Okay so we never managed the walk on Christmas Day but 24 hours later saw us heading for the heart of Mull for a picnic lunch of turkey sandwiches, mince pies and mulled wine. The skies were overcast but with the occasional ray of light breaking through. The air is completely still and has been for days now. The glen looked deserted. Not even a buzzard broke the skyline. Kids rapidly becoming disenchanted after the promise of a great Christmas adventure into the hidden glen. Not even any snow remaining on the high tops. We didn't quite get the classic line "Are we there yet?" but it got pretty close. "Can we have something to eat now?" (as if they've not had enough); "Where are we going exactly?" and so on...

It was an eagle-free zone. After the sighting of six sea eagles here by the farmer a few days ago, I felt sure they'd be a few still loitering in the general vicinity. But as we bumped our way over the rough track and through almost dry river beds, I began to think it had been a wasted effort. "There's one!" A loud exclamation broke the air of gathering gloom and the mood instantly changed from one of tedium of yet another boring drive with daddy with nothing to see to one of excitement, adventure and hope. We all craned our necks through the landrover windows as the large young female sea eagle flapped heavily off round the hill and out of sight. Then above us were the two adults, the territorial pair from this area, steaming at full speed after the vagrant youngster. For whatever reason they did not like her in their patch. Then at the precise moment they vanished in the same direction as the immature, out shot another young sea eagle, this time with white tags, a young bird from 2007. It was heading fast and furious across the glen, hotly pursued by a golden eagle. By this time, we were all looking in all directions. The 'boredom' of the drive and lunch long since forgotten. And so it continued for the next half hour. As one eagle melted into the distance, another one appeared to take its place. At one point we all gazed to the heavens and counted and then re-counted. There was a towering column of raptors from the biggest to (almost) the smallest. At the pinnacle were three sea eagles (the two adults and one immature), below them was a single golden eagle, followed by a pair of buzzards, two hen harriers and a kestrel. Try as we might we couldn't quite get it all to rhyme with "...And a Partridge in a Pear Tree". Go on, you try it!  Of course, in amongst all this excitement was the usual army of hooded crows and a scattering of ravens for good measure.

Then, as quickly as it had assembled, the tower started to disperse to the four corners of the glen. The sea eagles in one direction, the goldie in another. The harriers went in two different directions - clearly of no fixed abode - leaving only the resident buzzard pair and kestrel. They carried on hunting where they'd left off before they'd been rudely interrupted by the mass trespass into their domain. Finally it was time for our delayed lunch beside a ruined croft and some old byres. By now it was late afternoon and the light was starting to go. It was time to head for home and a warm fire - but we were in for one last, very special treat. Out from the old byre floated two barn owls, one following the other's route out across the hillside. We followed their pale forms and light, bouncing flight until they blended into the gathering dusk and were gone. A family trip with daddy to see eagles (oh no not again - yawn) had started with grumbles about wanting to watch High School Musical (1,2 or 3?), that the Nintendo DS wasn't working properly and ever louder pleas to stop for lunch. It had ended after a magical encounter with a 'sky full of eagles' and the sight of beautiful, if ghostly barn owls floating above the bracken with the children's eyes wide open in amazement. This secret, hidden glen had worked its Christmas magic once again.

Here's hoping you're all enjoying your festive season.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

  • Sounds magical. Am more and more convinced that we must holiday there this year!  Went down to Montrose Basin today where we saw a wonderful array of different birds.  Different from Eagle experiences but not less wonderful for it.  Met up with my parents and gave them joint membership of SWT for 15 months, we are all already in the RSPB don't worry!!!  It's great to see people like you and others doing so much for conservation and our natural world!!

    ed

  • As Valc says wish I could have been there. How lucky your children are and what a wonderful treat for you on Boxing Day. Keep warm and a very Happy New Year to you.

    Margobird

  • Hi Dave we knew you would have a great walk.Pleased all the birds played their parts for you otherwise you may have been in trouble with your children.All your stories set us wondering about something this time it is where this secret hidden glen is as when we have been on Mull we try and go for walks in such places.Ann says a really uplifting story and gave me a shout to come and read it. Best wishes
  • Oh Dave how I wish I had been your daughter - they will remember as they grow up and they will thank you for the pleasures they have seen , they might not appreciate you at this time but they are so very lucky to have you as their father for sure . Think of all the children who live in towns and cities who have never seen a cow or horse except on television but your children to have seen what they have yesterday they are just so lucky , trouble is because you live with eagles and talk and breathe eagles probably to them it is nothing . So glad you all enjoyed your day - looking at the webcam at the Glenforsa looks pretty white up there , when I looked out my window down in Hampshire this morning it was white , I thought it was snow but it was just a heavy frost . Thank you for thinking of us all on Boxing Day Dave and enjoy your holidays - lovely story again .

    Valerie

  • Oh that sounds so familiar in this household too! While you were visiting that lovely Glen, we thought we would go and check out Skye and Frisa - with similar comments "cant we go to the beach instead?" Loch Frisa was deserted apart from a couple of determined walkers and their dog walking off the Christmas pud I expect! Not so successful as you I'm afraid - a kestrel kept us company and a couple of buzzards popped by to say hello but we were eagle free! I guess Skye and Frisa were having some quiet quality time somewhere before they begin adding to their family again! We arrived home at dusk to see our own sea eagle still perched on his rock where we had left him that morning, only this time joined by an otter for company!