Wink, Blink, Nod - and lots to Celebrate!

(no alas - its not a song title- couldnt come up with one to fit!)

Some of you may have heard by now the fantastic news that Somerset and Carolyne Charrington from Treshnish Farm on Mull won the RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Awards.  As you can imagine we are all absolutely over the moon - Congratulations to Carolyne and Somerset who do a wonderful job out at Treshnish.  A huge thank you to everyone who showed their support and voted too.  Gordon Buchanan, who grew up on Mull has said  "I'm so pleased for Carolyne and Somerset Charrington. Treshnish Farm is a worthy winner of this prestigious UK-wide award. It's a reflection too of the hard work of many other environmentally-friendly farmers on Mull and Iona who also go the extra mile for wildlife. This farm and many others are vital to the survival of our wildflowers, butterflies, moths and the famous Mull birds including corncrakes, white-tailed eagles and those all-important farmland finches, buntings and waders. What a place!"  Here is a link to their website http://www.treshnish.co.uk/

A great example of farmers working successfully with wildlife.

Its been a busy week at the hide too.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we were visited by the pupils of Salen Primary School.  Each class, from both the mainstream and the Gaelic unit, came and heard about the white tailed eagles, some were lucky enough to see Skye and Frisa and some were just happy to watch the chaffinches on the feeders.  I was so impressed by their enthusiasm - they asked lots of really interesting questions and all of them wanted to tell me their own stories of their wildlife encounters.  I think there may be some budding future David Attenborough's, Chris Packham's and Kate Humble's among them.  They were so polite and well behaved too - a real credit to the school and indeed to Mull.

Pupils from Salen Primary School sat on the famous Eagle Bench at the Hide, Loch Frisa

Yesterday it was time to ring our barn owls.  The eldest one, Nod, is 6 weeks old now and is looking every part a barn owl - just got some small bits of fluffy down and now practicising lots of wing stretching in the owl box.  All 3 owls looked healthy, although the littlest one still has some growing to do.  Its been wonderful to watch them progress every day, and have been a great hit with our visitors.  Here are a couple of photos I took (under license) during the ringing process.  Barn Owls are classed as Schedule 1 birds and are afforded the highest degree of protection.

Barn Owl with leg ring in place - photo Debby Thorne

Posing for the camera! - photo Debby Thorne

 "I really need to go back to sleep now!" - photo Debby Thorne

I am sure you will agree, they are incredibly cute.  We will keep you posted on their progress.

Skye and Frisa continue to delight our visitors too.  They have been spending a fair bit of time in front of the hide and today, they were sat side by side preening.  The hen harrier has been showing off too and this afternoon, did a fantastic fly past in front of the hide as if to say "look at me! not those eagles". 

Autumn has certainly arrived on Mull, the heather is out and the red deer are coming down from the moutain tops, in readiness for the rut which is just round the corner.  We are starting to see the geese arriving too adding to our existing resident population of grey lags.  Dont forget to book a visit call 01680 812556.  More details at Mull Eagle Watch.

Until next time ..

Debby Thorne

White Tailed Eagle Information Officer, Mull