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
04.45 Unusually early breakfast arrives to Dorcha's delight
03.38 Stretch and squirt for Dorcha, eggs looking beautifully white. Not long now! First one laid 24th April, so anytime 29th May on, I'm betting on 1st June.
08.06 Louis gets a telling off for bringing moss...
08.26 ...but redeems himself by bringing a full fish just 17 minutes later.
12.24 A second full fish arrives, this one's a bit of a whopper.
Dorcha departs, leaving Louis to his favourite thing - egg-sitting.
It's a terrible night weather-wise on the nest, but calmer at dawn.
05.35.19 There's just a glimpse of a big wing to the extreme right of camera view, lower down, Dorcha's looking that way and alarm calling. 05.35.27 Dorcha alarm calls and departs, almost hovering over the nest in the wind before flying away. 05.35.33 Louis arrives with half a fish. He looks around, calls softly, and proceeds to eat the fish. No sign of Dorcha, and Louis is still standing off to one side, eggs uncovered.
05.37.38 Dorcha flies from left to right in front of the nest, Louis turns to look, keeps eating.05.38.50 Hooded Crow flies from behind the nest high overhead towards the knolls. Probably what she was chasing. 05.38.55 He moves on to the eggs.
The fish doesn't look very fresh, could it be the remains of last night's late third delivery?
Edit: scrolled back, and when Dorcha returns fish-less after departing with the 21.18 delivery, so this is a new fish.
06.49.58 Louis gets up, takes the piece of fish in his beak, and departs, eggs uncovered.
06.50.45 Dorcha returns.
NEWS NEWS NEWS
Doddie’s home! JJ6 seen yesterday in Shetland! Thanks to Kristofer Wilson for the sighting and photos and Margaret Sloan for notifying me!!!
NB PHOTO NOT FOR SHARING - I don't have his permission yet
copyright Kristopher Wilson