I think this will be an interesting season at Loch Arkaig - who is going to take residence is the big question?
For me it doesn't matter who, just as long as the nest is occupied.
LINK TO 2021 THREAD
LINK TO LOCH ARKAIG OSPREYS WEBSITE
EJ's Memorial Balgavies Loch Ospreys 2023
There was a third fish earlier, got carried away with intruder fever..
10.06.14 Fish number three, whole mackerel
Geemeff said:
11:14:54 Intruder LV0 pays a visit (zoomed) Sarafina's not happy. LV0 stays for a few seconds before departing - forum chatters think due to earache
https://youtu.be/Fyd3AAcVbP8
Yes, Sarafina has a fine set of lungs!!
Sunday 21st 13.01 A beautiful female sparrowhawk perches on Dorcha's perch (slo-mo zoom)
13.59 A milestone moment for Sarafina - she flies with fish for the first time!
She was alone on the nest when Louis delivered fish number four, Brown Trout, and took off with it firmly grasped in her talons as if she'd done it before. She then treated us to several flypasts of the nest, shrieking the whole time, before returning a minute later. Set to an excerpt from Schubert's Impromptu no. 4
There were three more fish on Sunday 21st, Louis made up for a slow fish day on Saturday by bringing a total of seven fish to the nest
Fish number five, whole mackerel 16:49:39
Fish number six, headless BT 18.49.55
Fish number seven, whole small BT 20.09.37
Monday 22nd August
Wow! What a morning! Four fish delivered in one hour, ten minutes, 25 seconds from 05.37.33 to 06.47.58! Louis has hyperfishia*..
*I made that up
05.37.33 Fish number one, small whole BT. Sarafina arrives seconds later, grabs the fish
05.52.14 Fish number two, flapping BT. Sarafina nips Louis, drops fish one, and takes fish two
06.27.22 Fish number three, headless BT, Willow gets it
06.47.58 Fish number four, flapping BT. Empty nest, Louis waits, then departs with the fish at 06.48.04
No sign of Dorcha, last seen at 19.26 on Thursday 18th August - looks like she's left.
Dorcha delivering her one and only fish, on what is very likely her last visit to the nest.
Update on intruder Osprey LV0 - he's a 2020 chick from Loch Garry which is not far north of Loch Arkaig. So, like Doddie JJ6, another early returner at only two years old. Perhaps he'll find a bonny female and they'll settle on Nest One next year...
I am so tired of seeing MaryGK's "For me it doesn't matter who, just as long as the nest is occupied" - please someone, it's a lovely des res, free, air conditioned, good fishing, nice neighbours - hurry up and move in!!!
13.41.06 Fish number five, whole BT, Willow's waiting for it. Sarafina arrives too late.