Our fretting resulted in a kind opinion from Jess Tomes yesterday, who reminded us about the opportunity to view nature through RSPB's "window". Amidst our collective restlessness, speculation ranged from whether George indeed recognized at least one of the eggs was not his, whether the eggs would bear healthy osprey, whether the eggs could be taken and hatched elsewhere (even moved to the LOCH ARKAIG nest where the resident pair suffered a loss of their eggs to a pine marten), to whether EJ's disinterest in mating affected George, to whether the nest might soon belong to another osprey than EJ, who many believe to be getting on in her years, to her apparent accelerated feather moult, and the nature of "crop dropping". Inevitably, we have come up with nothing better than Pandy's poem as we watch, and wait. It will be 7 days since EJ has had a meal. So maybe she will go fishing for herself this weekend.
Here was George on May 1st, as we were cheering him on with hearts full of hope. (Moffer's pic) And below that is the rainy scene now with EJ on the nest.© RSPB - Loch Garten and Carnyx Wild_______________________________________The Daily Update is for recording nest events only, allowing for banter, though—any questions or conversations can happen on the Osprey Chat thread. Thank you!
Imagicat || Tiger's links || 2022 LG Obs
If I remember correctly she last ate, as far as we know, exactly one week ago. She has just been flying and without a shadow of a doubt would have been able to see Loch Garten. To have withstood the 'temptation' to go and fish when she can see water and the determination to continue incubating takes my breath away. Others have said it before me, but I will again repeat. EJ is, IMHO, phenomenal.
Some people think Ospreys are a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.
I have enjoyed reading your scientific analyses, and your conclusions CRinger. As well as Scylla's continued belief that all went pear-shaped when EJ stopped responding to GJ's mating demands. Well, wouldn't any male under the circumstances!
EJ certainly had long spells away from the nest in late March and early April. A male landed on 9 April and delivered a fish. Was/is that male the father of the first egg. Was it GJ?
9 April 10.13 Is this GJ. EJ was very much at ease with him
I don't think it is GJ, but I am really not sure. But is this the father of her first egg(s)? Egg #1 laid at 02.25, but was ignored until egg #2 arrived at 21.09 on 20 April. Junior was the acknowledged resident male by then, and he brought in a largish fish and incubated finally on 23 April (St George's Day!!!).
13.08 EJ has flown again...
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
13.10 Osprey flying around. Intruder call off the nest.
13.13 Still not returned
I hope she has gone fishing.
fingers crossed! liking seeing the empty nest atm
There was a funny little chirrup just then.
I am not sure the call we heard at 13:10 was an 'intruder' call.... I have noticed that when they (particularly EJ) lands either on or close to the nest they make a very short call that starts like an intruder call, but stops after 1 or 2 'squeaks'. I would not be surprised if the bird we saw flying at 13:10 was EJ and that she is now sitting in the camera tree preening. She will probably arrive back in 20 minutes with a huge fish and I will be delighted to have been proved totally wrong.
13.20 I think I heard her chirp just now, so although not yet back, I think she may be near by. It was just a short wee chirp!
13.21 ENS
I know we don't want this nest to fail but I think we all are desperate for her to feed.