August is the month when we've seen the Loch Arkaig ospreys depart on their journey south. We've enjoyed watching them this year - the wonderful parenting skills of Aila and Louis, and the antics of their 3 chicks, Captain, Vera and Doddie.
Mary GK did an absolutely wonderful video summarising the 2020 season. Thank you so much Mary! And here is Geemeff's great compilation, thank you!
2020 last dates:
Doddie JJ6 was last seen at the nest on Saturday 15th August 2020
Aila was last seen on Saturday 22nd August 2020
Captain JJ7 was last seen on Sunday 23rd August 2020
Vera JJ8 was last seen on Saturday 5 September.
An unidentified osprey was seen off camera on Sunday 6 September eating a fish. This could well have been Louis, having arrived and found no Vera around to feed.
Doddie JJ6 was videod and photographed fishing for over a fortnight at Avalon Marshes in Somerset
Link to July 2020 thread
Link to Youtube channel
Link to Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig page/webcam feed
A little bird visited this morning, best visible right of Vera at 07.36.39. Have had ID offers from wheatear to greenfinch to skylark, any more? Personally, I know it's not a sparrow or a robin, that's about it for my knowledge!
12.21, all chicks are on the nest when Louis delivers a fish. As you might expect there is a scramble. JJ8 has the fish, now let's see her eat a good portion of it. Ian
Delivery
Left to right, JJ8 (with fish), JJ6 & JJ7
(c) THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY
13.24, JJ6 has a serious attempt at taking the fish but JJ8 holds on. JJ7 also tries (but fails) an opportunistic grab at the same time. Ian
EDIT - JJ7 & JJ6 both left the nest at the same time, JJ7 is now back watching JJ8 eat.
13.57, JJ7 (on the left) steals the fish from JJ8. He must only have taken a bit of it as they are both now eating. On looking back, maybe JJ8 found another scrap of fish lying on the edge of the nest. Ian
15.51, JJ6 & JJ8 are on the nest as Louis delivers a headless (but decent) fish. JJ6 gets the fish. JJ8 has made at least one attempt to steal the fish that JJ6 was able to repel. Ian
JJ6 (nearest the camera) being much more determined to get the fish
JJ6 asserting his "authority" over JJ8 which paradoxically invited the failed attempt by JJ8 to take the fish. Ian
If that is JJ8 at the back she must be asleep She looked up once briefly, otherwise has been as still as a statue. JJ7 shouting off screen
C WI Loch Arkaig