We are having a wonderful second year at Mull Eagle Watch, Glen Seilisdeir on the beautiful Isle of Mull. Unfortunately, we only have one white-tailed eagle chick on the nest this year, due to inclement weather at the crucial time of egg-hatching, but what a superb bird it is with it’s huge wing-span and dark brown plumage. All through the incubation and fledging periods we have been treated to spectacular views of the adults, Iona (female) and Fingal (male), but now in the last few weeks before it leaves the nest, the chick is astonishing visitors with its size and antics.
In recent weeks, the adults have been regularly bringing food to the nest in the form of large sea fish and birds, primarily greylag goslings, which are now so numerous on the sea lochs around the island. Another main food item at the moment is the after-birth of the harbour seals which are pupping on nearby rocky islets.
Mull Eagle Watch, which is one of only two 5-star wildlife attractions in Scotland, has gained unanimous acclaim from visitors this year and the ‘Mystery Shopper’ who assesses the trips said ‘Genuinely there was nothing that could have improved my visit’, giving 100% marks for both ‘Staff Service Skills and Image’ and the ‘Walk’.
We have also seen a wide range of other amazing wildlife sightings on the trips including close fly-pasts by golden eagle, osprey and hen harrier. Crossbills are seen regularly along with a host of other small birds. Numerous butterflies, including small pearl-bordered fritillary and dark-green fritillary, and dragonflies are currently being seen.
There are two trips each weekday starting at 10am and 1pm, each lasting 2 hours. Following a brief introduction visitors are lead through the forest to an atmospheric viewing area among the trees and close to the nest, where a full description of the white-tailed eagles and their nest is given. The trip also includes time at the hide where visitors can watch the live, close-up pictures of the nest, and are shown a range of exhibits and visitor information. The trips cost £6 for adults and £3 for children, local residents get in free. Most of the entrance money is given to the local community in the form of grants for environmental and other projects.
To book telephone 01680 812 556.
Lovely to have a blog again, have missed Daves blogs. Thank you John. Up visiting from southern England around 8th/8th/10th August-can't wait.