Delight as first eagle chick of year appears on Scots isle

Conservationists hope second egg will hatch within days

Mull was abuzz with excitement yesterday at news of the birth of the first whitetailed eagle of the year.

The rare birds of prey – Scotland’s most protected birds – are a huge draw for the Hebridean island and, through tourism and birdwatching trips, are estimated to generate about £5million for its economy.

Conservationists were also delighted to see behaviour displayed by the eagle pair, Iona and Fingal, which confirmed the presence of a second egg.

The chick and paternal activities were spotted from themull Eaglewatch hide by countryside rangers. The second egg is expected to hatch any day.

Sue Dewar, white-tailed eagle ranger withmull and Iona ranger service, said: “We are thrilled to bits at the news and we are keeping our fingers crossed that all goes well with the remaining egg. It was on Wednesday afternoon that we first witnessed Iona, the female adult, bending her headdownandgently feeding the chick.

“Tiny morsels of food were torn off by her huge beak and were delicately fed to her new chick.

“Iona was also very careful to keep her talons well out of the way so as not to put the chick in anydanger. The new arrival is great news for the birds and also formull as so many people come to witness these massive and magnificent birds."

For the past 38 days, the adult birds have taken turns in incubating the eggs, sitting very low on the nest.

RSPB Mull officer Dave Sexton added: “While breaking out of the egg is one of the toughest parts of an eagle's life, the next 10 days is also critical as they must be brooded by an adult at all times to avoid hypothermia. So Mull Eagle Watch and the CCTV will still be running 24/7 to ensure Fingal and Iona and their new family are not disturbed in any way."

Rangers are extremely cautious about people getting too close and are constantly on the lookout for egg collectors or overzealous photographers. Two people were prosecuted and fined last year at Oban Sheriff Court for disturbing nesting eagles on Mull.

HIGH-FLIER: White-tailed eagles attract many conservationists and tourists to Mull every year