36 bed Eco-Holiday Accommodation on the Isle of Mull for couples, families and groups
All the comfort of a B&B with the convenience of self catering
We are just a short distance from Mull's Sea Eagle hide...
Located only 2 miles away from the lodge, the Sea Eagles are nesting and viewable from the Forestry Hide in Glen Frisa (sometimes also called Glen Aros). Since the successful re-introduction of the white-tailed eagle (more commonly known as the sea eagle) to Scotland, the Isle of Mull has become a major stronghold for this rare species.
It is illegal to approach and disturb a sea eagle nest unless under special license. However there is now a unique opportunity for people to view a pair of these magnificent birds at their nest, under expert guidance. This has been provided by a partnership comprising Forest Enterprise, RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, with the support of the Mull and Iona Community Trust.
The Forestry Enterprise are running visits to the hide 10am & 1pm weekdays (Noon on Saturdays) To book telephone 01688 302038 Meet at the Mishnish Lochs entrance located at the signboard on the Tobermory to Dervaig road approx 5 miles from Tobermory.
A ranger then escorts you.
If you have never seen a sea eagle be prepared to be impressed. They are 20% bigger than Golden Eagles. Their Length can be anything from 68 to 90cm (or 27-36"), Weight 3100 to 6900g (or 110-243oz) and their wingspan can be anything from an incredible 200cm to 240cm (or 78-94").
Anglo-Saxons believed that the bones of sea-eagles possessed remarkable curative properties. Unfortunately, bird bones do not contain any marrow. The Faroese also believed that the claws of sea-eagles cured jaundice.
Lifestyle
Habitat
The white-tailed eagle in Britain is found only in the highlands and islands of the west of Scotland. Scottish white-tailed eagles prefer sheltered lochs or sea lochs rather than exposed coastal sites. They also prefer to nest in trees rather than on cliffs. On average, their territories range from 30 - 70 km2, but much larger territories are possible depending on the availability of prey.
Breeding
Compared to smaller and shorter-lived birds, white-tailed eagles have a low reproductive rate, which has contributed to the slow growth in the population. White-tailed eagles normally breed at 5 - 6 years of age. In Scotland, they spend the winter in courtship and nest building, and eggs are laid in March.
Development
Young birds remain in the nest for 10 - 13 weeks before fledging. Although they are capable of taking care of themselves about 30 days after leaving the nest, they will continue to beg for food from the adults for several months. The young eagle will then spend about 5 years in non-breeding areas, often in the company of other non-breeders. In birds of prey generally, up to 60 - 70% of all young that leave the nests will not survive their first winter. This figure is probably significantly lower for large raptors such as the white-tailed eagle.
Diet
Fish, sea birds and ducks are among the most important items in the white-tailed eagles' diet in most of their world range. When hunting for fish, the white-tailed eagles prefer to watch from a suitable perch then swoop and pluck the fish from the surface of the water without getting wet.
Threats
White-tailed eagles have no natural predators in Britain. The only threat to the bird's continued re-colonisation in Scotland is from human activity and from degradation of habitat and food resources.
Identification
The adult white-tailed eagle's huge size, relatively large pale buff coloured head, huge bill and short, wedge-shaped and pure white tail are very distinctive. Newly fledged young are much darker, gradually gaining adult plumage over 5 - 6 years. White-tailed eagle are quite vocal and call far more often than golden eagles. The call is a mixture of a bark and a yelp, and sounds rather strange coming from such an impressive bird.
In captivity
In captivity, the oldest recorded bird was 42, it was totally blind. The first White-Tailed Sea Eagles to breed in captivity were at the Vienna Zoo in 1961, the pair continued to raise chicks until 1969. Other zoos have been successful since.
BBC - Science - Nature - Wildfacts - White-tailed sea eagle
Forestry Commission - Wild Woods - White-tailed eagle
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - local events
Loads of different pictures of Mull birds