THE LOCH GARTEN OSPRY GABFEST FOR JUNE, 2016

JUNE Surely even in Scotland it is summer by now. Our Loch Garten osprey family is off to a good start, with two lovely chicks, both growing like weeds as little bobbleheads seem to have a way of doing.  Already they are both, even the wee one, too steady on their feet, too well coordinated,to be called bobbleheads..  So in June we will watch as they move onward to become bigger and better.

  • Your photos are much better than mine and much closer :) I had a 300mm lense but still I couldnt take my eyes off them! B33 is something of local hero and must take the title of SuperDad alongside Monty :)

  • B33 ar first was regarded as a bit of a villain when he sent B28(10) ?? packing kicking out the eggs, when Mr 5R failed to return. He has become one of our best love males and deservedly so :)

  • Still dark at LG at 2:15 am  this midsummer night.

  • Willow, Blue 33 and 51(11) (who was instrumental in ruining Mr and Mrs Rutland's nest last year) both have 03(97)'s (Mr Rutland's) genes, so they both had/have potential!  33 succeeded in having youngsters last year and, as you say, he is turning out to be a fine Osprey, and I hope 51(11) manages it next year (and ideally with the Dyfi female he partnered this year!)  I do miss 03(97) and his partner and 5R, but 03(97) and his partner have many descendants and two of 5R's and Maya's 2013 youngsters returned this year, so they have a possible legacy there.

    Kind regards, Ann

  • Morning, June.  Not raining at LG then?  My computer is refusing to bring up the webcam.

    Kind regards, Ann

  • Good afternoon all. Gardenbirder i think 51(11) will turn out to be another fine osprey. Sadly I think he paired with 3j?? and began nesting at Manton Bay, but were desturbed by egyptian geese :( Would love to see him happily paired off for next year. Im not sure if they had eggs or not( need to check my facts LOL!)

  • Keith love the pic of the kestrel, they look so soft a look which belies the fact that they are ruthless predators! There is a place I drive through to go to work and nearly always see them hunting on the grassy banks. I witnessed one dive down and lift off again with a small mammal in its talons. Nver seen this before although i see them dive , but return empty handed!

  • 58willow - I thought the kestrel was on his own. However Chris Woods has taken some pictures on Sunday at the nest box and I understand some chicks so maybe they are his. I will ask Chris.

  • 58willow said:

    B33 ar first was regarded as a bit of a villain when he sent B28(10) ?? packing kicking out the eggs, when Mr 5R failed to return. He has become one of our best love males and deservedly so :)

    I do like your quotes and similarly I use a phrase HEROES AND VILLAINS.

    Yes he became in the eyes of some a villain in 2014 intruding at the nest and very easily chasing off 28 (10) and leaving a female sitting on three eggs.

    28 (10) in my eyes was a weak bird and we know he has a damaged wing and probably could not put up a fight to save his nest and eggs.

    I knew that the female Mrs 5R would not take any initial interest in him and it took some time for them to bond.

    Well 2015 was a good brood and so far this year also and he has gone from VILLAIN to HERO.

    He is a strong bird from good stock (Direct from 03/97) and was the only chick that year at Nest B..

    We must not forget Mrs 5R though who I believe is raising her 17th chick this year - 11 previous with 5R and I know of at least 5 that have returned from migrations all since 2010 and that includes the year of the villain 2014.

    33 was fortunate as the female on Nest B that year kept going off with an aggressive intruder 09/98. She often left the eggs unattended and possibly as a result only one hatched due to chilled eggs. So as a single chick he grew very strong and quickly.

    When he was just a young boy HERO nor VILLAIN

    (c) - Thanks to Rutland Osprey Project.