As we near the end of the year and the nights start to draw out again (thanks for pointing that out, Tiger) thoughts will inevitably start to turn to the coming season at LG. It is likely that we have less than 100 days to wait now. After such a successful year in 2009 what will 2010 hold for the most famous nest site in the UK?Will EJ, after an uncharacteristically late departure, return early enough to claim the nest? Will the magnificent Odin make it back to partner EJ and to entertain us all again this year?Post here to let us know what you hope and/or think will happen in the coming season (don’t forget we are viewing a fixed camera watching a single nest so we get to follow whoever successfully claims it). Who will return, and when? Will there be a struggle for the nest? etc, etc. Predictions please!
Ooh Sandy. Good idea - has us looking forward. I predict EJ will return to her nest - on schedule - and face multiple initial challenges only to prevail. Hurray! I really, really hope Odin returns too.(Wonder when they'll turn on the camera....)
After such a successful season in 2009, I am hopeful that EJ and Odin will return to claim the nest once more. It is so hard to predict though as 9% of adults dont return. I still have a feeling White TF will have a part to play next year. The key to it all is EJ as she is such a great mum and superb at catching large fish. If she returns I am sure all will be well with whatever suitor she takes and hopefully it will be Odin.
I guess that next June people will be waiting for any sightings of Nethy.
Yes it would be good if we had a nice normal season of EJ and Odin bringing up the chicks. But then when can you remember a nice quiet year? I guess that 2004 was the closest thing to that and even then we had EJ attacked relentlessly, morning after morning by an unknown female. Eventually there was a broken egg and it was not clear whether it was EJ or the unknown female that laid the egg. In any event EJ went on to lay three more eggs and her and Henry went on to raise brood that Henry had sired.
My only prediction is that I do not think white TF will feature.
Tiger Signature
I need to think about it before I make my prediction. But I tend to agree with Tiger that White TF will not be a prominent factor. I don't know ospreys as well as many on this site, but that poor bird didn't seem quite "right" to me -- sort of weakened and disoriented. I will be a little surprised if White TF makes a successful migration. (I don't mean to sound cold hearted about it.)
It is amazing how some nests are stable with the same male and female turning up year after year whereas at others there are lots of changes. Loch Garten seems to be one of the more volatile ones and that is what makes it more unpredictable.
Well Ollie was around for 12 years and Olive for at least 9 years. Come to think of it does anyone know what became of Olive?
I was thinking more of the Loch of the Lowes female who has been coming back to the same nest since 1991 and has laid in the region of 55 eggs in that time. I have no knowledge of Olive.
Unknown said: I was thinking more of the Loch of the Lowes female who has been coming back to the same nest since 1991 and has laid in the region of 55 eggs in that time. I have no knowledge of Olive.
Olive was the female at Loch Garten from 1994 to 2001. When Ollie did not return in 2002 a series of young males including Henry courted Olive. At the end of the day she just flew away and I do not know if she has ever been reported since.
I have heard it claimed that the female which EJ repeatedly 2004 might have been Olive but there is no proof of this.
I was just thinking that I must have seen Ollie and Olive in 2001 as I visited Loch Garten that year and remember seeing the 2 adults.
Unknown said: Ooh Sandy. Good idea - has us looking forward. I predict EJ will return to her nest - on schedule - and face multiple initial challenges only to prevail. Hurray! I really, really hope Odin returns too.(Wonder when they'll turn on the camera....)
Hi Annette. Let's hope that EJ does make it back, and early enough to claim the nest. I think that, as long as she's having a peaceful winter (wherever she is) and returns in good condition, she should be able to repel all boarders! I don't think the camera comes online until their return is imminent.