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Debby Thorne
When I arrived at Loch Frisa this morning, the rain was lashing down, not quite horizontal, but not far off! It was quite blustery too.  The first thing I do when I arrive is to check the nest is OK, and see if either Skye or Frisa are about.  This morning I could just make out Frisa on the nest, protecting her precious chicks from the rain and cold.   And for the news you have been waiting for .... we have two chicks!  Dave confirmed he had seen two fluffy heads - they will certainly keep Frisa and Skye busy.
There was no trip to the Hide this morning as the weather was just so bad, any sensible bird would stay hidden.  After lunch, the sky started to clear and little blue patches began to appear.  I escorted a large party down to the Hide, all eager to catch a glimpse of Skye or Frisa.  We were entertained by a male hen harrier hunting in front of the hide.  We were then treated to a very special sight - a cuckoo landed on one of the fence posts just in front of the hide - most of us hear cuckoos but to actually see one is quite a rarity.  A sparrowhawk wanted to join in and flew across the field in front of the hide.  The buzzards were not to be outdone and gave a great display, diving and hovering on the wind - next time you see a buzzard, look at the markings on the underwing - absolutely stunning!  By now, some of the group had started to drift away, when suddenly I caught that familiar outline in the sky - Frisa appeared, circled above the nest area for all to see and then landed back into the nest tree - then Skye flew up, not to be outdone and gave us a great display as he soared higher and higher into the sky, the sun shining on his white tail for all to admire.  He finally drifted away, off to find food for his chicks.  A quick check on the sand martins who are nesting next to the Hide and the group finally departed - chatting nineteen to the dozen at all they had seen. 
Loch Frisa - our largest fresh water Loch on the Isle of Mull - photo Debby Thorne
This morning's rain had long been forgotton and everyone was commenting how lovely it was to see the sun!

  • Well done, Debby on your 'debut'; a lovely, happy report with a beautiful picture. Thank you.  I was watching buzzards earlier in the week whilst watching over a pair of ospreys incubating, they are beautiful - also got a red kite into the picture as well.

  • Thanks for the update Debbie so glad you managed to see Skey and Frisa plus their 2 chicks.  What a stunning treat for people to see everything else going on as well.  Hope the weather will settle down a bit for you and the rain will stop away.

  • Thanks for the update and the very descriptive blog, Debby. Makes me even more eager to see for myself.  Lovely photo too.

    Will the chicks be named by the primary school children again, or are they more likely to be given more technical names like they do with some of the ospreys?

    Buzzards are beautiful birds, we have an increasing population here and I love watching them.

  • Hi Debby, Thanks for the update - although the picture has made me more desperate than ever to come back!! Whatever happened to our tadpoles?! Hope all was well with them! Keep up the good 'work' )I know you don't think of it as work, but it is) and we hope to see you and the new family soon. Diane

  • Lovely to read your blog Debby! The visitors certainly had a good afternoon's viewing at the hide, plenty of variety! Thanks so much for your lovely picture, it is nice to have photos on the blog!