The arrival of our couple, virtually together, was first snapped @ 19:12
©SANDRA !!!
©RICHARD G B
©SHEENA
=====================================================
Yikes !!! I thought I must have missed it but it's all there waiting for attention :)))
Thank you, everyone, for the super captures and info :)
I can't believe they arrived together - but they did! ;-D
Three matings altogether, only the first successful, IMHO. They were on the nest nearly 13 minutes, this is cut down to 5 but no significant activity missing - you know how they like to stand and (males) mantle and (females) look a bit nonplussed ;)
UNCUT VERSION:
The first was the best ;)
He sat here for ages after his second nestcupping:
.
IMAGICAT
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Must leave shortly, but before I go (and like patily I had a telephone call!)...
12.20 Louis was still mantling
12.22 Aila on look out and Louis mantling to her rather than any intruder!
12.25
Having thought about it ? and summoned the courage ?
I am not sure whether it was successful or not. Aila's tail was certainly up, but I think Louis needs more practice
Louis flew off from her back and I assume is perched nearby.
12.38 Aila is looking over the back of the nest.
© The Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig OP
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Around 14:03 they both shot off the nest at a rate of knots., I didn't see anything else about
I wound back, but as my maths isn't that good I get 'hours/minutes' ago a bit muddled. I looked twice at the bit. It was when they left in a kerfuffle together.
Louis was being typical Louis, faux mantling when he is anywhere near her at the moment. Alia had been nestcupping and moving twigs and sticks. Louis went to the rim looking over the back. I think it was she who called and headed off from the centre of the nest, which prompted Louis to move. They both went over the back.
Since then Louis has been back a couple of times to do some nest cupping. Each time he seems to fly off to the left before left hand hillock. I don't think either has been around for about two hours.
I have been looking at Friends of Loch Arkaig FB page. George Anderson who is involved in the nest. He has had problems getting on to the Forum, haven't we all, and posted:
Can anyone advise me on using the RSPB forum? I have made myself a profile but don't seem to be able to post. I type into the reply box but when I hit the button to post it just keeps showing me my words in a box, unposted.
I offered to pass on whatever it was he wanted to post, and this is what he said
It was just to say a couple of things.
People were asking about Woodland Trust chat, so it would be good to tell them the Disquis discussion is at the bottom of the live osprey page on the Woodland Trust website, where they will also find lots of other background information on the nest and equipment. The package of films, photos and text we put together last year is especially interesting. You will see that if you hit the "Read our Story" button.
Secondly, when Aila was reported back this morning some of them were asking if myself or WT had "confirmed" it was really her. Just to let them know we are tree people who have pointed a camera at some ospreys. We rely on the hive mind of the commentators. If they say its Aila, that's good enough for me.
This is the Behind the scenes of a nest camera in the Scottish Highlands link with a videos, history and background information.. I have already watched a couple of the wonderful vids a few times. There are photos of erecting a/the nest, showing the relationship with the Loch, the preparation of the nest (by Lewis Pate) which is fascinating. Whether this is Louis' nest or another platform they have erected I am not sure. It shows how much effort has to be put into this remote location to build the nest, to get the cables and receivers in place and erecting the solar panels to feed the power. Amazing, just keep scrolling down to find some wonderful jewels!