Three interesting snippets of osprey behaviour from the last 24hrs.
Firstly our lady had to fight off a very determined intruder yesterday, and unusually, shouting and posturing was not enough! She actually had to use her talons and beak to see the intruder at the nest off- for this to happen is unusual. As well as other juvenile and curious birds at this time of year, there are also now ospreys starting to head south, who have either failed to breed, or bred very early, so there will be doubtless more such encou7nters.
Secondly, we had a visit form dad at the nest yesterday afternoon, with a nice juicy pike- and unusually, there was no one there to receive it. Where were the hungry hordes? He sat for a few minutes ( a nice chance to see him in detail as his recent visits have been so fleeting) and when no one else emerged to claim the prize, her quite rightly took off with it himself!
Lastly a few of you noticed one of our chicks yesterday pick up at least two things from the water- a pine cone and a stick! Not quite a fish, but a good sign it is honing its skills in coordination, visual calculations and accuracy. Keep it up wee one!
Lets hope today has as many equally exciting developments.
Emma Rawling
Perthshire Ranger
Chrissy, you really are the blog queen. One minute you have me mushy and sad, the. Next you have me chuckling away. Plus you’ve been following the “Osps” for ever.
and you describe them so well. Thanks to Barbara Ann for the great pics also. Luv Kath R xx
Glad I can lighten you day pet,,, to tell the truth,,
I think I have a split personallity you know,,, I never know what will come out of this single brain cell of mine ???
love
Chrissy
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You’re most welcome Kath.
HELLOOOOOOOOOO,, out there in Elephant land,,,, I hope your not stomping about in there to much,
Thank you kindly very muchly please,,,,,
love
Chrissy
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emma, thanks so much for what youall are doing,,,,just want to respond to the nest,,,,,,it is the most precious thing in the world to them right now,,,,,its home,,,,,,
Quiet reflection for Lady – lovely cam work thanks – so enjoy seeing Lady like this feel we must make the most of every second of her on her beloved perch.
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the great posts
Thanks for the blog Emma. Great to hear one of the juviniles has been practicing fishing. A shame Lady Marge had to fight hard to see off an intruder but I’m not surprised she won in the end. Well she’s not called The Lady of the Loch for nothing. Just switched on a few minutes ago and now she’s on her branch with one of her brood in the nest. Absolutely fantastic images. Thanks to the camera operator.
Paul.
I’ve just got back from a walk in my local patch. A pair of buzzards have a nest nearby, and the chicks are at least as loud as our ospreys when shouting for food! I found some wild rasp bushes, and had a good feed – scrumptious! Now, any bee experts out there? I came upon a large amount of honey bees crawling near a puddle. I thought at first that they were drinking water from the puddle, but they were concentrating on the mud round about, as if they were sucking water up, or doing something else entirely. Sorry to go off topic, but we really have an amazing world out there.
Oh,Carolyn, what interesting questions you come up with. Next time I am near a bee book I will have to read it up or ask some bee keeping friends. You have me curious now.
missed the arrival of the fish. Who delivered it and which chick was in the nest to receive it( before the barney)
Fantastic dad – two deliveries in quick succession, one for each chick. What a great provider he is!
Did you see that? Greedy big sis was eyeing up her sibling’s fish, and nicked a piece he’d dropped. She never misses a thing that girl!
I hope Chrissy and Shelagh saw that I replied to their greetings . I wanted to say that my husband and I intend to come up from England next year and visit the Loch. It’s not really likely that the Lady will be there, I know, but there will still be lots to see. My aunty married a Scotsman and i visited Edinburgh most summers when I was a child. My cousin still there.
I wrote a bit of verse while I was away. I’ll work on it and post if it feels right.
Thank you all for the updates and records of the exploits in and around the nest.
I am delighted to see the pair on the nest right now.!
TIME::: 7,35pm
Our very disgruntled boy on the nest all on his own, calling, “Where’s me Mum,,Where’s me Dad,, I’m hungry,,,ooooo,, I’ll just play with me Bark, ooops dropped it,, this stick will do,, nahhh ! not as nice as me bark!! I’ll just lie down a bit with it,, cuddle up and keep company with it, I don’t know I’d do without my precious Bark” !!!
It’s so hard for a lonely little man that won’t try to grow up,,, isn’t it folks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
love
Chrissy
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As dusk, begins to fall, peace seems to be in the evenings air, quietly covering the Loch like a comfort blanket to all who are present, a chirrup or two can be heard in the distance, wait,, low, I hear an Osprey’s call, our boy rises up from his slumber, he hear the call of his aproaching sister, he calls back and stands to one side of their nest, and the beat of her wings is heard before she is seen, SHE is here, she lands and the great each other, NOW, standing side by side they both call together to their Adults, Together hopeing that and evenings delight will be delivered soon, both standing at their nest edge looking out longingly over to where they think their Mother and Father might be perching, they look at each other, ” Shall we call again”? they do,, one first, then the other, will their hopes be dashed, only time will tell,
Perhaps together they will make their wishes felt keener,, can, will they be heard, with every fibre of thier beings they call again, louder and louder they implour their parents to attend to each of their needs, almost begging now,,
Both still sitting looking out towards where the Adults should be,,, borther’s voice is so squeeky now he can hardly raise above a whisper, though still he tries and tries,,,,
Ahh, to wait and wonder, they will have to bide their time and hope !!!
love
Chrissy
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Chrissy – you came over all poetic there! That was very descriptive, and I could picture the scene perfectly. That was your ‘other side’ coming to the fore, as we youngest born know!
Oh I was just blathering on, putting down what I was watching pet,,,,
I was imagining myslef sitting on the banks of the Loch with a drink in one hand and a ciggie in the other[ sorry to those that don't smoke]
Just watching in wonder at our family,, and thinking I had then all to myself,, selfish really,, I envy those that have been there for real, seen our family in action and perhaps been close enough to see into their eyes,,,,
I can only dream pet !!!!
thank you
love
Chrissy
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CHRISSY, thanks for posting that link to the osprey nest in Hailuoto, Finland – that was a great video demo, and great close-ups of the family on the nest.
MILLAN – thanks for telling us that the most northern site is actually in Utsjoki. Do you live in Finland?
Your so very welcome pet,,
I love to share,,
love
Chrissy
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Hi Carolyn, and yes I live in Finland. Many greetings to you all here from our blogger from http://www.luotio.fi/forum/
We have two chicks quietly sitting on the nest together this evening, along with the gleaming egg. What a peaceful scene. And just as I speak, they both open their beaks and start shouting.
It’s 9:30 pm nest time and we have a fish delivery!
First of all, thank you to all the Osprey Team for their Diaries, with their information and thoughts, and to all the Bloggers for their updates, those video`s of happenings, but I haven`t seen one of the crow tweaking one of the juvies tail. My Sister actually saw it and told me about it.
Those wonderful wonderful poems, reflective, sad, and oh so funny ones.
Chrissy, when you do the “bird/child/parent speak” blogs, I can hear the voices (I`m not ready for the white coats just yet though). A real tonic. I had to trawl back to find out about your Mums Teeth!! Oh my golly god, did I gasp and then started to laugh, sorry, but like you I have a very vivid imagination.
The dressing on my arm came off today, so I have more flexibility and movement, although I have made a couple of blogs, I could`nt do it for long.
So as from tonight I am up to date and I will be watching The Family and reading the blogs daily.
The Nest is empty at the moment 22-23, except for the symbol of our Family at Loch of the Lowes, for 2010, The Eternal Egg.
Lorna from Devon
Hi Lorna, I hope your arm’s healing well. It must have taken you ages to catch up with the blogs – we’re such a garrulous lot! It’s good to hear from you again.
