Perhaps that steep learning curve all osprey chicks have to experience just got a little steeper in the last few days. Don’t worry they are all fine!
The intruders that were seen on Tuesday and Wednesday were the same ones that were around on Sunday, ie, the un-ringed male and the female, White TF.
On Tuesday evening, just after 6.30pm, Garten was happily tucking into a fish, having patiently waited her turn, when the un-ringed male landed on the nest post. Garten mantled her wings and the male swooped at her. Despite this, Garten managed to keep hold of the fish and fly off with it. Initially, the intruder chased Garten, but, then returned to the camera tree and dive-bombed Rothes. Both the intruders were away just before 8pm. At 8.13pm, EJ returned with a large fish. This was taken by the male intruder, who was sat in the nest. Garten flew into the nest and both her, and EJ, looked confused, as to what had just happened.
On Wednesday night, just after 7pm, Rothes landed on the nest and alarm-called. She was dive-bombed by an un-ringed intruder, who pulled her off the nest. Both were seen flying afterwards. The un-ringed male then sat in the camera tree, with White TF. A short time later, an osprey was seen displaying with a fish, before flying away. Two ospreys remained and dive-bombed each other. One was wearing a satellite tracker. We lost sight of them behind the trees. Just before 8pm, we saw Odin chase the intruders away and then eat the fish he had been displaying with! Just after 8.30pm, EJ appeared with a 20” brown trout, which Rothes ate. EJ then fed Mallachie and then fell asleep with the rest of the fish under her foot. Just in case…
All of this happened after the staff had left the centre, so we are, as ever, grateful to our volunteers who record everything that happens!
So far today, EJ has brought two HUGE fish and Odin has brought a smaller one. Rothes has been exploring high above the reserve. We have seen intruding ospreys, but they have kept their distance.
In answer to the question about ospreys eating bones: Bones get eaten too, the digestive juices of ospreys are strong and small soft bones like those of fish will largely be dissolved. Ospreys do though also regurgitate pellets of the less digestible materials - toughest scales and bones.
A few days a go there was a question from one of you, asking about red squirrels and what are our views, if (when) grey squirrels arrive in the Highlands and here at Abernethy, potentially threatening the existence of the reds. RSPB is supporting conservation efforts to safeguard red squirrels and the link given below is RSPB's response to Scottish Government proposals to set up a programme to prevent red squirrels being displaced by grey squirrels.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Red_squirrel_strongholds_consultation_tcm9-220673.pdf