2019 Lake District Osprey Projects - Bassenthwaite; Esthwaite Water; Foulshaw Moss NR & Roudsea Wood and Mosses NR

In the past a lot of the Lake District nests news appear on a thread entitled News from Other Nests, which includes non-UK nests.  I thought it would be easier to find the LD in one place, but if anyone feels this is wrong, or wants individual threads for the four nests - are there more - please let me know and I will either amend or delete.

In 2018 there were six reported nests, with 14 fledged chicks, including 'grandchicks', "the third generation since returning from extinction in 2001".

2018  Bassenthwaite   

31 March  'Bird at nest, unringed, believed to be male!'

?   Unringed pair on the nest

22 April   Believe White KL(09) f  (Loch Arkaig chick) will not return  -  she did not return

2 August   "Although we have no nesting pairs this year, there are signs we could have two nests next year at Lake Bassenthwaite!

Second nest?    "The site you are referring to was not knocked down, we monitored an osprey (Blue 2H(13)m  born in Kielder 2013) building it last year and after the heavy storms in early spring 2017 much of this nest was blown away, although the tree is still to this very day standing."   

"Kielder hatched Blue 2H(13)m returned spring 2018, he continued to build and add onto the very same tree, however he was also without a partner for much of the season so no breeding took place.  The tree itself is quite rotten and we fear unsafe for future use, a new nest platform will be erected in the same area before the next osprey breeding season in 2019 and we hope that it will be used by the birds instead."

2018 Esthwaite Water – three nests, two of which were occupied. 

Main nest pair:  Blue 7A(14) m  Ozzy  & Unringed f  Olive  

Chicks ringed 10 July  Blue 283(18) f;   Blue 284(18) m;  Blue 285(18) m

Another nest on private land:   Blue 292(18) m;  Blue 293(18) f;  Blue 294(18) m

2018 Roudsea Wood   Pair  White YC(08) m (Glaslyn chick) and unringed female

                Blue 280(18) m;                  Blue 281(18) f                 Blue 282(18) m

2018 Foulshaw Moss   Pair  Blue 35(10) f  (Splash)   and  White YW(08) m    Year 5 together, 14 chicks to 2018

Ringed 30 June 2018    Blue 5N(18) m;  Blue 7N(18) m  - thought to be male;   Blue 9N(18) f    NB 6N ring was broken on ringing day, so ring Blue 9N was used instead

Blue 7N(18) m was thought to have been seen in southern Spain November 2018

Job opportunity at Forestry Commission, Dodd Wood/Linwatter Pass for an Information Assistant (Osprey)

Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • Just looking in and see a feed in progress.

    16:58  35 feeding BB just now.   LB is at the back of the nest looking.

    17:03   LB moved and BB threatens it.   LB stays back. and then moves towards and attacks the little chick.

    BB stands over LB not moving and then grabs and shakes the little chick quite viciously

    17:05  And it attacks it once more getting a hold of the little chick from the front.   Such bullying!

    BB continues to be fed half facing 35 and also watching LB for it dare not move

    CWT - Foulshaw Moss

    LB can only wait until it is full and lies down for any movement provokes its aggressor.    

  • 17:12   BB continues to attack LB if it moves and remains standing over the little chick preventing it from getting up to be fed.    35 feeds it some more

    17:15  BB is full and 35 moves towards LB to feed it

    Thankfully the little chick is getting to eat now and it is getting a fair amount of fish

    17:26  LB is still being fed

    17:27  LB turns away full to bursting point :-)

      CWT - Foulshaw Moss

  • Missed delivery -

    14:38   35 feeding BB,  LB in submission pose

    14:46  LB cautiously starts moving away.   BB, while still eating, watches every move! 

    the little chick is walking around the nest

    35 reaches up and feeds LB

    LB has had a few pieces - BB flaps its wings and 35 feeds BB 

    She then once more feeds the little chick giving the bigger one the odd bit to keep the peace

    After getting a few good bits of fish, 35 is once again feeding BB while LB stands back waiting

    BB is now full and turns away leaving LB getting fed

    after a while the little chick is full and turns away

    CWT - Foulshaw Moss

  • Feed in progress - 

    35 feeding BB, LB in submission pose.   BB still threatening to attack when the little chick moves.

    LB makes its way round the nest and 35 stretches over to try and feed the chick when BB stands threateningly over the little chick.  Its crop is so full that it cannot reach to harm it.  It actually reminds me of "Bid Daddy", the wrestler!

    BB is full, turns away and now LB is getting fed

    cam zooms in and LB is getting lots of fish

    20:30   LB full, turns away and joins its sibling to sleep off its fish.  

    CWT Foulshaw Moss

  • LB discovers a new way to get fed without being attacked by BB. Just lie on BB's head.

    © Cumbria Wildlife trust

    Richard B

  • 35 asleep over her chicks....looks dry but windy
  • Feed in progress 

    Missed delivery but could be well into the feed for BB is beginning to look full and LB is standing next to it albeit very, very wary

      #

    LB did lie down but a minute later got up and 35 started to feed LB

    these feeds are top ups\seconds and this is the end of the feed as LB has now turned away after a few bits,  full

    and then lies down snuggling into its sibling

    and now both at fast asleep

    CWT - Foulshaw Moss

  • 35 feeding BB.  YW has just flown off.   LB remains at the side - waiting 

    Cam zooms out.  The little chick stays back - it appears to be very nervous and soon puts its head down.

    16:05  LB is moving up the nest.  BB looks but 35 keeps its interest feeding it.

    16:06  BB is now full and moves back letting the little chick in and then 35 moves up but all fine as 35 is now feeding LB as BB moves a piece of bark.   LB is getting lots of fish

    CWT - Foulshaw Moss

  • Feed in progress.

    35 feeding BB while YW stands at the back of the nest.   LB is at the side waiting although it does look to have a full crop so perhaps the feed has been underway for some time.

    Few minutes later, BB refuses fish and now LB gets fed

    c)  CWT - Foulshaw Moss

  • Feeding time.
    BB eating while LB stands with back turned.
    BB turns away full, so LB turns round and starts eating.
    Happy days

    Richard B