No great dramas today! Just a brief update that that our Loch Frisa duo are well and providing great views at the hide. Today the assembled visitors were treated to Mara & Breagha flying right over the hide as if coming to say 'what are you lot doing here every day?'.
They chased and twisted and turned through the air and looked like they'd been flying for years. Earlier a chick from a Mull nest in 2007 showed up. He was attracted in by the remains of something just out of view from the observers at the hide. He sat on the fence posts alongside the chicks and the two adults Frisa and Skye. For a while he almost looked like one of the family - but he outstayed his welcome. Suddenly protective Frisa flew hard at him and knocked him off his perch - literally. For a brief moment they locked talons and crashed to the ground. They stood facing each other, panting in the humid wet air. The yearling clearly shocked at the turn of events and Frisa intent on ensuring only her brood were going to have their share of the carcase. She was just doing what comes naturally. The young bird read the signs and took off with Frisa in hot pursuit. There was to be no sharing of this meal. The young eagle flew away over the horizon, alone and still looking for food. Frisa returned. This is their territory, their family group and for a while yet, that's how it will stay.
Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer
Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer
Alis-as a native Scot I have visited all the islands(Inner and Outer hebrides AND St Kilda) but reckon Mull is "The Ocean's Gem". This site has generated so much interest I would advise you to book sooner rather than later. I see that David has given you some pointers-go for it!!!
Hi all
Thanks for all your kind comments and glad people enjoy reading about the adventures of our two chicks. For now they may be less active than the osprey chicks and thankfully don't have a migration to Africa to contend with but before long they will be on their own and finding their ways through the hills and glens and coasts of Scotland so the satellite map should start to get a bit more interesting. To answer a few other queries:
Wildfreckle - the mob of ravens wouldn't be a serious threat to an eagle chick but they did seem to unnerve him a bit. We often find raven and hooded crow remains in the nest as sea eagle prey so they'd better watch out.
Alis - Mull is worth a visit at any time of year and September can be very good as all this year's young sea and golden eagles are up and about - not to mention everything else like the otters, seals, red deer, birds of prey...and less midges! Check out the websites for Holiday Mull, Mull Birds Online and the Mull Bird Club for info on wildlife, accommodation, wildlife tours etc.
Book idea - any publishers out there offering a big advance?
Thanks again for caring about the sea eagles and their stories. More Mull updates as they happen.
Valerie
We're having a holiday in Aviemore in September but we have now become interested in the sea eagles (after the excitement of the Loch Garten osprey) and think we may have to try and fit in a visit to Mull. Is it far?