Double chicks blow for sea eagle 'stars' Skye and Frisa

Published on Friday 14 May 2010 23:22

TWO celebrity sea eagles who won the hearts of the nation as stars of BBC's Springwatch have suffered a double breeding blow.

While the other eight pairs of sea eagles who laid eggs on the island of Mull this season have successfully hatched chicks, TV stars Skye and Frisa's nest has failed.

Female Frisa, 18, and her partner Skye, 16, have now been taking it in turns to sit on their nest for an incredible 65 days – almost twice the normal incubation period.

But Dave Sexton, RSPB officer for Mull, said that there is now no hope of them hatching a healthy chick this season.

The first of their two eggs hatched within the usual 38-day timeframe, but the chick was too weak to survive in horrendous weather conditions.

Mr Sexton said: "We saw the adults trying to feed something, so we knew the first egg had hatched. There was much initial celebration, but that night there were really strong winds, rain and hail, and after that there was no attempt to feed, so we assume the chick died that night."

And after checking the nest at Loch Frisa yesterdayMr Sexton said: "We are beyond the realms of a miracle now, but they just can't tear themselves away and a bird is back on the nest this morning. It's heartbreaking, they're at 65 days incubation now and the normal is 38. It's a hopeless case but they are still clinging on, it's like they can't bear to stop."

Mull Eagle Watch volunteers have been keeping watch above Loch Frisa, where Britain's only sea eagle viewing hide is open to the public. Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Mull and Iona Community Trust, Strathclyde Police and volunteers work to protect the birds