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

Mull Eagle Watch

6 April into winter 2009

There's lots I could tell you about myself...

...about how all the white-tailed eagles in the UK were hunted to extinction over 100 years ago...

...about how the RSPB and a partnership of people who love nature brought birds over from Norway to start a new population in the 1970s...

...about how there are now 45 pairs of white-tailed eagles across Scotland, thanks to dedicated people who protect the nests 24 hours a day...

...but none of my story compares to meeting me in the flesh.

And if that wasn't enough to tempt you, sharing my beautiful island home are a whole host of other wonderful wildlife, including golden eagles, hen harriers, buzzards, otters along the coast and red deer, which will be calving in June.

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

Each trip is two hours (including travel time to and from the hide along the track), and there are 30 places on each trip. Adults (including RSPB members): £4. Under 16s: £2. If you live on Mull, it's free.

Please pay the ranger on the day by cash or cheque (‘Mull & Iona Community Trust'). Sorry, we don't have a card machine at the moment. All funds raised go back to the Mull Eagle Watch project to help create new local jobs and to local good causes on Mull & Iona.

When can you see us?

Mull is magical in the winter. Why not come for a long weekend or a mid-week break? Many hotels have some very attractive seasonal offers. If you are coming to Mull at this special time of year and would like to visit the hide, please call Craignure Tourist Information Centre to arrange a ranger-led trip. We'll do our best to make days and times flexible to suit you

How to find us

The ranger will meet you at the rendezvous point to start your adventure – it's 1 km up the Loch Frisa forestry track from the Forestry Commission Scotland Loch Frisa junction with the A848 Salen to Tobermory road. There'll be signs from the road to the track. You'll drive up to the hide, guided by the ranger, in your own car.

Please note that there is no vehicular access along the Loch Frisa track and please take notice of any Mull Eagle Watch warning signs in place.

What should I bring?

Wet weather gear is best (just in case), as are practical shoes – leave the heels at home. If you're in a wheelchair, you can get into the hide, but the ground around the hide is a bit bumpy. Oh, and there are no toilets – so best to stop off before – the nearest ones are in Tobermory or Salen.

Still got some questions?

Telephone: Call our friends at Craignure Tourist Information Centre for further information and to book your date with nature on 01680 812556

Why not make a day of it?

While you're out and about, why not stop off at one of these?

• Mull & Iona wildlife week
• Aros Park
• Glen Aros

This date is brought to you with the help of Forestry Commission Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust, Strathclyde police, Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural Research Ltd, Highland Foundation for Wildlife, RSPB Scotland, the local community and volunteers with funding from the BBC Wildlife Fund. All money raised goes back to the project and to local Mull and Iona good causes. Thanks also to Crerar Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa for supporting Mull Eagle Watch. Mull Eagle Watch – proud to be members of Wild Scotland.

Mull Eagles

Follows the fortunes of Mull's white-tailed eagles and its other fascinating wildlife

Wednesday, 18 November 2009 22.05

Oran flies south

Posted by david sexton

Our male white-tailed eagle chick from Mull this year, Oran, has made a dramatic flight south. He had seemed settled and has spent the last few weeks just across the water from here on Loch Sunart; then he came home for a while but has now headed down to the island of Jura. We are hearing more reports lately of young eagles on nearby Islay perhaps attracted by the thousands of wintering geese. Maybe this is where Oran is headed next.  Our colleagues at Loch Gruinart reserve will be watching out for him and we'll see what the next set of data tells us. Meanwhile our female chick Venus has drifted over a mountain ridge or two and was last recorded at Loch Frisa, home to the Eagle Hide. If you're lucky and planning to visit us soon you may catch a glimpse of her. The Eagle Hide is still open and feel free to call 01680 812 556 to arrange a trip. We can be flexible with the days and times to suit you. Today both Frisa and Skye were on view. Again both perched in larches very close to the hide and were watching below into the burns for brown trout. They looked magnificent in the weak winter sunshine. I wonder where Heather has gone to now? Next time we'll give you an update on where last year's chicks from Loch Frisa are doing as they enter their second winter. Mara and Breagha have both been on the move lately...

Meanwhile, the long awaited feature on Blue Peter will be aired next week. The team tell us that it will be shown next Tuesday 24 November on BBC One at 4.35pm. If you haven't seen Blue Peter for a while, give yourself a treat, re-live your childhood, settle back with a cup of tea and enjoy. Better still tell any nieces, nephews or grandchildren to tune in. I will be wearing my Blue Peter badge wih pride.

Finally, Allan Mee who manages the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project for the Golden Eagle Trust in Ireland sent me a quote I'd like to share with you. It's from a book on the legends and stories by Native Americans. It was written by a wise man called Lame Deer of the Brule Sioux Nation. They knew how to live with eagles; they respected them. Perhaps some lessons to be learned? I'll leave that for you to decide. As Walter Cronkite used to say - 'that's the way it is.'

Until next time...

Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer  

"So we are descended from the eagle. We are an eagle nation. That is good, something to be proud of, because the eagle is the wisest of birds. He is the Great Spirit's messenger; he is a great warrior. That is why we always wore the eagle plume and still wear it" 

  

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