LOCH ARKAIG - THE WOODLAND TRUST - June 2024 - February 2025

Geemeff 01/06/2024 01:04

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 May at 16.36.10

Sad death of little chick three Sunday 16th June at approx 19.02

Louis disappears, last seen Wednesday 26th June 11.22.56

Louis returns but is clearly not well Saturday 29th June 08.26.37

Decision made to place the two surviving chicks in a translocation programme Sunday 30th June

Licensed raptor team collects the chicks Monday 1st July 10.15

Chicks 1&2 arrive at Pego-Oliva marsh, Spain and ringed Yellow 1JW (C1) & 1JR (C2) Thursday 11th July

Sadly, 1JR (C2) started having seizures and succumbed to a heart condition Tuesday 23rd July

FLEDGE! The surviving chick 1JW (C1) found his wings and flew Thursday 25th July 3pm

Dorcha last seen on camera (Nest One) 11.19.43 Saturday 27th July

Louis last seen on camera (Nest Two) 13.31.18 Tuesday 30th July

1JW (C1) last seen at Pego-Oliva marsh (Spain) on Tuesday 10th September

Link to February 2024 - May 2024 thread:

loch-arkaig---the-woodland-trust---february-2024---may-2024

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:

2016 Woodland Trust acquire the Loch Arkaig ancient Caledonian rainforest remnant and manage it in partnership with Arkaig Community Forest. An Osprey pair is seen.

2017 A nest cam is installed on a refurbished ancient Osprey nest. The old pair don't return but a young male Louis and a young female Aila take up residence and raise one male chick to fledging: Lachlan JH4.

2018 Louis & Aila return but a Pine Marten steals all their eggs.

2019 Louis & Aila return and raise two female chicks to fledging: Mallie JJ0 and Rannoch JJ2.

2020 Louis & Aila return and raise two male and one female chicks to fledging: Doddie JJ6; Vera JJ8 and Captain JJ7.

2021 Louis returns but sadly Aila doesn't. Louis takes up residence on a new nest with a new mate Dorcha and they raise two male chicks to fledging: Aspen LW3 & Alder LW4. This is designated Nest 2, no one takes up residence on Nest1.

2022 Woodland Trust install a nest cam on Nest 2. Louis & Dorcha return and raise two female chicks to fledging: Willow LW5 and Sarafina LW6. Still no residents on Nest 1.

2023 Louis & Dorcha return, and raise one male chicks to fledging: Ludo LY7. No residents on Nest 1 but male Garry LV0 spent a lot of time flirting with Affric 152 despite her mate Prince still being around.

Louis is a father of thirteen, six with Aila (2017-2020), and seven with Dorcha (2021-)

In hatch order 2017 - 2023:

2017 Lachlan (JH4)

2019 Mallie (JJ0), Rannoch (JJ2)

2020 Doddie (JJ6), Vera (JJ8), Captain (JJ7)

2021 Aspen (LW3), Alder (LW4)

2022 Willow (LW5), Sarafina (LW6)

2023 Ludo (LY7)

2024 males 1JR, 1JW (Spain)

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Highlights:

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2023 Nest Two highlights

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2023 Nest One highlights

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All captures in whatever format are copyright Woodland Trust - with many thanks for allowing captures from their nest cam livestreams.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/

Osprey cams funded by People's Postcode Lottery

Geemeff 30/08/2024 22:59

Daily summary Friday 30th August 2024
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Same as yesterday - wet and windy, no birds of any size or species on either nest. However, from Ian at the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation comes an update on our chick 1JW who's in the care of Fundación Migres in Valencia: "The birds are all doing well. JW is still on the marsh with all the other chicks. They've settled into a routine now where they are feeding by taking fish from the feeding stations and flying off with it to eat on perches. They are starting to make longer flights and it won't be too long before one of them leaves, but at the moment they all seem happy enough. Migration starts later in southern Europe so we would expect them to be around for a couple of weeks more." Surprisingly, tonight's weather forecast is clear skies and light winds, and sunny tomorrow with a high of 20°C.
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Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.31.39 (05.39.07); Nest Two 21.30.23 (05.44.50)
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Today’s videos: none
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Bonus watch - Woodland Trust's vital work to provide habitat our wildlife needs to survive and thrive, and support some of our most vulnerable species, including bats (watch to the end for the delightful bat soundscape):

https://youtu.be/VKkrnBYRcQA
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Compare and contrast our two resident females:

