Oran flies south

Our male white-tailed eagle chick from Mull this year, Oran, has made a dramatic flight south. He had seemed settled and has spent the last few weeks just across the water from here on Loch Sunart; then he came home for a while but has now headed down to the island of Jura. We are hearing more reports lately of young eagles on nearby Islay perhaps attracted by the thousands of wintering geese. Maybe this is where Oran is headed next.  Our colleagues at Loch Gruinart reserve will be watching out for him and we'll see what the next set of data tells us. Meanwhile our female chick Venus has drifted over a mountain ridge or two and was last recorded at Loch Frisa, home to the Eagle Hide. If you're lucky and planning to visit us soon you may catch a glimpse of her. The Eagle Hide is still open and feel free to call 01680 812 556 to arrange a trip. We can be flexible with the days and times to suit you. Today both Frisa and Skye were on view. Again both perched in larches very close to the hide and were watching below into the burns for brown trout. They looked magnificent in the weak winter sunshine. I wonder where Heather has gone to now? Next time we'll give you an update on where last year's chicks from Loch Frisa are doing as they enter their second winter. Mara and Breagha have both been on the move lately...

Meanwhile, the long awaited feature on Blue Peter will be aired next week. The team tell us that it will be shown next Tuesday 24 November on BBC One at 4.35pm. If you haven't seen Blue Peter for a while, give yourself a treat, re-live your childhood, settle back with a cup of tea and enjoy. Better still tell any nieces, nephews or grandchildren to tune in. I will be wearing my Blue Peter badge wih pride.

Finally, Allan Mee who manages the white-tailed eagle reintroduction project for the Golden Eagle Trust in Ireland sent me a quote I'd like to share with you. It's from a book on the legends and stories by Native Americans. It was written by a wise man called Lame Deer of the Brule Sioux Nation. They knew how to live with eagles; they respected them. Perhaps some lessons to be learned? I'll leave that for you to decide. As Walter Cronkite used to say - 'that's the way it is.'

Until next time...

Dave Sexton RSPB Mull Officer  

"So we are descended from the eagle. We are an eagle nation. That is good, something to be proud of, because the eagle is the wisest of birds. He is the Great Spirit's messenger; he is a great warrior. That is why we always wore the eagle plume and still wear it"