WHITE-TAILED eagles on Scotland’s west coast have been observed in “unprecedented” behaviour which has stunned scientists.
While the parents supported the chick, its wing continued to heal and it finally took flight with a wonky wing in the autumn, but locals did not hold out much hope for it surviving the winter, the wildlife charity said.But RSPB Mull officer Dave Sexton was onboard the Lady Jayne, run by Mull Charters, for an early season monitoring check, when he witnessed an “incredible sight”.
“I was astounded to see this behaviour which was new to me despite four decades of watching white-tailed eagles in the field. “For the adults to be tolerating the youngster and tending to it, well into a new breeding season, is unprecedented in my experience. White-tailed eagles, nick-named flying barn doors because of their 8ft wingspan, became extinct in Britain in the early 20th century due to human persecution but were successfully reintroduced in Scotland from the 1970s, and in the last few years have been released the Isle of Wight.