I've just arrived at the office to post a blog up-date, but the immediacy of having a live-streaming webcam is that judging by all the comments I've just gone through and published, you know the news already!
Yep, we have a male osprey. These past two days of high pressure, fine weather - good for migration, has no doubt seen a surge in arrivals of more migrant birds, ospreys amongst them.
He arrived yesterday afternoon, 3rd April at about 1.30pm. It is not Henry or VS, but an all new suitor for EJ, an unringed bird, origins unknown. He's looking good so far. How's this for his first 24 hours - seven sky-dance display flights above the nest to impress EJ, seven matings so far, all deemed to be successful, he's brought her one fish so far at 8am this morning, and he has been bringing in nesting material, sticks and moss etc and he's done some nest scraping too. He's thrilled visitors with some very close approaches to the Osprey Centre building, when making sorties to collect sticks. It looks like this boy means business. Thankfully, EJ would appear to like the cut of his jib, and has been quite accepting of him at and near the nest. Phew, that's a relief!
Needless to say, we're thrilled at this latest development and right now it's looking good. Time will tell, whether he can also repel all boarders, as other chancer-male ospreys come in-aboot the nest, as they will. Will VS be amongst them? Sparks to come for sure, no doubt. Watch this space. As if you wouldn't!
So now that we have a pair, you can expect to see more of EJ, as she settles in, in earnest. For much of the past week or so, she had tended to perch nearby in an adjacent tree, out of shot, to the frustration of some of you.
The Osprey Centre opened on Wednesday 1st April, so we've all been busy meeting and greeting the first of this seasons's visitors. Why not come and see the newly weds for yourself?
Many thanks for all the comments of support etc re the news about Nethy. Much appreciated.
Game on.
Richard Thaxton Site Manager Loch Garten.