Sea Eagles

[Chris P]

Hi folks
not sure if this is in the correct forum, but I have been reading a fair bit about Sea Eagles in the last few days, and it appears that the 'mecca' for photographing them is in Norway

can any members here please give me a few tips about such a trip, and any experiences you might have had etc
thanks
Chris Procter

[eeyore]

make sure you take your pateince with you - I'm just back from skye on a similar mission. Mine was something of a failure as regards the seagles

I went out with MV stardust out of portree where there is a seagle which has become habituated to coming down to feed from fish thrown from the boat

on my first attempt (last monday) there was a flat calm , but I went out on the last trip of the day and the seagle was clearly full and didnt come down.

on my next trip the seagle but in no appearance whatso ever

then on my last day the seagle performed as advertised and came within 20 or so yards of the boat - however the sea was rough as a Badgers backside and the pitching and rolling frustrated all attempts to get a good pic GGGGRRRRR

however despite my failure i would still highly reccomend the MV starrdust trip as many people have had great success with them and the skipper , dan corrigal , is a top bloke who didnt charge me for any of the unsuccesful trips (its only £15 notes per trip anyway)

anyone who is intersted in this trip can contact dan on 07798 743858 or by email on fishbiz @ globalnet.co.uk (removing the spaces obviously) - he also has a website MV Stardust BOAT TRIPS and Fish Trips Isle of Skye - Scotland

[Chris P]

Thanks for that....
I have been reading about a guy in Norway that takes photogs out in a boat and attracts them by throwing fish over the side, must add thats its really expensive at nearly £1700 for a 4 day trip and that does not include flights and tranfers etc
Chris

[eeyore]

oooff that is pricey - you could do osprey, great grey owl, and bears in finland for less than that

the total budget for my skye trip was 200 notes for accom , 100 or so for petrol, plus 15 quid per trip except that dan didnt charge me cos we failed ( plus of course food which doesnt count as i would have been eating anyway)

[Side Salad]

I would strongly recommend a day out with Pam and Arthur at the following web site

First time I saw a Sea Eagle up close I forgot to take any photos - was too busy looking at what has to be one of the most majestic creatures I have ever seen.

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Side Salad

I would strongly recommend a day out with Pam and Arthur at the following web site

First time I saw a Sea Eagle up close I forgot to take any photos - was too busy looking at what has to be one of the most majestic creatures I have ever seen.

I like their photos, as in the photos of them

[eeyore]

this is my not very good , and heavily cropped attempt - i know its rubbish and nowhere near good enough for our gallery but i will get a better shot.....eventually

[Chris P]

Thanks for the links and info folks... that Mull tour sure looks very reasonable
cheers Chris

[gwales]

My first post here but the advice on this thread was first rate so thought a follow up would be of use.

MV Stardust is well worth the £12. They know exactly where the Sea Eagles are the only question is are they hungry. If you go in May or June then there will likely be chicks in the nest which keeps the parents busy and in the area. Both parents could be seen on the cliff and as we were on the first boat of the day (10 a.m.) they felt like eating.

By inflating a fish with air from a syringe they ensure that it floats and is hard for the gulls to handle. As soon as it hit the water the male eagle launched from the cliff and swooped over the boat. It then turned and came back to rest on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff, before deciding the coast was clear and lining up a run on the fish. It actually missed the grab first time around and cycled back a second time.

Once he had the fish he went back up to the nest. They tried a second fish to see if the female would come but alas not.

[TORTUGA]

I saw quite a few in Norway, I visited in during the end of November time to see Orcas, I saw maybe 90 Orcas in total during the day light hours that I was at sea (day light lasted from 0900ish until 1230ish).

The White Tailed Eagles turned up on the look out for an easy meal, as the Orcas stun the fish and leave the odd ones floating around. The very large Gulls looked not so large compared to the soaring Eagles. The guide said occasionally the Eagles take the odd Gull if they are feeling lazy or if the Gulls irritate them too much.

I saw an Eagle come down and take a Herring, it then flew off and landed on a rocky island to eat it, the light was deminishing and with the odd spruce tree dotted about as well, I only got the odd glimps as it pulled at it. Great to see though.

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by gwales

My first post here but the advice on this thread was first rate so thought a follow up would be of use.

MV Stardust is well worth the £12. They know exactly where the Sea Eagles are the only question is are they hungry. If you go in May or June then there will likely be chicks in the nest which keeps the parents busy and in the area. Both parents could be seen on the cliff and as we were on the first boat of the day (10 a.m.) they felt like eating.

By inflating a fish with air from a syringe they ensure that it floats and is hard for the gulls to handle. As soon as it hit the water the male eagle launched from the cliff and swooped over the boat. It then turned and came back to rest on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff, before deciding the coast was clear and lining up a run on the fish. It actually missed the grab first time around and cycled back a second time.

Once he had the fish he went back up to the nest. They tried a second fish to see if the female would come but alas not.

You were lucky gwales - I have just come back from Skye and found the MV Stardust trip a complete waste of time. The eagles were both there, one on the nest and another sat in the trees (only just visible with binoculars). The fish was duly thrown in the water and the eagles had no interest whatsoever. However, a passing seal decided to have a snack instead!

The moral of this tale is, I think, to go on one of the earlier boats in the day. The eagles had obviously had enough fish and enough performing for one day.

Jenny

[jennyb]

Sorry, gwales, I also meant to say that your photographs are really good. They are amazing birds.

Welcome to WAB by the way.

Jenny

[gwales]

Hi Jenny,

Sorry to hear that you did not get the same experience as we did. I guess you need to be on the first boat of the day to stand the best chance of seeing the feeding.

I had also read that they do not hunt in the rain and I also wondered if choppy conditions at sea may also deter them from 'fishing'.

Anyway, I like WAB and hope to post more images when I have something worthwhile. Puffins on the Isle of May, Gannets on the Bass Rock and the Red Kites at Argaty or all day trips from home so fingers crossed for a good day!

Cheers,

Gary

[Ann2]

I think it just takes perseverance and a bit of luck.

My sighting of one of the sea eagles on Skye was on an afternoon boat trip in the rain last year. (Photo in the gallery if anyone's interested.)

Ann

[canny]

I can vouch for the trip with Pam & Arthur, I did it this May. Quite a few other companies do the day tours as well.
But to be honest you can see the eagles for yourself and especially if you go to the RSPB/Forestry commission hide at Loch Frisa. (See the RSPB website for Loch Frisa)
I saw quite a few but didn't manage any good pics though. I must get a scope and try digiscoping before I go back.

The Ardnamurchan peninsular has sightings of sea eagles as well.