Well our visitors to Loch Frisa have certainly had plenty to entertain them over the last few days.
A bout of high pressure has brought us sunshine and blue skies - a great relief after the constant rainfall last week. It seems as though everything has gone into overdrive.
Suddenly we are inundated with warblers, peacock butterflies, and bees. We have been hearing the cuckoo for about a month and one is regularly seen near the hide. Birds are now paired up and there is a last minute flurry of nest building.
The ravens that nest on the crag near the hide have now started taking food into their nest so looks like a hatching for them. The pied wagtails have been busy with nest material and today we had a great view of a pair of common sandpipers displaying over the loch.
We have had some great eagle activity too. Recently, we were watching Skye who was on nest duty while Frisa had been away possibly hunting. She had been away for sometime and then suddenly, I saw a dot in the sky way off. I kept my eyes on it as it grew larger and larger and then there was no doubt, a white tailed eagle heading towards the nest. I told everyone to keep their eyes on the nest as she would come down and we would see a changeover. But Frisa had other ideas - she circled over the nest a couple of times then decided to fly across the loch, back over the nest, then obviously found a thermal and started going higher and higher. Then another white tailed eagle drifted across towards Frisa - "watch out" I said, "we may get some interaction here" - again Frisa had other ideas. She and the other eagle just circled - there was no calling, no interaction. Could it have been Heather, their chick from 2009? There was certainly no reaction from Skye on the nest either.
As we watched the youngster drift off, someone said "are those 3 birds buzzards?" - and over the crag we had 3 large raptors, just cruising along the line of the hillside - but these weren't buzzards - they were golden eagles! An amazing view of 2 adults and a youngster, still with its white patches on the underside of the wings. And just to give us something to compare, the buzzard decided to come out so we had great views in the sky of a white tailed eagle, golden eagle and a buzzard - it was great being able to point out the differences between all 3 birds pointing out the profile, how they fly and of course the difference in size. Frisa then dropped her legs "she's coming in" I said - but to tease us even more, she didnt land on the nest, but on a branch just above. Poor Skye must have wondered what she was up to. She then decided to get back to the serious business of incubation and hopped down on the nest to a much relieved Skye. Frisa settled down, while Skye flew to a nearby tree to carry out some very important preening.
One guy on the trip said to me "I've been watching birds since I was 7, I've seen an osprey take a fish but that was just absolutely incredible". We were certainly all left breathless after that display.
Today, as I drove up to collect our group for the afternoon trip, I was lucky enough to see a male hen harrier doing an amazing sky dancing - flying straight up and then tumbling down - a female was close by so fingers crossed this pair will be successful.
As you can tell, there is never a dull moment at Loch Frisa. If you coming on a trip this year, dont forget the meeting point is now at the north end of Loch Frisa on the Tobermory to Dervaig road. To book a trip call the Visitor Information Centre at Craignure on 01680 812556. More details at Mull Eagle Watch
And finally, Kellan seen feeding on a carcase that he had found himself and flying like a good 'un!
Debby Thorne
White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Mull
Thanks Jillian for the update on the Norfolk eaglets. Hope the dad finds another partner sometime in the future.
There has apparently been a juvenile WTSE around Lincolnshire, it visited Norfolk and Suffolk, briefly, but unfortunately we didn't get a glimpse! I had to make do with watching a Marsh Harrier last evening, whilst we were eating supper at the Concert Hall at Snape Maltings in Suffolk. It was a beautiful evening and the MH was just lazily scouring the marshes, not appreciated by the other birds though!
Sylviamac-from the information and answers to bloggers questions yesterday from the President of the Wildlife centre the Norfolk eaglets have gone to I am confident about their care and release. Hopefully will here now and again about dad.
I am not aware if Debby or Dave know about this story but I would be interested to hear their views about what would happen in a similar situation on any of the Mull eagle nests should 1 parent die??????
Jillian
Debby so much going on now I forgot to look for an update, still better late than never. Thanks for a beautifully written blog describing what you see, sounds just wonderful and Kellan doing well too. Long may the good weather continue for Frisa and Skye and look forward to hearing news of hatchings.
Very sad about the 3 eaglets at Hampton. So sad and I must admit I still find it quite heartbreaking especially when I read the male had brought a fish to the nest after the eaglets had been removed. Hope he finds a new mate soon and there will be eggs on that nest again. Have watched it for a couple of years and it was terrible to see it empty after all the joy I had watching them bring their brood up.
Margobird
Jillian, - saw the news re the bald eagles, - so very, very sad, and such a difficult decision to be made regarding removing the 3 chicks. Like you I feel so sorry for the dad, who was really trying to care for the chicks. Heart-breaking.
I do so hope for good news of "our" eagles at Loch Frisa. Debby's blog sounds very positive thank goodness. I think the weather has been very good, which must help, just hope it doesn't suddenly get cold and wet again.
I pray for everything to go well for our lovely eagles this year. Have been very upset yesterday and today after the death by a small jet of the female bald eagle at the Norfolk botanical gardens in Virginia.
Dad took over feeding the 3 chicks who were around 5 weeks old but today with all three eaglets survival paramount they have removed them and are taking them to a wildlife centre where they will eventually be realeased. Feel so sorry for dad as he has lost everything. PLease do have a look at the website as it gives some very interesting information about eagles and the decisions facing what to do when there is one parent left. The pair had been together for 9 years and had 20 babies, she was 15 years old.