Loch Garten osprey diary

The ospreys at Loch Garten have people across the world gripped in their tale of violence, adultery and... well... fishing.  More...
Loch Garten osprey diary > Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

Now is it just me or is Odin an absolutly beautiful osprey? I spent a lot of this morning watching him as he was taking his turn incubating the eggs and he really is quite stunning. I realise that ospreys in general are rather striking birds but I have to say that Odin seems, to me, to be a rather fine example. I have already been hugely impressed with his fishing exploits but his good looks have just added to the general aura that surrounds him.

Now you may be wondering why I have started my blog in this rather wandering manner but there really is not much else to report, and we all know that at Loch Garten, that is a very good thing! Odin is bringing in a good supply of fish, intruding ospreys are being dealt with efficiently and the incubation continues with Odin doing his bit when needed. So with us all feeling a little more relaxed we have been able to enjoy the ospreys witout any real worries, hence my musing on the relative beauty of Odin!

Enjoy it while it lasts! The average incubation period is 37 days and that is now 27 days since the first egg was laid, so hatching time is fast approaching and from that point on we will be back to the worrying! However for the moment lets enjoy simply watching these beautiful birds.

Posted by david anderson at 14:55 on 13 May 2009.  39 comments

Comments

Maisie
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 16:57
Beautifully put, David....thankyou.
ALAN PETRIE
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:15

17:14 just been watching the 2 goshawk chicks being fed. Amazing to be able to watch this live. Better than tv any day.

chudy
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:29
isn't you... he's an beautiful osprey, and EJ is a lucky lady.........
Suzyblu
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:37
Totally agree with you David we have been saying the same thing for a couple of weeks over on Loch Garten Bloggers. Thanks for the update!
Maureen
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:40

David, thanks for your very romantic report. I think, like the rest of us, you have fallen in love with Odin!!! He certainly is beautiful and has been extremely attentive to EJ. If our feathered friends can fall in love then I think this pair are 'head over talons'.

Only ten days to go???

WEE JEANNIE
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:44
17.35 pm . Thankyou for the update, David! And no it isn't just you, Odin is an extremely beautiful osprey and a wonderful provider.He really is the best! Can't wait for the chicks to arrive. Thanks to Maureen, Quietwoman, Phil and everyone who reported the arrival of the Gos chicks. Just went straight over to have a look and was treated to Mrs Gos standing up so I got a peek at two tiny bundles of fluff- absolutely wonderful! Thanks also to Lorraine and Alan for news of the Glaslyn chick - great news!
Maureen
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:46
SIXY - get onto Goshawk house as soon as you can...there are TWO 'babies' today (two to go). Gorgeous wee bundles of 'cotton wool'. I saw them hatching this morning and watched them getting their first feed.
Valerie
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:49
Hi David thank you for a nice update - Odin 'the stick' Osprey is indeed very beautiful , although perhaps as he is a man he could be called handsome . But he is everything at the moment one would want in an osprey isnt he - EJ is a very lucky lady , as you say he has yet to prove himself once babies arrive but he has been doing well in bad weather so that is looking good - please no more wee yins this year Odin . So many exciting things happening , the Goshawk down in the New Forest has had two babies hatched today - two more to come . I am away for 7 days from friday so tell EJ to wait please , although I have purchased a netbook (if I can work it!!!) so should be able to keep in touch . Thanks David and Co
Soosin
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 17:49
how nice to come home and see young goshawks in the nest
Chrissy Beahan
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 18:04
I to agree with you all,,,, Beautiful little Goshawk chicks to watch while we wait for EJ's and Odins babies to hatch,,,, EJ is certainly a very lucky Lady,, have such a hum-dinger of a Toy-Boy to dance to her every whim,, I to am in love with this handsome fella,, doing all that he should to keep a girl pleased and all those good looks to boot,,, EJ has really fallen on her tallons this year,, long may it continue for years to come,,,, Chrissy Beahan Worcestershire.
Lynda P
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 18:24
I thought he was a rather handsome bird from the moment I saw him. Such a clear white breast. He has proved himself again and again and is certainly more attentive than Henry was and much more so than Orange VS. EJ is indeed one lucky osprey this time. Let's hope the chicks get the best of both their parents and make it all the way.
Gary
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 21:23
Speaking purely from a man's prospective, Odin is one handsome osprey:)
Chris
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 22:30
Have just spent 3 glorious days in the Loch Garten area. Weather and scenery quite spectacular and of course our visit to see EJ and Odin was the highlight. I even managed to witness a capercaille displaying to a nearby female, red squirrels scampering about, but unfortunately no crested tits. The staff were very informative and thanks to Malcolm and Claire for making us so welcome. Hope to return later in the season to see our three little osprey chicks!
Jay Jay
Posted on Wednesday, 13 May 2009 at 23:45
Just been catching up on two days reports,gracious its all kicking off now!Can't wait for the weekend so I can get some live watching. Tho with all the different things going on there will be smoke coming off the lap top!!!! I have been looking in on LG but EJ under infra red leaves something missing.My solace has been the four little stars at 55, Water Street all characters all thriving and growing daily. Thanks David for your report and for voicing what we have all been thinking,I also think EJ is a rather special lady and she and Odin make a very attractive pair. Thanks everyone for your very entertaining and exciting reports I am soooo envious but will be back watching at the weekend.Till then please keep up the good work.Thanks again&goodnight J.
Jay Jay
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 0:45
Hi folks just for info ,but I expect some of you will already know, some body told me today of the Buffalo Audubon society who list Peregrine web cam sites all over the U S A and Canada.I have logged on to www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/ (a nest in Pennsylvania),there are 5 chicks in the nest,is this a record? J.
Mitch
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 0:55

I think it's wonderful that EJ has the mate she so deserves, I just wish I could come and see them 'in the flesh'. I'll just have to content myself with snatched glimpses via the webcam but your brilliant and descriptive blogs really do help. We can all look forward to the hatching, secure in the knowledge that Odin will not let EJ or the chicks down. Keep up the good work and thanks for all the information to date. I look forward to logging on to see if you've added another blog.

Barbara Jean
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 4:27
Odin is a a beauty!! He seems to have everything in his favor. Great fishing skills; elaborate sky dances to impress EJ and the guests at the center; a helpful mate willing to take his turn at incubating the eggs; fearlessly chasing off intruders and one of the best looking Osprey I have seen. His only "wee" fault is he brings in branches that are a bit too large for the nest. LOL Sure wish we knew who his parents were to know if he inherited all of these wonderful traits or learned them on his own. We will never know. I am just happy he chose EJ and she accepted him.
Harelady
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 7:54
Goshawk feeding 2 very healthy looking chicks
WEE JEANNIE
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 7:59
7.55am. Quick look before I go to work. Looks wet up there- EJ is calling, guess she's waiting for her breakfast? Over in the NF- Mrs Gos is feeding her chicks- I love the way she carefully retrieves anything they drop! Must go- will tune in again when I get home this evening.
patriciat
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 8:35
David, you're so right - Odin is gorgeous and such an attentive mate. EJ is aa lucky osprey!
quietwoman
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 8:43
Thank you, David. I think we all agree with you. I can't praise him highly enough. Beauty, brains and agility! May he live long and prosper. Watching the Gos is a treat, too. Aren't birds amazing??
Anne Spiers
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 9:06
Have to agree with you regarding Odin, and indeed EJ as well. I've been keeping an eye on her and the pair at Loch of the Lowes, and, even though I know their female is an older bird anyway (she seems to do an awful lot of squawking! Maybe there's a reason for that though), EJ is a very striking and elegant female. If indeed one can say that about a bird! She and Odin have a real air of confidence around them, which hopefully the new chicks will pick up on as well. They don't seem to have to make a lot of noise to communicate, all you seem to hear are gentle chirps. It is really lovely, compared to the frenzied relationship I witnessed last year.
Babs
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 9:22
Yes Odin is indeed a handsome devil!!!!
Maureen
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 9:57
Odin arrived...did a spot of tidying up...EJ chirrping, gently, at him and both looked at peace in each others company!!! But NO FISH!!
Kitty
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 10:03
I agree that Odin is a handsome bird. He's also got a good eye for the mosses he brings in. He's just brought a fine lot of that lovely red moss which EJ accepted and tucked around her. These two really seem to have bonded well and communicate easily with each other. I love watching EJ scanning the sky and calling quietly. You just know that Odin is up there showing off and about to drop in with another goody bag. Magic.
Pia
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 10:46
That's good to hear David, about the relaxed feeling. Hope it continues :) I agree, Odin seems perfect! They are SO cute together! It looks a bit windy but sunny up there on the nest today.
Margobird
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 11:17
Thanks David for the update. Odin is beautiful and such a caring partner for EJ. What more could she want. I agree with the comments about the goshawk chicks they are simply gorgeous but with such a lovely Mum and Dad looking after them perhaps they will be more successful this year. Not very good weather forecast for this area today but hopefully they will be kept warm and dry.
Kitty
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 12:02
EJ has been calling frantically for some time, watching the sky and issuing warning calls. Another osprey just tried to land on the nest but she saw it off in no uncertain fashion. She seems more settled now but is still very alert.
WEE JEANNIE
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 12:47
Anne Spiers, I absolutely agree - EJ and Odin seem to have the perfect relationship, which is wonderful for EJ after last year when she called frantically for hours on end, needing food for herself and chicks - and in the end had to resort to leaving her chicks alone from an early age, to go and fish for them herself. There were some heart-stopping moments when they waddled towards the edge of the nest so see where she'd gone! If she'd been a less resourceful female - there could have been more that one 'wee yin' I think. That doesn't bear thinking about for this year - and I doubt Odin will let it happen. He's one excellent male!
jeepster
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 13:43

