Now that the white-tailed eagle chick has flown the nest at Mull Eagle Watch, Glen Seilisdeir, we are having to work harder to spot the birds, but both adults and juvenile are returning to the nest tree to roost and feed. We have also had some great views of the family flying over the Glen, with the bonus of regular sightings of a juvenile golden eagle practicing its hunting technique on the moorland above the treeline.
The twice daily (weekdays) trips at 10am and 1pm last for 2 hours, and although we stop off at the viewing area to check out whether the white-tailed eagles are around the nest area, we usually walk further along the forest track to gain better views of their other favourite roosting and flying places. The second main viewing area is in a stunning location with extensive views over the surrounding woodland, fields and grassland, out to Loch Scridain, the main hunting area for the adult birds, Iona and Fingal. Sea fish, greylag goslings, shag and harbour seal placenta have been high on the list of food items the adults have been bringing in in the last month.
The walks enable visitors to have close views of some of the other wildlife that occurs in Tiroran Forest, and on sunny days the rides and clearings within the wood are alive with butterflies, including dark-green fritillary, scotch argus and common blue, and dragonflies such as the gold-ringed. Regular sightings of common crossbills, siskins, coal tits and buzzards are also made, along with occasional views of great spotted woodpecker and sparrowhawk. Grey herons, oystercatchers, redshank, dunlin and curlew can be seen from our vantage point over the bay, sometimes joined at the water’s edge by one of the adult white-tailed eagles. The Glen is also filled with hawking hirundines at the moment, and red deer can often be seen around the margins of the forest.
Mull Eagle Watch trips will be continuing throughout August so do come along and visit us for a great 2 hour wildlife walk. Walks start at 10am and 1pm each weekday. To book ring 01680 882 556.