Blue Skies and Old Friends

Well I am delighted to report that summer has made a comeback on Mull.  Just when we thought our jumpers and coats were coming out of summer hibernation, ready for autumn and winter, the warm weather has returned.  We have been enjoying cloudless blue skies and warm sunshine, sadly a bit too late for our school children as they return this week. 

Also making a welcome return to Loch Frisa has been Heather, our chick from last year.  Skye and Frisa have been checking out some new roosting spots along the Loch and on Friday, I took a trip along the forestry track to try and locate them.  Skye had spent most of the morning sat in the larches just in front of the hide, to the delight of our visitors.  As we were preparing for the afternoon group, he decided to take off, probably to join Frisa.  As I drove along the track, I spotted our young buzzard hunting above the hay meadow.  The farmer has been busy, making the most of the good weather and has cut and baled the hay.  This has given the young buzzard a great opportunity practise his hunting skills often watched closely by Mum.  As I drove further down the track, I caught a lovely view of a male hen harrier quartering the ground - we have not seen much of the female this year but certainly plenty of great views of the male.  And then, as I turned a bend, I scanned the wood looking for the pale heads of our adults but was taken aback to see a juvenile sat on a branch, close to the Loch.  I could just make out yellow starting to appear on the beak and light mottling to the body.  All the signs of a youngster about a year old - it looked quite at home and very settled sat on the tree.  Of course, we cant be 100% certain it was Heather but I feel sure it was - just popped back home to see how the folks are doing.

Another exciting event this week was the arrival at the Hide of a rarity for Mull.  Many of you will be surprised when I tell you it was a Jay.  The most colourful member of the crow family, it can be quite difficult to see as they are quite shy woodland birds but for Mull, we have just had one pair confirmed breeding on the Island.  I heard it before I saw it - we used to have a family of jays frequent our garden before we moved to Mull so I was very familiar with its call.  I swung round to see it fly straight in front of the hide and land in the trees next to the track.  It stayed for about 10 minutes before flying off - hopefully it will stay in the area.

The warm weather has also brought out lots of butterflies - there are Peacocks, Scotch Argus, and Red Admirals everywhere.  We have also seen our black throated divers still on the loch - its reallly encouraging that they have chosen to spend the summer at Loch Frisa - fingers crossed this pair will breed in the future.  They are truly stunning if you've never seen one.

Black Throated Diver

Photo Niall Benvie (rspb-images.com)

Peacock Butterfly - photo Debby Thorne

 As you can tell, there is never a dull moment at Loch Frisa - from birds, flowers, butterflies and mammals, there is lots to see.  Of course we now have 10 young sea eagle chicks that have recently fledged.  We are receiving lots of reports of sightings of the youngsters, taking those first flights, with Mum and Dad not far behind.

You can book a trip to the only sea eagle viewing hide in the world at Loch Frisa, by calling the VisitScotland office at Craignure on 01680 812556.  Further details at Mull Eagle Watch

I am signing off for a few days now - heading south to BirdFair at Rutland Water.  If any of you are about, come and say hello - I shall be in Marquee 3 on the Wild Scotland stand.

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Mull