For as long as sea eagles have occupied the British Isles, the Isle of Skye has been a stronghold for these magnificent birds. The island's long indented coastline, rugged sea cliffs and scattered seabird colonies have provided a great attraction. In 1871, the naturalist R. Gray wrote "Nearly all the bold headlands of Skye are frequented by at least one pair of sea eagles." When persecution and egg collecting ransacked the population during Victorian times ­ it was from the remote cliffs of western Skye that the last known pair was finally exterminated in 1916.

But thanks to a few determined individuals this was not the end of the story. Over a number of years from 1975 onwards, sea eagle chicks were brought from Norway and released on the Isle of Rum, to the south of Skye. Wandering youngsters soon found their way to Skye but it was not until 1987 that the first pair attempted to breed here. Since then, the Isle of Skye has once again emerged as a haven for the sea eagle, with over 20% of the established adult population now resident on the island.

On account of their large size, sea eagles have a somewhat protracted breeding season. Their aerial courtship displays and nest building can often be witnessed as early as January, though egg laying typically occurs in March with hatching taking place after a 38 day incubation in April or early May. The chicks are fed on a wide variety of items that are mostly taken live from coastal locations. On Skye the diet may include, a range of seabirds, with fulmar being the most popular, various fish species (some of which may have been stolen from otters), wading birds and a variety of mammals such as rabbits, hares, fox cubs and occasionally lambs. Predated lambs tend to be weak and in a vulnerable condition, but this does nonetheless give rise to conflicts with some crofters.

Between seven and nine weeks old the sea eagle chicks in accessible nests are fitted with a metal leg ring and a coloured wing tag to allow individual identification and assist in monitoring their movements after they leave the nest. Details of any sightings or wing tag information you gather would be gratefully received by the Sea eagle Project team managing this project. Please submit the date, time and location with details of the bird(s) seen to the Aros Centre via this web site or to the local RSPB office on 01471 822882.

The cctv viewing at Aros provides a fascinating insight into the private lives of these creatures: the tenderness with which these huge beaks feed morsels to tiny chicks; the trials and tribulations of sharing the nest with siblings; the transformation from fluffy balls to majestic eagles; the social interactions with visiting outsiders and that breath-taking moment when a youngster takes its first flight

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