In this opening thread for Loch Garten for 2024, we remember Trevor, who sadly passed away on 20 February. Trevor was a great contributor and friend on the community forum, and especially on the Loch Garten thread and was the last person to comment on this thread to the end of February 2024.
community.rspb.org.uk/.../1452441
In 2023, resident female Asha returned on 4th April and was courted by various males, latterly ‘Unringed Male’, with no sign early on of Axel (AX6 - 2016) her partner in 2022. She became the proud parent of 3 eggs (laid on 25 and 28 April and 1 May), of dubious fatherhood, but probably URM (unringed male) – later named Brodie - who had a lot of trouble fending off intruders, which made him a bit flaky in the fish catching and delivery department early on. The main intruder was KL5.
Chick 1 hatched 'early morning' on the 4 June and chick 2 overnight on 6 June. One egg didn't hatch (maybe number 1). KL5 continued to intrude, as did Axel. Brodie disappeared on a few occasions for a couple of days (no fish were delivered over the first weekend after hatching) but he got into his stride on 1 July, delivering fish to the nest every day bar 1 thereafter, with a record count of 7 on the 21st July. Asha also fished and delivered a salmon on the 3rd July. Ringing day was 12th July - 2 boys - 2C5 (oldest) became Sid (Vicious) and 2C4 (youngest) became Harry (Nilsson). 2C5 fledged on 1 August and 2C4 on 2 August.
Asha was last seen on 8 August. Thereafter, the nest became a tough watch on occasion, as KL5 started intruding again big-style, attacking the juveniles. 2C4 was last seen on 11 August, and 2C5 on the 12th. Brodie was last seen on 24 August, but was around less than KL5 who was seen nestorising on occasion and who is possibly shaping up to be the main man for 2024? Time will tell…..
A lovely scylla-snap of Asha and Brodie from 2023 to help us instantly recognise them when they return
Thanks Korky for the recap & for beginning what we all hope will be a very successful season for this and all the other nests too. Let’s hope the camera is working well ready for the return of the ospreys. It’s so good to feel the excitement of all your posts. Trevor’s input will certainly be missed.
Just noticed this on the LG Facebook page;
'Due to circumstances outwith the reserve's control, we have taken the difficult decision that we cannot open the Nature Centre until Monday April 15th this year This is so that the electricity supply can be upgraded to serve the new water facilities at the Nature Centre - work which has been delayed several times over the last two years. We apologise for the disappointment caused to our supporters and visitors, but we're really looking forward to welcoming you all in mid-April The osprey cameras are being serviced at the beginning of March and will be switched on afterwards'
I did post this on another thread relatively recently Korky but it is a good thing that you reposted here in the more relevant place, thank you!
Let us just hope that there are no problems with the cams and they are functoning well and in good time to 'catch' the first Osprey returnee!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Sorry Wendy I did have a vague recollection of having seen the info about the centre opening somewhere! But yes let's hope the technology works!
No need to apologise Korky, we are in danger of missing stuff so easily at the mo in these jumbled up threads it's a good thing to re-iterate!
In any case - I posted it first, I posted it first !!! But I can't remember where
IMAGICAT
They do not get better with time. Orange VS never got better.
Tiger Signature
On Friday the 15th the RSPB posted on Abernethy Facebook "The cameras will be switched on over the next few days according to work programmes".
The feeders are back on the bird feeder cam
Thanks .scylla, I have been waiting patiently, expecially when sightings on Alan's thread, that they are up in the Highlands, my area and favourite nest As it is the only centre I have been to, nest and Ospreys have seen and it is my nearest.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.