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
Surely the blog or diary could be used for this? Except I kicked it this morning and it appears to be moribund. How times have changed. I remember when it received the 3rd highest most viewed page on the entire RSPB website. RIP the osprey diary. Sad thing is nobody decided to post there that information will not be disseminated there in the future. Que sera sera. Ours is not to question why, just shake our heads in amazement.
See that their Facebook page is up to date but not so the one on X!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
27th March
Nest view at 14:15 - small flurries of snow falling
Two hours later!
©RSPB Loch Garten
Brrrrrrrrrr!!
.
The past 2 days' weather - let's hope it stays as yesterday:
IMAGICAT
29 March
Around lunchtime the PTZ operator did a bit of a tour and left us stuck on this view for the rest of the day !!! !!! !!!
Chatter Alison Phillips thought she saw a possible Osprey fly thru at around the time the cam started moving but I haven't stopped to look for it, it was apparently very unclear.
Female great spot attempting to hammer holes in perch above the nest!
The time is getting nearer, hoping for exciting viewing soooon!! Can't wait.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
30 March
I've written an email to Fergus asking WT* is going on **S
It's sitting in drafts. We don't want me suffering the same fate as our late-lamented CRINGER, do we? Or do you?
Good on you Scylla, just to keep in touch with us is not a lot to ask, is it? We have not heard a thing since last year. It was such a shame that Cringer left us. I hope he is still lurking in the background and that one, he will return.
Edit, NO WE DO NOT WANT YOU GOING AS WELL, DON'T YOU DARE!! ️