July 2022 thread
Our Osprey family
"Axel", Blue AX6(16) male (yes he does have strong chest markings), a single chick (possibly from 3 eggs) hatched Glen Affric, near Beauly, seen Lossiemouth 2020, then at LG in 2021
"Asha"- Female - Unringed - partnered Axel in 2021.
Axel & Asha (as "Mistle") fled the nest May 2021 due to unknown intruders.
HATCH #1 - 11 June @ 05:30
HATCH #2 - 13 June @ 04:11 (first sighting)
AT RINGING - Quote RSPB Abernethy Facebook "The male BLUE 1C2 is thought to be the older one at 1.5kgs with the female BLUE 1C1 being the younger one at 1.5kgs."
RSPB Video Channel - Osprey, Goshawk, Barn Owls: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl8QdQ9ZaBT65tF1yOmbMBQ
All pictures & videos ©RSPB LochGarten & WildlifeWindows
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IMAGICAT
Thanks for the video, Scylla. And a big thank you for the warning. It was very upsetting to watch her in such distress. I'm no expert but she was exhibiting symptoms that looked very much like the Bald Eagles I've read about that are suffering from lead poisoning/toxicity. Of course, it would be impossible for her to have ingested lead ammunition like a Bald Eagle would but might it be possible for her to have ingested any sort of lead fishing sinker/weight? Even a part of such an item would be dangerous.
Here are a couple of links that may be of interest: http://www.crowclinic.org/articles/lead-poisoning-how-it-affects-you-and-wildlife-too
https://www.wildlifecenter.org/lead-poisoning-raptors-wildlife-center
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Another thought. How much of the little grebe did she get? Certainly Asha soon went off 5he idea, but I seem to remember (haven't checked) the chicks were happy to take it. Although it is odd that 1C2 didn't suffer. I think I should leave it to the experts to tell us.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
The Little Grebe was 26 July, removed 28 July - so it would seem unlikely it was a contributor.
09 August
Asha and 1C2 have been on 'n off the nest pottering and just waiting since 05:16. While they did seem to glance at 1C1, no particular attention was paid - Asha was foraging for morsels. They are both currently on the nest.
EDIT - As I typed that, Asha flew off and 1C2 is there screeching.
Back to yesterday, 08 August
Lynn L said:Axel lands, she was not happy with him
The phrase "dead-beat dad" springs to mind
One shouldn't rush to judgement, of course - why isn't Axel providing? Is it the wind, which sounds so horrendous this year? Have any difficulties been reported at the fishing sites?
Just now - and they're still waiting:
Taking a break here - SYAL