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
Did I video of that delivery Ian as it was a bit fast.... so also did it in Slo-Mo too.
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
13.31, JJ7 arrives just before Louis with a fish. JJ8 comes in after Louis leaves, I think she tries to flap JJ7 off the nest but he is having none of it. Ian
(c) THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY
16.11, JJ8 has just arrived as Louis & JJ7 come in together. JJ8 grabs the fish that Louis has delivered. Just before JJ8 landed there was a fly-past in front of the nest (JJ8?) and when JJ8 was waiting there was another (JJ7?). Ian
JJ8 grappling with the fish
Well, that was hilarious! Here's my combi video of fish numbers four and five, I've cut out the middle bits and zoomed in on the flatfish as it makes its bid for freedom:
16.11.43 Fish number four, a huge mackerel delivered by Louis, and Vera's perfectly placed to take it;
16.15.47 Fish number five, live flatfish delivered by Aila for Captain - but he doesn't notice!
16.34.26 The flatfish flaps itself off the nest! What a waste of Aila's time and energy!
Exactly one month ago, JJ6 fledged. And is possibly on his epic journey south, last seen Saturday 15th at 05.45
Ocean to sky: Doddie's first flight 18 July 2020
Geemeff said:
https://youtu.be/fZq4NVQVZGk
Lovely video thanks Geemeff. A textbook first landing. Sad to think he's on his way and let's hope we see him again in a couple of years. It's sad that the mortality rate is so high for the first few years
Have scrolled back but couldn't see any visits to the nest. Only the traces of a spiders web.... and the mist rolling over the hills.
© THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY
JJ7-Captain made a brief appearance on the nest then flew off rather quickly.....
JJ7 (nearest) & JJ8 on the nest, the mist is lifting a little. Ian