Hi Lorna pet,,,,,,
Wonderful news about your arn now,,, BUT,, you take it easy please,,,,you know the saying”don’t run before you can walk”,,,,Total recovery,, that’s the answer,, so slowly it goes,, not too much typing now pet,,,,
I just love talking for the animals,, funny isn’T it at times,,
Ih I’m so glad you found my Mother’s Teeth story funnt too,,,, if only you could of seen me,, straddling her on the bed,, she lying there dead and me trying to force said teeth in her mouth,,, the more I tired the more I laughed,,, and I know she would be laughing with me too,, she had a brill sence of humour, and always found fun in the absurd,,,,
love
Chrissy
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Just have to say that I had the most wonderful day at Lowes. Had a very enlightening conversation with Valerie who is so enthused by all she does. She had all the visitors in the hide and reserve hanging on to her every word. Totally dedicated to the osprey families and so full of information – loads that I did not know about the ospreys. To Valerie – A very big thank you.
It really is the most magical place, sun shining on the Loch swans in action, with one seeing the other one off – lots of activity. We honestly thought we would not see too much with the birds being off the nest but with the juveniles practicing fishing and splashing about in the water male seeing off intruder and male bringing in the supper all in all was a truly wonderful funpacked day.
Fiona. Stephen and the really caring, kind, humourous volunteers and also a new pal called Sam. A big thank you. Also to Sam for sending me some lovely photos. A special bonus as an old friend turned up at the Loch . I had not seenhim in 40+ years so all in all a GREAT DAY !
Jeanette, it sounds like you did indeed have a wonderful time at the Lowes. It is a beautiful setting, isn’t it? And what a marvellous coincidence, meeting your old friend – he must have picked up vibes in the ether about your impending visit!
lovely description of your visit to lowes jeanette….the next best thing to beint there is to have a first-hand account. *sigh* wish i could be there.
5.17 medium sized fish delivery by Dad, chick no.1 takes it and protects it from chick no2, then takes it to nest edge from middle and starts feeding, chick no.2 still calling for food.
6.20 approx. someone brought a fish in ( Mum? ) and chick ( no.2? ) got it.
8.08am Good morning all. Lady just landed on nest followed by a chick and then Frank with a tiddler. She grabbed the fish and off she went leaving chick on nest. Lovely day up there and here. have a good day and good walk everyone
morning team. Who is on duty today and who’s doing the walk
Just being nosy lol. Needing any nibbles in?
oh and is the packed lunch to be eaten at the centre? If so can i store it in your back room please? See you soon. Xx
Our lovely ospreys will soon migrate –
The ‘Ghost on the Wind’, her chicks, her mate,
An empty nest all that will be left
Except the bloggers feeling so bereft!
… but what a wonderful privilege it has been for us all to witness this year’s happenings, definitely in “sickness and in health” for the Lady and the Laird!
9.45 looks like the latest offering foodwise went to chick no.1. But chick no.2 must be quite well fed as there is no insane complaining on it’s part.
Pekka And Linda. That is short sweet and beautiful.
Good mornint Team & fellow bloggers, After watching our to Juvvies on the nest yesterday, I felt the inspiration to put pen to paper again, well fingers to keyboard would be more accurate, so here’s what I came up with.
CONVERSATION
Hey sis, do you feel that thing inside.
That makes you want to fly far and wide.
It’s like I’m being pulled away.
I really don’t think we’ll be able to stay.
I know the feeling, I get it too.
I want to fly and see places new.
But sis, right here we have the best,
Why would we want to leave our nest?
Oh brother dear I think we must.
Our feelings we really have to trust.
We’re not the chicks we used to be.
Trapped up here in this lofty tree.
I know that sis, now we can fly.
I love the freedom of the sky.
But I like it here, I don’t want to go
I want to see this thing called snow.
Oh I’m not sure that’s the thing for me.
Mum says it gets cold up here in our tree.
I heard her say something about foreign land.
And crossing over the golden sand.
It doesn’t sound at all like here.
Oh sis, it’s far away I fear.
I’m not too sure, I couldn’t say.
But I’m sure we’ll have to leave on day.
But not just now sis, the times not right.
We’ve things to learn before we take flight.
I’m sure we need to learn to fish.
A nice big pike my favourite dish.
I think your right, I’ve already tried.
