Good afternoon.
Here is the latest osprey news from Loch Garten.
Thank you and goodbye.
All quiet on the nest-ern front...
Yes, things have gone very quiet on the osprey front over the last few days (is it possible to get quieter than NO ospreys?). Well, even the new kids on the block, CT6 and her unringed male, haven't been spotted since early this week, suggesting they may have headed south for the winter. Now is about the time that ospreys start to head off on migration, spurred on by the slowly shortening days and colder temperatures. So, for those of you reading this south of the border, the coming few weeks are a great time to keep your eyes on the skies. If you happen to glance up at any point to see a large, long-winged bird soaring past, don't instantly dismiss it as a buzzard or gull (not that there's anything wrong with buzzards or gulls - some of my best friends are buzzards and gulls), grab your binoculars and take a closer look...you never know! Migrating ospreys are creatures of habit and if they find good stopping points on their journey they may well use them year after year. This means that if you do spot one near you this Autumn, there's every chance that you'll spot them again next year! We normally see quite a few ospreys around Loch Garten as they pass by on the start of their migration so over the next couple of weeks there may be a few sightings to share with you.
We suspect (and hope) that our very own female, EJ, left on migration slightly early this year and is already well on her way to Africa (or Southern Europe, Valerie). We are already waiting expectantly for next Spring to see if she finds her way back to us again. At 20 years old and facing the prospect of having to find a new mate, she may decide to just retire permanently to a life in the sun. And who could blame her? If, for any reason, she doesn't reappear next year, that's how I'll imagine her: perched on a branch overlooking a beautiful mangrove swamp, the sun streaming down on her feathers and a large fish clutched in her talons.
There is still lots of wildlife activity around the centre. Crested tits have become much more regular visitors to our feeders, providing some great views and photo opportunities. They do, however, have an incredible knack of disappearing everytime anyone declares an interest in seeing them! So, if you are planning to visit us to see or photograph these amazing little birds, I would recommend pretending that you're just here for the chaffinches (this also does wonders for the chaffinches self-esteem). Red squirrels continue to be plentiful and it keeps amazing me just how varied in colour they are. Some have bright white tails whereas some are almost black. I even saw a bright yellow one once, although this may have been a siskin...my ID skills aren't great. The young buzzards, recently fledged from the nearby nest, have been making a racket over the past few days as they fly back and forth over the forest calling to their parents for food. I'm tempted to tell them to be quiet and get their own food but, having only left home at the age of 20 myself, I feel that this would be slightly hypocritical...
Three's a crowd? Red squirrels enjoying our feeder.
Next week we have some great activities on at the centre. On Tuesday we have a Forest Fairy Folk event, with activities and crafts for families to enjoy. If you're really lucky (and quiet) you might even glimpse a fairy among the trees. I saw one just yesterday, a bright yellow one, flitting through the forest, although, in hindsight, this may have been a siskin again (blast those ID skills!). Fergus has been waiting all season to don his fairy wings and tiara so he's VERY excited about our fairy event. Later in the week we are again running our Twit-Twoo Thursday (I can't remember which day this is on...) where budding scientists can dissect owl pellets, discovering the bones of mice, voles, shrews and who knows what else! Aside from this, there are also activities and presentations available every day of the week so come and see us soon. The centre will close on Sunday the 3rd of September so time is fast running out for a visit. Even with no ospreys I promise you''ll have a great time!
The forest fairy folk may well be out and about on Tuesday...will you?