Setback for Mull sea eagles as chicks die

After seeing uncharacteristic behaviour from the adult birds, the staff at the Mull Eagle Watch project discovered both of the one-day old eaglets under the nest. Despite attempts to revive the chicks, there was nothing more that local wildlife experts could do, and unfortunately it will not be possible for this pair of eagles, who feature heavily in Springwatch, to raise any more chicks this year.

The regular nest site is the focus of a Forestry Commission Scotland and RSPB Scotland viewing project supported by Strathclyde Police and local community volunteers where the public can view the chicks at the nest and the adult birds as they return with food.

Click here to see details on how to visit the Sea eagles on Mull. Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland’s Mull Officer, who was first on the scene, said: ‘We knew something had gone badly wrong when both adult eagles were seen soaring high above the area of woodland containing the nest, when normally one of them should be brooding the chicks at this stage. Fearing the worst, we moved closer to the nest area and sure enough, there were two tiny, lifeless down-covered chicks on the ground. It looks like the nest may have slipped overnight and both chicks tumbled out to their deaths. The impact of the fall from about 30 feet may have killed them, or they may have quickly developed hypothermia without a parent bird to brood them.

‘It’s incredibly sad situation, both for the parent eagles who now look very lost, and for the huge number of volunteers from the local community who do so much to protect them every year.’

Despite the sad news, it is the first time since 1999 that the nesting attempt of this pair has failed, and they have produced 12 chicks in that time, helping to boost the population elsewhere in Scotland and expand the range of this magnificent species.

With over 3 decades having passed since the reintroduction programme began, the species is in excellent health across Scotland, with around 30 breeding pairs stretching across the north & west, although around two thirds of sea eagle pairs are found on Mull and Skye. Ironically, this success is confirmed by another recent discovery of a dead sea eagle on the Isle of Lewis - although this particular bird had lived to the ripe old age of 23.

The eagle was one of a group of young Norwegian sea eagles released in Scotland in 1984 as part of the original reintroduction programme to return the species to Scottish skies, after they became extinct in the early 1900’s following decades of human persecution.

Found just yards from its nest, it is thought the male sea eagle had died of natural causes, or perhaps after a territorial dispute with another sea eagle. The age of the eagle was defined by a metal ring attached around its leg – a common research tool across the world to monitor birds, especially on migration and following reintroduction.

With further reintroduction projects possible elsewhere, conservationists now believe that if sea eagles can live for over two decades in Scotland, then it is likely that the species may eventually return to some of its former UK range.

The sea eagles on Mull have gained national popularity after featuring in the BBC's Springwatch show in recent years and a number of other TV documentaries and films, also leading to a major boost to wildlife tourism on the island.

Stuart Maidment, from Forestry Commission Scotland added: ‘We are very disappointed that the chicks were found in these tragic circumstances, and we hope that the survival of next years’ chicks will be successful’.

‘However, the popular public viewing trips to the Loch Frisa sea eagle hide will be continuing as the adult sea eagles are likely to remain in the vicinity and there are other exciting birds such as golden eagle, hen harrier, red-throated diver, buzzard and raven to be seen in the area’.

Mull Eagle Watch is a partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Strathclyde police and local volunteers. It is part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund via the Nadair Trust. To book a trip to see the sea eagles call 01688 302 038.