Love in the mist

We've had some really bleak midwinter weather here on Mull lately but every now again, it all blows through and we're left with a stunningly beautiful day. There is invariably snow left behind on the high tops of the Ben More range and the clarity of the air can be breathtaking. It all makes you instantly forget the endless days of grim wet and wind which can make your spirits sag.

That's why one day recently was so special. We woke to a fabulous sunrise over the hills of Glen Forsa - a real deep burning red outlining the peaks and showing off their frosted toppings to full effect. I had a feeling it was going to be a good day. And I wondered if our star sea eagle pair, female Frisa and her mate Skye, might take this rare wintry opportunity to do a bit of early spring cleaning.

As I rounded the corner of the forestry track I had to stop and just drink in the scene before me. The sun was now higher in the sky but the bottom of the glen was still in the shade and shrouded in mist. All very atmospheric but it got better. As the sun edged over the next ridge, the mist started to lift from the surface of the loch and danced and swirled around in amongst the trees.

By now the spruces and larches were backlit. Every single rain drop on the branches from the overnight showers was illuminated and they shone like a zillion jewels from top to bottom. Who needs a Christmas tree? This was Mother Nature having a go herself but this time she'd lit up a whole plantation!

As I scanned the trees, it didn't take long to find that tell-tale blonde head of Frisa shining brightly in the sunlight. She looked serene; her wings were half open and slightly drooped to help her dry out after the rain. She was watching a small party of ducks - teal and wigeon - in the shallows which kept disappearing and reappearing in the mist. A couple of little grebes were also there and a lone cormorant was on the island, his wings fully outstretched, quietly digesting his brown trout breakfast.

Frisa then started staring intently further up in the forest. I followed her gaze and alighted on Skye just as he began to call. Frisa answered him immediately and for a few seconds the cacophany from the pair of them shattered the early morning peace. A few seconds after they'd finished their duet, Frisa flew from her tree by the loch, circled to gain height and then headed straight for him. He too then took off and they both flew into the trees and out of sight...I had a feeling they were up to something.

Sure enough, as I carefully made my way through the forest, I found them both on a favourite old nest. They were busy rearranging the sticks, pulling some out and dropping them, repositioning others. They were being very particular about the ones they wanted and those they didn't!

After a few minutes, Skye launched off again and dropped down to the forest floor. I could just make him out walking about in the gloom, carefully selecting his building materials. Then up he came again carrying a large branch, weaved his way expertly through the trees and arrived with his prize at the nest. Frisa took it from him and added it to the pile. Over the next half an hour, Skye repeated his flight several times and on two occasions Frisa joined in - both returning with new nest material. On one trip, Skye tried to grab a branch still attached to a tree as he flew by but it didn't break off despite his strength and he flew on to search for easier sticks.

Eventually, this brief frenzy of nest building subsided and they sat together in the nest admiring their work. For a few seconds, Skye took one of Frisa's flight feathers in his beak and preened it as if it was his own. They called loudly to each other again and at one point Skye went to jump on her back. She was having none of it and flew from the tree back down to her lochside perch. It was still way too early for that sort of thing.

Skye continued to fiddle about with some sticks for a few more minutes but then the hooded crows discovered the love nest and started to irritate him. By this point, he too had had enough of this early courtship session and headed off across the loch. The mist too had vanished completely and there was a hint of threatening looking weather approaching from the west. It was time for them to get back to the serious task of surviving the winter. Spring is still a long way off.

Sat tag update...a call this morning from Roy Dennis of Highland Foundation for Wildlife to say the latest data he's just received shows both Mara and Breagha on Mull, in the south of the island at 1800hrs last night, presumably at roost. Perhaps they've met up again or are coming home for Christmas? More detail once we've analysed the data.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer