(I am having enormous difficulty posting.)
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Foremost in our thoughts and hearts today is the status of Odin, who has been missing since before 08:00 on Tuesday morning. He was last seen taking off from the nest in pursuit of one of two male intruders, either OC (Orange Chest) or BTO (Odin lookalike, for the BTO ring on his left leg).
This is our last look at him, seconds before he flew:
(I need some help with the IDs of the 3 intruders, please correct me and I'll edit accordingly.)
All the while that we desperately worry about unseen Odin, his partner EJ is suffering before our eyes - and yesterday TWO intruders became THREE! We now have OC, BTO or OL (for Odin Lookalike), and Darvic (for the blue Darvic ring on his left leg - let's hope that the Centre can read it).
EJ has not eaten since the large, headless fish provided by Odin early on Tuesday, which she ate in instalments thru the day.
Yesterday evening OC and Darvic both intruded on EJ, sometimes overlapping with each other, and OC landed briefly on EJ's back (thank you, BIRDIE).
We hope and pray that Odin is nursing himself back to fitness and will be back today to tell these intruders where to go (Hell, for instance). But even if he returns in full health, what a difficult time is in store for him.
Besides the personal investment we have in our Gorgeous, Magnificent Odin, the implications for the nest and its osprey family don't bear thinking about - and we are only too conscious of the effect all this is having on the personnel at the Loch Garten Visitor Centre... not forgetting the prosperity of the 2015 season?
Finally - if only we could fathom why, suddenly this season, these male ospreys - three of them, no less - have chosen to invade Loch Garten!
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Please forgive the possibly de trop frames, I find it so therapeutic to concentrate on and agonise over doing them ;-)
IMAGICAT
Unfortunately, tonight we've been left on GLARE.
EJ is tired, but has just had a mini-preen:
Another note re yesterday - some members reported problems with sound, lack of or weediness - well the screen-capture version went weak yesterday too. This "yacht microphone" (Richard told us that's what it is when it went south last season due to rain) doesn't seem to like water, despite its intended usage.
The wind is coming thru loud and clear, but not EJ's voice.
EJ is awake:
But drooping, unsurprisingly:
Thanks for starting the new DU, scylla. Such a sad situation, with Odin being AWOL for so long. Really hope he comes back in the morning, in good shape. EJ'S dedication to her eggs in the current situation, has been admirable.
Have to head off to roost, so I hope to see good news when log in later.
Night night, fellow Ospreyholics.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Goodnight, HERON, glad to have seen you :-*
A very sudden take-off @ 0355:
Gone less than a minute:
Egg check @ 0420:
It's raining.
Thank You Scylla for the introduction today, I am reading it with a tear rolling down my cheek, it must have been hard for you to write it.
Hello Heron if you are still around.
I just looked at the webcam and thought it was frozen as EJ is sitting in exactly the same position I had left her last night.
Lets hope that Odin has been gathering his strength and returns to her today.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
There is a bit of a breeze this morning lets me know the cam hasn't froze as EJ has been looking over in the same direction for the last wee while, does she see someone?, hopefully it is Odin she sees.
Good morning, MARY, delighted to see you so early :-*
EJ is looking very alert.
I'm going to get a sandwich :-)
The first birdie is tweeting. Well, the first one I've noticed.
Good morning Scylla and Mary. Just going to do a camera 'trawl'.
Birdies LG DU update.
Hi MIKE!