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
.
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:
08.30.24 Louis departs with his bit of fish, Dorcha remains08.30.58 A Hoodie lands and is chased away by Dorcha08.31.06 Louis appears flying from right to left clutching the fish remnant, and reinforces the crow’s eviction. The nest cam captures him flying overhead just in view08.31.21 Louis lands still clutching his fish. He and Dorcha keep looking around warily.
14.52.05 Louis arrives with fish number two, a large headless trout - Dorcha grabs it and departs14.53.49 Dorcha returns in such a gust of wind, both Ospreys have difficulty staying on the nest.At one stage, Louis and Dorcha are lined up like train carriages, but Dorcha hangs on to the fish. Louis makes a grab for it but she hangs on and is able to keep it14.57.28. Dorcha departs with it again.It's amazing they managed to hang on in that howling gale, that was a big heavy fish, and I imagine the water is pretty choppy, so well done Louis for managing to catch it.
Poor Dorcha is caught by a gust of wind at 17.27.30 while she's on the perch and tumbling down the side of the nest through the branches. She flies away, and returns at 17.46.20, good to see she's not hurt.
Her turn, maybe? Louis was blown off once before, while she was only flipped upside down.
Luckily she’s not hurt.
Oh my goodness Dorcha was extremely lucky to not get hurt, Geemeff!
Will be glad when this awful weather goes away.
Yes indeed, it's been unbelievably windy on the nest today. Nest One is much more sheltered.
21.28.03, a Barn Owl flies onto the nest, perches on the left hand side branches, and departs after 21 seconds at 21.28.24
On the nest for about 30 mins this morning, around 0638
Richard B
Lovely screenshot, Richard. - he is such a pretty boy!
Richard G B said:On the nest for about 30 mins this morning, around 0638