then I'll begin. How many times have you heard that phrase - for me as a young girl watching Jackanory and waiting with baited breath for the latest instalment of a story - and then counting the hours until the next programme to find out what happened next.
And so at Loch Frisa - we begin the next instalment of the story of Skye and Frisa - only its not fiction, its real life. Well I am delighted to report that Frisa and Skye are now settled on to their nest and we are in the midst of watching them closely. Everything so far is going well and as it should. Mull Eagle Watch is in full swing and our nests are now under the watchful eye of a team of locals and volunteers.
If any of you use Twitter, there is now a dedicated account for Skye and Frisa - their address is @SkyeandFrisa - and you can keep up to date with the goings on at Loch Frisa as well as Mull's other sea eagles.
I am sure you will all join me in crossing everything possible for Skye and Frisa this year.
Frisa, our female sea eagle - photo Debby Thorne
The one really important change this year is that trips will start from the north end of Loch Frisa. The meeting point is on the Tobermory to Dervaig road - the signs are in place and details can be found at Mull Eagle Watch Bookings can be made via our friends at the Visitor Centre at Craignure on 01680 812556.
This morning as I drove up the track this morning, I was delighted to see 6 sand martins flying over the loch - what a welcoming sight. We were lucky to see a pair of grey wagtail and a pair of bullfinch too as well as the usual flock of siskins and chaffinches on the feeders. The black throated divers and curlew are calling too and we had a great view of a male goldeneye and goosander.
Its that time of year when there is so much activity - we are seeing flocks of grey lag geese heading off to their breeding grounds and watching the arrival of our summer visitors such as the sand martins and swallows. I wonder how long it will be before we hear our first cuckoo? And of course, the days are longer now - with the clocks changing at the weekend, it was gone 8.00pm here before it started getting dark.
The latest news on Kellan - the Garnett family are great supporters of our sea eagles and were delighted to catch sight of Kellan having a good old feed - its great when our visitors take the time to let us know of any eagle sightings - each snippet of data is valuable and helps us fill in tiny pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle.
And finally, just heard some incredible news - The Lady of the Loch, or Marge, depending which website you follow, the oldest osprey has returned to Loch of the Lowes for the 21st time - absolutely amazing.
Stand by for the next thrilling instalment!
Debby Thorne
White Tailed Eagle Information Officer
Isle of Mull
Just wonderful news Debby - I am so heartened that at last (it seems at last, at least) Skye and Frisa are gong to have a family this year- and being later in the year than last year, hopefully, no adverse weather will affect the hatching of eggs and so forth. And GREAT news about Kellan. If he's eating he's keeping strong and will thrive; what a a relief.
Thanks Debbie for the news, and the photo, do hope for a good year for Skye and Frisa. Glad that Kellan seems OK. We are looking forward to visiting in May, hoping the eagles will oblige perhaps with a fly-past!!? There is so much wildlife to see on Mull, I know we will have a busy few days.
We also are so pleased that Lady is back - just amazing! Birds really are brilliant!
Hi Debby all good news and hope for a good year,seems they have gone back nesting where we see them on our first two visits.When we were parked waiting to be taken down to hide there we saw a Goldie and Short Eared Owl.
Thank you for all that information Debby, will make a note of the changed meeting place for tours.... why did you have to change from the other route? Glad to hear that Kellan is doing okay, I have been wondering if anyone had spotted him.
Great news about Marge too, and fingers and everything else crossed for Skye and Frisa...... looking forward to seeing you soon and to more posts on the happenings at the Loch.
Definatley have everything crossed for them and all of the eagles on Mull.
Hope to see some little fluffy heads popping out of the nest when we are up in May.
X everythings crossed for you , Skye and Frisa X