How the world changes? In this 21st century the white tailed sea eagles on Mull no longer cry as they used to do – suddenly they’ve started to tweet. 300 people are so interested in this phenomenon, that they’re following their every word.
And they’ve got a great deal to tweet about in the new world of social media they’ve predated. Their Twitter site is currently updating regularly right from a frontline nest. Mull Eagle Watch is now watchable is new ways.
Skye and Frisa, a well known breeding pair and devoted parents, lost one of their two chicks last year when it fell out of the tree. This year they’re sitting tight on their eggs but having to battle gale force winds to do so.
The pair became resident eagles at Loch Frisa on the island of Mull in 1998 0 they chose it themselves. They’ve got good taste as well as awesomely ‘now’ IT skills.
It wasn’t until their appearance on the first ever series of Springwatch in 2005, however, that they became household names and an internet sensation.
They are monitored and protected daily by Mull Eagle Watch, a partnership project involving RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Mull and Iona Community Trust, Strathclyde Police and local volunteers.
The team makes sure the birds are not disturbed or targeted by irresponsible photographers or egg collectors.
Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland’s Mull Officer, says it’s particularly important to be extra vigilant at this time of year. ‘We’re now into the breeding season and Skye and Frisa are sitting tight on their eggs. However, there are real concerns that the gale force winds and torrential rain that we have had recently on Mull may make life really tough for these devoted birds trying to nest successfully. We’re hoping that they can sit it out until the sun shines on them again and hope the worst of the weather is now behind us. We can but hope’.
After great coverage on last year’s BBC Autumnwatch show visitors from far and wide have travelled to Mull to catch sight of the duo in their natural environment in a Forestry Commission Scotland forest at Loch Frisa.
Back in 2005 it was calculated that the eagles bring £2m a year to the island and the regular attention they get from a spectrum of wildlife, nature and adventure programmes on television keeps visitors coming.
‘The Date with Nature project, which has just started again for the summer, is a great way to see these birds from the Loch Frisa Eagle Hide, the only eagle hide in the world offering views of white-tailed eagles at their nest.
But rest assured if you can’t get over to Loch Frisa on Mull this summer – a short and spectacularly scenic 45 minute ferry ride from Oban, the loveliest town on the Scottish west coast, you can follow all the action via their Twitter, Facebook and award winning blog pages.
To book a trip to see Skye and Frisa this year: call 01680 812 556.
Meanwhile, north in Assynt…
Live pictures of a golden eagle nest at a secret location in north west Scotland are set to beam down to a large screen in the Assynt Visitor Centre in Lochinver, Sutherland.
Going live at Easter, a large screen at the centre will let visitors and locals alike into the secrets captured by a new CCTV camera perched at the site in an area of west Sutherland.
This will let enthusiasts experience what it must be like to get up close and personal with golden eagles among the soaring peaks and glens of the north west.
The pioneering initiative, backed by Scottish Natural Heritage, offers people the chance to become inspired by golden eagles which, as a top predator, play an important role in the upland ecology of the Highlands.
It also aims to boost eco-tourism in the Assynt area and promote golden eagle conservation while fostering excellent ways of working with the local community.
Techniques at the nest site and the visitor centre are tried and tested having been used previously during live TV transmissions. And radio links and solar panels will be used to ensure people of all ages and abilities have the chance to witness intimate views of golden eagles without causing disturbance.
Last year a young golden eagle from Assynt Foundation land – named Suilven by school pupils (after the unforgettable local mountain) – was satellite tagged by Roy Dennis of the Highland Foundation for Wildlife, with funding from SNH. Suilven’s movements and behaviour are contributing to knowledge and further scientific research on golden eagle movements, distribution and survival rates.
Children from Stoer and Lochinver Primary Schools (P1-7) have been tracing the movements of Suilven and learning about how eagles are top of the upland food chain. The children have built their own ‘eagle nest’ and created a special ‘eagle game’ of snakes and ladders. This shows the possible futures for a young eagle as it leaves the nest through to establishing his/her own territory and potential threats and hazards they face on their way to maturity.
Others in the community including the Highland Council Ranger Service; Assynt Tourist Group; Assynt Field Club; community members and the Assynt Foundation as well as SNH devoted time and energy to making the project become a reality.
The photograph above, of one of Mull’s earlier sea eagle chicks, is by copyright holder Iain Erskine.
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