https://youtu.be/_23wRVnATc4 Golden goddess: Aila 2017 - 2020 (Classic Ospreys - Chopin)

https://youtu.be/1syQj_jjjxw Golden variation: Dorcha 2021 - (Classic Ospreys - Bach)
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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/mGnD1GlN2yw N1 They're still here! Louis brings Vera a fish 2020

https://youtu.be/Rtuerzxn16U N1 Louis brings a second mackerel for Vera 2020

https://youtu.be/X3PvNGvKdZU N1 Why do Vera and Louis leave in a hurry alarm-calling? 2020

https://youtu.be/1FrGc0abzzY N2 Blink and you'll miss her! Sarafina makes a 4-second visit 2022

https://youtu.be/9oMYsCLqVg8 N2 Louis, Sarafina, one fish and two Hoodies 2022

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Geemeff 31/08/2024 23:15

Nest One

A Coal Tit pays a quick visit 08.52.12 (zoom)

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Geemeff 31/08/2024 23:17

Daily summary Saturday 31st August 2024

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What a difference a day makes - the sun shone and a little visitor popped in to Nest One for a brief visit. It was good to see the nest scenery bathed in sunshine after the unrelenting rain and wind of the past few weeks, and tonight's forecast is for another calm dry night and more sunshine tomorrow.

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Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.26.59 (05.15.47); Nest Two 21.37.02 (05.30.33)

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Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/iT1QUNOQg5U N1A Coal Tit pays a quick visit 08.52.12 (zoom)

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Bonus quest to unearth the stories and restoration potential of our Forgotten Woodlands: Case Study - Glen Mallie Pinewood:

https://www.nature.scot/scotlands-woodland-heritage-mapped-future

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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/ECZCvjfv2RE N1 Breakfast for Lachlan 2017 (thanks Scylla)
https://youtu.be/BrP-yVmDLTg N1 Daddy's little girl: Louis brings breakfast for Rannoch 2019
https://youtu.be/ASzCFlv2ZWU N1 Daddy's little girl: Louis brings Vera another mackerel 2020

https://youtu.be/0dzTFe878FI N2 Flapping fish for Sarafina 2022
https://youtu.be/P1ssYays84o N2 No takers for the fish so Louis takes it away again 2022

https://youtu.be/cdSV6EEtVwA N2 Sparrowhawk visits, long version 2023 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/8NvRKEfaVF4 N2 Sparrowhawk visits, short version 2023 (zoom)

https://youtu.be/FzP9g_92PQI N2 A small raptor flies across the nest 2023 (slo-mo zoom)
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Geemeff 01/09/2024 22:31

Nest One 19.04.19 Two Ravens appear, one lands on the centre perch.

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There are three birds - the second Raven flies to Stick Tree and another bird flies there too, while the first Raven is on the nest. Unfortunately YouTube is glitching, so although zoomed in, the detail's not clear.

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Geemeff 01/09/2024 22:50

Daily summary Sunday 1st September 2024

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Another dry sunny day, and more visitors - Nest One was visited by a pair of Ravens. One settled on the centre perch while the other flew over to Stick Tree and was joined by a third bird. It's back to rain in the Inver Mallie area tonight however, and heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow. Osprey sightings are being reported down the length of the country as most of the UK Ospreys are now on the move southwards - fingers crossed for safe passage for all migratory birds.

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Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.16.55 (05.15.36); Nest Two 21.08.34 (05.33.20)

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Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/6hi6ZJAJNpQ N1 A Raven perches on the nest, a second perches in Stick Tree and a third flies in the distance 19.04.19

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Bonus read - how Woodland Trust is saving the rare and internationally important Celtic Rainforest:

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/scotland/saving-scotlands-rainforest

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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/zlzX0ThCTR0 N1 Another early breakfast for Lachlan 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/nuAHUNWuGSI N1 Finally a fish (almost!) says Rannoch as dad brings a tiddler 2019

https://youtu.be/5tPaewz1sZY N1 Vera's lunch is served fresh and flapping 2020

https://youtu.be/1H2pfEfW2HY N2 Cleaning crew arrive much too early 2022

https://youtu.be/ZVvxct62iU8 N2 Several songbirds on Nest One 2022

https://youtu.be/fViX1tEyENI N2 Sarafina departs in a hurry with her fish, alarm calling 2022

https://youtu.be/9VYdQtFBd_k N1 Woodpecker does a bit of head-banging 2023

https://youtu.be/1y6y5GM_rSI N1 RAF jet does a flypast 2023 (zoom, slo-mo repeat)
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Geemeff 02/09/2024 22:50

