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

14.20 Look who’s just had a feed and not wiped their beaks! 

15.24 Their feathers have dried out nicely in the wind.

15.25 Dorcha returns and can’t believe her eyes!

Where did this come from?!

Her first piece. She even gave some of it to her chick (who didn’t tell mum it had already been fed!)

©️Woodland Trust

15.25.02 With the licensed raptor experts having departed after their errand of mercy feeding the chicks in the inexplicable absence of Louis, Dorcha returns and spots the fish they left for her.

She immediately starts tucking in and the chicks, with full crops from the whole mackerel they were each hand-fed, crowd around her.

She gives them some of the fish but eats plenty herself. Where is Louis? Fingers crossed for his safe return.

Woodland Trust said they sought expert advice and were granted permission by the government agency who handle these matters - NatureScot - to intervene.

We have been asked by Woodland Trust admin not to record the intervention by Lewis so I am not putting up a clip of the feeding, although I’ve seen photos and clips posted on social media by others. It will be visible on youtube scrollback until approximately 1.30am tomorrow.

Editing to say George has posted that photos and video were taken by the raprtor experts during the intervention and will be out in due course - they'll be fabulous hi-def ultra close-up shots, worth waiting for.

Meantime, WT are trying to damp down the sensation a bit until, as they put it, 'we know the ending to the story'. 

Fabulous vids Geemeff, so heartening, for good news of Louis!

20.32 Current scene on the nest. Dry and still very windy. Dorcha forever watchful to see if Louis is around.

©️Woodland Trust

I do hope that no harm has come to Louis. My fingers are crossed that he returns after time away for whatever reason. Thank you WT for feeding the birds, and hopefully again tomorrow, if needed

The plan is to feed the chicks again tomorrow. A platform safe from Pine Martens, Badgers etc was set up near the nest with fish left on it for Dorcha. Not sure she's had any - or at least hasn't brought any back to the nest. Of course, the Hoodies might have got there first. 

Hoping, hoping, hoping Louis turns up.. if still a no-show by Sunday, a licence has been granted by Nature Scot to remove the chicks and place them in a translocation programme.

Nest One 10.06.18 An Osprey is seen flying across the cam view from left to right. Moments later Garry LV0 arrives on Nest One, and stands and preens for a while.

10.14.25 He departs only to return a few moments later with a clump of moss.

10.18.55 He sets the moss down and does a little housekeeping before perching again.

10.35.41 He departs and isn't seen again today.

(zoomed)

23.38.35 Dorcha and the two chicks huddle together on a dreich night with the wind howling around them, a long night is ahead of them

Where is Louis? No one knows.

Last seen Wednesday 26th, acting unlike his usual self.

Hurry home Louis - we miss you, Dorcha and the chicks need you.