When I woke today I noted that this was the anniversary of our family moving house many years ago. I always think of it as I associate it with the day my memory switched on. I had no idea that the 7th January is now going to be the day that we discovered that Caledonia has perished. The 2012 season at Loch Garten was traumatic in many way. It started with a strange male (Blue XD) in the nest that EJ took a real shine to. However when Odin turned up on 1st April he evicted the impostor and EJ also seemed to attack him. An uneasy peace reigned and when the egg which Caledonia hatched from was laid on 9th April it was touch and go whether Odin would brood it or kick it out of the nest. After some hesitation he accepted it and a difficult incubation began. The weather during the incubation was atrocious with endless rain. Caledonia hatched on 16 May about half an hour shy of midnight.ChloeB and I headed to Loch Garten on 19th May and amazing the weather turned brilliant and remained so for all our holiday. It was very good to visit and see three young chicks in the nest. The season continued to have its difficulties but Caledonia fledged and migrated and surprised most of us by electing to stay in Spain.Then there was the incredible joy generated when Valerie, Alison and Pip went out to visit Caledonia and found and photographed her. As the months passed I began to feel confident that she would be returning north in May 2014. Now we have this devastating news that her life is at an end. While it is hard to take I think it is best we see the good she achieved in her life accept that once again the life of a young osprey has many dangers. Caledonia your memories are burned in our hearts and it was a great privilege to share your short life.
Tiger Signature
Thanks Mike, Lowry and Lindybird.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
I am dumbstruck. I cannot believe we've lost Caledonia. I thought she was safe in Spain how wrong was I? I didn't reckon on fog either affecting them there. We'll have to wait and see if they give us anymore information re Caley's demise. I'm wondering about the trigger happy lot, was it the fog or was she shot? I hope we have a definite answer. Very sad. RIP our lovely Caledonia.
MaryGK - a lovely memorial thank you.
Marina Kyriacou
Nice to hear from you Stingray, little did we think when we met at LotL that in a few months time we would be losing both Caledonia and Blue YZ, so very sad.
lovely Mary
Yes, little did we know. I am always lurking Mary! I read about Caley last night, but was too upset to write. It's a shame they are both gone now. I am hoping though that Blue44 will make an appearance and surprise us all. Wouldn't that be lovely. (sorry not sure how to make names in bold).
Thank you very much Maureen H.
Stingray yes we have not given up hope on Blue 44, that would be a wonderful surprise if he is sighted anywhere.
devastated about Caledonia, I watched her and Alba and a lovely Osprey and never gave a thought she would not return, I had got complacent and waiting for Caledonia to return as a 2 yr old. So shocking and sad, she was doing so well. Really heart breaking for all and LG and volunteers in her life and all of us that followed and looking forward to returning. We will all miss her.
Yes Maureen H we had got used to reading the regular reports for Caledonia, frequenting her usual spots, but we forgot these beautiful birds are in constant danger no matter where they are, it was such a shock to hear such sad news.
Update from Richard on main blog