'Old' eagles get a family

SCOTLAND'S oldest pair of sea eagles have produced two chicks only a year after they failed to breed due to their nest being disturbed.

The eggs of the sea eagles, on Mull, failed to hatch last year after their nest was photographed by a tourist while they were being incubated.

Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland Mull Officer, said: "They are both approaching 30 years old and are the oldest in Scotland. They deserve better than the treatment they got last year and I'm thrilled they are now back in business.

"Sea eagles are now a vital part of Mull's tourism industry and we'll do everything we have to to keep them safe."

A second pair of white-tailed eagles, made famous by BBC's Springwatch and Autumnwatch shows, have also had two chicks.

To avoid human disturbance, the community Mull Eagle Watch mounted a round-the clock-guard at the site, with additional help from Strathclyde Police, RSPB Scotland and Air Cadets from the 1730 (Lochaber) Squadron Air Training Corps.