Wishing on a star

For a brief time last night the skies were clear and the stars were twinkling at their best.  A distant tawny owl was taking advantage of the calm conditions to proclaim his territorial rights and some curlews were calling down on the bay. There really were signs of spring - daffodils now out in force and a garden pond heaving with frogs having fun - but the weather forecast for the next few days told a very different story.

Over the last few days, Frisa and Skye and other local pairs have been doing what they should be doing. A natural timetable of  incubation, change-overs, preening, hunting, roosting and then doing it all again. Occasionally they go for a well earned bathe. It's quite telling to consider the scale of what they require for this. In the garden, the blue tits wash in a small plastic tray, the blackbirds are in the bird bath, the collared doves are in the pond and the white-tailed eagles? They've got an entire 5km long loch to splash about in! Once suitably cleansed, it's back to the favourite loch-side tree to perch and preen with wings out-stretched to catch the breeze.

There are occasions when they don't quite time it right. If either bird has been sitting for more than 3 hours or so, they can often be very keen for a break. They may come off the nest before the other one is ready to settle and a few harsh words are exchanged as a consequence. If you've ever wondered what it's like to watch over a sea eagle nest 24 hours a day, try taking a shift with the brilliant Estonian white-tailed eagle web camera where you can watch a live direct stream from the nest Estonian Webcam . It's fascinating to watch their behaviour in such close, intimate detail. The fidgeting, the turning of the eggs, preening, sleeping, calling to incoming mate or intruders - it's all played out in wonderful technicolour with sound. It will at least give you an idea of what's happening to Frisa and Skye at the moment.

If you're coming to Mull over Easter, do please book on to a trip and come and see us and our friends from Forestry Commission Scotland and the Mull & Iona Community Trust. Call 01680 812 556 for information.

As I write, the bay and the sky are grey and moody. It's hard to see where one ends and the other begins. White-capped waves are hitting the seal haul-out rocks with some force and the tops of the hills, already white again from overnight snow, are disappearing into the mizzle. When I gazed up at the stars last night, it had looked all set for a nice calm mild night. How wrong can you get? As we go crashing headlong back into a freezing northerly blast, spare a thought for some very cold but devoted eagles (and eagle watchers) going about their duties. With more than a touch of Arctic conditions set to prevail again this week, there's no telling what might turn up.

And if there are any twinkling stars out where you are tonight, please make a wish that all will be well for Frisa, Skye and their precious, rapidly developing chicks safe within the protective eggshell and tucked in warm against their parent's brood patch. It's going to be a testing time for everyone. Wrap up warm.

Dave Sexton RSPB Scotland Mull Officer