LOCH GARTEN - May 2022

SheilaFE said:

I still can't understand Axel calling. Have we heard it from any other male before?

Yes, once upon a time , Odin did it  - EJ responded Can't remember  which year

Ian S said:

think those that are criticising the blog made by Fergus are missing the point. I read his negative comment on hatching as tongue in cheek

Well I didn't "criticise" Fergus's blog, but - me being an incorrigible practitioner of tongue-in-cheekery (and often geting into trouble on YouTube for it), that shouldn't have gone over my head

She's just escorted an intruder away from the area

(c) RSPB Loch Garten

09.30 Mistle has been calling, and now she has flown... ENS

09.31  Axel flies in to take over incubation.  Straight on, with no faffing.

09.32  Mistle returns, moves sticks.  Axel stays put.  Mistle creeps closer LOL  stands on his tail.

09.33 Axel gets up...and has flown.  Mistle settles on the eggs.

The evolving nest

Axel was incubating with a stick to his left, our right - it was exposed earlier when Mistle flapped away the pigeon which had the temerity to land on the nest, ever so briefly!

Mistle landed and in trying to shift Axel she moved it further back

Axel has been ousted and Mistle settle

© RSPB - Loch Garten & WildlifeWindows 

11.17 A bird flew over the nest. Axel/intruder? landed.  Mistle intruder mantled. Has she mistaken the fly-over and Axel. Are there two birds, an intruder or just Axel. She is really agitated. Lying low with wings spread over the cup and intruder calling. Axel/intruder is standing on the rim watching.  Blue ring left leg, probably a female.
11.19 Mistle flapped at Axel/intruder gets up and sees him off???
11.21 FISH!!! Axel landed with a fish. Was the other bird (blue ring) not Axel after all.  (I think it was an intruder, not Axel)
Both mantle. Axel went in chase of an intruder

11.23  Mistle flew off  ENS

I will have another look at the footage.  I think the bird that landed wasn't Axel, but a look alike, but it need more scrutiny.

Edit:  11.17  Mistle is aware of an intruder in the vicinity

11.17.30  Blue ring,left leg, female probably, landed on the rim.  Mistle intruder called, lay low wings spread over the cup.

11.19.54 Mistle rose, turned and winged the intruder off the nest - well done lass!

I'm afraid I couldn't read the ring number, but I am sure others will be able to.

11.21 Axel arrived with a FISH #1 as the intruder flew up and over the nest - towards us.  Both mantled and Axel went in chase. 

Mistle had already claimed the fish.

Mistle, fish and two eggs on the nest.  She started to eat the fish which Axel is escorting the intruder way.

11.23 Mistle flew with the fish  ENS!!

© RSPB - Loch Garten & WildlifeWindows

11.34 Mistle and Axel returned to the nest - Mistle must have gulped that fish down, as she didn't return with it.
Axel flew off.
11.35 Mistle incubated

12.00 she is still incubating, nodding off.

Gosh I've been missing all the excitement and mysteries - have been embroiled in "hundreds" of downloads, little and large, am going to have to delete several nestcams but which?

Thank you for such detailed commentary, SHEILA.