Mull Sea Eagle Chicks

First image of Mull’s Sea Eagle chicks (see Ileach Flickr Photostream)


On behalf of Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage and Strathclyde Police

The first image of Mull’s famous sea eagle chicks has been taken by Forestry Commission Scotland rangers during the birds’ ringing.

Both chicks, which are the current stars of the Mull eagle watch at Loch Frisa, are ten weeks old and are a popular attraction for visitors viewing them from the hide.

The eager parent birds named Frisa (aged 17 year old) and Skye (15 years old) returned to feed the chicks straight after the ringing.

Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham said:

“Sea Eagles are magnificent birds of prey and once you’ve seen one you’ll never forget their size – they are immense. It’s very good news that the chicks are thriving and the Eagle Watch hide has become such an important attraction for tourists.”

Mull Eagle Watch attracts some 5,000 visitors a year to the hide with all income received going to the Mull & Iona Community Trust to distribute to local good causes on the islands and to assist in the creation of a seasonal ranger post.

Last year over £10,000 was received from visitors to the hide. Sea eagles on Mull bring in some £2 million a year to the local economy by people visiting the island to see them.

Stuart Maidment of Forestry Commission Scotland said:

“The two chicks look fit and healthy and will be in the nest for another few weeks. Once they fledge, visitors to the hide will be able to watch them take their first, tentative flights across the loch and we expect them to stay in the area well into the autumn.”

Visitors to Mull can book onto special ranger-led visits to the purpose-built hide at Loch Frisa. They should contact local Tourist Information Offices on the island for the latest details.

Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer:

"It’s great that the chicks are continuing to do so well. Everyone is on tenterhooks at the moment as the time approaches for the chicks to fledge, so it would be good to have lots of extra eyes at the hide to see where they go when they leave the nest. It’s an anxious time for both the parent birds and everyone involved in the project."

Colin MacFarlane, Scottish Natural Heritage area officer said:

"The number of people visiting the hide this year looks set to surpass that of last year, with some 3200 people already passing through the hide before the start of the summer holidays. The money raised from the entrance fees goes towards the employment of a ranger, the purchase of new equipment, and importantly towards the Mull Sea Eagle Community Fund which supports various local community projects on the island.

"July and August are some the best months to view the eagles at the hide and we look forward to seeing many more visitors over the next few months."

To follow the movements of last year’s chicks from Loch Frisa which were satellite tagged visit www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/mulleagles. To book a visit to the hide between now and mid July call 01688 302 038.

Mull Eagle Watch is a unique sea eagle protection and public viewing partnership involving Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage and Strathclyde police. Funding for the satellite tags and the hide was received from SNH, FCS and the BBC Wildlife Fund.

The famous sea eagle family is to feature in a September edition of the BBC’s flagship children’s TV programme ‘Blue Peter’.