EJ

I posted the following on the Daily Update page today, Saturday 23 July 2011.  Daisy Ray suggested it would be appropriate to post it here as it very much sums up what a wonderful and amazing bird  EJ is.

Stephanie, in today's main blog, said that EJ's fish delivery at 10.11hr had been estimated to be 25 inches in length.  I have just put my measure along my work surface and measured 25 inches (yes, I still use inches and pounds).  Just try it.  OK, it was an 'estimate' made whilst observing large screens, but nevertheless...  Imagine EJ grabbing hold of it in water while it struggled, lifting it and herself with wet feathers out of the water, transferring the fish to the usual position for flying and carrying it to the nest.  Absolutely amazing.  We know that Dr Jones at the sturgeon fish farm is not worried that ospreys will take his fish as they are too heavy, but this puts it all into perspective.  Hmm, must go and Google sturgeon, fish, size and see what comes up!

This monster fish fed EJ, and her chicks Tore and Bynack, and lasted a good seven hours and was augmented by two small fish which Odin brought in, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

EJ contemplating a trip far away!

A very wet EJ, who, having fed Bynack until he decided he was full and left, finished the fish herself on the nest.  She then picked up the scraps and did a bit of housework before leaving.  The rain had been very heavy for a while, and EJ was very wet.

Thank you Tiger for that picture of EJ and she must have been thinking oh I have to get away :)

SheilaFE, Thank you for the pics and I can relate to them as for once I happened to see it.  Poor  EJ does look very wet and yes she fed Bynack and I wonder it it will be the last time he has the luxury.  It was wonderful to see and EJ may leave soon, I honestly thought it would be yesterday but I was wrong :)

EJ has been very variable in her migration dates but in more recent years she has been  late August sort of girl.

2003   5th August

2004   31st July (she left the nest before 3rd chick had fledged) (Possible sighting on 6th August) and last seen on  August 10

2005   18th August

2006   20th August

2007   19th August

2008   14th August

2009    27th August

2010    21st August

2011     ???????

Thanks for stats Tiger, looking forward to adding this year's departure date to what we have.

EJ is standing on the nest for a long time.

At 9.03am

and at   9.11am

9-38 still the same

Tiger, the earliest from your information is EJ left was on 14th August, but looking at the others that was much earlier. The last two years have been later. Very interesting to see when she leaves this year. I have a feeling she will not be around as long as the last two years but we will have to wait and see.

Yes wait and see time again B&B. I will update the stats on the website as soon as she does.