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:
Daily summary Sunday 14th April 2024Only one story tonight - the welcome arrival of the first egg of the season. Congratulations Dorcha and Louis! Without apparent fuss, Dorcha waggled her tail feathers and stood up at 11.13.47, giving a glimpse of the egg. Not the best weather for egg-laying, but she and Louis are old hands at this and take bad weather in their stride. Whatever happens, whether good or less so, they are leading their lives as wild beings free from human interference. We are privileged to be able to eavesdrop on them, and although times are tough, donations of any size will be much appreciated to carry on the upkeep of their forest home, and the 1000+ other woods looked after by Woodland Trust. Donation link below, or use the donation button on this page. In other news, Louis brought two fish to the nest, taking the tally to thirty seven, and Garry LV0 paid a quick visit to Nest One followed by a long perch up on Pole Tree. Tonight's forecast is for hail showers and a gentle breeze, more rain tomorrow but with a chance of some sunshine.Donation link: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/give/donate/Night cam switchover (day cam): Nest One 21.22.10 (05.16.26); Nest Two 21.08.04 (05.30.29)Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/PMBJ6rBYv6o Garry LV0 visits Nest One then perches on Pole Tree 06.56.25 (zoom)https://youtu.be/GR5uY71Ebvc FIRST EGG! 11.13.47 (zoom)https://youtu.be/-GKcJeJWPlQ Louis sees their egg for the first time 11.24.40https://youtu.be/3xzJPU206Rg Louis has his first incubation session 12.59.43https://youtu.be/khPNMeFkuXk Fish number one, headless BT 15.31.12https://youtu.be/Zz4nEcTkDjQ Fish number two, headless BT 19.15.57Bonus guide - delayed incubation for anyone worried about the egg being left uncovered: https://www.dyfiospreyproject.com/blog/emyr-mwt/delayed-incubation-ospreysBlast from the past, this day in various yearshttps://youtu.be/UU44l6A5Vy4 Touchdown - but who? 2020 (slo-mo)https://youtu.be/09e-9iR9Uvg Lonesome again - Louis waits in vain 2021https://youtu.be/No4cPpPY9eM Cheeky Crow wants Louis' fish 2021https://youtu.be/ZHbPfslJSb4 Dorcha finally gets Louis' fish 2022https://youtu.be/epotlXiS6_w Dorcha wants dinner, Louis wants Dorcha 2022https://youtu.be/GwydfsZfM1s Louis looking magnificent 2023https://youtu.be/0rLUKr-CEmE Nest One sunset 2023 (quick-time)https://youtu.be/HIEpIrsKACA Nest Two sunset 2023 (quick-time)
Catlady said:Wel done on the 1st egg. I loved the way Louis suddenly noticed the egg and cocked his head to the side and moved in for a closer look, so cute. Then had to squeeze Dorcha off, so he could get a shot to sit!
Wel done on the 1st egg. I loved the way Louis suddenly noticed the egg and cocked his head to the side and moved in for a closer look, so cute. Then had to squeeze Dorcha off, so he could get a shot to sit!
I know - he looks so sweet when he does that. He appears surprised every year, as if he's forgotten it's happened before.
Louis is such a star!
It's the egg's turn to star on BBC Breakfast this morning with BBC presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay.
Dorcha is shown on the nest tending to her egg
Nest One
07.07.56 Garry LV0 lands carrying a headless trout. He's making himself at home and advertising for a mate - great news
07.08.58 Departs with it
Nest two
09.02.42 Garry LV0 returns to the nest and starts tidying up and doing some nest scraping, while constantly looking out for any potential mates out there.
09.09.55 Departs
Nest One A bird can be seen flying in from the gap between the knolls from 11.29.48 on,
11.29.55 a Hooded Crow lands and perches for a few seconds
11.59.58 departs
George Anderson on BBC Radio Scotland at lunchtime today.
George is the PR & Communications Officer for Woodland Trust Scotland, and also the moderator of the Osprey forum.
Here he talks with BBC Radio Scotland presenter Andrew Black about the return of the Arkaig Ospreys, their first egg, and general Osprey matters such as migration.
11.20.31 Louis arrives with fish number one, a headless Brown Trout.
Dorcha has a quick nibble before leaving Louis to incubation duties
11.21.01 Dorcha departs
16.56.14 Louis arrives with fish number two, a large headless Brown Trout.
As with the earlier fish, Dorcha takes it and leaves Louis to incubate the egg.
16:56:54 Dorcha departs, Louis fusses with the egg, turning it, then settles down.
Daily summary Monday 15th April 2024Media darlings Louis & Dorcha were in the news again today - Dorcha and the egg starred on BBC Breakfast, our very own WTS George was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland, and the arrival of the egg featured in too many publications to name. Back at the nests, the birds just got on with their lives. Louis got plenty of chances to egg-sit as well as making sure the next eggs, expected Wednesday and Saturday, are well fertilised, and still found time to catch two fish for Dorcha, taking his tally to thirty nine. Over on Nest One, Garry LV0 kept dropping in, bringing a fish and plenty of nesting materials to make things as attractive as possible for the elusive female he kept looking out for. The weather was a bit easier today, although still chilly with fresh snow on the mountains seen on the nest cam view, and tonight's forecast is partly cloudy with a gentle breeze.Night cam switchover (day cam): Nest One 21.32.47 (05.27.28); Nest Two 21.26.52 (05.32.44)Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/glFpcNXi9Oo Dorcha and the egg star on BBC Breakfast 06.17https://youtu.be/Wkk63dNiLtk N1: Garry LV0 lands carrying a headless trout 07.07.56https://youtu.be/cuIKVzgrQMY N1: Garry LV0 does some nest scraping and watches for a potential mate 09.02.42https://youtu.be/7TEKt_9zA8A Fish number one, headless BT, Dorcha grabs it and goes 11.20.31https://youtu.be/JHpfN3zdhg0 N1: Hoodie lands and perches for a few seconds 11.29.55https://youtu.be/GVX93Gmg5KI George Anderson's interview on BBC Radio Scotland today 13.25https://youtu.be/43baqO1yOss Fish number two, headless BT, Louis gets to egg-sit 16.56.14Bonus action - Osprey cam watchers are citizen scientists, now WT wants your help with another project:https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/natures-calendar/Blast from the past, this day in previous years:https://youtu.be/51sv0sFASJA Aila & Louis: love in the dark 2020https://youtu.be/ZuqkpeDLZ34 Drama as a Hoodie is chased away 2020https://youtu.be/Ne6U24RQtfk Louis is harassed by persistent Hoodies 2021https://youtu.be/LbhbAx0KBh4 Stickly situation: Louis and a log 2022https://youtu.be/4yS0AKNnv48 Little bird visits Nest One 2023https://youtu.be/7w0I3iYZssc Synchronised landings 2023 (slo-mo repeat)