Golden Eagle

tibbenham · #1 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 08:50 AM

Hi.

I am hopeing to get away one weekend this winter to go eagle watching, so does anyone know a good place to get good photo's of golden eagle.

thanks pete.

DL · #2 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 11:48 AM

Any of the mainland living eagles that I am aware of have large territories and outwith the breeding season can travel well beyond them. In winter the weather may dictate that they go where ever their prey species can be found. I have gone for periods of two to four weeks in winter without seeing them in their normal home range.

It might be better to go with one of the specific eagle watching set ups on one of the islands where they seem to stick closer to their smaller home territory.

SouthernSkye · #3 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 05:12 PM

Skye is rather good for both UK resident Eagles.However, DL has hit it on the head as this time of year is not good.Even the weather will (probably) be against you.
Also a great deal will depend on your photographic equipment too as Goldies are oft seen from afar where-as the White-tail is less stand-offish.
I'd wait until next year for an Eagle trip but the Cairngorms and (biased opinion) Skye offer as good a chance as anywhere I can think of if you are packed and ready for the off.

John · #4 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernSkye

Skye is rather good for both UK resident Eagles.However, DL has hit it on the head as this time of year is not good.Even the weather will (probably) be against you.
Also a great deal will depend on your photographic equipment too as Goldies are oft seen from afar where-as the White-tail is less stand-offish.
I'd wait until next year for an Eagle trip but the Cairngorms and (biased opinion) Skye offer as good a chance as anywhere I can think of if you are packed and ready for the off.

I think that SoutherSkye is virtually spot on. The part I would disagree with is the Cairngorms as you don't get them that easy around there. maybe Findhorn Valley Between Aviemore and Inverness - near tomatin) would be better next year but eagle watching this time of year is a virtuall no no. and as for photography, you can virtually forget it at almost any time of the year.

I was very fortunate once with a Golden Eagle when opposite Gruinard Island (due West of Ullapool) when a goldie came down to within 50 feet of us but there are not many people that have that type of encounter. They are shy birds when it comes to humans and tend to stay clear, or keep their distance.

John

tibbenham · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 08:16 PM

Thank you all for the advice. I have been looking into it a bit more and have booked a week on mull (eagle island) next summer.

rlchew · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tibbenham

Thank you all for the advice. I have been looking into it a bit more and have booked a week on mull (eagle island) next summer.

Excellent decision!

I have visited Mull on 3 occasions and have never been disappointed. It just seems so easy to catch up with both Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles. My visit this June was particularly productive with brilliant views of both.

Have you seen this DVD? .... http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...t=eagle+island

If not, I suggest you do .... but it will make your desire for next summer to come early even stronger!

Have a great trip!

Richard