(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
Oh dear. EJ & OC fending off another intruder. At least they are working together.
OC on the nest, EJ calling and lots of mantling
EJ returns to the eggs.
Is one of the eggs broken or is it just the markings?
I really don't know. Fingers crossed. We will have to wait for the next egg turn.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Chocoholix - I don't think we are any further forward with carnyx / streaming - Scylla has sent them a text today.
The one on the right Karen? I think it's just the markings, at least I hope it is.
But one way or another, I doubt these eggs stand much chance of survival now anyway
Chocoholix shiny new 2018 Interactive Osprey & Chick Chart! (with clickable links!)
Just to return to the fact that OC hasn't brought fish for EJ, in spite of apparently trying to woo her:- I wonder if it's possible that it could be a more subtle tactic - DON'T feed her, so that she becomes so hungry and leaves the nest to fish, whereupon OC would kick the eggs out of the nest - very cruel but effective.
Yes Chocoholix, the one on the right :-) Looking at Moffer's captures of the invasion - he looked to be all over them.
But time is running out and chances of their survival lessening :-(
OC may be a bit confused. He does house work, gets screamed at, tries to mate, gets pushed off, brings a headless fish (last night), gets screamed at. Helps EJ defend the nest....that's ok but don't outstay your welcome.
Birdie Num Num's brilliant DU summary 2017
It is now over 60 hours. That must be something of a record.
It is not 100% certain that the new male will kick the eggs since it is too late to have a second clutch.
He might do better accepting the eggs as his.
A prime nest and female and only got to look after some eggs.
Tiger Signature
Karen W said: Yes Chocoholix, the one on the right :-) Looking at Moffer's captures of the invasion - he looked to be all over them. But time is running out and chances of their survival lessening :-(