Daily summary Monday 2nd September 2024
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Back to wet and windy weather so no activity on either nest, no change expected tonight or tomorrow. The nights are lengthening rapidly, today's cam switchover times are:

Nest One 21.04.58 (05.43.42); Nest Two 20.57.16 (05.51.13)
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Here is the synopsis for 2024's rollercoaster Season Eight:
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Louis arrived at 15.18.38 on Thursday 28 March

Dorcha arrived at 14.21.27 on Saturday 30 March

First Egg laid 11.13.47 Sunday 14 April

Second egg laid 05.55.52 Wednesday 17 April

Dorcha is injured in an Eagle attack 11.08 Friday 19 April

Third egg laid 02.26.08 Saturday 20 April

First chick hatched 06.16.48 Wednesday 22 May

Second chick hatched 22.26.15 Wednesday 22 May

Third chick hatched 16.36.10 Friday 24 May

Sad death of little Chick3 approx 19.02 Sunday 16 June

Louis last seen Wednesday 26 June

Louis returns with fish uninjured but not right Saturday 29 June

Chicks 1&2 are removed to a translocation programme Monday 1 July

Chicks ringed with Spanish yellow Darvic rings: C1 - 1JW & C2 - 1JR Thursday 11 July

Sadly 1JR started having seizures and succumbed to a heart condition Tuesday 23rd July

FLEDGE! The surviving chick 1JW found his wings and flew 3pm Thursday 25 July

Dorcha last seen on camera on Nest One 11.19.43 Saturday 27 July

Louis last seen on camera on Nest Two 13.31.18 Tuesday 30 July
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And the regular visitors:

Garry LV0 last seen 13.35.57 Wednesday 22 August (first seen 9 April)

Affric 152 last seen 15.09.07 Saturday 17 August (first seen 10 April)

Prince last seen 09.24.01 Saturday 29 June (first seen 1 April)
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Today’s videos: none
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Bonus guide - Meteorological Autumn started yesterday, WT explain the tell-tale signs showing nature gearing up for the next season:

https://woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/08/first-signs-of-autumn/
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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/GVC8EAL8j1c N1 Rannoch and a live fish flap about together! 2019

https://youtu.be/oO5IX0QO1I0 N1 One hour, two fish: Rannoch is spoilt for choice 2019

https://youtu.be/4SZAfIakPdU N1 Vera's not there so Louis leaves with his fish 2020

https://youtu.be/nWBx1R3qXN4 N1 Osperian Blues 2020 (Artistic Ospreys)

https://youtu.be/qE0a0RySokE N2 A Mistle Thrush visits followed by Hoodies 2022

https://youtu.be/PQrbWsYCti8 N2 Deliveroo! Sarafina sings for her supper 2022

https://youtu.be/5nPIsSw9yfk N1 A pair of Great Tits visit as the sun rises 2023

https://youtu.be/fBQ3mOSiwuk N2 A tiny Tit visits the big and empty nest 2023
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Geemeff 03/09/2024 15:32

Nest Two

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13.32.41 A Mistle Thrush lands on Dorcha's perch, a second follows.They give a harsh clicking sort of call

13.36.11 The second leaves, the first flies down onto the nest

13.38.37 A Raven flies quickly on the left in the near distance. The remaining Thrush, now on the centre perch, takes note but doesn’t move.

13.39.57 As the first departs from the centre perch, the second appears in a blur of wings on the left, and flies off with the first. Movement by the Scots Pine - looks like the pair flew that way.

(zoomed)

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Geemeff 03/09/2024 23:31

Daily summary Tuesday 3rd September 2024
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A damp day with occasional fogging of the camera lenses but with the prospect of a dry night tonight and a few sunny patches tomorrow. A Raven flying near Nest Two being carefully watched by the Mistle Thrushes perching on the nest was today's only activity.
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Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.15.35 (05.31.19); Nest Two 21.28.54 (05.43.26)
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Today’s videos:

https://youtu.be/SANdIv1GZKc N2 A pair of Mistle Thrushes visit, and a Raven flies nearby 13.42.31 (zoom)
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Bonus action - plenty of time to select your favourite and vote for Woodland Trust's Tree of the Year:

https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/these-are-all-the-shortlisted-trees-for-tree-of-the-year-2024-090324