I agree that both Osprey are striking and they make a great couple.  So nice for it to be a more relaxed year for EJ.  In answer to Jay Jay's question Peregrines can lay 5 eggs but it is unusual.  In 2008 Mariah and Kava, the two resident peregrines that nested on the Kodak building in Rochester, USA laid 5 eggs.  All 5 hatched and fledged.  One of the females, Quest, has been tagged and her journey is being followed.  Unfortunately 2009 has been a bad year for them as Kava did not return from his migration and Mariah's new mate died after being hit with a car and Mariah has recently been injured in a territorial battle.  www.rfalconcam.com has all the details.  On a good note the Peregrines in Brighton, East Sussex have just had their first chick hatch.

PaulaP
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 15:57

At last! A fine fish just been brought home by Odin for his lady to eat, at 3.55. Bless her, she was so happy to see the fish I thought she was going to knock him off the nest to get it! Has anyone seen him bring a fish before now? I haven't since I have been online, and that seems a long time. She certainly was happy to see him.

Cirrus
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 17:23
Hola everyone! A broken down car has wrecked the rest of my holiday plans for the week and the weather in Bristol being totally unmemorable today I have taken GREAT delight in watching a certain Osprey nest in a place called Loch Garten. I think you may remember how handsome I personally think Odin is since I said so several days ago but I’ve become more and more intrigued by his ‘punky’ quiff at the back of his head that really gives him an attractive air. It’s been a day of invaders and jets at Loch Garten. EJ really getting assertive on at least two occasions when an intruding Osprey tried to land on the nest. Her ‘Oy, I’m not having it – go away’ voice’ is so different to her ‘Oy, Odin, I want a fish’ voice. And, bless his cotton socks, Odin did bring her a fish at 15.54 pm. Quite a good size too. He is still on the eggs and from 16.57 pm onwards he’s also been repelling boarders. I’m not sure if EJ has had a fish earlier today. Does anyone know? Jane A
Cirrus
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 18:07
18.03 pm and EJ finallly appears of her own volition after eating the fish Odin presented her with at 15.54 pm . So, over two hours break from the nest. Good for her. And Odin was as good as gold - doing his own share of seeing off invaders and never calling for EJ. What a guy ! Jane A
PaulaP
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 18:41
Did anyone see the osprey land on the nest a minute or two ago? It wasn't Odin I'm sure, but EJ didn't make too much fuss, just 'warned' him a few times. Then she decided he was going, and got up and flapped her wings a time or two and he went. I wondered if it was an osprey she knew? I'm very puzzled now, after the treatment she gave the one trying to land on the nest earlier today.
trevor park
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 21:04
The blog seems to skip 3hrs last night any idea why? Amy can't see what she has written and is most upset. Looks like a fine day at Loch Garten though hope it keeps up so Odin can fish a bit easier. NiteNite EJ & Odin see you tomorrowzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Cirrus
Posted on Thursday, 14 May 2009 at 21:55
Ah, it all happened in a flurry but I'm pretty confident that supper arrived at 21.29pm and it was EJ that flew off with it. All a bit confusing - I'm still trying to confirm to myself that it's Odin on the nest and EJ peeping in delight over the supper offering somewhere out of sight. Songs of both the cuckoo and the chaffinch have once more graced the forest of Abernethy. Perfect ! Of course it's Odin - splendid chap. Jane A
Jay Jay
Posted on Friday, 15 May 2009 at 0:36
Thanks jeepster for that information I thought it must be pretty unusual,Ishall keep my eye on this brood and see what happens.I really do hope they all fledge,they all look very healthy. Thanks again to everyone who posted reports today,was it just one fish delivered ,if so I hope it was a big one paula.Goodnight J
ActressUSA
Posted on Friday, 15 May 2009 at 2:02
That is put perfectly. Odin is really a great daddy!!
Cirrus
Posted on Friday, 15 May 2009 at 9:17
Well, PaulaP - I think like you, but am not sure- that Odin came back fishless on two occasions and semi-landed on the nest but both times EJ stood up calmly and flapped him off. She had been on her own for some time and I think she was wanting a fish. Is anyone else 'out there' able to add to PaulaP's comment? (earlier EJ had been very assertive in warding off intruders) Jane A

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