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
This is Vera having her lunch Its a test really as I couldn't get my video of Glasyn juvie to ptocess this morning
15.03, Aila comes to the nest, possibly because there is a discarded fish piece as well as the one JJ8 has possession of. At the third attempt JJ8 manages to flap Aila off the nest. 15.48, JJ8 has been on and off a couple of times, she arrives back just before Louis who has a fish. The ungrateful chick has an attempted peck at Louis, who ducks out of the way like a pro. As yet JJ7 has not appeared. Ian
The attempted peck by JJ8.
Louis taking evasive action from the attempted peck
(c) THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY
JJ7 expressing delight at finding a scabby looking fish on the nest. I'm sure it's delicious, just glad it's not me eating it
(c) WT Loch Arkaig
16.37, JJ7 comes to the nest and depart with a reasonable sized bit of fish that JJ8 left behind. I think there is still a fish tail on the nest. Ian
17.13, JJ8 comes to the nest just before Aila. Aila brings a flat fish to add to the fish JJ8 still has in her left talons. . Aila flies of with the fish and goes round in a huge circle in front of the nest. She lands again but as JJ8 pecks at her she flies with the fish again. Aila brings it in for a third time (see pic two below). Aila is obviously wary and with good reason as JJ8 nips her wing feathers. Aila leaves the fish for JJ8 who is tucking in. Given the hollow look of Aila's crop and the amount of fish JJ8 has consumed today, Aila could be forgiven if she had taken the fish for herself. Ian
First landing
17.25, JJ8 is still on the nest when Louis brings in another fish. JJ8 takes it (without trying to inflict pain!). JJ8 now has at least three fish about her person & still (I think) a fish tail is on the nest. Ian
Louis
JJ8 with more fish than Billingsgate market.
This is JJ8 nipping Aila's wing at the 17.15 delivery. Ian
It's fish-tastic on the nest
© THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023