Well, September is certainly proving to be a saviour in terms of weather. We are enjoying lots of warm sunshine and blue skies - you could almost be fooled into thinking it was May or June. Tee shirts have come out of winter storage and its lovely to feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Our family at Loch Frisa have been enjoying the warm weather too. Skye and Frisa are spending long periods, perched on the larch trees in front of the hide, looking so relaxed now the majority of this year's parental duties are done. They will still be feeding Heather but the majority of their work is done. They seem to be enjoying some "me" time before the whole process starts again.
The golden eagles have been enjoying this weather too and our visitors have been getting great views as they fly across the hide, trying to steal the limelight from Skye and Frisa. The buzzards are still a joy to watch - the youngsters now hunting on their own but occasionally taking 5 minutes out to play tag with a sibling! We still have butterflies and dragonflies around and just occasionally, we glimpse the odd swallow - so we can still pretend its summer.
Calgary Bay this week - white sand, blue sea and blue skies - Photo Debby Thorne
After tomorrow, we start a new phase at the Hide. Previously, we would now be planning to put the hide into mothballs until next Spring but from next week we are going to keep the hide open through autumn and winter, running our trips at 10.00 am and 1.00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Bookings can be made through our friends at the Tourist Office in Craignure (Tel: 01680 812556). We are fortunate that our eagles do not migrate and are here all year round so if you are planning a trip to Mull come and see us! Details of our Eagle Watch project can be found here http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/mull/index.asp. The leaves on the trees are starting to turn, the heather is in bloom and the bracken starting to die off - autumn on Mull is stunning - the colours breathtaking and as for the wildlife, well ........ you will just have to come and see if for yourself!
This Sunday also sees our "Fledge" party at Loch Frisa - a chance to raise a glass to all our chicks and to say thank you to everyone involved with these magnificent birds. We are meeting at the hide at 1.00pm and the gates at both ends of the Loch will be open - if you are around, do come and join us.
Debby Thorne, White Tailed Eagle Information Officer,
Isle of Mull
When I was there at the start of July it felt tropical with lots of tiny fish swimming around me in the crystal clear water when it was only knee high! Another great photo and reminder of Mull Debby.
Thanks Mex for the link have added my name to the petition as everything possible must be done to protect these magnificent birds.
Margobird
Thanks Debbie. The beach looks just wonderful!
Yes Mex good to have Auntie joining in feel sure that wildlife lovers all feel the same.I was under the impression Scottish Natural Heritage were heavily involved in defending the Eagles,perhaps Dave could tell us.One interesting part of our trip was that we made friends with a couple in another caravan at the farm Caroline Garnett and Colin her partner.Someone last year told me that Les her father keeps track of every Mull Sea Eagle chick and perhaps knows as much about them as Dave.What was nice was Caroline is a great spotter if any Eagles around so with Sweep being good as well Sooty was in clover.Coming home I am struck by what a nice group of bloggers are here,just what Dave and Debby deserve and how good it is to be kept in the know of all what is happening on Mull.
It is so good to hear of Finland's success and to see Auntie joining our international community. One universal family. I saw on the Golden Eagle Trust petition that Finnish people stand high on the list of signatories - see www.goldeneagle.ie/portal.php The internet has made the world a much smaller place, one in which all the 'little' individuals can play a greater role - and express big hearts. And Dave and Debby's blogs are certainly heart-warming!