First of all, major apologies for the delay. Debby and I are flat out at the moment with monitoring the eagle nests on Mull and trips are also running daily at the hide. There never seems to be a spare moment. I suppose too, if I'm honest, I've been putting off having to write this news. How can I put this? Things are not going according to plan for Frisa and Skye - or us.
Despite a good, normal incubation and all the right signs in the run up to the magical Day 38 and the hatch, something looks like it went wrong for Frisa and Skye very soon after. There was the expected fidgeting and restlessness; the looking into the nest cup and even on Sunday afternoon, signs of a likely attempted feed. Sunday night was horrible here with gales, sleet, snow, rain and very low temperatures. By Monday morning, despite an early hopeful sign, there have been no observed feeds since. We now strongly suspect the first tiny eaglet which would have been small enough to rest in the palm of your hand, succumbed to the rigours of the hatch and perhaps the wintry conditions. The hatch is probably the toughest test in the life of an eagle. It can take up to 48 hours for the eaglet to break free and in this case it may all have proved too much. That, for now, is the theory and the bad news. But there is good news too - or at least some more hopeful news.
Since Monday, Frisa and Skye have resumed incubating their second precious egg. It might not hatch for another day or so so we are still just about in the time frame for egg number two to hatch successfully. We can only watch, wait and pray that they succeed after all this effort. We will of course let you know the outcome, either way, but please bear with us. We're possibly more stressed and exhausted than Frisa and Skye are at the moment. For them, it's a loss they can't really comprehend and they still have work to do - an egg to try to hatch. Where there's life, there's hope.
Dave Sexton
RSPB Scotland Mull Officer
Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer
Hi Dave and Debbie, Like everyone else I was gutted to hear of the loss of the first chick...Also sad to hear of the bad weather you are having there...
It has to get better, spring will be there soon and the second egg WILL hatch and be fine...Have faith...
Keep your chins above the parapet....Remember the good days....
Be Happy...Don't worry... :-)
Friday night update
Thanks for everyone's comments. The wait goes on I'm afraid. The weather has been utterly foul - persistent heavy rain since last night. There really has been no let up all day. And cold. Very cold. But no wind so maybe we should be grateful for that. At 8am the sitting bird was so low in the nest you could barely see the top of the head. In the drizzle you couldn't tell who was who. The off-duty bird was in the usual loch-side tree. And that's how it stayed all day long. Depressing beyond words. But, as ever, trying to keep some perspective on things. It's nature, it's natural and there are bigger issues in the world. If Frisa and Skye do fail to breed this year, they'll be back next year. You can't help feeling for them though today. Wet, cold and looking very miserable. Much like ourselves. Tomorrow is meant to dawn dry and warm. We'll believe it when we see it. Thanks to you all for the positive thoughts. It ain't over yet.
Dave
What more is there to say Dave/Debby except to assure you that we share your concern and thank you for your dedication. Fingers crossed.
Birdies LG DU update.
Dave and Debbie, - so sorry to read your news, and I feel so sorry for Skye and Frisa who are so devoted to each other, and such good parents. We will be thinking of you all as you await the second hatching.
Dave is famous again-take a look at the new RSPB magazine and there is an article on eagels and a fantastic picture of an eagel as well as a small picture of DAVE and Kate Humble.
JILLIAN