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
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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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Dedicated...
IMAGICAT
Approx. 15.05 Asha talks to the just summoned URM, before departing, leaving him behind. The speech seemed to include, “You know what you’re supposed to do. See that egg? Go for it. Furthermore, when I summon you, you’re actually supposed to bring a fish, for further reference.” As of 15.08, he’s still thinking about it.
Imagicat || Tiger's links || 2022 LG Obs
URM incubating now (I think). I might have got it wrong and it's Asha on nest but URM has definitely been incubating this afternoon. Very difficult to know which one is which
Thanks for the updates everyone, I'm off on a birding trip for a week so will be dependent on WiFi, thank you in advance for your posts.
Thank you for the updates (((CC))) - I've got a corrupt 6-hour stretch from YouTube so I've got to go thru the screen-capture footage, takes longer and is more grainy, usually.
I do believe he incubated for a short while this morning:
This was Asha relieving from the right, IMHO:
He brought in some little bits:
Asha flew @ 08:45...
10 minutes later URM managed to settle himeslf down - that's the second time this morning and it's hope for the eggs but not necessarily this one - about which we know only that it's come from Asha's bottie
He sat still until Asha returned @ 09:08!
Asha returning with chirps from a 1-minte break:
Intruder alert with chipping - it didn't come to anything:
Early afternoon events bode well for the season's outcome - with URM getting the knack of both incubating and mating
Mustn't count our osplets, tho, it may be a long season with ups 'n downs
Hi BILLY & JANE! You weren't there when I opened the RF to start the catchup, and CC had not left.
I quite agree about ID-ing them apart but you've got it right about URM incubting, BILLY :))) But I find it difficult even with necklace views, JANE.
Have a great trip, JANE, and hope the wifi holds up
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
I definitely find it difficult to ID them!! I think the 'freckles' of Mistle/Asha are darker near her throat, and as I've mentioned before, she had quite a distinctive while hair band. 17.00 she is still calling gently and looking around.
Edit 17.02 she is now quietly incubating the egg. No sign of the URM