The winds of change

One day she was with him. The next she was gone. When Electra the golden eagle suddenly disappeared from her mate's life after possibly decades together, one wonders what effect that has on the one that's left behind. They mate for life. Just like our sea eagle pair Frisa and Skye, the two golden eagles whose territory once covered the north end of Mull would have been close - often inseparable. Of course he would never have been able to comprehend his loss - but you do wonder what, if anything, he will have 'felt'. Suddenly, she wouldn't have been with him at their evening roost; she wouldn't have joined him at a kill to feast together and she wouldn't have been there to defend their territory against intruders.

I remember that autumn seeing him drifting on the wind along the cliff top. He was alone. Was he still searching the entire territory from one end to the other trying to locate her? It had been some months since she had vanished from his world. Little did he know how her life had been totally transformed after being wrenched from the wild in that freak accident - with scientific 'firsts', she'd become a global TV celebrity after her eye operation had been filmed and now she had a new companion in the form of Laggan, a male golden eagle many years her junior. For her loyal mate still on his endless search along the cliffs and through the glens, it must have been a lonely winter of confusion and uncertainty.

But then something good happened to him. This year, in early spring as the first primroses were appearing on the banks, I saw him again one sunny morning going through a strenuous territorial display, up and down in steep, almost vertical dives. He's living in hope I thought or maybe he's seen a neighbouring eagle and is showing he's still in charge of this lonely outpost. But as I watched, up from the cliff face soared a stunning new female golden eagle - just into adulthood. The old rogue - that's who he was displaying for! He had moved on from his isolation and it was a joy to see.

This territory had not successfully produced chicks for many years - perhaps a decade or more. We don't know why for sure but having seen old Electra up close it may simply have been that she was beyond her breeding age. Her accident, though terrible, had brought about change in this unproductive home range. Nature has a way of winning through.

In April this year I crawled on all fours through the forest to the small opening by the stone dyke and peered through the telescope at their old nest which had been built up and added to recently. Nothing at first but then a movement, a golden glint. The head of the new female incubating eggs on her nest! Fantastic. The first time for many years that this territory had got this far. They hatched the egg too this year but sadly the chick did not survive. It was their first time together and it happens. They are a pair now and will be there next year to try again. I think they'll make it next time. Out of despair, comes hope.

I'd hoped to bring you news of Mara and Breagha tonight but the cloud has been down all day and the drizzle has not ceased so I'm afraid I have no sightings to report. Strangely, Frisa and Skye were visible through the murk but no chicks - anywhere. I hope they're fine but as I write there is that small nagging doubt. It's that time of year when, at any time, one or both of them could decide to leave. I'm not sure they're ready for that moment yet. And I'm not sure I am either.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer