At the start of last month we were asking "Where are all the ospreys?" There were fears that many would not return.
Well things changed in early April and there was a rush of ospreys arriving.
On 2nd April there was great joy when EJ arrived, a bit late but looking magnificent. Then very unusually early on 6th April Odin arrived in the dark something I do not think we have seen before. Then they were off for another breeding season which initially went smoothly except for a pine marten having dug a hole in the nest.
However late in the month the coupled have been plagued by intruders who have made life difficult for them. The last time that EJ suffered a really bad intrusion was 2004 when she was fiercely attacked each morning. This came to an end with an egg being broken. Fortunately history has not repeated itself yet.
The new female at Loch of the Lowes produced a few surprises and quite a few people were convinced that she was Lady. However with time it became clear that she was most likely to be the female who occupied the nest for a week in 2013.
At Dyfi Blue 24 put in an appearance on April 7. To the great delight of his fans Monty arrived later in the day. Monty was not so keen to entertain Blue 24 this year and when Glesni arrived early on April 9 Blue 24 was seen off quickly.
Glaslyn has been rather sad this year. It is now clear that the legendary 11 (98) is not coming back. The Glaslyn female has had a succession males (including her son Blue 80) but none of them have stayed long. Remarkably she has laid three eggs but it has all been rather strange.
At Kielder the news has been excellent. Three successful nests so far and one (nest 2) is a four egg nest. The two tracked Kielder birds continue to do well.
On 6th April there was the most amazing news from Manton Bay, Rutland. Both Maya and Blue 33 returned. Maya was nearly three weeks late compared to 2014 and many people were very worried for her.
Then later in the month there was news from site B Rutland that the grandson of 3 (97) had attempted to evict grandpa. Well grandpa managed to hold on to his nest but the first clutch of eggs were broken. Remarkably a second clutch has now been laid. A very rare occurrence.
The tracked birds Blue XD, Green J and Beatrice all made it home safely.
The Bassenthwaite chick White 14 has started his migration north. Still no sign that Breagha will do the same but surely he must be on his way soon.
So a greatly transformed situation with lots to look forward to in the coming months.
Tiger Signature
So the whole atmosphere has changed. I guess that clock watching is the order of the day.
How long before EJ has to decide to go fishing?
How many days did 03's mate go without fish?
I am wondering about these intruders .....
Do they only try to take over a nest/mate (regardless of eggs) when there is still time for them to breed and raise chicks?
I am wondering this because if there are chicks present, would an intruder still attempt a takeover?
Karen W said: I am wondering about these intruders ..... Do they only try to take over a nest/mate (regardless of eggs) when there is still time for them to breed and raise chicks? I am wondering this because if there are chicks present, would an intruder still attempt a takeover?
Intruding goes on after chicks hatch. Blue 12 scared the life out of poor Ceulan in 2012.
Thanks Tiger. Bad enough with eggs, but chicks .... doesn't bear thinking about.
Karen W said: Thanks Tiger. Bad enough with eggs, but chicks. Doesn't bear thinking about.
Thanks Tiger. Bad enough with eggs, but chicks. Doesn't bear thinking about.
The problem is that ospreys do not think like humans. They want a good nest, a partner and they want it NOW
So will the intruding male kick the egg out of the nest?
Well maybe not. It is probably too late in the season to go for a second clutch so maybe the new male might setttle for being a surrogate father.
There is a precedent. S18 and Green J in 2001.
I thought I remembered reading about this happening. It's still only a remote possibility, though, isn't it?
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Clare Bailey said: I thought I remembered reading about this happening. It's still only a remote possibility, though, isn't it?
I know she was a peregrine but S2 settled for being a surrogate mum at De Mortel in 2007.
We just do not know.
There was a case of a peregrine raising a brood of three herring gulls on the south coast last year. You never know what happens next with nature.