Superb weather on the Isle of Mull means that the white-tailed eagle chick at the 5-star Visit Scotland attraction Mull Eagle Watch at Glen Seilisdeir is raring to leave the nest in the next week or so. Visitors on the trips this week have been amazed at the size of the chick, which is now bigger than the male adult bird, Fingal. Food, mainly in the form of greylag goslings of which there are large numbers on Mull this year, is being regularly brought into the nest by the parents.
On Friday morning, as the visitors were assembling in the car park, Iona, the adult female, flew into one of the large conifers overhead, peering down curiously at the group. John Clare, the rspb ranger for Mull Eagle Watch explained about the history and ecology of the birds on Mull, with Iona apparently listening intently to every word, not at all worried by the commotion her arrival had caused.
After several minutes, Iona ruffled her feathers and decided to fly, heading off to the north to search for food for her chick. The visitors were than lead along the forest track through the historic remains of the clearance settlement of Knock Roy past the numerous gold-ringed dragonflies and dark-green fritillaries that were making the most of the warm weather. Arriving in the cool viewing area under the trees, the visitors had great views through the rspb telescopes of the 11 week old chick on the nest.
Because of the hot weather a heat haze was rising from the nest and the chick was panting and trying to find shade. Every now and again it would stretch it’s wings, which overhang the 6’-wide nest on either side. At the approach of an adult bird, the chick now becomes very animated, calling loudly and skipping around in anticipation of a meal.
We are expecting the chick to still be on the nest next week, so if you are in the area, please call in to Glen Seilisdeir. To book your trip ring 01680 812556.
Looking forwad to visiting Debbie and the birds around 8th/9th/10th August after touring Scotland-can't wait.