LOCH ARKAIG - AUGUST 2020 TO MARCH 2021. Highlights are Mary GK's and Geemeff's wonderful videos of the 2020 season

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

  • 13.22, Louis comes to the nest with a second fish. JJ8 comes in just behind him with the flat fish in her talons. She takes the new fish in favour of the flattie. She is currently eating the new fish with the original fish lying on the nest. Just before the delivery there were two fly pasts in front of the nest, presumably Louis & JJ8. Ian

    EDIT - 13.47, she flies with the new fish leaving the flat fish on the nest.

  • Thank you Ian for the update.  What a hoot, so many fish flying around. 

    I heard JJ8 before I saw Louis arriving with his latest headless fish.  Perhaps she had to reposition herself to pick up the flat fish before taking off, LOL.  Clearly a nice plump fish is much more appetising than the flat one!  And then she calls, whilst holding the fish.  Perhaps Louis was doing a flyabout but she looked very upset at one point.

    12.28 JJ8 comes to claim the flat fish

    She is very cross with Louis!

    JJ8 eventually flew off with her fish

    13.22 Louis arrives with yet another one for his hungry daughter, this time a tasty round fish

    JJ8 was heard before seen, and returns carrying her flat fish.  She grabs the tasty meaty fish and Louis flies off

    Oh, is that seconds?

    13.47 After a brief spell on quiet, JJ8 called again, looking around suspiciously before taking flight with the round fish, leaving the flat fish alone on the nest

    14.43 the discarded fish remains on the nest.

    © The Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig OP

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • 15.04, lots of calling off camera from JJ8 as Louis brings in fish three. JJ8 does a couple of fly pasts before landing with the second fish still in her talons. She has an attempted nip at Louis before he flies off leaving her with three fish. Ian

    EDIT - I forgot to mention, with this delivery & I think the last one, Louis gave a very sweet chirp as he landed.

    Ungrateful so and so, three fish and she still tries to nip her Dad!!

    (c) THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY

  • 15.04 A lot of calling by JJ8, off cam.  Louis lands with another fish and waits.  JJ8 lands with her fish.  So we now have three fish on the nest!!

    Louis leaves

    Which fish does she choose!

    and off she goes

    © The Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig OP

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • 15.35, plenty off camera chuntering from JJ8. 15.37, she is back on the nest with one of the fish in her talons and the other two on the nest. Ian

  • I think we will know when she has really gone! Silence!

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • I must remember to check the time on the cam.  It's nearly five minutes behind my laptop.

    She nearly tripped up as she dragged the talon with the fish over the rim.  So who's she calling to now, and why??

    © The Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig OP

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • Memo to Louis, you are no longer catering for five!

    15.56, JJ8 ate all of fish three on the nest. She had a peck at fish one (the flattie) and also fish two. Louis decides she needs some more fish and brings in number four which JJ8 greedily takes. So although she has just eaten a whole fish, she still has a further three to choose from. Ian

    EDIT - 16.02, she has flown with fish four leaving one (flat) and two on the nest.

    (c) THE WOODLAND TRUST, LOCH ARKAIG OSPREY PROJECT - POST CODE LOTTERY

  • Where is she putting it all! Talk about Hyperphagia!!

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • Thanks for all your reports @Ian S..... Make the most of today's happenings folks....
    Looking at the weather forecast for the weekend, it is looking favorable for a departure after midday Saturday , or maybe anytime Sunday.
    What are the chances Vera will be gone by Monday? I guess time will tell :D