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
The only good thing that could possibly come out of this disaster would surely be if EJ were able to raise another chick (or chicks), regardless of the father - after all, they WOULD be EJ's - but as Olliebeak says, it would probably be too late now, wouldn't it?
Just read Mike's reply on previous page - thanks for info.
Glesni at DOP laid her 1st egg May 22nd (I think) 2013 so not impossible but she has to find a mate, bond and lay eggs in such a short period of time.
I'm sure Tiger will have a view on this when he's about.
Birdies LG DU update.
Scylla, thank you for the recording. I just watched all over again.
Heartbreaking to watch EJ removing the chick (my feed was frozen at that time).
I really hope OC has gone fishing now that he has fulfilled his mission
Chocoholix shiny new 2018 Interactive Osprey & Chick Chart! (with clickable links!)
He returned and tried to mate but got short shrift and has flown.
So he's not gone fishing then...
OC flies in and tries to mate. EJ isn't having any of it.
Birdie Num Num's brilliant DU summary 2017
EJ has flown. OC is posing.
Initially together and then as stated OC poseing.