Link to July 2019 thread
The 2 chicks were ringed on 4 July and assessed as female. They were given ring numbers JJ0 and JJ2, and later named by popular vote as Mallie and Rannoch. Both weighed 1.49kg on ringing but will weigh a lot more now after a further month's-worth of protein-packed-piscine-parenting. The WT subsequently said they thought Mallie may be male. S/he fledged on 20 July and Rannoch on 27 July.
Link to webcam, courtesy of The Woodland Trust
Valerie
When I checked in just before 15.00 Mallie was downing the tail fin, much to the chagrin of Rannoch who was pacing the nest. Mallie flew off when Rannoch approached. Rannoch has been moving sticks and venting her frustration. She does look a trifle hungry with a hollow crop.
The fish tail disappears in a buffer
Rannoch continues to call
and moves a stick
Now quiet, she is in the corner, but calling intermittently
© The Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig OP
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Rannoch continues to call to no avail
15.31
15.45
and a flight across the nest for more calls
at 15.48 she flew off
VALERIE filled in an easily missed event:
Scylla the flounder that Blue JJ0 (Mallie) got she flew from the nest with and dropped on the way out :(
FF-ing during catchup I would never have seen that fish drop, VALERIE - thanks!
Then Mallie got a replacement:
Someone's on the nest shouting hopefully now., but I must rush off ;)
IMAGICAT
Hmmm just realised I was not 'live' viewing! Mallie arrived about 20 minutes ago calling loudly, and looking up the hill. She called and called for a good fifteen minutes mantling and calling angrily.
Louis arrived with a fish, which was very quickly grabbed by Mallie and Louis scarpered.
Rannoch soon arrived, too late for the fish. She does look hungry to me.
She eyes the fish, and makes a move towards Mallie, who isn't letting her near the fish.
It was an impasse for a while, with Rannoch not calling nor Mallie eating the fish.
Then Rannoch started to call and attend to her feathers, while Mallie started to eat!
16.57 Rannoch tries a different approach
17.00 Better go back to Plan A
Rannoch might have been for a dip in the Loch?
Mallie has flown with her fish, and Rannoch picks up the left overs. Hardly a meal, but better than nothing