THE LOCH GARTEN GABFEST FOR MAY, 2017

EJ seemed restless when I snapped this a few minutes ago.

Unknown said:

I'm afraid to make a flatout statement on this. My notes aren't this extensive and my memory isn't nearly as keen as B&B's, but wasn't Odin caught up in a fishing net at one time.?  And was that when they placed several fish on the nest to tide them over. I distinctly remember that they once did that, I believe while he was still missing.  No maybe after, because their reasoning was that the problem was caused by human interference, therefore it was OK  for human interference to save the day.

KEITH, I'm sure you remember this and maybe you can tell the story straight.

Your memory is Very Good.

Yes that was 2009 and was the first year we saw Odin.

There were 3 chicks in the nest at the time eldest was 12 days old and the youngest 8 days old.

Well it was a success and we waved goodbye to ROTHES | MALLACHIE | GARTEN over the weeks of August.

Regarding Intervention - Emyr Evans (Dyfi Project Manager) has written an excellent well balanced appraisal on this last night on a FB Page and an appraisal I well support.

However what decision is made I respect. It is the SNH view on what is regarded as intervening is that I would question. 

Keith where might we find that Appraisal

Unknown said:

Keith where might we find that Appraisal

It is under the comments on Ospreys (Pandion Halieatus) after Tigers post  "There are concerns at LG this morning"

This is a closed group so you may not be able to access it.

FISH DELIVERY OF A DIFFERENT KIND from 2009.

FRESH FROM TESCO

Thanks Keith agree with the sentiment. I find it very difficult when for tourism and donation gathering and volunteer gathering you beam around the world and then say no we are now going to stand back and do nothing and watch you perish in the harsh times but it needs a purpose 

I posted this on Daily update but on the subject of intervention and what others deem to be correct or not.  As I have been getting on with chores I have been thinking we as humans have evolved over many many years and through those years we have been goodies and baddies and make ourselves self appointed spokespeople for a number of issues and debates and we try to convince others how we feel.  Sometimes people come along who just want to try and do the right thing in the moment for animals and birds who can't help themselves- I believe Ems at Dyfi is one of them and there are others.  Last year or maybe year before I remember Peter Cairns put out an urgent request for a tree climber to come to his private land where an osprey nest had collapsed completely as the female and her eggs were on it.  Many would have said "oh that's nature in the raw there is always next year and they can build again no intervention" (I may have been one of them).  However Peter didn't and that next day they rebuilt the nest for that pair of Ospreys.  The eggs were lost but in the moment they did the thing that was right for creatures who couldn't help themselves. We could learn a lot from some people, or have we completely lost our compassion and our ability to help

Quote by Keith:     " However what decision is made I respect"    Thanks Keith and Lmac  for all your  comments. All very interesting and informative. I pick up on one small  sentence by Keith for my own comment.

I too support whatever decision "they" make for several  reasons.. 1. They are right there, face to face with the situation, while I am an ocean & half a continent away.  2. They are all "experts" to varying degrees, from volunteers to warden/reserve manager.  (Not sure of the proper title or who holds the position now).  I know in the past they have consulted with other outside experts in times of crisis.  3. Regardless of their own personal attachment to or feelings for each osprey involved, they are all human beings with feelings and as such must deal  with very tough emotional situations..

Under such conditions who am I to question motives and final decision.  Yes, whatever they decide I will believe it is the best one available and support that decision 100%.

                         

EJ never started off breeding life very well.

As a four year old at a previous nest (Not LG) she shared with Orange VS in Aviemore (2001) she lost her clutch of eggs robbed by Pine Martins.

In 2002 she reared her first chick at this same nest but in 2003 she was in a battle her self and lost this nest to another female Green 7B. She had already laid eggs which 7B covered in nesting material.

This brought her to Loch Garten (June 2003)and met Henry but in 2004 it was her old partner Orange VS who met her first at LG. Henry sorted him out and a few other intruders. Henry/EJ reared 3 chicks.

Over the years she has seen her battles from the LG Nest. I am sure you are all familiar with the story from then on including all the AWOL over the years from Henry |Orange VS |EJ |Odin.

Let us hope this is not her last breeding season ending as it started.