A quick stop at the hide, a scan and a listen... I could immediately hear a chick not too far away. There was Frisa perched in her favourite larches and the calls seemed to be coming from nearby.
I drove closer and stared hard into the dense conifers. Frisa ignored me as usual and continued preening only 75m or so away. Then, a movement in the branches and there was Mara, well hidden. His calls became more and more desperate and frequent as he tried to to make Frisa feel guilty and force her into going hunting for him. But she didn't need to. Why?
Suddenly Mara's calls reached the frantic stage and off he flew, strongly across the loch. I followed him through the lens of the BBC's 'Autumnwatch' camera and there he was now chasing Skye who had arrived on the scene with fresh prey. Next minute, there was Breagha also joining in the chase until Skye eventually felt he'd teased them enough and he landed, only to be piled into by both hungry offspring. I couldn't make out who it was who won the prize but I think it was Breagha. Skye then flew a short distance away to recover and watch the chicks feeding.
Soon after Frisa took off from next to me and flew fast towards them. She suddenly banked sharply and I realised she was attacking some ravens who were getting just a bit too close for comfort to her chicks and she was having none of it. Wonderful to see her being so protective and watching everything that was going on even from a mile or more away.
Both adults then drifted away towards Dervaig while the chicks spent the rest of the afternoon together entertaining themselves. Flying short distances, perching on fence posts (yes, eagles and not only buzzards do that sometimes), chasing each other, jumping on each other and invisible, pretend prey and generally just lazing about on a sunny August afternoon in the heather. Not a bad life.Why not come and see them for yourselves? The hide is open Friday to Tuesday 10am-1pm. See our 'Aren't Birds Brilliant!' page for details.
Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer