Buzzard - Photo Debby Thorne
Dave is busy dashing round the Island - its leg ringing time and we have Blue Peter helping out! I will let Dave tell you all about that.
Well - what a start to the day - blue skies, sunshine and very, very warm that I was forced to wear short trousers (not a pretty sight!).
Our first group in the morning consisted of 5 visitors - which I thought was a mistake as the trips have been virtually full since we opened. It turned our one of the ferry's to the other Islands had broken down and the Mull ferry was helping out so quite a few people didnt make it over - hopefully everyone is back where they should be now. We stopped halfway down to the hide and had beautiful views of both Skye and Frisa basking in the sunshine. With the sun glistening on their pale heads, they are still a stunnning sight and quite breathtaking. We then went down to the forward hide and had some great views of the chicks - I think I need another word instead of chick - people are expecting small balls of fluff - our two are now quite a size, dark chocolatey brown with their feathers coming through - a couple of times you have to look twice through the scope as you think you are seeing an adult when in fact it is one of the youngsters - that gives you an idea of their size. You can check how they are doing by comparing them to the Estonian pair Live sea eagle webcam
Both Skye and Frisa provided us with some stunning flying displays - lots of oohs and aaahs. We also had another adult sea eagle over the far side of the Loch, visiting from another territory - too far away though to upset Skye and Frisa.
Our afternoon group, again was a small one, just 10 so we went straight down to the forward hide. It wasn't long before we spotted a juvenile golden eagle flying quite close to the nest area - he was being harrassed by the hooded crows - he gave us a lovely fly past so we could admire the markings on his underwing. Then someone spotted a peregrine passing through, followed shortly by a merlin - this was getting exciting. Then someone shouted eagle from behind us! We all swung round - a juvenile, there's another and another - that was 3 - and oh yes - another - 4 juveniles heading our way. By now Skye was up flying heading out to meet them - Frisa was sat a couple of branches above the nest, giving out some warning cries. The four juveniles circled, they were directly above our heads - then one of them and Skye locked talons and did a short tumble - we all held our breath unable to speak - it only lasted a short while but enough to cause heartbeats to race. The juveniles did not want to leave and continued flying around the above the Loch for a good half hour - but they kept their distance from Skye - they had their warning! Eventually they drifted off - Frisa never left her perch and Skye was her hero! As we all got our breath back, another juvenile was spotted - this time flying across the trees towards the nesting area - oh no - what was going to happen (now if I was Dave I would leave this as a cliffhanger but I'm not that cruel!) - the strange thing was Frisa did not give out any alarm calls as she had with the other juveniles - Skye continued to fly but did not go in to warn the bird off - strange? the youngster flew directly over the nest - I would have expected a reaction from one if not both birds - but nothing! The question is - was this Mara or Breagha popping home to say hi? We shall have to wait for the data from our satellite transmitters to answer that one. The afternoon didn't stop there - we then had female hen harrier being mobbed by the crows - she would be possibly protecting young ones if the crows had got too close - and of course, not to be left out of the action, our buzzard gave us a beautiful display. What a day! Someone once asked me if I ever get bored working at Loch Frisa - I dont think I need to tell you the answer.
Golden Eagle - RSPB Images
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Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Isle of Mull
Hey, forgive me if I have rambled on too much, everyone. Did you know that a polymath is literally (ancient Greek) someone who LEARNS a lot - NOT one who goes around showing off their knowledge?? You will have to believe me that I have no wish AT ALL to do the latter - I don't know that much, Den&ann, I just never, ever stop learning, and loving what I learn. As for the quote, let us hope that the 21st-century version will not become indelible as “lies, damned lies, and politics.” This beautiful world - eagles, islands and all - deserves more truth, principle and harmony from the human race. Thanks to Dave and Debby for what they do and also for what they write - a great blessing to all who read it.
It's a truly great blog, Debbie. I enjoyed my day with you back in May, in spite of doging the hail and rain, and thanks to views of the sea eagles I was completely confident that it was a Sea Eagle I saw drifting about above Uig on Skye a week later. It was a wonderful sight, forgot to get my camera out, I just stood and watched. The Ospreys have been good too, again I saw one that wasn't at Loch Garten which was great. I also saw golden eagles both on Skye and over near Findhorn. I love reading these blogs, but don't often join in because all the stories and news are just so illustrative that I don't need to ask questions. Best of luck to Dave with the ringing! Rather bigger than an Osprey to ring I guess! Liz
Reply: Thanks Liz - glad you had a great time!