Wildlife enthusiasts have been given a rare glimpse of sea eagle chicks taking to the skies for the first time – directly under their noses.
In what is thought to be a first for Scotland, birdwatchers on the Island of Mull were treated to the sight of two white-tailed eagles taking wing after leaving their nest.
This breeding season, an adult pair of sea eagles became the first to nest and rear two chicks within view of Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) nature hide at Fishnish.
The hide has provided cover for watchers for the past decade with visitors spotting otters, herons, egrets, shorebirds and whales and dolphins – including the incredible sighting this summer of two bull orca and a fin whale.
But this is the first time they have been able to catch sight of white-tailed eagle chicks taking flight.
The white-tailed eagle, also known as a sea eagle, is the UK's largest bird of prey, with a huge wing span of up to 2.5 metres.
The adult eagles built their nest in a large Sitka spruce tree within the commercial Garmony forestry plantation, close to the Fishnish CalMac ferry terminal and a busy fish farm.
FLS Environment Advisor Callum Strong said the successful breeding of the young sea eagles highlighted the valuable role commercial forestry plays in supporting wildlife conservation.
“Our forests provide important habitats for many vulnerable species including the white-tailed sea eagle. Our work and operations involve careful planning around these majestic birds. We protect known nest sites during the breeding season and no planting, felling, road-building or other disruptions can take place near a nest.
“On Mull, we work closely with partners including RSPB Scotland, Mull and Iona Community Trust Ranger Service and Police Scotland to give them the space and environment they need to thrive.”
RSPB’s Mull Officer Dave Sexton said after 21 years in his role, it thrilled him to watch this pair raise two chicks and see how well they coped with all the activity around them.
“It was with a mixture of excitement and disbelief when FLS rangers and I found this pair of sea eagles nesting within sight of the brilliant wildlife hide at Fishnish. It was like a dream come true.
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“The CalMac ferry crews, the workers at the fish farm, the FLS team and our visitors are all keeping an eye on them, and a Mull Eagle Watch Police Scotland sign helps warn people not to get too close.
“By all working together, these magnificent birds have had their most successful breeding season ever.”
The female aged 18 was wing tagged as ‘Yellow 1’ in 2006 in Wester Ross and the male aged 16 was colour ringed A9/69 in 2008 from a nearby nest, also on FLS land, just across the water on Morvern.
Lochaline-based photographer Amanda Fergusson who supports Mr Sexton with sightings and recordings captured the images of the eagles and their chicks during the breeding season.
Mrs Fergusson said the pair of eagles had worked tirelessly over winter to build the new nest.
“It was great to see their hard work pay off and a wonderful surprise to discover they had successfully hatched two chicks this year.
“To see them both fully fledged and looking so strong is absolutely fantastic. It’s great that visitors to the hide can enjoy watching these magnificent birds throughout the breeding season from a safe distance. “
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