DAILY UPDATE (LG nest) Sunday 17 June 2012

Val C said:

  My grief is not with the RSPB or those at the Centre but with the apparent "know-alls" who like to put down those who are new to watching and asking questions.  I was reading the Facebook Osprey site last night and was horrified at their attitude and sneering, instead of coming here and KINDLY answering questions and guiding folk into a way of thinking like Tiger and Chloe to name just two.

  Yes, Valc,  there is a certain 'mentality' on such sites  which all too often casts its shadow over all else. I signed up in 2005 appx and haven't been on for years. Thank goodness for sites like LG and others on the RSPB, and for the people who dedicate their time and are only too happy to share their knowledge. Sorry I won't mention names in case I accidentally miss someone, but you know who you are:)))))

This is the first time in 5 years that  there has been  chick poo on the camera lens and I didn't care

I am still catching up, but it looks like one of the chicks has poo-ed all over the camera again!

I did not hear #3's "pitiful cries" as I muted the sound.  Now I feel as though I abandoned him to save my own feelings.  But I will never listen, I can't imagine that I will ever watch those dreadful (I can't think of a word to convey the horror) scenes again.

PATILY, thank you for thinking of CIRRUS and me.  Those of us in tears may be comforted by knowing we have others' understanding.  I sympathise with someone who said she couldn't feel any further interest in the two "culprits", I feel like cutting off from the nest, even from the RSPB, altogether, but will give it time.

I recorded the video in one piece, so here it is for the record:

RIP #3, we are so sorry that we couldn't help you, we had to stand by and watch you suffer :'(

Rachel R said:

Please folks, don't start blaming the RSPB staff for this. I'm sure they will be as upset as we are that it has come to this. It is much worse for them, as they have guarded this nest through 6 weeks of night watches, and have had to watch events unfold over the past few days knowing that there was nothing they could do. And they have had to - and will continue to have to - interpret events for visitors to the Centre. I wouldn't want to do that for anything you could offer - today is going to be really rough for them all.

LG 2009 was different, not least because fishing line is a man-made hazard which Odin should never have had to deal with, and all 3 chicks were at risk. Dyfi this year is also a different situation: they were facing the complete failure of one of only two nests in the whole of Wales, which could have had an impact on the whole Welsh recolonisation. Ospreys in the LG area at least are doing very well these days. As others have said, there was nothing anyone could realistically - and ethically - do to intervene in this situation

Yes, it is sad that #3 hasn't made it - and I have a lot of respect for those of you who have continued watching all the way through - I couldn't. But if EJ and Odin manage to rear two healthy chicks to fledging in what has been a second successive bad year for all wildlife in this country, then that is a real achievement.

I agree with you RACHEL. I don't post very often these days. We should try not to get too emotionally involved. We don't, in fact, know why #3 died. There could have been something seriously wrong with it that the other chicks sensed. It is quite well known that weak or sick animals are ostracised, not fed, and even attacked by siblings and other family members. The RSPB couldn't possibly interfere with the nest at this stage as the other chicks are being well fed, look strong and healthy. After the rather unexpected start to the breeding year it is fortunate that we can watch the development of the remainder of this year's brood. After all, Odin could have rejected the eggs as Henry did. That year there was nothing to see eventually but an empty nest.

Unknown said:

it looks like one of the chicks has poo-ed all over the camera again!

It's appropriate that a veil has been drawn.

EJ seemed to take an interest in #3's dead body for a moment there.

EJ's brought in a stick - business as usual :'(

Luckily I have been out golfing in the morning, and have not witnessed any of the attacks on No3.  I am glad that what we all really knew was going to happen is over and we must consider ourselves lucky to still have two healthy chicks to observe "and Love". These birds are not evil and only did what nature has taught them. They hopefully will go on to be part of the Osprey success story in Loch Garten and if they both survive then we have to consider this year a success.  Finally I have said it before and want to say it again, A BIG thanks to you people who keep the rest of us informed here, what you do is really appreciated and is a godsend to some of us!    Scylla, RtB, Moffer,Tiger,  to name a few!!!

EJ's flown off at 12.10. Perhaps for fish. Can't be very enthusiastic now, as I feel even Odin's tiddlers will be sufficient to keep them going.