Jonathan: Remember my post about the Golden Eagle with a taste for Chicken Breakfast?  Well, it seems he was literally caught in the act!  No, not on CCTV, or wildlife camera, but by our guest at Carrick – The Blue House.  Shona Grant, who … well she can speak for herself:

Already it seems a while since I was on Eriskay already though it’s only just over a week! The house was lovely to stay in as always and I got some good photos. As you say, a real mixed bag of weather. I’m not sure if you have noticed but you are missing a black hen. I was having breakfast one morning and saw a Golden Eagle sit on the garden fence post, then it swooped out of view down to the byre and returned with the hen. I managed to take a few photos of it before it flew further away from the house. Quite something to see! I was surprised to see it so close to the house.

Although clearly we’re upset to lose one of our valuable pure-bred Welsumer hens, I have to say that a photo as exceptional as this does go some way to compensate!  Well done Shona for both keen observation and quick response … and all between mouthfulls of breakfast.  We’ve hoped that the panoramic windows looking out over the croft would bring wildlife within reach of the comforts of home, but never had quite this in mind!

Golden eagle with hen: Carrick – The Blue House, Isle of Eriskay. Feb 16. Photo by Shona Grant