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Heading north for a night at home before the final leg of my journey, I grab a quick lunch and catch up at Autumnwatch HQ. Producer Holly, Assistant Producer Nick and Researcher Becky are just as ridiculously excited about seeing these magnificent creatures. In fact Becky couldn't sit still!

Having not slept a second (basically too excited) I swing into action Wednesday morning ready to hit the road to Mull. Not too far for me, but still a six hour drive to the ferry in Oban before crossing to the island. However, the start of what was expected to be a normal, long, tedious journey soon turned into an unusually stunning one as I hit the central Lake District.

Golden beech leaves rippling in the breeze, the odd red squirrel bouncing across the narrow roads and the mirror-like lakes reflecting the ancient Cumbrian woodland in its full autumn glory. Biased I know, but it was nothing less than stunning and to be honest, I didn't fancy driving straight past. But I was on a mission, one I'd waited a long time for. If only the Lakes had sea eagles.

Through Glasgow and onto Loch Lomond I was hit with the same dilemma: too beautiful to drive through. Thick, isolated rain clouds below a beaming sun were producing some unbelievable rays of light over the water. There were rainbows everywhere and after a few photos, I continued... reluctantly.

It was about 5pm that I actually landed on the island. It wasn't raining, but looked pretty grim and as I speeded off the ferry and headed for the hotel I couldn't stop glancing at every treetop expecting to see a massive bird perched, leaning into the wind.

Having literally thrown my bags into my room, I was back in the car, on a quest to set eyes on my first sea eagle. By this time the light had gone and I was definitely unable to film anything. But that wasn't stopping me. Two minutes up the main road and there was my first piece of Mull wildlife: not an eagle, but the next best thing, an otter. Chomping on a butterfish, it was far too busy to see me smiling at it 50 yards away. Something I'd expected to see this week but never imagined it taking such little time. No eagles, but already I knew this week was going to be fantastic.

Unfortunately, that was it. Despite probably being the closest I've ever been to a sea eagle, I didn't see one. But I was happy: a stonking otter five minutes after arriving was more than I expected on day one.

Thursday 9am. Getting light... but only just! The RSPB's brilliant is my man for eagles and having met up we set off towards the loch the sea eagles 'hang out'. At the moment, an unfortunate, dead red deer stag is providing them, along with other species, a source of energy-rich food up on the hill. Boy, am I excited.

On our approach two golden eagles lift from the carcass. Hovering in the wind we get a fantastic view, but still no sea eagle. Being so intent on seeing my first sea eagle, I almost forgot that these are the second and third 'goldies' I've ever seen. Ravens and hooded crows also present screaming up and down the crag side with the wind making sure the coast was clear before dropping onto the carcass to feed.

They were fantastic, but after interrogating Dave about the sea eagles' current habits, I hop out the 4x4 desperate to see one. Still nothing. Rain comes in over the loch and looks as though it's here for the day. Then I spot something on a tree near the water's edge: it's either a massive pine cone or a big bird. Binoculars reveal... MY FIRST SEA EAGLE!

It's an adult and it's enormous. I've never seen a bird like it. Staring at it I almost forget my job to film. Rushing round the car to get the camera out, it thankfully stays put until I hit the record button. After a couple of shots of it perched, it takes off and flies straight passed at the same level. I thought they were big perched but with their wings outstretched, they are ridiculously large. I can't believe I'm looking at an actual wild Scottish sea eagle. It's incredible!

After it flew off I saw a further three individuals cruising around. It was certainly an amazing morning. I couldn't stop telling people what I had experienced. Definitely the luckiest 21-year-old around.

As I write, it's evening and I'm sitting in the bar with five days of the shoot left. What can top this? A grizzly bear maybe?

Watch Autumnwatch on 4 November to see more on the sea eagles of Mull.