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
18.49.53 Number four - Silver Tourist - big, silvery and has dark spots. The chicks' crops have gone from golf ball to tennis ball size.
19.45 - 20.16 Sunlight sonata: a slice of family life on the nest set to Beethoven
03.58.12 Louis brings an early breakfast, whole fish, has a quick nibble at the mouth before Dorcha seizes it, the chicks move in for their own attempt before she starts sharing it out.
05.21.41 Fish number two, headless BT, Dorcha seizes it immediately as if she hadn’t already had a fish this morning, chicks close behind her. Louis remains on the nest doing a little gentle nestorising until departing at 05.25.02.
11.59.50 Louis brings the third fish of the day, it's headless so he had a good meal before delivering it to his family. Dorch seizes it and starts feeding the hungry chicks immediately. The rapidly growing Osplets position themselves either side of her.
12.28 Dorcha drops the fish tail after chasing Crows away from the nest - she left so quickly, she was still clutching the remnant she'd been feeding to the chicks, but as she returns, it's seen dropping on the fat branch on the left, getting momentarily caught, then falling away over the side.
14.15 - 14.22 Dorcha senses the presence of a Hooded Crow under the nest (zoom)
15.14.55 Fish number four, small whole trout, Louis had to fly through the gusting wind, but no problem for those big wings
17.51.20 Fish number five arrives headless. Despite bulging crops the size of tennis balls, the chicks queue up.
20.22 Sleepy Dorcha rests her weary head on the chicks