Hi folks, not a lot has happened yesterday.. There was some acitivity in the morning and very little in the afternoon/evening unless I missed anything.
Are they perhaps getting ready for migration. We non't see the GEM's on the nest quite so frequently now, could they be fishing themselves or are EJ and Odin dropping fish into trees as was suggested yesterday, for them to pick up. This is a part of the ospreys life that we don't know much about but what a preveledge to watch them through all these weeks growing up. I'm prattling on just for something to say. I'll hand over tothe night staff and leave you with a poinant reminder of the nest. -- DESSERTED!!
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Thanks Joan, for pointing us at the new Blog from Debbie!
Interesting that the chick who caught the fish wasn't identified. The blog doesn't give a time so I've been through Monday's update and can't seem to match the events as described. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't #1 who caught the fish.
EN BTW.
I just read Debbie's blog. It is "great news" that one of the chicks has learned to fish!!
She said EJ brought a fish and shortly after that a chick brought an 8" trout. It probably followed EJ on a fishing trip and watched how she did it. It looks like EJ is teaching them to fish :)
Oh I wish I could have seen the look on the chick's face when it saw where the fish come from. Imagine the thrill for that chick when it had a fish in it's talons!!
We know there is at least one chick that won't starve on it's migration. Let's hope the others take advantage of this time to learn to fish. Right now if their fishing attempts are not productive they can alway come back to the nest for a meal.
This news also means they are traveling quite a distance from the nest
Formerly known as Barbara Jean
Two noisy GEMs just flew onto the nest ... I wonder who ... or what ... they have spotted!
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
Index Thread
Certainly are noisy, Joan! Can't remember that last year we needed our earplugs quite as much as this!
It looks like Titch and Middle are on the nest calling for food.
In Debbie's blog she says these chicks are much more advanced than last year's brood.
I think we all agree. They are defending the nest , now learning to fish and flying farther from the nest at a very young age.
I think #1 fledged early and they learned to feed themselves sooner than the other two broods I have watched.
One of my fondest memories ( and there are many) was when Eldest first learned to fly how he squealed with delight as he took off and landed on the camera post. He was having so much fun flying.
I agree it was probably Eldest who caught his own fish. We may not see much of him because when he is hungry now he can get his own fish so he won't need to come to the nest for food.
Yes, this season is winding down. :(
I agree, Barbara Jean, that this brood seem much more advanced than the last two (which are all of my experience in this). Not only were they larger, sooner, but they seemed to do everything quicker. At the stage they are at now, they seem more ready to me, to be able to cope with their solitary life which lies ahead.
One of my favourite moments of the season has been watching Titch squeal with delight at himself, when learning to fly.... Also, such fun to watch the two youngest looking at Eldest in disbelief and wonder when he showed off his newly learnt flying & landing skills!
My favourite moments of the year have also been Titch learning to fly and his squeals of delight ... which he still does sometimes! I also loved the time when Odin started feeding the little chicks ... it was a wonderful moment ... one I shall never forget :-))
Eldest just came to the nest.
I have noticed that he not only has more dark markings on the top front of his head, but his head is thinner and more oval like Odin's
He just flew off, but I can hear him calling from the tree .
Barbara Jean: Would not the fact that they are all male this year (compared with all female last year) explain the fact that they are that bit more advanced?
EN - raining.