Thanks to Mull and Iona Community Trust for the following information:

"The area is one of great natural beauty with 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, the largest population density of Golden Eagles in Europe and the greatest number of breeding pairs of the re-introduced White Tailed (Sea) Eagles in Scotland."

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 white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), more commonly known as the sea eagle, is Britain's largest bird with a wingspan of over eight feet.

Its poetic Gaelic name Iolaire-suile-na-grein means 'the eagle with the sunlit eye'.

Unlike their cousins, the golden eagle, sea eagles were totally exterminated from the Britain in the first part of the last century. During the 1800's bounties were put upon eagles heads and the last sea eagle, a lonely albino female, was shot on Shetland in 1918.

In 1975 a full-scale reintroduction program was launched that has seen over 140 young eagles brought over from Norway. 1985 saw the first Scottish sea eagle chick to hatch successfully in over 70 years. Since then the number of established pairs has steadily risen, though only about 20 pairs have successfully raised chicks.


All young sea eagles are given tags so that their progress can be monitored

Mull is the best place in the Scotland to see sea eagles.

They are regularly seen in flight from public roads throughout the island.

Visiting the Sea Eagle hide on Loch Frisa - How To Book........

Guided visits to a temporary hide with views to the nest area of a sea eagle will be available from April to the end of July.
Call the Sea Eagle Booking Service

Phone 01688 302038 between 09.00 and 17.00 to book the week day and viewing session you would like to join.

Bookings are made on a first come first served basis for up to 20 people per session.

There will be one morning and one afternoon session per day, Mon - Fri at 1000 and 1300 and one session only on Sat at 10.00 & Sun at 1200.

Cost is £3.00 for adults and £1.50 for children / concessions. Income raised by the sea eagle trips goes towards the project and other project on Mull and Iona.

Each session will last a maximum of two hours including up to one hour at the viewing hide.

White-tailed Sea Eagle Viewing Site - Where Is It?

HOW TO FIND THE FOREST ENTERPRISE MEETING POINT

Meeting point is midway between Tobermory and Dervaig on the B8073 at the junction with the Loch Frisa
forestry road (signposted).

Wait here for guide to take you to the hide.

At the appointed day and time, arrive at the rendezvous point at the junction of the Loch Frisa forest road and the B8073 Tobermory-Dervaig road (see map). A guide will meet you there to escort you to the hide. This will involve you driving your own vehicle along a forest track to the hide.

Some optical equipment is provided at the hide but please bring your own binoculars and telescopes if you have them. Wet weather clothing and stout footwear are also recommended.

Please note: In 2005 there is no access along the track from the Aros end of the Loch Frisa track to view the sea eagles or to the hide. Please obey the forestry signs regarding behaviour in the conservation area and please keep moving to avoid disturbance. Thank you.

All images are copyright and the photographer holds a schedule one licence.

The photographer has not expressed an opinion on windfarms.

www.windfarm-free-mull.co.uk