BALGAVIES LOCH OSPREYS 2019

Unknown said:

Oh Mary, this is sooooo sad. But thanks anyway, Mary and Darren, for keeping us informed. After my first Osprey nest watching season I decided it was probably a matter of self preservation to try to keep track of numerous nests, principally to offset the heartbreak of a tragedy on one or a few nests with the calm, successful, non-eventful season on other nests. They say that getting attached to things/people/places/animals/ is bad for us but I fear it is all too human to do just that and sorrow is often the result--I know it all too well. So a doctor might recommend that we all have a look at a few nests which are still doing well, and my fingers are crossed in hopes that the rest of the season is boringly normal at the majority of the other nests with cameras!

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Hi Ann

I suppose the head should tell me that this is nature and these tragedies happen, but I find it hard not to get attached to them, so special Ospreys, especially EJ and Green BF, and I suppose lots of other favourites too, but there are always a few special ones, so to lose EJ and what is looking like Green BF as well all in one year, its hard not to let it get to you.  

As I sit at my computer this is what looks at me, and now if Green BF doesn't turn up, all three are gone.   

It is very raw at the moment, and I cannot see me giving up Osprey following, because they are such fascinating and iconic birds to watch, but this season has been very very hard. 

Morning Patily and Mike

Yes Odin was gone for 5 days in 2015, after being bombarded by intruders.  

So still not giving up hope of Green BF turning up.   However he hasn't been seen at all for a few days now. :-( 

Mary, Your two photos are gorgeous and I wish I had copies of them! I understand all too well about becoming attached to certain Ospreys; I do it myself despite knowing I should resist. Lady, EJ and Odin were my very first special Ospreys, followed quickly by Monty, Glesni and Blue 24 and by the Glaslyn and Rutland birds and many other Ospreys. I also became attached to the two chicks which EJ and Odin had in my first nest watching season. It was after losing first Oighrig and then Breagha (when it seemed that he might actually survive to have his own nest) that I found it necessary to branch out, so to speak! Can't recall off hand if both Alba and Caledonia from an earlier year were also lost about the same time as well as Ceulan (from the Dyfi nest, another chick from a year before I began following Ospreys) being lost and then his Mum, Rutland-born Nora, not having returned in 2013, resulting in the violent battles between Glesni and Blue 24--all of these together told me quite early on that Osprey life was rife with tragedy and violence and to try to treasure the good bits in between the violence while remembering that the old saying is true, sadly. Nature is red in tooth and claw.

MARY, I've just found out how much I've been missing by not keeping up with this thread.  Especially Darren's s-u-p-e-r-b photographs.  I need to take a holiday to absorb it all.  Thank you so much for passing on the treasures.

I think you speak for a lot of us CATLADY, but I don't spread out like you do, just not capable.

Darren just posted that crows are in nest now, probably eating whats left of eggs. 

Mike posted photos from last night too

LINK HERE

Ann you would think I would be used to it by now as all those that you mention I remember too well, when Nora didn’t come back I felt ao sad.   

I need to toughen up I think.      

It looks like we wont be seeing young at Balgvies this year, as Darren said no sign of intruders now.  

It is felt that these could be the same intruders as the ones at Loch of the Lowes.  

I don't think I ever get used to it..  Every year is full of anxiety, worry, and a heartbreak of some sort.   it makes me wonder why I put myself through it again and again, but then there is also a lot of joy so I keep watching.