Welcome to Loch Arkaig Ospreys season 8
Will Louis and Dorcha return to Nest 2?
Will someone take up residence in Nest 1?
Will any of Louis' chicks with Aila and Dorcha be sighted?
2024 season:
Louis arrived on Thursday 28th March at 15.18.38
Dorcha arrived on Saturday 30th March at 14.21.27
They reunited on Saturday 30th March at 16.13.37
First egg laid on Sunday 14th March at 11.13.48 Congratulations!!
Second egg laid on Wednesday 17th March at 05.55.52
Dorcha is injured in an eagle attack on Friday 19th April at 11.08
Third egg laid on Saturday 20th April at 02.26.08
Welcome little bob - first chick hatches! Wednesday 22nd May at 06.16.45
Welcome little bob - second chick hatches - it's twins! Wednesday 22nd May at 22.26.15
Welcome little bob - third chick hatches! Friday 24th at 16.36.10
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2023 season highlights:
Louis returned on Sunday 2nd April at 12.26.54
Dorcha returned on Sunday 9th April 08.09.46
They reunited on Monday 10th April at 12.33.03
First egg laid Friday 21st April at 05.44.19
A Golden Eagle touched down on Saturday 22nd April at 11.50.56
Second egg laid Monday 24th April at 07.03.30
Third egg laid on Thursday 27th April at 07.35.39
Violent Owl strike sends an egg overboard 23rd May at 00.26.46
First chick hatches - and it's Egg3! 31st May at 13.08
Another Owl strike - Bob's unharmed. 6th June at 00.18.16
It's a boy! The chick is ringed LY7 on 9th July around 10am
Fledge! LY7 finds his wings and flies 19th July at 15.05.11
Hello Ludo! The voting results are in and LY7 is named Ludo! 19th July
Dorcha leaves on her travels - last seen on 17th August at 06.30.34
Louis was last seen on 24th August at 15.50.34
Ludo LY7 was last seen* on 25th August at 10.03.28 (*on the nest)
Ludo sighted in France 24th September! Still there 8th October
Link to 2023 thread:
https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/f/loch-garten-ospreys/282446/loch-arkaig---the-woodland-trust---march-2023-to-february-2024
Brief history of the nests:
Yes! She's been back, flew in right after he brought this moss
11.55.59 Garry LV0 flies in with a big clump of moss. He arranges it in place and does a bit of fiddling with the furnishings, making a good home for the unringed female, Ms No-ring, or Garry's Girlfriend Ms GG? Working title - let's see if she sticks around!
12.00.11 He departs, flying back off towards the loch
Nest One 12.00.55 Garry's girlfriend Ms GG returns followed by Garry LV0.
12.01.05 He flies in and attempts to land on her back, she flaps her wings and shrugs him off but quite gently, so not an outright rejection.
He flies up, lands on her back attempting to mate but doesn't succeed.
12.01.12 He flies off to the right, circles in front of the nest, and out of sight to the left.
17.05.57 Louis arrives with fish number two for Dorcha, a whole trout.
It's wet on the nest as it's been raining all afternoon - she gets up quickly, takes it from him, and departs with it.
He settles down covering the eggs, keeping them dry and warm. (I zoomed as they're just such gorgeous birds..)
20.19.48 Louis arrives with a chirp, lands on the perch, clutching half a trout
20.20.40 He jumps down onto the nest 20.22.59 Dorcha stands up and half-heartedly moves towards the fish
20.23.15 As she doesn’t show much interest, Louis departs with his fish
Daily summary Monday 29th April 2024
A dreich day today but without drama. Louis brought three fish for Dorcha, taking the tally to sixty five, but she'd been fed so well she refused the third, and Louis took it away again. Events move on slowly at Nest One. Garry's girlfriend arrived early this morning and he brought her a fish, but his mating advances were rejected. However, she didn't show any aggression, it was quite a gentle rejection, and she spent a little time rearranging the nest furnishings, so all in her own good time, and Garry must continue to convince her he's the right mate. The forecast tonight is for light rain and a gentle breeze, which should keep the owls away for now.
Night cam switchover (day cam): Nest One 22.04.26 (04.47.58); Nest Two 21.56.18 (04.48.48)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/FoF0b5rBZ4s N2 Fish number one for Dorcha, large headless trout 06.56.41
https://youtu.be/_ptnXEqz0JI N1 Fish number one for Garry's Girlfriend (Ms GG? Gigi?), large headless trout 09.15.22
https://youtu.be/gL18TiIx5s4 N1 Garry LV0 brings moss making a good home for his girlfriend 11.55.59
https://youtu.be/en2jZLwlbtg N1 Garry LV0 tries and fails mating with his new girlfriend 12.00.55
https://youtu.be/NkWomwcHXhg N2 Louis arrives with fish number two, whole trout 17.05.57 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/KgbhdQWyOZE N2 Fish number three, half a trout - Dorcha's not interested 20.19.48
Bonus read - Woodland Trust news item on the need for deer management:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2024/04/deer-in-scotland-a-way-forward/
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/rxYqoHxXPMY Louis coy-mantles for Aila 2017
https://youtu.be/wO972vIFy8U First mating for Louis & Aila 2017
https://youtu.be/shhxI4hywlY Tawny Owl attacks Aila 2020 (slo-mo)
https://youtu.be/rYQg6ow0Krg Aila helps Louis log on 2020
https://youtu.be/TCoPSKsYP4w Aila chases an intruder leaving the eggs unattended 2020
https://youtu.be/j7pYssUjiSw RAF Lossiemouth jets chase Russian invaders 2020 (slo-mo)*
https://youtu.be/5zVFnXl94p8 Affric & Prince return to Nest One 2022
https://youtu.be/h0lIyo4MYQw The Art of Weave 2023 (Classic Ospreys Bach: quicktime)
*No Russians seen - RAF updated on the cause later
Garry LV0 brings moss but no one's there 07.38.57
Fish number one for Dorcha, headless trout 11.55.48
Geemeff said:It can also mean “reward” or “present”; or “she who is beautiful” Again - all very fitting for our new girl. And finally, this name is just one letter different from the name of Nest 1’s original Queen, so think of it as a tribute to her memory too. Ladies and gentleman, please welcome Garry’s new mate (we hope!)…. Aida
Very fitting, Geemeff! Welcome Aida
Nice that she now has a name and a lovely one as well. Welcome Aida
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.