THE LOCH GARTEN OSPREY GABFEST FOR MAY, 2016

EJ's first chick is due any time  now, but not yet.  She is still sitting on three eggs.  She did get up just a moment ago and I could very clearly see three eggs.  In this snippit sheis just settling back in.

Finally I get to see TWO birds.  I trust that one is EJ and the near one is Odin.  I can't tell if either of them is mantling but they both seem to be on alert.  A bird is calling nearby.  At first I thought it a crow with its hoarse CAW.  But now it sounds very aggressive almost like a dog growling.  I never heard a crow make a sound like that.  Then the calls became lower (more distant) then silence, so I guess it has flown away.

Not been able to post over the last week as looking after two jobs one in Antikyra and the other at Korinthos and travelling between both. Settled in Piraeus for a bit of luxury rest now before flying home.

My I Phone connected to TIGER's pages has kept me in the news of Ospreys as I can look in during the drive between sites.

It appears that EJ has her first chick since 22 May 2014 her last hatching which I estimate around 725 days ago. I am assuming that was Blue AN8 (DRURIE). I had a look this morning and she was slightly raising herself and paying attention to what looked like a little head.

Good morning, Keith.  If you got a glimpse of a little head, you were lucky.  I've stayed up late to watch, but saw nothing of the new one.  I was just coming on to post the news from Facebook, but you beat me to it.  I'm very hopeful of a successful season and anxious for my first glimpse of our wee bobblehead -- tomorrow!

My geography fails me completely, as I have not heard of any of the places you name, but they sound Greek.  I'll have to google the map. Again, tomorrow.

Checking the Dyfi website this morning I discovered (rather late, since we were out yesterday from mid afternoon) that Clarach (2R, a 3-year old female from the Dyfi nest) visited the Glaslyn nest yesterday for several hours and again early this morning and she was not chased away by either resident Osprey.  Oddly, neither of the resident pair seemed particularly upset about her being there.  Clarach even managed to take a fish from the Glaslyn male, Aran, leaving the Glaslyn female hungry!  Amazing!  The rush of Osprey lovers to watch the Glaslyn live streaming site apparently crashed it for a time, but it was fine a short time ago.  

OK I boomeranged! Couldn't resist one last peek before retiring.  Found Odin on the nest , watched them for a few minutes and caught Oden preparing for takeoff.

After he left EJ partially raised herself and I think I caught a glimpse of our bobblehead.  But nothing was clear on my snippit so no need to post it.

And first chick at Manton Bay - Rutland.

And it now appears the beloved Blue 2R (Clarach) may also become a nuisance that is not needed. The Life of Ospreys.

Well as soon as I get home I will be heading for a few local osprey sites.

I did not go back and forward up the A9 so much to Loch Garten last year because of the status of the nest but hope to get back and forth more often this season.

I am so thrilled, I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.  I couldn't help but jump up and down in my chair and clap my hands!  I have just watched as Odin flew in with a fish, EJ got up and they shared company side by side for a while. Finally he started feeding her new baby.  Only then when the chick moved to receive its food could I really tell it from the eggs and eggshells it was lying among.   Oh it is so beautiful I am in tears as I write.. Odin flew away. and EJ continued feeding.

    Yes, I get emotional.  What would be the point in watching if I didn't care?

     And to think this is our first chick in two years.  I am so thankful and pray that all continue to go well and that I can cry at her/his successful migration come fall.