LOCH GARTEN - MARCH / APRIL 2022

Most pairs seem to do it on reuniting. It's not aggressive, more submissive! But I really think they are much more relaxed together.
13.40 Mistle on the perch occasionally calling but not demanding, Axel on the nest surveying his kingdom.

Edit  Just realised I'm not 'live' having scrolled back - but nearly there!

I agree, they are more comfortable with each other now, more trusting, more settled.

13.52 Mating attempt on the perch, Axel flew off...

14.00 Mistle flew over the back towards the old nest and curved, but I lost her

And within a minute she was back with a gentle chip

14.36 Not so peaceful now! No sign of Axel and the volume has gone up a notch.
14.38 She could see him all right. He has flown in for a quickie, and left.

14.49 having been very quiet, Mistle flew off towards the forked dead tree, out of sight on the left

SheilaFE said:

14.38 ... He has flown in for a quickie, and left.

I am, unsuccessfully at the moment, trying to find reference to a 'quickie' in my bird behavioural books. No luck so far but I am certain Ian Newton's .'Population Ecology of Raptors' is sure to define it.

LOL!!
15.30 they both arrived together, attempted mating. Axel to the perch and then flew off. Mistle remains on the nest

Well I am back, a quick burst of housework, much more pressing business to follow here! Great updates everyone. They do seem really settled together now, pottering and flying about, sorting the nest, are we going to have an egg today, oh I dunno. It has been so long since we have had the excitement at this stage on this nest, all the sadness with EJ and Odin, then George, well what can I say about him! These two do look comfortable together and she is such a pretty Osprey, if Axel would just step up the fish deliveries, I would like him even more. Fingers crossed this is going to work, I never thought after the past upsets, that I could be happy following this nest again, as it was so sad but I really think I can love this pair. Okay soppiness over, come on Mistle, lay that eggy for us and let's see Axel's face!

Lynn L said:

Well I am back, a quick burst of housework, much more pressing business to follow here! Great updates everyone. They do seem really settled together now, pottering and flying about, sorting the nest, are we going to have an egg today, oh I dunno. It has been so long since we have had the excitement at this stage on this nest, all the sadness with EJ and Odin, then George, well what can I say about him! These two do look comfortable together and she is such a pretty Osprey, if Axel would just step up the fish deliveries, I would like him even more. Fingers crossed this is going to work, I never thought after the past upsets, that I could be happy following this nest again, as it was so sad but I really think I can love this pair. Okay soppiness over, come on Mistle, lay that eggy for us and let's see Axel's face!

Was that soppiness? If so, add this ecologist to your soppy list! Well said Catlady!

I know exactly how you feel Catlady.  I moved away from the nest when EJ did not return and followed Loch Arkaig, then last year I kept with Glaslyn which sadly I have not had the time to an eye on.  I am grateful for everyone's continued reporting on all the nests we now follow.  So different to 2008 when I joined the forum with only one nest to follow!

There is still some black plastic on the nest, caught under a big stick in the front.  I imagine that will fly away when they they move the furniture again.

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