As mentioned before, this year Mull Eagle Watch is located at 2 sites on Community Woodland, North West Mull Community Woodland and South West Mull & Iona Development Trust The eagles at both sites are well into incubation and we are now onto countdown to the day when we await hatching.
At Tiroran, Fingal and Hope continue to give our visitors great views but this week they haven't been the centre of attention. The weather on Mull has been wonderful with blue skies and warm sunshine. We have great views towards Ben More and the surrounding area and this week we were scanning the skyline, when 3 large shapes appeared above a distant crag - we could see they were golden eagles and as they drifted towards us, we could make out they were young golden eagles, identified by the white patches. As we watched them interacting with each other, more large birds drifted into view - this time a slightly different shape - a much broader, heavier looking wing with a more rounded tail - yes - white tailed eagles. As we focussed, we saw not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 juveniles. And just to help us with our ID skills, a couple of buzzards joined in. Then we saw another bird, a different wing shape to the eagles, smaller - one of our visitors was convinced it was a goshawk - and just to add to the party in the sky, a sparrowhawk came through. We were all stood them in amazement - all you could hear was "there's another one - oh and another". Our visitors certainly went home happy.
But that wasnt the end of it - today I was at our second site at West Ardu - home to Hope and Star white tailed eagles. One of our visitors was celebrating his 83rd birthday so the best birthday present he could hope for was a view of a white tailed eagle as he had never seen one. As we arrived at our viewing point, we were greeted by the male, called Star (named by the pupils from Dervaig Primary School) sat close to the nest, basking in the warmth of the sunshine. As we scanned the skyline, one of our visitors spotted that familiar site on the skyline - 2 large birds that turned out to be golden eagles - we were then treated to a fly through by 3 white tailed eagles. The goldies stayed around and again great for us to be able to compare the profile of both eagles.
Not a bad day at the office.
To book on a trip, called our friends at VisitScotland Craignure on 01680 812556
Debby Thorne
RSPB Ranger