Please note one of the candidates, the Darwin Oak, is under threat from development, link to the petition to save it:

https://www.change.org/p/save-the-darwin-oak
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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/U1onizty-us N1 Twilight Zone: Ravishing Rannoch gleaming in the gloaming 2019

https://youtu.be/ZRc8W6788qA N1 Thanks, don't mind if I do! Hoodie steals fish 2019

https://youtu.be/MAPUn0ZA0gU N1 Louis brings Vera a well-munched flatfish 2020

https://youtu.be/s7-mimTQJ6Y N2 Plenty of pretty Passerines 2022

https://youtu.be/4IaNI6hj5Gc N2 Sarafina gets her tail feathers tweaked by a cocky Corvid 2022

https://youtu.be/eRFbhBHYBjA N2 Sarafina, Louis, fish and a Hoodie 2022

https://youtu.be/hMVeYzEh228 N2 Juvenile Robin hops around the nest 2023

https://youtu.be/rOk8rGBphpk N2 Dyson looks forlorn on Dorcha's perch 2023
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Geemeff 04/09/2024 21:18

Daily summary Wednesday 4th September 2024

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While the Ospreys have gone and the local wildlife isn't very visible either, the view from the nest cams is stunning and it's worth popping in from time to time to have a look as the seasons change. The nests looked beautiful bathed in sporadic sunshine today, and more of the same is forecast for tomorrow. Drop in also to Woodland Trust's campaigns page to see what they're currently working on, and how you can help: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-trees-and-woods/campaign-with-us Costs nothing but a few seconds and a couple of mouse clicks, and makes a huge difference.

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Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 21.12.13 (05.30.11); Nest Two 21.06.15 (05.38.41)

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Today’s videos: none

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Bonus action - join thousands of other people and let Woodland Trust know what's happening to wildlife near you:

https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/add-a-record/

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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/f9xGkReEs2o N1 Three fish one after another for Lachlan 2017 (thanks Scylla)
https://youtu.be/TjCNVR0D0dA N1 Rannoch gets a fresh flapping flounder 2019 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/ghdrU4ka5_U N1 Good grief - more fish! Number five arrives 2020
https://youtu.be/K03sHXEtezg N2 Ouch! Louis gets his leg pulled 2022
https://youtu.be/XusFfpEKwHA N2 Sarafina leaves as the Hoodies move in 2022
https://youtu.be/3sGLsMZX-Yk N2 Fish number four causes a bit of a fankle 2022

https://youtu.be/tQhK-KB1690 N2 Little bird looks tiny on Dorcha's perch 2023
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Geemeff 05/09/2024 23:55

Daily summary Thursday 5th September 2024

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No avian activity as is the norm now, but the weather has perked up and blazing sunshine with positively tropical highs of 25°C is forecast for the next two days. A pity our family didn't get to enjoy similar weather before the chicks had to be removed in order to save them via a translocation programme. Louis was able to bring a final fish for breakfast which Dorcha served up on that last morning together before the chicks left the nest on 1st July, link to that video: https://youtu.be/Q_HakxODigs

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Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 20.53.24 (05.35.20); Nest Two 20.50.26 (05.44.14)

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Today’s videos: none

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Bonus recipe from our very own Woodland Trust Scotland George - make some bramble whisky!

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/08/bramble-whisky/

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Blast from the past, this day in previous years:

https://youtu.be/LEMJm8XBfas N1 Lachlan eats one fish, departs with another 2017 (thanks Scylla)

https://youtu.be/o-WY7x6x5Xc N1 Whose nest is it anyway? Rannoch and a Hoodie 2019

https://youtu.be/VOXzZ-0vTSo N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2019

https://youtu.be/1310c1jFxaU N1 Who's on the nest before Vera gets breakfast from Louis? 2020

https://youtu.be/7pj8uTDrCKc N1 Confirmed: final sighting of Louis 2020

https://youtu.be/j4z65mVcjkI N2 Sarafina departs and the Hoodies move in 2022

https://youtu.be/BV2mAedbJ9o N2 Hoodies on the nest force Louis to abort landing with his fish 2022

https://youtu.be/vPO_llkryLo N2 Mobbed by crows, Sarafina loses her fish! 2022

https://youtu.be/4ekm0Uf7r7c N1 Misty morning sunrise 2023 (timelapse)

https://youtu.be/C5w-9s869M4 N2 Juvenile Sparrowhawk visits 2023 (zoom)

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