Courtesy Wet, Wet, Wet and The Troggs - Love is All Around

There is certainly a change in the air at Loch Frisa.  Yesterday morning when I drove down, I was greeted by a pair of whooper swans.  Swans are such graceful, beautiful birds - sadly they dont tend to stay long on Mull - just long enough to refuel before continuing their journey further south.

Skye and Frisa were sitting at the top of a spruce tree, side by side.  There was lots of preening going on - tidying up those feathers, making sure they are all well oiled ready for winter, and of course, looking one's best.  They were both calling to each other - despite them being sat together.  The weather this week has been stunning.  We have had lovely crisp mornings with days of clear blue skies and sunshine.  The eagles make the perfect backdrop. 

 

Skye & Frisa - photo Debby Thorne

 

 

A quick, sharp shower, followed by sunshine - Skye and Frisa sat side by side shaking off the raindrops

Photo - Debby Thorne

 

 

 

 

 

Today, they chose to sit in a different tree - its as if they are trying out  different locations to get the best view when they start building a new nest.  For much of the day, Skye sat close to the track, very near to the hide.  At one point a pair of hooded crows flew into the same tree and were definately trying to get him to move on - maybe it was one of their regular trees and they objected to an eagle taking over - two onto one is a bit unfair though!  But Skye stood his ground and eventually the hoodies got fed up and flew off.  

 

Skye and hooded Crows - photo Debby Thorne

 

 

 Skye and a pair of hooded crows

 Photo - Debby Thorne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skye - Photo Debby Thorne

 

 

 

Skye enjoying the sunshine

photo Debby Thorne

 

 

 

 

We haven't seen Heather for about a week now and suspect that she has now left home leaving Skye and Frisa to get on with the important task of getting to know each other again.  They are certainly spending lots of time together and Skye was seen tugging at some twigs - getting ready for that all important nest building.  They will re-affirm their bond with each other with displays of talon grappling in mid air whilst tumbling down to ground, parting at the last minute - really jaw dropping stuff.  Skye may bring Frisa some food - I guess the equivalent of our red roses and then down to the important business of nest building. 

 

Mull is magical in the winter. Why not come for a long weekend or a mid-week break? Many hotels have some very attractive seasonal offers. If you are coming to Mull at this special time of year and would like to visit the hide, please call 01680 812 556 to arrange a ranger-led trip. We'll do our best to make days and times flexible to suit you.

  • I know many readers also look at the Osprey site so may be interested in the Autumnwatch programe from Friday 13/11 which has Simon King in Africa filming Ospreys in their 'Winter' haunts.

    www.bbc.co.uk/.../Autumnwatch_2009_Episode_7

  • Wow, that blog made me tingle, how lucky you are to have a job watching eagles :-) I am glad they are enjoying each other now after raising their baby. Amzing pictures, they are truly wonderful birds.

    Next time i come i am going to say 'I am NOT looking for eagles!' and maybe they will show!!

    Thanks for the great work, both of you! Oh and you 2 Debby and Dave :-)

    Hope the winter is not too harsh on the birds, Happy nest building and watching x

  • Thank you Debby for your lovely blog, and photos. It sounds so magical, and romantic (sigh)!! Just wish we could come and visit. We do hope to return to Mull, but probably not until next Spring. So glad all is well with Skye and Frisa, it is so good to know what is happening. Do you have any idea where Heather is likely to be?

  • Oh, I have so enjoyed your Blog and the photos of Skye and Frisa, thank you Debby.  Are the pair really getting 'ready' for the next nest already !!! ? I reckon an eagle with a seven foot wingspan could quite possibly just 'stare' a couple of 'hoodies' down LoL.   :)

  • Lovely update Debby and wonderful photos as well.  Romance is definitely in the air for Skye and Frisa.  What a closely bonded pair they are.  Hope Heather is doing OK for herself as well.  It sounds magical how I wish I could visit.