Wow! What a day it has been. The weather has changed, again! Warm and sunny with just enough breeze to keep any midges away. As I arrived at the Hide this morning, I was greeted by Skye and Frisa have a fly around together, enjoying each other's company with just a bit less stress now that Heather is doing so well by herself. They still keep an eye on her but she is getting ever more adventurous, flying higher and just a bit further.
I was halfway through the talk this morning, when we spotted something flying - two golden eagles - we stood for about 10 minutes just watching them soaring when we spotted another - this time a juvenile goldie. They gave a great display when Heather, our chick was seen flying over the Loch towards the Ridge - lots of oos and aaahs - she really is stunning. I wish I could capture a close up shot of her for you but take it from me, really dark chocolate brown and huge! Like most birds of preys, the female is larger than the male, so she is bigger than her dad!!
We then had a great view of Skye and Frisa again, keeping a close eye on their youngster when a young lad who was visiting, and was keen as mustard, spotted another eagle - this time another juvenile white tailed sea eagle, not quite the full white tail but a lighter coloured head - too high up though for us to see any wing tags to try and identify it. Certainly a fantastic morning's viewings.
This afternoon, I decided to have another go at checking out Half Pint and his sibling. Dave's scope is still drying out in the airing cupboard (hope it recovers by the weekend when he returns!) but with the weather still warm and sunny, thought I would have a better chance at seeing and indeed hearing our chicks. I hadnt gone five minutes from the van, when I spotted one of the adults flying in carrying a seabird. What a great start. The adults will bring food to the young if they are on the ground or on lower branches so makes it easier for us trying to locate the chicks.
As I moved into position, my ears were filled with what is so recognisable as sea eagle chicks calling - they were going mad - and the reason, the other adult appeared carrying a fish. The chicks spot the parents coming in and call with excitement - this also allows the parents to spot the chicks as they move around either on the ground or in the trees After about 20 minutes, I decided to leave our little family. Everything had gone quiet. Mum and Dad were sat close together in a tree, like an old married couple - both chicks had been fed and were quiet. All is well with the World! A great end to the day.
As I type this, I am looking out the window across the Mainland at the Morvern Hills - our latest satellite tracking of Mara and Breagha show Mara just over the water from Mull in Morvern - he feels like he is in touching distance. Breagha is up north on the west coast, a fair way from home! Keep safe.
Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Isle of Mull
Another great update Debby and good news too. Better keep that airing cupboard really warm!!.
Birdies LG DU update.
So nice to know that all is well on eagle island (lets hope the scope is alright too)
Thanks for the lovely update Debby, keep them coming.
Ooh jealous, but lovely story can kind of imagine being there. Well i look forward to coming in October. That sounds like a fantastic load of sightings, Our best bird day on Mull , apart from our Oattie moment, as on my avatar, was along the track by Loch Frisa, saw 2 WTSE, then 2 Goldies also saw a merlin very close to and a Hen Harrier, brilliant view, it was just great and then cycling back i looked up flying not far at all above us was an adult White Tailed Sea Eagle, could tell it was mature as was light colured and white tail and head, i was so gob smacked i was fumbling with my camera and missed it, i was like WOW.
Another fab sighting was at Grass Point, i am sorry to say needed the loo, and was just coming back from the bush when a glorious mature White Tailed flew low just past me, again no camera and wow factor.
Hope to beable to tell more stories after October , are you listening eagles, please come and give me a treat, plus its my birthday then so we can have an Eagle party, all eagles invited :-)
Thanks for the great stories, you 2 should release a book!
What a fantastic day Debbie. Thank you for your wonderful description of events, and the "old married couple!" I can picture it all, although I wish I could actually be there to see it!! Heather sounds beautiful, and obviously growing well. I can't believe she is bigger than her Dad! Have been watching the tracking for Mara and Breagha, as you say - keep safe you two!
what a wonderful day Debby. I'm sure you and everyone at the hide had a day to remember.
So glad to "see" Half Pint doing well:) We have all taken him to our hearts.
Thanks again and stay dry.