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david sexton

Live sea eagle webcam 

Well, actually I do. Usually. But to wake up to the mizzle (mist and drizzle?) again was a bit of a let down. Especially when the rest of the UK seems to be basking in wonderful warm sunshine.  However, undaunted, two true-grit groups assembled at 10am and 1pm and were not put off by suggestions that we might see absolutely nothing at the hide. They would take their chances. True the mist was down and covered the nest wood. True it was raining so hard you got soaked walking from car to hide. True the midges were loving it. True the morning group saw nothing more than a dark 'atmospheric' eagle silhouette in a tree. The afternoon group were a determined bunch. True Brits. It's as if they were willing the rain to stop.  And then a miracle happened.  It stopped. The clouds parted. A hint of blue appeared in the western sky. Frisa flew from the nest where she'd been doing her best to protect her rapidly growing chicks from the wet. She perched next to Skye and they called to each other. A small cheer went up from the brave crowd at the forward hide. Skye heard what Frisa was screaming: "I know it's wet. I know you're fed up but GO GET SOME FOOD!" Out he flew from the wood, across the loch and off to hunt. Everyone got fabulous views and they left happy and contented, if a little damp and slightly bitten. A small price to pay.

Last night as I took a last look at the live streaming sea eagle webcam in Estonia, I learned something new about sea eagles after nearly 30 years of watching them. Of course we never really get to see them at roost, at night, 'asleep'. The webcam is 2 hours ahead of British Summer Time so at 2230 Estonian time, there was one of the adults - probably the female - on the nest with the two chicks. Amazingly she had her head tucked under her wing - just like a sleeping swan. I've never seen them do that before. There's always something new to learn about these birds. As I write I can close my eyes and picture Frisa on the nest tonight. She has her two chicks tucked cosily underneath and she rests her proud head under her wing. Let's hope the sun shines on them all (and dries them out) tomorrow.

Welcome back to the new Springwatch team. Great show. I think it works. How about you?

Has Britain Got Talent? Mull's sea eagles get some primetime TV exposure this week. Don't miss 'Animal 24:7' BBC One 7.30pm Wednesday 27 May (except Wales).

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer

Have you ever thought of joining the RSPB and supporting our work with the eagles? Just click the 'Join now' button and take a look. 

  • Thanks Dave and it is amazing what people will do to see your wonderful Skyd and Frisa and what a lovely thought about sleeping with her chicks cuddled close up. Such wonderful parents who really know what they are doing. I do hope the weather will improve because as you say most of us basked in the warmest day so far this year.
  • Thanks for your updates Dave and Debby. It's lovely to see the photos as well - now I can actually see what I am missing! The Estonian webcams are great aren't they? Did you see the owls in their nest as they prepared to fledge? Hope your weather improves - if it's any consolation - it's pouring down here and very muggy. Oh and thanks for the programme tip. Will make absolutely sure to be watching.
  • I love this site and all the stories you tell. One day I hope to see the sea eagles for myself. Meanwhile I've tried to watch the Estonian site from your link but for some reason my computer won't let me do it. I can get the website but not the live stream. Doh! Meanwhile keep up the good work. Your blogs are as good as any pictures.
  • Looking forward to Animla 24:7 - then SW right after it of course! Glad you said that bit about puffins above, daughter announced last night she wants to see puffins "just as much" as an otter when we visit Mull - so she'll have to put up with a boat ride first. I'd always assumed the eagles put head under wing to sleep, somehow it just seemed like they did - so my thoughts are vindicated ;)

  • Hi Dave thanks for another update.Ann watched your interview while i was reading and at the finish said really well done.Thanks for program information would have missed it as just looked in our book and doesn't say anything about it.Ann saw about Puffins on Mull when watching your interview whereabouts on Mull would that be.Nice that you are still picking up new things about Sea Eagles as we all gain from your knowledge and i think it benefits them in the future as well.Hope the weather gets better for you.We went to Shapwick Heath last Friday near Ham Wall RSPB in Somerset mainly to see the Hobbies as sometimes there are up to about 70 there really good we saw perhaps between 6 and 9 at various times.Best wishes.

    Reply: Thanks. Puffins are only on the Treshnish Isles and Staffa. Various boat operators out of Ulva Ferry and Iona/Fionnphort but other trips out of Tobermory also see them on the sea. 'Animal 24:7' is scheduled to be on BBC One on Wednesday 7.30pm but apparently not in Wales.