Daily Update (LG Nest) Friday, April 9, 2010

I hope you don't mind my doing this: just in case  any of you have not thought to 'check' in on the Official Blog

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richard thaxton

Posted on Friday, 9 April 2010 at 15:53

re: DIY, Sunshine and the case of the stolen fish...-->A few answers;

Yes cam is down I'm afraid, power problems this morning, finally restored to Centre by 11am but cam still down, have taken steps to get it re-booted. Please be patient.

Re. pine marten. We're intrigued by what some of you saw, in the wee small hours. The nightshift didn't see anything, they were resting. Actual round the clock watching of the nest starts once eggs have been laid - not much fun watching an empty nest! The marten must have been quiet as it wasn't heard over the nest microphone and didn't stir the volunteers, who will now be cursing, having missed it.

Such incidents have probably happened before, more than we know. Only now, with an infra-red camera can we see such nocturnal goings-on. EJ and Odin were presumably roosting elsewhere, not far away in dead trees 100m of so from the nest. Had they been closer they might have flown back to the nest to repel all boarders.

You're worried, I can tell from your comments, but whilst it isn't unknown for martens to visit and even predate eggs and chicks of birds, even large birds like ospreys, I think it would be exceptional for this to happen when a determined, feisty, broody, vigilant female osprey like EJ on the nest incubating. She would likely here it climbing up the tree, her alarm might well prove enough to spook the marten, and she would likely take action to drive it away if it did reach the nest cup.  Also, her alarm would I'm sure, stir Odin from his slumber and bring him into the fray too.  Yes, it could happen, but let's not dwell on possible negative outcomes eh?  

Making the nesting tree marten-proof would be nigh-on impossible, they are very agile, adept climbers, and can jump well too, from tree to tree, so all surrounding trees would need to be proofed as well to try to be effective. And in any case, such action would require us to be out at the tree for quite some time, likely taking many, many hours.,even just trying to make it secure, all at a time when EJ and Odin are settling-in, nest building and courting.  Disturbance now might cause them to reconsider nesting here at all. Better the gamble is taken, and we leave them to it.

Cirrus, Thanks for that I for one would not have though to check the other blog!  Good Girl!! A voice of reason is our Richard.  But nevertheless I suppose no matter how worried we get it is NATURE working.   Sad though it can be quite cruel.

Cirrus thanks so much, I have been looking in at the official blog all day and was just about to switch off when your post arrived.  Richard is a marvel isn't he.  I bet he could do without problems on the web cam when they must be so busy there.

EJ and Odin on the nest (still camera) ... does that look like a fish EJ has?

DjoanS thank you for your pics.  I think it looks like an eel or perhaps a pine martens tail!! :(((

Tish said:

DjoanS thank you for your pics.  I think it looks like an eel or perhaps a pine martens tail!! :(((

tish     awww love that! :) :) :)

Do not be surprised if you get a visit from the pine marten rights people.

Hazel b said:

DjoanS thank you for your pics.  I think it looks like an eel or perhaps a pine martens tail!! :(((