No sooner had I posted a blog up-date last evening, having just pressed the publish button, when the phone rang here in the office. It was Claire calling from the Osprey Centre to tell me an osprey had just that second landed in the tree adjacent to the nest and was tucking-in to a fish supper. Needing to see this for myself, I hurried down to the Centre, which is still in set-up disarray, but a telescope was quickly found and trained on said bird to check the leg rings and lo, there she was, EJ back again for her seventh season and appearing to be in good shape, ravenously devouring a trout.
Well, I expect you can imagine, if not feel the excitement and glee we felt. Broad smiles all around, would be putting it mildly. Euphoria more like! And relief too. You never know what birds you might get, and any of course would be great, but when you see an old friend, a reliable female turn up, it is a huge comfort and relief.
I popped in this early this morning to check up on her and there she was on the nest, already busy, scraping out the nest centre. John our trusty volunteer there on night duty told me that before I arrived she had been bringing in moss and sticks to the nest - looking like she means business. She looked absolutely glorious, on the nest bathed in the low, bright early morning sunshine.
So, who's to be her mate this year? Will the ageing VS (17 yrs) be back again, or will we get a different male.? We'll find out in days to come.
Just a reminder of what I said before, though EJ is now back, the Osprey Centre will not open for visitors until Wednesday 1st April. Please be patient. Sadly we already have had a few folk who have ignored our notice at the gate asking for restraint and patience, and wandered up to try for a peep. On this occasion, we were there to manage the situation but when we are busy with our preparations, we might not always be able to do so. However inadvertent this over-enthusiasm might be, there is always the risk that EJ and whatever male osprey arrives, might be disturbed at this crucial settling-in period. Restraint please, thanks.
Richard Thaxton - Loch Garten site manager.