The 'phone rang at lunchtime. It was Linda. She'd just seen a juvenile sea eagle fly low over her house on the NE coast of Mull near Ardnacross. It was so close she could see "some kind of aerial" on it. But her description initially suggested it was one of the east coast releases with a radio pack rather than one of our Mull twins. Surely it was too soon for one of the Fife birds to have drifted this far west? But a call to Claire Smith tracking her birds in Perthshire confirmed one bird was unaccounted for...
A quick scramble to the landrover and on the road north towards Tobermory. The mist came and went; it drizzled, then the sun shone. A complete mix including a magical rainbow arching high over the Sound of Mull almost from the island to the Morvern mainland. I looked hard at the end of the rainbow hoping my pot of gold - a chick - might be sitting there. But no sign of anything. Well, ok, a heron. An eagle could have been miles away by now. As I was leaving, my eye glimpsed an odd shaped rock by the shore. It was an adult sea eagle. The 'scope zoomed in to show it had a BTO ring on its left leg. Skye has his ring on his left leg. What was he doing here? Moments later he took off and flew SW straight back in the direction of Loch Frisa. I was sure it was him. Had he followed one of his chicks over here to keep watch, a protective parental eye? Still, there was no sign of a chick as I left.
There was only one way we would ever know for sure. Today, Roy Dennis from the Highland Foundation for Wildlife who helped us fit the tags, forwarded the latest satellite data and there was the proof! It wasn't an east coaster. It was our adventurous Mara on his first big (-ish) flight away from Loch Frisa and indeed his father had followed him to ensure all was well. Fantastic news! The satellite tags were working properly, they'd already proved something we'd never have known for sure and best of all, he has found his way home again. Today, they were all back together at Loch Frisa. One big adventure was enough for now. Where will Mara go next and when will his big sister follow him?
Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer
Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer
Good news, David Sexton. Heartwarming way to start my morning! I have been following the progress of the two chicks but haven't added to the blog before. I'm missing the Osprey at Loch Garten.
The mind is like a parachute, it doesn't work if it's not open.
Fantastic stuff! How touching that the a parent goes with them to see they are OK and accompanies them back again - good old Skye! They are certainly good parents caring for their young from eggs to full grown chicks! Wonder where Mara will venture too?
Hi Dave,
Guess that answers my question about the East Coast birds!!
Good to see the youngsters are acting like true teenagers and giving you the run-around!! I'm sure it won't be long before his sister is giving both her 'dads' (one with feathers and one without) sleepless nights!
Your description of the 'fantastic' Mull weather is bringing back such memeories of our time there in June (which was far from flaming!) Despite the weather, we are still desperate to return, and each blog makes me more and more jealous! Might just try and fit in an autumn break.....
Diane & Steven xx