Well a very strange day indeed. After hearing the news that our two chicks may have fledged I felt quite emotional. Having spent all this time with them, from the day they hatched and watching them grow day by day, it was as if my own child was about to leave home.
As I drove to Loch Frisa this morning, not knowing what I might find, my stomach was doing somersaults. Usually, when I arrive at the Hide, I spend the first 10 minutes getting everything ready for our visitors but today I went straight down to our forward hide. I scanned around with the binoculars - everything was eerily quiet. Nothing to be seen, not even an adult. I then thought I would just check the nest just in case - and surprise - sitting there preening was one of our chicks. Oh the sense of relief. A bit later, I scanned the skyline again and surprise, there was Frisa sitting in one of her favourite roosts, looking very relaxed and chilled - she had appeared from nowhere - a very clever sea eagle trick! The next time I checked the nest, it was empty - someone is playing games with me I thought or my glasses need changing! Frisa then decided to come and fly over the Loch and upset the gulls - a graceful flypast for our visitors, then returned to sit in tree. Checked the nest, the chick was back again! Oh what a funny game this is I thought!
Having spent most of the day with us, Frisa finally flew off on a very determined mission, probably to find some food, and the chick remained on the nest. There was no sighting of Skye or the other chick today but judging Frisa's behaviour which was very relaxed and calm, we believe they are just over the other side of the trees, frustratingly out of our sight.
Interestingly, the chicks on the Estonian Webcam decided to leave home last night! A coincidence or a conspiracy!!
We will certainly keep you updated as to the goings on at Frisa - but I am sure they are fine - they are big, strong healthy chicks who had done lots of wing exercises so obviously felt they were ready to go! It may just take us a while to fathom out where they are hiding!!
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Debby Thorne, White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Isle of Mull
First time on this comment as only recently learn't how to do this and started on the Loch Garten blog site. I know the chicks were ring but did you ever say what sex they are or did I miss that as I look for news every day?
I also assumed that as the last year chicks which are tagged have done so well that you would's need to tag this years, or have you decided to do these as well later in the summer? Jillian
Reply: We did DNA swabs for the two Loch Frisa chicks but don't have the results yet. These are expected soon. We won't be satellite tagging the Frisa twins this year as the immature sea eagle dispersal study requires other sites and non siblings to be done this year. Dave
Gosh , must be nerve racking up there!! waiting to spot them. That mystery chick(or not so chick) is probably watching you, looking for it!!! I always wonder how many times an eagle has seen me looking for it!!!
How about calling one 'Jackson' or 'Thriller' no need to say why, but Thriller is pretty good as you do get a thrill whenever you see one!!
Thanks for the updates!!And great job you guys do, Heather
Thanks Debby. What a relief!! :)
Hi Debby has the reintroduction of Sea Eagles in East Anglia been postponed for a while.I seem to think I See some figure of six % of population in that area against it and while only a small number they could cause carnage to these lovely birds.Best wishes.
Reply: Public consultation still underway...hopeful of progress for 2010. D
Oh Debby I came over all emotional when I read your blog.....as this is the first nest and chicks you have been responsible for, no wonder it effected you like that!!!
Mind you, I think you will very likely feel the same way again next time and the time after and the time.................
I'm sure they will not be far away and you will hopefully, have more news for us soon:)