And so we come to the new year of 2018 which brings us face to face with the new 2018 Osprey Season.  This opening is so difficult to write because my thoughts and feelings are as jumbled as the drawing above.  Consequently I cannot think about the coming winter months, but find my thoughts jumping ahead to spring and the return of osprey.  But WHO??  Will it be someone we already know? Or someone who can  easily be identified?  Or some unmarked handsome hero like Odin?

Will EJ return?  Do I even want her to? YES! of course I do!!  I have been watching LG since 2008 and the nest has been the property of  EJ in all that time. Then the following year in 2009 she was joined by Odin and the couple reigned supreme ever since.  But in recent years it has become more difficult for them to defend their home and family and this summer it became impossible. Odin apparently died in the attempt.  EJ, in my opinion, later met the same fate when she followed a female intruder away from the nest and was never seen again.

For two of the past three years EJ & Odin on the Loch Garten nest have failed to produce a single fledgling.  In 2015 the eggs were destroyed.  This past spring, 2017, the newly hatched chicks starved to death when Odin failed to return and has not been seen since.  While my heart yells loud and clear that I want both Odin & EJ to return to their nest , my head tells me that maybe it is best that they do not. According to the laws of nature, it may be best for the osprey community if the popular Lock Garten nest becomes home to a younger, stronger, healthier pair.  It breaks my heart to say that. 

When the osprey's do arrive, what will happen?  Will a male & female bond, take up residence and start a reign producing healthy chicks year after year, as we have become accustomed to? Or will it be chaos and finally a nest bitterly defended.  Will all this be settled in time for a healthy brood of chicks?

We talk about the ROLLER COASTER of OSPREY WATCHING, to which there is a certain order. It starts with the long uphill ascent to the top as we wait the return of EJ, the high of her return, a dip as the wait for Odin gets increasingly stressful, then another emotional high on his arrival .  Then so on throughout the season,  ups & downs, highs and lows, joys, fears, sadness and triumphs.  Then finally at the end of the ride, it levels off into the bitter sweet inevitable migration.

But last summer the Loch Garten Osprey Roller Coaster CRASHED.  Try as I will, I cannot imagine  any kind of order for either the events at the nest or for my emotions. More like a TILT-A-WHIRL or some other small ride that goes off in all directions with lots of harsh bumps and jolts.

I have received a post on Facebook from a friend who is a long time LG Osprey observer and reader of the Gabfest but has never joined.  She is concerned that I may offend some with my above post as we still have "no hard facts" regarding the whereabouts of EJ and Odin.  She is right of course, that we are completely in the dark as to their whereabouts and well-being.

While a few facts are stated regarding the LG nest, for the most part I have simply shared MY OWN personal thoughts and feelings regarding the main focus of this thread.  THE GABFEST WOULD WELCOME HEARING YOURS AS WELL.  Whether they be similar to mine or very different , your remarks are all welcome. We are all individuals with differing opinions and only by expressing them honestly and in good will can we get to know one another...  And of course, any FACTS that you have regarding the situation would be appreciated too.

Hi June I don’t blog often but I read everyday, I upset someone on here last year because I asked too many questions but I read your blog with interest and it’s obvious it comes from your heart and I’m sure lots of other people me included feel the same way as you do ?? I loved your comment heartfealt and truthful well said

June, Thanks for the new thread!  Happy New Year to you and to all reading this thread!

Good evening to all and a very happy belated new Year to you. Thank you for your very considered comment on the coming season. I too have very mixed feelings about what will happen to EJ and Odin. I think we may still see EJ back but not Odin. I do wonder if this would be for the best because I wonder how EJ will be able to defend her nest and it seems to be getting more and more of a problem. We don't want to see starving chicks again or EJ brutally evicted from her nest, and possibly eggs destroyed.

I would love to see them both back! But at what cost?

Yes, Willow, you've hit on the nub of the thing.  I hope they both return, but I'm not sure I could face watching one or both being evicted.  I would just have to read about it instead.  I will continue to wish, possibly fruitlessly, for a peaceful and successful season, regardless of whoever occupies the nest!

I just today received my Dyfi calendar in the mail.  Lovely osprey pictures and useful information, all as expected.

Hey June: Just wanted to welcome the Gabfest back for another season!  Hope it's a good one.

Hi, Annette good to hear from you.  Thank you for your kind greetings. Best wishes for a good 2018 for you personally in southern Cal and for all the bloggers on your RSPB Threads.