On a remote stretch of coast near the Isle of Skye, an RSPB field worker followed up reports of a new pair of adult white-tailed eagles settling into an area. The male had red wing tags with the letter 'V'. Valiant had made it through. He has since gone on to raise and fledge chicks of his own. The Fingal and Iona dynasty has a bright future. Long live Valiant!

Watch Fingal and Iona with their two chicks from this year on Springwatch 2012 BBC Two 8pm week beginning June 11th. And then come and see them for yourself at the Mull Eagle Hide. Booking essential on 01680 812 556. 2hr trips Monday to Friday 10am and 1pm. Adults £6, children £3. Gordon Buchanan's BBC Natural World film 'Eagle Island' is for sale from all good stockists on Mull, on the MV Isle of Mull CalMac shop, VisitScotland in Craignure and on Amazon.

Iolo Williams & the BBC Springwatch crew on board Mull Charters - photo copyright Richard Clutterbuck

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

I'm so eggcited!

Debby Thorne — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:47:00 GMT

(apologies to the Pointer Sisters!)

Well - its happened! Fingal and Iona are now the proud parents of two eaglets. Last week we were pacing the floor - watching for any hint of a change in behaviour. Indeed on Monday, Iona, our female, was very fidgety and kept looking down into the nest. Then on Tuesday, Fingal, her mate, did the same. There was also evidence of food on the nest, a sure sign things were imminent. And then on Wednesday we saw the first feed taking place. Very gently, Iona broke off tiny morsels of food and leant down into the nest for her young to remove from her. Another sign of a feed is the amount of saliva that literally pours from the females mouth. Its possible there are enzymes in the saliva that help breakdown the food for the newly hatched chick. Then on Friday, our visitors to Glen Seilisdeir were over the moon to see the first sighting of not one, but two white fluffy heads, just bobbing up and down.

Here is a short clip of Iona and Fingal on Friday having just fed the chicks

(Please visit the site to view this video)

From now until about 6/7 weeks of age, the chicks will grow at a phenominal rate - lets hope the fantastic warm, sunny weather we have been experiencing on Mull continues for another couple of weeks. For the first two weeks of life, the young chicks are very vulnerable. They are unable to regulate their own body temperature so there is always an adult present on the nest, brooding the chicks - keeping them dry and warm. Fingal and Iona will take turns in sitting on them while the other goes off to find food, maybe some fish from nearby Loch Scridain, possibly a rabbit or even a fulmar.

The trips to our new location at Glen Seilisdeir are proving very popular. Dont forget if you are planning a visit, booking is essential. This can be done through our friends at the Craignure Visitor Centre on 01680 812556. The area is also proving great for other wildlife life too including an osprey which flew over last week, as well as willow warbler, crossbills at the top of the nest tree and some great sightings of golden eagles too. If you look at the map of our satellite tagged birds http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/mulleagles/ you will see that Midge came and paid us a visit. Midge was a chick from a nest on Mull and fledged in 2010 and its interesting to see the different areas our youngsters visit before they think about settling down with a mate and finding a suitable territory.

Of course we will keep you posted on the progress of our chicks - for those of you who use Twitter you can follow us @skyeandfrisa and on Facebook you can join our Mull Sea Eagle group.

Until next time

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer

Isle of Mull

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