27th April 2013

A great Tour today with a total of 8 separate Golden Eagles seen. They included the iconic views of birds drifting over rocky crags and skimming mountain ridges. But one pair in particular gave us fantastically good close views. First they played a bit of hide and seek as they vanished against the hillside. Next gliding in the open sky. Then one stooped at a lamb but it was too slow, the lamb too quick and the ewe too vigilant. However the eagle landed on the hilltop and posed for us for a while before hopping a short distance to a bit of carrion, seemingly unnoticed before, for a spot of lunch. 

Majestic though the Golden's were I was keen to add at least one Sea Eagle, and right at the end of our day we spotted a youngster sat on a nearby hill. Huge in the telescope but appearing even bigger when it flew. It too went down on some carrion with a group of Ravens but soon departed giving yet more great views as it slowly left the area. . . . . And I got bitten by the first midge of Spring!

The Story of the Sea Eagle pair

Last October, in the pouring rain we found these two White-Tailed Sea Eagles sitting on two hillocks next to each other. Surrounded by Ravens they were sitting above a dead sheep.  They had obviously had their fill, and the Ravens and Hooded Crows were now feeding.  

The Sea Eagles were sitting separately, but the female was being harried by the Ravens.  They even tried pulling her tail feathers.  


Finally she had enough and flew to join the male.  She landed on a rock near to him, but that was obviously not to his liking as he stalked off to his own space.  

Female on the left and male on the right. 

Lucky sighting? Not quite, Isle of Skye Wildlife Tours spot!

24th April 2013

Not all wildlife sightings bring a smile to my face. . . My local pair of Golden Eagles drifted over my house yesterday morning. They were there hanging in the sky when I got home too, one passing each side of the house. And again this morning they passed by my bedroom window . . . One of them should be on a nest at the moment, so it sadly looks like their breeding attempt for this year has failed. Not sure if it was the bad weather of recent weeks but that's the likely cause.

23rd April 2013

Had some work to do around the house so stayed in yesterday.

That didn't stop me staring wistfully out of the window from time to time however. Just as well really as this young Sea Eagle decided to fly over the house. Just had time to grab the camera and get a shot. 

As you can see it didn't seem to be expecting some madman with a camera to appear below it and seems to be giving me a rather disdainful look!

22nd April 2013

A Little Gull appeared at Staffin the other day - I actually forgot I'd seen this Skye rarity until today when I reviewed my photos of the week !!

18th April 2013

No Tour today so what did I do with my "day off"? . . . Well I went out looking for wildlife of course! 

The weather was still wet and cloudy but this was a trip with personal objectives. I slowed the minibus slightly as I passed the Otter but didn't stop. I'm never complacent seeing such stunning wildlife but I know her well and will catch up with her another day. 

Today was about the adventurers, the vanguard of Spring's migration. And there was the first, in the scrub by the Kylerhea slipway, a Willow Warbler, the first the reach Skye's shores this year. Not long after I saw my first Swallows and a solitary Sand Martin, again the first arrivals on Skye have been reported today . . . . And OK, although I rudely dismissed the Otter earlier I took delight in watching a male Merlin hunting Meadow Pipits (unsuccessfully). . . And then there was the Golden Eagle, first seen when I searched the skies to see what had spooked a roost of gulls. He appeared later circling low so I went to get the scope - and of course he'd disappeared when I returned moments later. I wondered why such a leisurely fellow had gone so quickly . . . the answer came seconds later as I saw him vanish over the horizon dangling a rabbit.

16th April 2013

Over 18mm of rain, average wind speeds of 50mph gusting to 60mph (storm force 10), low cloud, poor visibility . . . today's Tour was always going to be a bit of a challenge! I love sharing the fantastic wildlife this island has to offer but it's part of the job taking on the elements and sometimes you have to admit defeat . . . . . but not today . . . . well not quite. 

Skye's waterfalls were at their magnificent best and we even had our famous upwards falls at times with the wind blowing the water straight back up the cliffs and into the sky. Gannets were fishing Kyle Rhea. A lone Whooper Swan continues to both concern and delight me. 

The seals didn't care and eyed us from the loch. A Raven peaked from it's lofty nest. . . . And the family of Otters gave us fantastic views as the fished and frolicked in the waves . . . And I was relieved we'd seen something special, and called it a score draw with Mother Nature!

13th April 2013

Another stunning view of a Sea Eagle today. No wing tags on this one and it's a sub-adult with a little dark fringing still on its tail feathers. One of the many young birds congregating in central Skye at the moment.

11th April 2013

And quite often the Sea Eagles, in particular, give us a really close flypast.

10th April 2013

Despite having had snow the day before yesterday, spring has definitely arrived with the first violets appearing.

Fulmars are back on their breeding grounds and were making lots of noise today.

2nd April 2013

Interesting tour today . . . clear bright blue skies and sunshine always make spotting flying birds difficult, plus the heat haze spoils the image through the scope. 

Oh and with this weather I also caught the sun a little - occupational hazard I suppose being out in the beautiful Scottish Spring weather. 

But enough of my complaining Just the three eagles today, all a little distant. Two perched Goldens refusing to fly, and a single Sea Eagle gaining both height and distance. 

But good views of Seals, Great-Northern and Red-Throated Divers, Black Guillemot, Eider, Little Grebe. A good day despite the weather!