DAILY UPDATE ~ Loch Garten nest ~ Friday, 11 May 2018

Hear hear- thank you Mrs T. I've been lurking for the past couple of weeks - HUGE thank you to all you enormously dedicated posters who have manned the DU during these increasingly depressing times (sincerely hope the unwelcome intruder onto THIS particular online nest doesn't reappear). Very sad news about Arkaig, but I really can't see an egg transfer being feasible - surely, in any case the male would reject the eggs as not his? Re GJ's behaviour:- we initially witnessed his development as he eventually seemed to realise he had to provide fish, and incubate (is this via ongoing brain development, or influence of hormones? Expert help please!). Perhaps therefore, over the past week he has developed further via brain/hormones and realises that 2 of the eggs definitely are not his, so is refusing responsibility for the nest. What a pity it is that no suitable male turned up while EJ was waiting hopefully, ready to breed, alone on the nest for three weeks - perhaps if she hadn't been out of sync with the rest of the returnees, none of this would have happened.

EJ continues to incubate on a wind blown nest. 6 days and counting. Surely she must be reaching her limit?

Caught by a gust of wind just then. A stick flew too :o(

Rspb fb:

Morning everyone,

Another reminder this morning that the world of wildlife watching is always a roller-coaster ride, with euphoria and wonder at one end of the scale and grief and despair at the other. What a sad day for the Loch Arkaig ospreys and just heart-breaking to watch on-line.

I'd just like to clarify where we stand with regards EJ's predicament and the suggestions that maybe her eggs could be transferred to the Loch Arkaig nest.

Firstly, though it's hard to watch, as you all know, EJ's situation is one which will be being replayed across the UK. Nests fail. Not that her nest has failed yet, but even I admit (and I'm a glass half-full kind of girl!) that it's  not looking great for the Loch Garten ospreys this season. However, such is life and such is nature. That's the inherent beauty of our birds and that's why we all love them. And that's why it is such a huge privilege to be able to have our window onto their world. It is not our place to interfere on a natural process with birds that are not of conservation concern, and whilst it's regrettable if that upsets any of you, the RSPB is first and foremost a nature conservation charity and we provide the conditions for nature to thrive in our network of nature reserves. Our nature reserves are not country parks and the Loch Garten ospreys are not domestic animals. I know you all get this, so I'm going to leave that particular discussion there.

With regards to the Loch Arkaig ospreys - again, this is another natural process. Like them or loathe them, pine martens are part of the ecosystem and therefore the food-chain, and though it was horrifying on the one hand, it was also amazing to see that natural process at its most raw state. It was a mini-wildlife documentary, played out live across the internet. Just fascinating. And heart-breaking!

EJ's eggs will remain at the LG nest and we will be letting fate take its course. There can be no question of them being transferred to another nest - we have to let EJ's nesting attempt run its natural course, for the reasons above. It would be wrong to interfere on a natural process for a bird that isn't of conservation concern and I feel personally that it would be grossly unfair and distressing to EJ. Again, if that decision does not sit comfortably with you, that is indeed regrettable.

So, keep on keeping those fingers and toes crossed for a miracle. If no fish appear for EJ soon, we expect her to leave the nest and go and fish for herself over the next few days - we can't be sure when - it could be today, it could be tomorrow, it might be next week - we just don't know, but then as ever, that's the pull and attraction of these amazing birds. Each day brings new experiences and new emotions and no one knows where we're heading.

Thanks for watching folks - as ever, your dedication astounds me!

Jess

Again the wind catches EJ

and again

Sad days, but thank you for your sensible words, Jess. We can only watch as nature does what nature does.

Just looking in to say Morning and thanks everyone for all the updates.

Hi everyone ☺

Thanks for all the updates pictures etc. Was hoping to log on and find either George had finally come to his senses, or EJ had gone fishing for herself. Sadly not to be. I'd love EJ to catch one of her specialsf(ish with its own postcode) and then give George the tiniest bit of tail. Just as a lesson. Don't mess with EJ The Phenomenal.