Keith and Ann closed last month with some lovely chat and osprey news. It is this kind of coverage that we must have if The Gabfest is to be able to continue.
The Gabfest does have a purpose - a reason for being. That purpose is to educate about wildlife in general and ospreys in particular. We do that by following the osprey we care about with pictures and narrative, and by entertaining ourselves with other topics of interest to us. If we are interested others probably will be also. They will thus be drawn to our site where they will get to know the osprey we love.
Pictures are not necessary to make an interesting post. I was hooked before I ever saw a cam simply by reading the entries on The Main Blog. They did not use pictures then. Through the years many Gabbers have added to our thread with simple observations and comments.. The posts of one Gabber in particular are greatly missed. SUGAR'S early morning observations of the Loch Garten nest were a joy to read.
It is to be hoped that we can have many reports, comments and observations this summer, both with and without pictures, as we enjoy the antics of our favorite osprey.
But another question, Keith. How does this dastardly deed affect the overall osprey picture? Was it a matter of survival for Glesni & family? Probably not. Surely Monty could have easily caught his own fish. As to the survival of one lone, homeless female, she may be hungry for a while, but she too can catch more. Her ability to raise a family depends not on this one fish, but on her ability to find a suitable mate and a nest. Yes, I do feel sorry for Blue 24 on all counts.
At the moment she (Blue 24) wants a nest and particularly the Dyfi nest.
Who she shares it with does not matter and again that could be Dai Dot or Monty or AN Other.
Don't feel for her if she could send Glesni packing she would do so and as for Monty he would just continue with Blue 24.
The Life of Ospreys.
She is still a relatively young female and has learnt much in her young life - just a wee bit unfortunate her cousin the same age got to the nest first and that there is not enough males to go around. That will change.
We have also learnt so much more about these birds in the short time since Blue 24 was a chick on Nest O - Her dad was a rascal also (Maroon AA).
I think you ae being optimistic in stating the male-female ratio will change, or do you have scientific info to back that?
As I have no additional information and tend to be pessimistic, I take a wait and see attitude and hope for the best. The best of course being an even distribution of male and female and nests. Then of course plenty of fish for all.
Summer time, and the livin' is easy. FISH ARE JUMPIN' and the cotton is high, Oh, your Daddy's rich and your Ma is good-lookin', so hush, little baby, don't you cry.
A little music is always a good thing, in my opinion. SUMMERTIMESUMMERTIME from "Porgy and Bess" a lovely slow, lazy, warm song to dispel the recent snow at Loch Garten.
So Willow, Ann and any other readers - What are Your thoughts, opinions and FEELINGS regarding Monty and his unusual treatment of Blue 24?
For natural colonisation you rely on males returning to their natural birthplace which is not happening yet in Wales.
Females will wander in from outside their natural birthplace attracted by the nesting male and a ready made nest.
This is very early days of natural colonisation of Wales.
I have no scientific evidence but the fact more male chicks are migrating from the 4 welsh nests there is more chance of returns in years to come. Lets hope there is an abundance of male chicks to fledge this year.
The one prosperous nest where males did make it home they did not come back to Wales but spread around Kielder and Threave and Lakes further north. Maybe they explored Wales first and did not like it so wandered.
Remember this happened in Scotland sixty years ago but it is a fine balance now.
June and Keith, Fingers crossed for White 14! I have my favourites, too, and he is one. The others are probably my favourites because they are the first I followed on webcams (EJ and Odin at LG, Lady at LOTL and her successors), some because we saw them in person (Rutland's Manton Bay Ospreys since 2013), and others because of their amazing and dramatic soap-opera lives (Monty and Glesni and their offspring and Blue 24). And also Mr Rutland, and those at Glaslyn, and the list grows all the time! While it would be lovely to think that Ospreys are monogamous and faithful, it seems that they instead are opportunistic and pragmatic! When I read the Dyfi post about Monty mating with Blue 24, then stealing her fish and taking it to Glesni, it really made me laugh! Monty is only hedging his bets and ensuring that there is a stand-in partner, should anything dire happen to Glesni. Survival of the fittest (or perhaps the wiliest?) Perhaps it is only once a species becomes 'civilised' that there is excess food and spare time in which to invent morality, manners and standards of behaviour. But then again, considering the news, we are not there yet either!
Kind regards, Ann
June, You may or may not know that Blue 24 visited the Glaslyn nest a day or two before Monty stole her fish, and while there she stole the fish that the Glaslyn female had left on the nest! All's fair, as they say!
Ann, no I was not aware of Blue 24's visit to the Glaslyn nest.,but that is not Glesni I think. (I need a map and to do more homework.) But Monty's escapade did bring a slight smile to my face (no chuckles) and the two episodes together are even funnier, but still no chuckles :).
June, Glaslyn is in northwest Wales while the Dyfi Estuary is in west Wales. I've forgotten, but I think Emyr at Dyfi said they are 30-some miles apart with mountains in between. Blue 24 took less than an hour to fly between the two nests, and Emyr said it takes an hour or more to drive between the two. Blue 24 has visited the Glaslyn nest several times this year. The former resident male at Glaslyn did not return last year and several males fought to take over that nest. One male finally succeeded and although it was very late in the season, he and the resident female managed to hatch and fledge some chicks (2?-- I've forgotten). That male finally appeared this year on April 12th, so they will be a bit late this year with eggs, but not as late as last year.