LOCH ARKAIG (c)The Woodland Trust - 04 April 2019...

I've got intermittent growling on the cam.

I had to break off to attend to much-neglected Starr Ranch barn owls, where a hatch is due any day. Then a kinda breakfast, now entering carb coma.

Thank you for all reporting, I'll see what I can do later :-*

ENS
Idon't remember seeing so much of the scenery behind the nest before
Wonder if anything has been down to make the nest PM proof

Hi Patily

I believe the Woodland Trust issued a blog about extra PM precautions. 

It looks the usual background to me. 

Empty nest at the moment, I see Louis has been stickifying in my absence. :-) 

I wonder if he is sitting on the tree circled 

© THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT

Good morning, MARY :) I lost internet on this nest overnight/this morning, haven't seen any activity yet. I need to revisit yesterday afternoon/evening.

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON

======================

Louis defending - intruder highlighted but not very visible:

Aila came to defend, with her fish hardly started:

Joint defending, tho no intruder seen and there was no fighting - but Aila has no fish

Enthusiastic nestcupping going on - I wonder who that is?! ;)

Here was Louis this morning - I have not seen Aila yet but you may have :-/

Just exercising jaw:

Morning Scylla

Whoever it is its having a wee blether to itself:-) 

© THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT

EDIT: Need to see them both together to know who is who - out of practise with this pair, first time I have seen one of them live on the nest.   Have to go now but will BBL. 

Mary at 06.51, that is Louis favourite perch tree you circled, so far this morning only Louis has been on the nest, still on it at the moment (07.51). WT did indeed issue a blog about the extra precautions taken to Marten proof the tree. Ian

PS - good morning all 

I just edited in stuff to my early-morning comment, perhaps unwisely, but had opened it up earlier and then spent the past ??? editing the videos and tech-correcting.  Sound is fixed now.

Glad I didn't dupe both your lovely Louis snaps, MARY ;)

Good morning, IAN.  I wish Aila would show us her dear face.

MaryGK said:

Need to see them both together to know who is who - out of practise with this pair, first time I have seen one of them live on the nest.

Mary, I think this pair's chest patterns are less well differentiated than other ospreys. 

Another nice day at Loch Arkaig.

Louis landed, looking alert, then is watching, moving a stick, sitting in the cup and more watching

Tidying up

Trying the cup again, it's getting nice and deep!

and he stands on guard, watching.

I think that George Anderson said that Pine marten proofing includes a slick covering at the base of the tree, removal of lower branches to avoid jump-on points and an electric tape around trunk to give a mild shock to deter martens

© The Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig OP