After popping in and out over the last couple of months, two 2009 birds, the large female turquoiseH and small male turquoiseZ (named Norbett) have taken up residence at Loch Leven again in the last week, being seen daily out on the ice. The extremely cold weather has caused their radio frequencies to shift, so after a stomp up Vane Hill (at -8 degrees!) I could initially only pick up one, but Colin Shaw soon found the huge female in the scope and we were able to tune into her new winter frequency.
The eagles with their second year plumage are looking fantastic out on the frozen loch, and have already been spotted chasing wildfowl, snapping at crows, attempting a mid-air swan attack and having a stand off with a fox. If you have any spare time over the next couple of weeks I really would recommend a visit to the only place in Scotland where you can sit in the warmth of the cafe with a cuppa and watch Europe’s largest bird of prey. This is the second winter the birds have visited the site and as we enter another winter its great to see the patterns develop and to see the birds end the year back where they started it.
I was hoping that turquoiseX may also join them, but heard that he has been spotted on Mull today, presumably shifting west to try and find food where there is less snow as red kites from Perthshire have also been doing over the last couple of weeks, being seen in unprecedented numbers on Mull and surrounding islands.
A great Christmas present for sea eagles all over Scotland is the news that we have received stage 1 approval for Heritage Lottery Funding. This is to fund a range of activities across Scotland and specifically on the East coast we are hoping to train and involve more volunteers, broaden our education project and fund a 6th year of releases. A lot more hardwork is now underway by RSPB staff to get the detailed funding application in for the next three years.
Our smallest male from 2010, yellowZ (of chicken munching fame) has moved down to the Doune area from the Inner Forth, whilst other 2008 and 2009 birds are using the Carse of Gowrie and Angus amd have been spotted near Blairgowrie in the last week.
Please don’t forget to send in any sightings of sea eagles over the festive period and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all supporters of the East Scotland Sea Eagle project and a special thank you to project volunteers who have been out in all weathers tracking the birds and to everyone who has sent in sightings in 2010.