It may be too early to start this thread, and I find it very raw to talk about her, like many more do too, but someone said to me a few weeks ago "I don't think we are going to see EJ again. Please do a fitting tribute to her" .
SO:-
REMEMBERING EJ
I think I can safely say there are many many hearts breaking at the non return of our beautiful EJ. We will never know what happened to her but my heart thinks because of her last two disastrous seasons she has decided to stay in her wintering grounds (experts say no, but do get it wrong sometimes) although my head does tells me differently.
EJ had a harder than most "osprey life", her most settled and companionable years were probably with dear Odin.
She was the most dedicated of mothers, I think she proved that wholeheartedly when covered in snow she would not leave her eggs, then again when only self preservation made her leave the nest during her last two seasons after being almost starved to death. These are the sadder things that we do not really want to remember but they are the things that made EJ an Osprey above ALL OTHERS and the things that made her earn the respect of all Osprey followers.
It has broken my heart to do this video, but she so needs to be remembered.
Please add your own memories of her, when you saw her for the first time, and all that she has meant to you over the years.
I do hope that the nest is occupied soon and that LG continues with many successful seasons, for me personally Loch Garten is EJ, there never will be another like her, she was simply "the best".....
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
A poignant thread to start Mary, thank you. Unfortunately your video is not available.
Like you, to me EJ and ospreys are synonymous with Loch Garten, and many were drawn into the world of ospreys thru her and her antics with OVS and Henry (HV). Even as recently as last year she showed just how feisty she was and how she survived for 21 years, when she fought the White Tailed Eagle, and gave short shrift to the pine marten who had the temerity to climb up to the nest.
I came across LG thru the radio programme World on the Move back in 2007, and the subsequent programme in 2008 which included the south and then north migrations of Logie, the first tagged osprey, with commentary by Roy Dennis. I was hooked by these amazing journeys and these wonderful birds. 2008 was the last year of Henry, 2009 Odin arrived, and such a wonderful pairing that was. I was bereft when Odin disappeared in 2017, followed by two years of sadness for EJ. In a way I am glad she didn't disappear as Odin did. We can have our own thoughts of what has happened to her and where her resting place might be without having to believe she was brutally killed, or died thru injury.
As we all know, other ospreys take over our heart as we follow their lives, and I sincerely hope that will happen at 'our' nest, but EJ and Odin will forever remain in my heart.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Sorry Sheila, can you try it now please. You Tube sent to try us...
© Scottish Wildlife Trust - Loch of the Lowes
Thank you, Mary. What a lovely tribute to EJ. Like Alison, I only came to know her later. Your video really shows what a beautiful osprey she is. I agree with you and Cirrus - I'm thinking she decided enough was enough and that she has retired in her winter grounds.
I made my tribute a couple of years ago when she was still very much alive - the bravery and fortitude is amazing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JFZvHqM8po.
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 watched and enjoyed your vid on many an occasion, CRinger! Thank you.