That historic first egg

Well it's finally happened. It's been months of waiting. Sometimes we thought it would never happen. Where would she lay? Which nest would she choose? But at last, all the signs looked good. She kept herself to herself all morning and then quietly slipped away. We kept watch from a safe distance, checking in on her only occasionally so as not to disturb her at this most important moment.

The world around her carried on as normal but she had only one thought on her mind. We watched as she nestled down low in her chosen spot. What had taken her so long to choose this place? It was perfect. Secluded, private and safe.

She fidgeted and resettled several times. An hour later, she stood up, looked down beneath her and moved aside to reveal an amazing, precious gift. Henrietta, one of our Christmas hens, had produced her first egg! (That got you going didn't it?). She strode proudly out of the hen house, clucked loudly for several minutes and then joined the other two feeding in the garden as if nothing had happened. 

How wrong she was! While it was still warm, it was whisked away, cracked into the sizzling frying pan on the Rayburn, sunny side-up, then added to the crispy free-range bacon on a toasted muffin. Probably the best tasting egg and bacon muffin in the world. Move over Little Chef; stand aside Egg McMuffin. This is the real thing. I'm lovin' it!

Meanwhile, the wait for Frisa and Skye goes on...   

The GPS satellite tag data for Mara and Breagha is getting better with the longer days...

It can't be long now. The clock is ticking...

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer