Just days after their first successful hatching in 2003 and hearing those chick feeding calls from the eyrie, the forest that morning seemed unusually quiet. On approaching my concealed observation point hidden in the trees, I could sense something was possibly wrong. A raven flew low over the tree top nest, but there was no reaction from Iona. Normally she would have called out in alarm or Fingal would have given chase. But nothing. Just silence.
The telescope eyepiece misted up from the sudden exposure to the chilly morning air. So frustrating! Was that still the top of Iona's head just visible on the nest? Yes, I was sure it was. All must be well. But as the condensation on the lens slowly reduced, the awful reality dawned. It wasn't Iona's head at all. It was just the sun catching a few feathers fluttering in the breeze. As the minutes, then hours, ticked by and there was no movement, it was sickeningly clear that something terrible had befallen their first nesting attempt. The nest was deserted. Fingal and Iona had gone. The chick (or chicks) must have died.
Iona on nest duty - photo copyright Debby Thorne
Eventually when I knew it was safe to do so, I emerged from my hiding place into the warming May sunshine. I stretched after being cramped for so long in the damp forest hollow and turned away from the nest to look up at the hills. Two distant humps on the horizon caught my eye and I focussed the 'scope on them. There were Fingal and Iona sitting close together on a grassy knoll, some consolation at least to still have each other. At times it looked like they didn't have a care in the world; they would preen, wing stretch, watch other raptor activity overhead with interest and Fingal even coughed up a huge pellet at one point.
Fingal enjoying a thermal - photo copyright Bryan Rains
But Iona kept glancing back towards her empty nest and eventually her strong maternal instincts overcame her. She launched off from her hummock and headed back to the nest for one last time; one last look. I hid again in the trees as she landed on the branch above the nest, peering down in that quizzical way of eagles. Then, with a great bound and flap of her wings, she jumped down and stalked around the nest rim. Despite the loss of her chicks, she still clenched her massive yellow talons as she did so. Stupidly, I even wondered for a split second if I'd got it all wrong and that all was well after all. But no.
After a minute or two and with a final glance down at what might have been, Iona jumped back up onto the branch and then flapped heavily away over the tree tops. She started to circle on the warm thermals where she was joined by Fingal and the two of them soared ever higher, calling occasionally, until they drifted away and over the summit of Ben More. There was no obvious cause of failure. Maybe just inexperience? They were still young birds. There was always next year.
In 2004 we were joined by cameraman Gordon Buchanan making his first full length 'Natural World' film for the BBC. We spent weeks planning his locations and subjects on Mull for the landmark documentary which would eventually become the highly acclaimed 'Eagle Island' (or 'Eagles of Mull' on TV in the US). It would become his springboard onto even bigger projects in the future including Spring & Autumnwatch and the numerous 'Lost Land...' series. But for now, all his focus was on Mull's amazing wildlife and his 'Eagle Island' film where the white-tailed eagles would be the stars of the show.
Fortunately for us, Fingal and Iona were back at their familiar eyrie for a second attempt. Over the winter they had added huge amounts of sticks and piles of grass lining to their nest and all the signs were good. By mid April they were well into their incubation. For all of us working to protect these birds, the 38 days of a white-tailed eagle's incubation can seem like it lasts for ever. Maybe it seems the same to them! For Gordon and I, those 5+ weeks couldn't pass quickly enough. Whilst Gordon filmed otters and seals along Loch Scridain and Loch na Keal, I maintained a vigil with Fingal and Iona, hoping more than anything that this would be their year for success...
Join us next time on the Mull Eagles Blog to find out how Fingal and Iona did in their second nesting attempt. Or come and see them for yourself at the All New Mull Eagle Hide in Glen Seilisdeir. Book a trip on 01680 812 556. Monday to Friday 10am and 1pm. Just £6 adults and £3 children. It'll be the trip of a lifetime. http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/146979-mull-eagle-watch and www.holidaymull.co.uk
Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer
Thanks for the second episode Dave, look forward to the next part of the story.
It looks, from our weather forecasts, as if you have been having some sunshine, do hope so, it will be good for the eagles, and everyone. We were on Mull a year ago, wish we were there now, but just keep up with the news of the birds, and the new site, via the blog. Any news at all on Skye and Frisa?
Thanks Dave, very interesting. Thinking of this new pair and Skye and Frisa during this awful wet/windy weather-just what we don't want when birds are on eggs.
Hi Dave,thanks from me as well,really interesting the history of Mull Eagles,they all seem to go through so many troubles.
Another great read Dave, love the way you write, thank you from me too.
Thank you Dave for another episode in the Fingal and Iona story, it is lovely to hear about their life history looking forward to the next chapter :)