I don't believe it! I'm sat inside typing when outside the sky is blue with a few whispy clouds - hubby is out in the garden pruning a hedge in a tee shirt - is it nearly the end of October? Walking the dog this morning, I had a lovely view of a flock of barnacle geese and a small flock of pink footed geese stopping off to feed before they move on, maybe to the RSPB reserve at Mersehead.
There is something quite magical about seeing that wonderful "V" formation in the sky. Have you ever wondered why they fly in a "V" shape? Flying in a flock can help reduce the energy that is needed for a long flight. It is estimated by flying in a "V" formation can help save an individual bird between 12-20% of the energy they would need if they flew alone. According to scientists, flying in a "V" formation helps birds conserve their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the one in front of him or her. This results in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds also take turns being at the front of the "V" and will fall back when they get tired. The young, inexperienced juveniles tend to fly towards the back so they dont have to take up the lead position. Again, it is estimated that a flock of geese can fly 70% farther in the "V" formation than flying alone! The other advantage of flying in a "V" is that each bird will have a clear field of vision, allowing them to see each other and communicate in flight. Apparently fighter pilots will use this formation for the same reason. How clever is that?
With Autumn in full swing and as we creep towards winter, I find it a reassuring time - Mother Nature continues her work year round with the changing seasons, the change in behaviour of wildlife too. My thoughts turn to Skye and Frisa - it won't be long now before they start thinking of building a new nest. Heather is still very much part of the family, but in time, she will gradually move away and leave Skye and Frisa to start the whole process again. With the Scottish schools on holiday, we had a great number of visitors to the Hide and they were rewarded with some beautiful views of our family, either sat on the lochside or just flying against a beautiful blue sky. Don't forget you can still visit the Hide at Loch Frisa - we are staying open and you can hopefully see some wonderful views of nature - from our white tailed sea eagle family, migrating geese flying over, divers on the loch, down to the beautiful colours of the bracken and trees at this time of year. Full details here http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/mull/index.asp
A reminder of Loch Frisa in the Autumn
Photo - Debby Thorne
Dont forget to encourage family and friends to help protect our Birds of Prey by signing the pledge here http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/birdsofprey/index.asp
Debby Thorne, White Tailed Eagle Information Officer
Isle of Mull
Hi Heather - lovely to meet you at the hide and sorry the weather was so bad - Skye did come and see us in the afternoon - hope you had a good week on Mull. Neil - thanks for the link - great to see one of your birds over visiting us - as you say, they do travel some incredible distances. Auntie - thank you for your link to some more eagles to follow over the winter! Hello Cirrus and welcome - glad you enjoy the blogs. Jillian - there have been so many times when all 3 eagles have been together and of course, where was the camera? left at home or in the van but would love to capture all 3 together - I do have some but just to awful to post - 3 blobs I'm afraid! Thank you everyone for your kind comments - its nice to receive feedback.
Loved seeing the photo Debby, reminding me of the loch and glad our 3 are fine.
My lovely osprey print I had for joining the RSPB at Loch Garten and an enlarged photo of the beaches/mountains on western Harris have just been framed professionally and are up on my office wall. I had a small frame which my husband has printed out an enlarged photo Debby took of Frisa and Skye sitting on the tree above each other and it looks fantastic. Now I can look at my 3 walls and remember Scotland.
Debby please can you see if you can catch mum/dad and Heather together, that would be fantastic?
Thanks JILLIAN.
I have never posted before on Mull Eagles Debby but I have always enjoyed the read (much before these new community pages where we are encouraged to make our own comments ,too)and watching the chicks explore around on GE. I would like to say thank you so much for the many photos you have included in your Blogs - I've so enjoyed them.
I used to send Richard's Blogs to my friend to read (to her work place) - she enjoyed them too. (And I'll be doing that again next year). Thank you both so much. Its such a privilege to be able to share in the 'doings' of these wonderful raptors and learn about them through yourselves.
Thanks Debbie for the update. There is a sea-eagle tracking project here in Finland as well. There is a plan to build wind farms to the sea-eagles breeding area, so the tracking projects goal is to give information about young eagles`"migrating" routes.
www.fmnh.helsinki.fi/.../satellite_eagles
my photos in flickr
Thanks Debbie and what a very desciptive update as usual. Good that your visitors are seeing so much at the moment with Skye, Frisa and Heather on view. Weather looks glorious in the photo as well. Very interesting to read about the "v" formation and the reasons for it.
Margobird