Meet the Model – Wallace the White-Tailed Sea Eagle
by Graham Stewart
Say hello to Wallace , the White-Tailed Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Habitat:
Was declared extinct in the UK in 1918. The species was re-introduced in Scotland in 1975, numbers have increased slowly and in 2015 there were some 106 pairs
Size:
This is the UK’s largest bird of prey measuring between 66-94cm long with a wing span of between 1.78 – 2.45m
Nest:
A large pile of sticks on a cliff ledge or in a flat tree crown. As the birds are territorial the nest can be reused year after year.
Reproduction:
Reaches maturity from 4-5 years old and will mate for life. 1 Brood per year, 2 eggs March – July. Due to there relatively low numbers nest sites are protected.
Diet:
Will take dead / sick fish from the water with its talons. Fish offal left behind by fishermen. Known to take Hares and Sea Birds and there are some suggestions that baby lambs are also within this powerful birds capabilities. The bird is also known to “pirate” food from other birds and from otters. During the winter months when food sources are scarcer will also take carrion.
Threats:
Egg thieves, poisoning / shooting by game keepers and more recently wind turbines
All photography © Graham Stewart
hello ,
great pix , did you use a hide , if so where and can i hire it
Hi Claire. I actually was lucky enough to see this on a boat trip from Portree on the Isle of Skye. There are several operators that do the trip but can never guarantee you will see them. Taking photos from a moving boat was a little more tricky than I had originally imagined!
WOW , great photo’s , can’t wait to see more !!
хороший мой друг , yes
Great photos can’t wait to see more of your work.
Synthia
Awesome pictures 👌 great read
great photo
WOW
hello,
stunning photo’s Graham where can i see more…
fantastic photo’s , are there more online ?
FAB PHOTOS
stunning photos