We've been hearing alot this week about the 'hung Parliament' and of the state of the nation 'in limbo'. Life seems at times to be almost at a standstill. Sounds a bit like Loch Frisa.

I don't know why we keep torturing ourselves! Tonight at 7 pm on yet another evening check to see what they were up to, there was the familiar alert but relaxed eagle head watching me go past. I was really hoping, I think, that they had finally called it a day. It seems strange to say it but that's how we all feel now.

There have been reports today of two adults seen flying together, of Frisa and Skye together in their favourite tree, of an empty nest...and yet here they were still firmly attached to their solitary, (probably fairly grubby by now), old egg. It is day 60 and their devotion is heart wrenching, frustrating and hopeless, all at the same time.

Many have asked if they could lay again this year but I'm afraid the answer is no. For such big birds they have just gone too far through their breeding cycle to be able to start again so late in the season. When they do finally quit, they will drift around in a fairly aimless way for a few days and then settle into their post-breeding pattern of moulting and sitting around even more than they do already! The good news is that they will still be in the area and visible for our visitors to the Eagle Hide - so do please still come and see us.

Much better news for many other pairs of sea eagles on Mull which, I'm plesased to say, seem to be hatching out like clock-work! I wonder why this cruel wing of fate decided to strike a blow to Frisa and Skye this year? Every other pair on Mull which incubated eggs is now feeding rapidly growing chicks; one pair is even doing it for the first time which is amazing and brilliant.

All this is fantastic news of course for sea eagle conservation. But every time I watch another female eagle edging her way carefully round the rim of the nest, talons clenched tight to avoid any damage to the precious contents, tearing off some tiny morsel of food and bending low into the nest cup towards a tiny, wobbling, downy head, I find myself thinking: why can't this be happening for Frisa?

For a few minutes this week, Frisa joined Skye on their loch-side tree. Was this the end? People in the hide held their breath. There was much calling between the two, the meaning of which we can only guess at. For a few moments, their heads and necks virtually intertwined and rested upon each other in a way we've never witnessed before. What can be going on in their instinct-driven minds? Emotion? Feeling? Nothing? Whatever it is, their apparent devotion to each other and to that lifeless, smudgy egg in the still sturdy nest, is touching to experience at first hand. Damn it - what a great nursery platform that old nest would have made!

Then their moment was over and Frisa returned to the nest to resume her duties, driven by some strong, seemingly unbreakable bond. But break it will. Break it must. Their lives and ours must move on. We just wish it would happen soon.

Call 01680 812 556 to book a trip to the Eagle Hide or visit the 'Date with Nature' web page for details.

Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

  • Oh Dave so sorry for you and everyone and so so so sorry for Frisa and Syke .  Perhaps best to dwell on the marvellous news that others are doing well and that god willing Frisa and Skye will have the weather with them next year and have a superb year .  Take care all

    Valerie

  • Oh Dave you had me in tears again and I totally agree with what Moggsie has just said. It doesnt seem fair when other pairs experiencing the terrible weather as well have been successful.

    Have just watched a clip of Odin at Loch Garten sitting through sleet early this morning. When will the bad weather for Scotland stop?

    I have a fantastic summer picture like yours of the Loch from your last blog which is one of my screensaves so every so often it appears and I can imagine you there with Frisa and Skye.

    JILLIAN

  • Hi Dave

    As you are aware it is simply a numbers game, and some years there will be inevitable and unavoidable losses that simply are nobody's fault. You should congratulate yourself and your team for their magnificent efforts this year (and every year for that matter) which has resulted in all other pairs that incubated eggs progressing through to feeding chicks. Without you I am afaid that it would be a very different picture.

  • Thank you for your touching update Dave. Heartbreaking news indeed but also wonderful news about all the other successful hatchings around the island.

    I am so sad that we aren’t able to be in Mull this month as originally planned but I hope by the time we visit in September there will be many juveniles practicing their flying skills over your beautiful island.

    On our visit next May 2011...... I feel sure there will be some little fluffy white heads bobbing around in the nest at Frisa.

    My best wishes to you all.

  • Dave that was such a heartbreaking blog.  How sad that this year it was not be for Skye and Frisa.  I can't bear to think of them grieving but grieve they must as we all do.  

    Good news that you do have eagle chicks being raised successfully and I can quite understand that you are thinking why couldn't it be Skye and Frisa.  Their bond is strong and we just have to wait until next year.

    Margobird