LOCH GARTEN - March/April 2023

Last season it was decided to restrict live streaming to one cam only (no PTZ) and with no IR for nightcam - this was because the pair who'd been so promising in 2021 had apparently been scared off while they were still bonding, so advice was taken from Roy Dennis on how to avoid unnecessarily alarming the birds and that was the result.

We trust that "normal service will be resumed" this season.

On the 10th of April 2022 our female from 2021, whom Mike had named Mistle, returned - and two days later her partner AX6 Axel duly arrived.  Both were spotted by Ailie and CRinger, and both of those talents we have lost - the latter due to the unwelcome renaming of Mistle to Asha, which the rest of us have accepted... because we had no choice Relieved 

Breeding commenced late, and Axel wasn't the best provider nor the best nest-builder we'd ever seen - nevertheless the pair went on to fledge two beautiful chicks, one of whom tragically died thru, a necropsy determined, salmonella infection.

Asha left very early and we thought Axel had gone early too - but he made surprise appearances until quite late (dates anyone?).

I'll have to do it myself then - Axel was last seen on 10 September @ 11:09, when he flew off after first a visit to the nest and campost, and then a 5-minute preen on the perch.

"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.

Chicks:

Blue 1C2 Male

Blue 1C1 Female (died)

Sometimes Asha had to be quite assertive to get Axel off the eggs - always a good sign Hugging

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RSPB Video Channel - Osprey, Goshawk, etc: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl8QdQ9ZaBT65tF1yOmbMBQ

All pictures & videos ©RSPB LochGarten & WildlifeWindows 

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Purple heartDedicated...Purple heart 

  • Can anyone please find my mojo? Tired face

    Aternatively, find SHEILA and maybe she'll do one of her wonderful timeline reports for us.

    I can say that a third Ospey was skydancing this morning and URM cam to the nest a couple of times for protection.  I hvaen't seen a fish but Asha may think there's another one down ove the side but she hasn't found it.

    Within the past hour he's flown in and mated while she's been incubating and both time he was successful (that's just when I happened to be looking.)

    Blue-ringed intruder - NN2?  Or the one with 3 numbers, no letters?

    It stayed on the dead treetop until flying off @ 07:28:

    Demo - URM has become adept at mating now, so even if egg #1 is not viable there's still strong hope for a clutch:

    Mentioned on Chat - flyover (sound only) of Red-throated Diver:

    Mysterious little episode but a chance for a long comparison of the two:

    Another good FISH for Asha's lunch:

     There's been a longish buffer period but I think that URM is still on the egg.

  • Unknown said:
    I’m tempted to call him Herm,

    Ooh, Hermes would have a bit of distinction Blush

  • scylla said:

    CC said:
    I’m tempted to call him Herm,

    Ooh, Hermes would have a bit of distinction

    Certainly would be better than Herman (anyone remember Herman’s Hermits?). Grin I find URM to be a bit of a twitchy lad…

    Imagicat || Tiger's links || 2022 LG Obs

  • Unknown said:
    anyone remember Herman’s Hermits?

    I sure do, CC - one-hit wonders, near as dammit Grin

    After Asha left with URM's fine fish, URM took a while to settle but then got disturbed - I couldn't tell what was going on - this video comprises small clips joined up with no transitions just so you can see:

  • There was a useful tip on the you tube chat to help tell them apart. The marking right between the eyes is different, Asha has a dark, straight line leading up to a more squared shape, whereas URM has a V shape. Together with the underwing pattern, Asha spotted and URM clean white, this should help.
  • Although both dark chested Asha has more dark flecks in her necklace

    Richard B

  • Also the distance between the legs is wider on a female than a male.

    Richard B

  • I love the idea that we now id our pair by their legs!! But it's true.! Thicker and wider apart for the female. Was it 'Useless George' who had spindly legs?!! I still look for the white band on the tops of her head, and I think she has a 'softer' more 'femine' rounder head.
    I hope I may be around a bit more now, but no guarantee, sorry Scylla.

    Birdie's DU Summaries 2018   https://www.imagicat.com/

  • Thanks all for the ID tips.

    There's been a lot of flying about and lonely egg on this very wet day.  No fish since this morning, hardly surprising.  That's my summary till tomorrow.