That title relates to our Half Pint and his/her sibling! We had a beautiful afternoon on Mull today - lovely blue skies, sunshine, bit of a breeze - perfect fledging weather I thought! As I made my way to get a good view of the nest, I was half expecting to just see one dark brown chick sat on the edge of the nest - but oh no - two beautiful sea eagle chicks, sat in the sunshine, looking as chilled as they could be. They looked far too comfortable to consider fledging. As I was admiring the chicks, I received a text message from Dave "Think of me going to a birthday disco for 7 yr olds" (What a picture that conjures up!) - I did chuckle as I sent one back saying "think of me watching eagles all afternoon in the sunshine" - I think he is missing the birds! Well those two look like they are going to have to be evicted - hopefully Mum and Dad will start bringing back food but not delivering it direct to the nest, but trying to encourage them out. They will be 13 weeks old this week so are ready and able. I will pop down later in the week to check progress - watch this space!
Earlier this morning, I had to pop up to Loch Frisa to take some stuff up to the Hide - it was drizzly first thing so didnt expect to see any of the Frisa family - I stopped along the track to the Hide above the Loch where you get an all round view of the Glen - I glanced along the usual spots and was surprised to catch the outline of one of our birds. I ran (not something I do very often) back to the van to grab the scope, by the time I had it set up, the bird was up and flying - that familiar huge wingspan, dark chocolate brown - it was Heather! Fantastic - she did a great flying display before disappearing out of sight. I went down to the Hide and had a fright when I saw someone sat on our eagle bench. The Hide is now open Monday to Fridays so I wasnt expecting to see anyone. It was a gentleman who had been on our trip Friday afternoon but sadly the weather was awful and the birds were hiding. He had walked down the track (2 miles) in the rain to see if he could catch sight of one of these birds. "I dont believe they exist" he said jokingly. I told him I had just seen our chick flying but he had been looking in completely the wrong direction. I grabbed a scope from the hide and within 2 minutes, Frisa came flying across the Loch. Luckily the gentleman was looking in the right direction this time! She did a lovely fly round then landed in one of her favourite roosts. A couple of minutes later, in came Heather, following the same flight path - Frisa took off and Heather landed on the same branch she had been sitting. It was as if Frisa was showing Heather a good branch to land on! Needless to say, the gentleman was over the moon as he returns home tomorrow! If it was possible to hug those birds - I would. To see the joy on his face (and mine too for that matter) was priceless.
After checking Half Pint this afternoon, I went on a drive round the Island, checking some of the other birds and had a beautiful encounter with an adult Golden Eagle and a juvenile. As I stood there watching them soaring in a blue sky, I thought of Alma - how she must have enjoyed similar flights but sadly now, no more. Such a senseless waste of a truly majestic and beautiful bird. Can I take this opportunity to say thank you to you all in your efforts to stamp out poisoning - from signing the pledge to writing to MP's - let's hope Alma hasnt died in vain.
Debby Thorne - White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Isle of Mull
Great imagery and great writing as ever, Debby - does this skill develop along with the job, or is it part of the original job description that you and Dave signed? ("Must have magical gift to enchant all readers"). Please see your previous blog for my question as to your being a free spirit, Debby - perhaps I should have said 'wizard' rather, but you will get the point, I believe?? You will realise that I ain't about to give up on behalf of your beautiful birds, whatever the cynicism and negativity that is out there in the big wide world (or at times within four walls). How many bird forums are there out there and are any of you registered with them? Spread the word, if so. Do any of you leave messages on YouTube? Nor can I let the Procurator Fiscal off the hook over a non-existent email address, after all. Watch this space, as they say. No, Debby, Alma has not died in vain. The idea of her is soaring aloft - and her satellite tagging may prove an 'angel in disguise' if it results in the firm identification of an estate perpetrating this evil. And don't worry, I'm not going to let this become an ego-trip - I keep looking at the pictures of those eagles, present, departed and/or soaring off into infinity and I know what all this is about. Perfect Creation. And the demand on us to protect it.