White-tailed Eagles to return to east Scotland

[rlchew]

White-tailed Eagles are another conservation/re-introduction success story although it has been a long journey from 1975 when the Rhum scheme commenced.

These magnificent birds are now relatively easy to see .... if you are prepared to travel to Mull and Skye in north west Scotland.

I saw 3 different adult birds on my recent trip, 2 on Mull and 1 just over the water in Morven.

Here are 2 photos of an adult White-tailed Eagle that perched in a dead tree at Loch Don (Mull) for at least an hour before the gulls eventually harassed it so much that it flew off. My apologies for the poor quality .... the photos were taken through my telescope with the haze of a hot, sunny day (yes, Mull does get them ).





It is now very interesting and exciting to read that it is the intention of the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage to try and repeat the west coast success over on the east coast.

Majestic sea eagle to soar again after absence of 200 years

Let's wish them well .... awesome birds!

Richard

[Dean Eades]

Great News

  
Dean Eades

[Ann2]

I spent four nights in May, camping at the side of lochs on Mull and didn't see a single white-tailed eagle. I was rewarded later when I got to Skye though and took a boat trip from Portree.

It was my first trip to Scotland, my mum grew up on the west coast and said I would love it there. Now I just can't wait to go back!

Sounds like you had another fantastic holiday there, and good weather too.

Ann

[rlchew]

Ann

If you visit Mull again, the sites that I can recommend (but not guarantee) for WTE's are ....

1. Loch Frisa between Tobermory and Salen .... this is a nesting site with organised access during the breeding season .... The RSPB: White-tailed eagles

2. Loch Don just south of the Craignure ferry terminal

3. The eastern end of Loch na Keal especially Scarisdale Rocks near Gruline

4. Glen More .... although not as regular as the other locations .... good for other birds of prey too including Golden Eagles

I have generally been lucky at these locations, of all which are in the public domain so there is no issue around release of sensitive information.

Apart from Loch Don this year, the other Mull WTE I saw this year was flying over the Sound of Mull heading towards Morven/Ardnamurchan.

These birds are now dispersing so apart from Skye it is always worth looking out anywhere on Ardnamurchan too. I saw 2 WTEs on Loch Sunart there last year and 1 this year and last year from the road to the Lochaline ferry terminal.

Richard

[demicav]

Sounds great to me, about time. They're larger than Golden eagles I believe.

[The Black Rabbit]

Kinloss is right next to Findhorn Bay, if my (local?) knowledge serves me right.
Are they re-introducing the WTS Eagles to the Findhorn Bay area?
I had the most amazing sight about 20 years ago on an RSPB holiday in the area, of 7 (SEVEN) Ospreys fishing Findhorn Bay simultaneously. I'll never forget it!
Doug.

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by demicav

They're larger than Golden eagles I believe.

I remember many years ago the first time that I saw a Golden Eagle and realised how BIG they are compared to Common Buzzards .... but "tourists eagles" are still reported .

More recently, when I saw my first White -tailed Eagle, it also struck me how VERY BIG these birds are. They are noticebly larger than Golden Eagles if you get an opportunity for a side-by-side comparison which I was fortunate to have on Mull 3 years ago.

Richard

[demicav]

Originally Posted by rlchew

I remember many years ago the first time that I saw a Golden Eagle and realised how BIG they are compared to Common Buzzards .... but "tourists eagles" are still reported .

More recently, when I saw my first White -tailed Eagle, it also struck me how VERY BIG these birds are. They are noticebly larger than Golden Eagles if you get an opportunity for a side-by-side comparison which I was fortunate to have on Mull 3 years ago.

Richard

I've never been to Scotland and yet it seems to be full of all this amazing wildlife. I must make it my mission to go one day and hopefully I'll be lucky enough to see a Golden Eagle or a White Tailed eagle. Which areas of Scotland do you need to visit to be in with a chance ? I presume it's not in one of the cities . Do you need to travel way up North ?

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by demicav

I've never been to Scotland and yet it seems to be full of all this amazing wildlife. I must make it my mission to go one day and hopefully I'll be lucky enough to see a Golden Eagle or a White Tailed eagle. Which areas of Scotland do you need to visit to be in with a chance ? I presume it's not in one of the cities . Do you need to travel way up North ?

No, there are not many in the cities ....

Golden Eagles can be seen with luck (sometimes a lot of it is needed!) throughout the north and west Highlands but the range of the White-tailed Eagle is much more restricted.

In my opinion, Mull is the best place to see both eagle species followed by Skye. Whether that constitutes "way up north" I will leave you to decide. There is a lot of Scotland beyond these west coast islands but it is still a long journey for those of who live in the deep south of England!

I have been fortunate to enjoy good views of both eagle species for the last 5 years on my annual trips to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Richard

[seamusagleann]

last year two raised a family on my beat at Appin on the mainland ,the first recorded i think . the nest was sent for analysis and found that dogfish ,thrown out by local fishing boats was the main diet along with goslings , only one lamb remains were found . one was spotted earlier this year in Glen Duror,which has plenty scope for nesting but so far i've never seen evidence of nesting , maybe next year