(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
OC I think, and off he goes after the OTHER?? intruder??
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
OC is clearly defending the nest now and must be on a perch nearby as at the slightest thing, he is on the nest. Unfortunately this means there is little chance of him going fishing!
Chocoholix shiny new 2018 Interactive Osprey & Chick Chart! (with clickable links!)
"Birds are, quite simply, little miracles - and as such they require care and consideration."
Magnus Ullman
My Flickr account is here
I see Birdie Num Num is logged on maybe we will get some news from her visit today.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
How much longer can EJ hold on, it is agonising watching her. :-(
Unknown said: Do you think when she is food calling it could be because she sees odin. Every time she calls an intruder comes.
Do you think when she is food calling it could be because she sees odin. Every time she calls an intruder comes.
Birdie Num Num's brilliant DU summary 2017
Hazel b said: In 2001 S18 came back to find his good wife green J sitting eggs that said wife made with a Norwegian toy boy. Now S18 evicted the toy boy but accepted the eggs.
In 2001 S18 came back to find his good wife green J sitting eggs that said wife made with a Norwegian toy boy. Now S18 evicted the toy boy but accepted the eggs.
Thanks Tiger. As you say, slightly different scenario involving a returnee to his own nest and mate, rather than a nest takeover, but interesting to know that it can happen at all.
It sounds like this may be a rare exception too - if it is as long ago as 2001 and we cannot think of any other times males have accepted existing clutches of other ospreys' eggs.
I thought there might have been a small update under the circumstances. Also wondering if they have managed to read the blue ring.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
Hurry back Odin, I can't keep away! Im hooked on watching to find out what happens next! It keeps us on the edge of our seats! Where oh where could he be! If he does come back will Ej except him or will he have to fight off Oc?