Laggan Farm, Isle of Mull Self Catering Accommodation

The White Tailed Sea Eagle, also known as the Erne, Sea Eagle or the White Tailed Eagle is the largest raptor in northern Europe and is more of a coast hunting species than the Golden Eagle.

The White Tailed Sea Eagle was introduced from Norway in 1975 on a full scale programme and by 1985 Scotland had successfully hatched its first chick. Since then, numerous pairs of White Tailed Sea Eagles have been hatched.

The Sea Eagle has all of the characteristics of the Golden Eagle and is quite overwhelming to see with its slow flapping flight and majestic gliding. But its biggest distinction is in the shorter wedge of the its white tail shape.

It is during the winter time that the courtship of the White Tailed Sea Eagle and nest building begins, normally high up in trees and made of sticks.

Breeding begins once a Sea Eagle has reached the age of 5 or 6 years of age. Eggs are normally laid in March and usually there are two of them. As a rule they are incubated for approximately 38 days.

Once hatched, the chicks will stay in the nest and fledge between the age of 10 and 13 weeks. They will still continue to beg for food for several months from their parents.

Fish forms a large portion of the Sea Eagles diet. They feed just like an Osprey by plunging into the water catching their fish with their sharp tallons, but they have also been seen to drop on trout within very shallow water. It is also happy to eat mammals and other birds that it can overcome, neither will it refuse any carrion.