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
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
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
RSPB Video Channel - Osprey, Goshawk, etc: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl8QdQ9ZaBT65tF1yOmbMBQ
All pictures & videos ©RSPB LochGarten & WildlifeWindows
~~~~~~~
Dedicated...
IMAGICAT
Unknown said:egg #2 at 17.23! (Chat says 17.22.54)
What's a few seconds between frenz? Anyway, it's nearer 23 than 22
Hours and hours of wasted effort have produced this - with no grunts or squeaks:
I'm off to get foodies - shall be checking later for URM's interaction with eggs, if any.
Congratulations Asha, your 2nd egg, what will the reaction from the fellow be with this situation, I wonder? Me thinks he needs to up his fishing contributions to Asha, at least that way we can see he is going to be a good provider to the chicks.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
28 April - close of day - more standing:
29 April
URM incubated OK for 10 minutes while Asha took a break, here she is returning to the perch:
Another wet morning
Another bunch of HAY instead of a FISH
No hesitation taking over when Asha took another break:
He was a good boy until Asha returned:
Lovely captures Scylla,, so worry of 'saving as' Thank you
09:36
Easy handover, he seems to find it easier to let go that some other males we've seen - but I'm doing a vid because there was an aftermath:
Oh, excellent URM excellent. Headless and huge amount left for Asha . Hoorah . Thanks Scylla
I should also add: terrifically well caught !
scylla said:I'm doing a vid because there was an aftermath:
A Raven* chased her - well, it was a bit each way - I'm pretty sure she ended up on her perch behind the mast but she was obscured by it:
*I specified Raven only because LG VC ID'd them as such a week or so ago.
Asha didn't bring back any fish, and since she's taken over URM has been in and out several times, with occasional chipping, possibly because corvids are threatening?
I'm off for a while, SYAL.
Intruders have been a bother, here's one example - see that URM left fish on the nest:
Later he brought some of it back, I didn't see it going to and fro :-/
Matings seem to have stopped - maybe because this is when they would have stopped if they hadn't had an interrupted relationship ??? His hormones are keeping time?