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 

IMAGICAT

  • One egg is very well marked with blotches the other very pale
  • 30 April

    No standing overnight!

    Asha took her first viewable break @ 04:49 - it was too dark to be certain who resumed the incubation, but the fly-in was to the campost, which is usually her.

    She had another flyabout @ 07:49 and brought back a small clump in one foot:

    trevor l said:
    Morning all Big fish at 8.29 am

    Some snaps.

    Asha's head:

    URM's head:

    trevor l said:
    One egg is very well marked with blotches the other very pale

    billy r said:
    Fish 9:48

    It turned out, Billy, that it was Asha bringing back nearly all the fish!

    URM left, naturally assuming she would take over incubation but she stood eating the fish for... lemme see...15 minutes!  In the rain !!!  And it was more like 20 minutes before she sat on the eggs !!!

    Then URM bought a clump but I wonder if a piece of fish was involved ???

    During all that there was a Clywedog fish and I mis-clicked and lost half the network, so let's take a meal break !!! Grin

    Cos it I don't laugh I'll cry !!!

    IMAGICAT

  • Know how you feel Scylla, had a couple of mishaps with Peregrine footage, all gets a bit hectic!!

    How you manage so well with the amount you do I'll never know!

     

     2013 photos & vids here

    eff37 on Flickr

  • Can’t tell for sure, but I think Asha flew off, replaced by URM after a few moments. Oh, she’s back, a chirp. Intruder? Looks like URM brooding like an old pro.

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

  • Suddenly they seem like an old married couple, lol.

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

  • She utters a single sweet chirp between preens. A gentle hint? Oops, it has begun escalating, but she is not shouting…yet! He seems undisturbed. Typical!

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

  • 14.45 I am hearing sky dancing? The couple seems unperturbed!

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

  •  Okay, she’s escalating fish requests and has flown down to the nest to brood. URM gets up and flies off. What a great guy! EDIT at 14.54: He must still be in sight as she is still begging.

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

  • I dunno where URM is but I’m pretty sure he’s not fishing. I’m off, will check back later. Happy viewing!

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

  • The well marked egg, I think was first