Yesterday afternoon (according to those on the scene - it was among a lot of detail that we missed due to severe cam problems), the orange-chested male intruder "OC" dropped a fish onto the nest, and after a starving EJ took it away to eat it the carnage began.
In brief!
Anyone looking?
The orange-eyed destroyer. (I have to say, unfairly I know, that he has none of the "gorgeousness" of Odin the Magnificent.)
EJ returned with the tail-end of the fish, which she continued to eat despite the scene that greeted her:
EJ cleared the ground and proceeded to incubate the one egg that appears to be left intact:
The threat to the surviving egg is great:
OC won't have it easy, he may not even prevail in the longer term - the other intruders are still on the case:
To cap it all after a long and harrowing day, it seemed that EJ was disturbed, probably by the pine marten, just before midnight:
IMAGICAT
One of the cruelest acts I have witnessed for a long time! Totally heartbreaking. But ... trying to think of something positive here .... EJ can now move on and start looking after herself.
I too hope she rejects this intruder. I'm sorry but I cannot and probably will never take to him.
EJ looks distressed. I need a break ... SYL
Poor EJ what an ending for her precious eggs. Thanks for all the posts, pics videos etc. I'm not contributing much as I get too emotional, I find it hard to accept the dark side of watching ospreys :(
© Scottish Wildlife Trust - Loch of the Lowes
Yeah - I know but I'm sure we'd all prefer for her to choose 'somebody else' :-(.
Am I right in thinking there wouldn't be enough time for another egg to be successful this year .............. in which case, she's got plenty of time to fend for herself for the remainder of the season - and we all know that she's more than capable of getting her own food :).
Doasyouwouldbedoneby
Poor thing :'(
EJ is sitting in the egg cup. Surely she realises it's all over.
Unsure what to do? Grieving? EJ sits in the nest cup on the broken shell.
Birdie Num Num's brilliant DU summary 2017
I don't think she should, or will, reject him now. EJ would have continued to reject him whilst she was still incubating Odin's egg. He had to do it.
We know from past experience that the mating and breeding instinct will overcome any loyalty to a previous mate.
If he brings her a fish, which he really must now, then EJ's stance will no doubt soften I think
Chocoholix shiny new 2018 Interactive Osprey & Chick Chart! (with clickable links!)
Unknown said: Yeah - I know but I'm sure we'd all prefer for her to choose 'somebody else':-(. Am I right in thinking there wouldn't be enough time for another egg to be successful this year .............. in which case, she's got plenty of time to fend for herself for the remainder of the season - and we all know that she's more than capable of getting her own food :)
Yeah - I know but I'm sure we'd all prefer for her to choose 'somebody else':-(.
Am I right in thinking there wouldn't be enough time for another egg to be successful this year .............. in which case, she's got plenty of time to fend for herself for the remainder of the season - and we all know that she's more than capable of getting her own food :)
I think Tiger said the other day that it is 'possible' but so far she has shown no signs of allowing him to mate. She now has the ability to take care of herself as you say and let us not forget that there are other 'intruders' who could still have an influence on the outcome here. The next few days will no doubt give us a better inkling as to the future here.
Birdies LG DU update.
This is the destruction of the final egg and EJ's discovery and removal of the 'chick' (which I haven't been able to verify, my eyesight being poor).
Awful video all round.
I have to go for a while. I can't listen to EJ wittering.
This is just the saddest thing that I have ever watched. Sorry for being useless.