Well I thought it was a fish I’d spied.
What did you catch? Oh sis, do tell.
I want to catch a fish as well.
It’s not that easy, wait and see.
You’ll probably feel as daft as me.
I grabbed at something it felt quite thick.
But all I caught was a flipping stick.
Don’t worry sis. I’ll keep quiet.
It’s rather tricky this fish diet.
I’m sure we’ll manage to catch our pray
Before we have to fly away.
I hope the wee creatures over the loch
Who sit and watch us around the clock
Will be ok till we get back
While sitting in that shaky shack.
I’m sure dear brother we will return.
After learning the things we have to learn.
By then we will be big and strong.
And the journey I’m sure won’t seem so long.
It won’t be the same wherever we go.
And I guess there won’t be any snow.
I will long for the tree that sways and bows.
Home will always be the Loch of the Lowes.
Great poem Elaine – loved it! I’m sure thats just what they are saying to each other!
Elaine, that was excellent! It made me laugh (big sis’s confession!), and it was also very poignant, poor little brother reluctant to leave the security of the nest, and big sis reassuring him. The last verse brought tears to my eyes. Well done!
Baby brother now knows how she felt, since he’s just ‘caught’ a stick, too – you timed your poem perfectly!
There is a live webcam at a fishing pool in Finland where you can see ospreys fishing. It takes a bit of patience and the best time is late in the evening or early last night. I managed to see one last night:
http://www.saaksisaatio.fi/en/ospreycenter/saaksenseuranta/webcam.htm
Sorry I meant early morning.
Oh Alan pet,, your a darling,, Thank you so much pet,,,,
you do send us lovely pressies, thanks again,,,
love
Chrissy
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Big sis is chomping away on a fish, I see, with our young fellow plaintively begging for his one. The loch looks beautifully calm today – hope it stays that way, and your ‘osprey walk’ goes well, without any sudden downpours. AnnB – hope you enjoy yourself, and the same to any other bloggers going on the walk.
Did young chick come back with a stick there? He flew off in a right strop.
Yes it was a stick, it dived, for a fish presumably, but came up with a stick instead!
He’s obviously wishing his stick was a fish, the poor wee lamb. He’s picking it up and shaking it in frustration.
Thanks for confirming, Fiona.
Brilliant camera work, Lovely to see out youngsters learning to fish.
My money’s on youngest chick being first to catch a fish, as hunger will probably spur him on. Though he’ll probably get such a shock the first time his talons close on a fish that he’ll drop it in alarm!
Carolyn, i am with you. I would love for little brother to catch the first fish, i do so worry about him, i pray he has some of his dads ingenuity in him,
Great close-up shot of one of the juvies (couldn’t tell which one but just looking at the long legs maybe it was the male) chomping its way through a whole fish – methodically starting at the head and working its way down to the tail, with not a scrap wasted. They have been taught well, these youngsters, and I think will have no problem surviving their long migration. Thanks very much camera person – now a great shot of one of them sitting in the trees, maybe contemplating second helpings!
Afternoon all
Haven’t been here since yesterday morning so there’s been a lot to catch up on.
Hope all who aren’t well recovers soon, for those on hol hope you all have a great time and for those who are back home have happy memories
Thanks to Alan for those magnificent pics, so many lovely pics there. To Jill (E) ,Pekka and Linda, Elaine Ellor for their lovely poems too,
To Chrissy who gives us our daily chuckle, hope your feeling ok as we know you have your problems too.
To Shirley, i’d love for the poem to be included.
Think i’ve covered everything , and if i’ve forgotten someone then do forgive me, I should have written things down before typing. I appreciate everything folks have to say as it helps those of us who maybe don’t have so much time to be here, so many thanks for that, for all the pics and those with the know how to put them on you tube , i’ll never get to that level lol
Hope those who went on the walk will have a superb day as weather is perfect, thanks again x
I’m sure we all appreciate the extra time the Team puts in here as I know for myself how long it took to read through a days worth of blogs, so thanks again Team and for the camera work. x