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I still find it incomprehensible that in this modern time anyone would want to steal an egg and deny that chick the chance of life and going on to build the population.  I still feel that the punishment for this behaviour needs to be tougher.  It is hard enough for the police and RSPB to gather sufficient evidence for a prosecution but then the court gives a pathetic sentance which is no deterant at all.  Sorry for the rant but as a lawyer myself I get annoyed with the system.  On a much better note the chicks at LG seem to be having a great time in the sunshine and being fed sooooo much fish that they need to sleep.  A great sigh of relief about Odin and the fishing line.  He is definately proving to be a great mate for EJ.

Richard how upset you must all feel.  Whey do people persist in taking eggs from nests.  Don't they want to see living birds for goodness sake, especially birds as magnificent as ospreys.  My heart goes out to you and also to the ospreys who lost the eggs.  It makes you wonder if they grieve if something like this happens.  I suppose it is a long shot but perhaps they will be caught and geven the appropriate punishment.

Very pleased to see that our family have settled down after the trauma of last week and what a hero Odin is.  From reading the comments it is simply amazing how much fish he is bringing in.  Keep it up Odin.

Hi Richard - pleased Odin and family are back on course - big sighs of relief all round - not so good about the loss of a nest down to egg thieves - its a tragedy this still goes on.

If readers haven't already done so, please sign the RSPB Birds of Prey Campaign pledge

http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/birdsofprey/

Keep up the good work!  Roasting on Mull today!

Hi. Thanks for your comments. Mark Thomas wrote a very good blog post about a particular court case last spring, and also some of the motivation behing these illegal acts. It's well worth reading.

These people are often obsessed with collecting eggs, and yes, they just sit in trays in cupboards at home; there's no financial motive.

We have an Investigations team that works hard, alongside police, to stop this sort of crime. Another reason why we need your help to continue our conservation work... become a member if you're not already!

No, the egg collectors don't pay large sums of money for their collections, and there's not a black market for them. The men who do it are obsessives. They feel compelled to go out each spring and steal eggs, the rarer the better (though common birds are also targeted). Somewhat helpfully, they also keep scrupulously detailed diaries of their activities. Here's another blog post from Mark, about the UK's most-convicted egg collector.

As BarbaraAnne mentioned, careless talk costs lives! It might sound a bit OTT, but we need to be careful about what and where we mention online. A couple of times I've moderated comments which mentioned locations of eagle and osprey nests. While egg-collectors and other undesirables are probably aware of many nests, we don't really want to give them any extra help. A bit of caution is all that's needed.

It never ceases to amaze me how stupid some people can be to deprive the world of such beautiful birds. What possible pleasure can they get from keeping eggs in a drawer. To change the subject I have just logged in and read todays comments and it appears that Odin has been having a bumper fish catching day. He really is Superosprey. Just watched yet another feed and also glad to hear all is well at Loch of the Lowes. Tweed valley ospreys have also had their first chich hatch today.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything that's already been said about these despicable people who think it's OK to  steal birds' eggs from the nest with no thought whatsover for the trauma this causes the parent birds, not to mention depriving the 'babies' of  a life. I wonder if they care that the rest of the world thinks they're the lowest of the low - I suspect not.  I think they should seek professional help for their 'obsession'.

Three little Ospreys sitting in a row........guess what they are doing?  

I will let you work it out for yourself my fellow bloggers. You will have to get your thinking carps on!!!!!!

As a volunteer at Rutland Water, it never ceases to amaze me how many visitors are surprised that we have to guard nests 24/7 during incubation.  They cannot believe that there are egg thieves.  Maybe Springwatch could 'highlight' the problem - I know that sounds a bit feable - just make the public aware that this is still happening.  What else can we do?  It needs a big drive.  

Maureen McCann, "The three little Ospreys" gonna be VERY big, eating all that fish :)) I'm so sorry to hear about those evil people, I don't think they got any compassion  at all!

Katie - I have just read the two Mark Thomas blogs you posted - chilling reading indeed! I am shocked and amazed at the quantities of eggs found - whole clutches in a lot of cases. That goes far beyond a deep-seated need to tick off every species of bird's egg  on the planet - that's just downright wicked and greedy - and five months in jail for it is a joke!

Thanks for your update Richard. Words cannot describe the people that have stolen these eggs and indeed others. I too, wondered if money was the reason behind these thefts, but Katie Fuller has given a very clear understanding of what often is the reason for these acts. How lucky for us all that there is such a caring, watchful team at Loch Garten, and thank you. It would be interesting to know how many of these thieves have been caught and charged. On a lighter note, what a wonderful provider Odin is, even after the recent, scary incident. Don't the chicks look healthy and well cared for? EJ looks very proud of them and so she should!

How sad about the egg theft ,flying all these miles to mate in Scotland and idiots come and steal the eggs as has been said to put in a drawer I know if someone showed me an osprey egg I would not hesitate to report them these kind of people have no respect for any one  or any thing but never mind I am a great believer in as you sow so shall you reapI know that will not bring the eggs back  but these evil egg thieves will get what they deserve one way or another

Matpigan........I know what I would like to do to those evil egg thieves. The jail sentences are certainly not long enough.

Yes "The three little Ospreys" are going to be HUGE: maybe they will be the biggest Ospreys ever and will go into the Guiness Book of Records, Ha Ha Ha.

Been out all evening, so very glad to read that the fish are still arriving and that all is well. One of LOL chicks was on its back this afternoon for a long time, and when I went out it was still struggling to get up. Hope it has righted itself by now.

So glad to read that LOL chicks are getting good supply of fish also, but they seem a lot smaller than LG's chicks. They seem to be growing bigger by the minute. Long may it last. Would love to see 3 big healthy chicks fledge this year.

Another lovely morning here in Leicestershire. Logged on 6.15am. Three slightly bigger ospreys, all lined up eating again. Making their funny little cheeps and squeaks. Great!

Thanks for that post, Alice, and for the website, re. Mr. G. Wheal. ASBOs would be a good idea, would that mean he and those like him would be tagged? Where I used to volunteer, we set up a twenty four hr. watch on a goshawk nest. Nevertheless we believed the eggs were stolen and by a very surprising trio who must remain nameless.

The LG threesome look sated, they seem to have changed overnight, and EJ just had brief exercise flight. Goshoawk duo also look fit and well (how they've grown!),and I was pleased to see LOTL two being fed this morning. There is quite a big difference in the age of these two and it shows. I can go and get my coffee with a smile on my face.

Morning everyone

Thank goodness I haven't seen the 'fighting' it just makes you feel so helpless...wanting to stop them!!!

Well, they have had their elevenses and are now enjoying the lovely' feathered parasol', provided by mum.

Odin is working overtime they are all eating again.  Must be the best fed ospreys anywhere.  Little one is also getting his share.

2.25pm, EJ went for a short flight.

Lesley, glad you are able to watch at work:)) It is so addictive.

Jeepster is right, all wildlife crime should be tried by a higher court. If it was up to me the cads would swing from the Tower of London. Is there not something we as a group could do - start a petition, get a MP involved? Also I was thinking with todays technology is it not possible to set up cameras at the nest site? If this could be done, we could help by remotely guarding the nests as between us we are watching 24/7. I don't know how much it would cost but this cannot continue. These magnificent birds fly 3000 miles to breed and have a difficult enough life without this.

REPLY: Certainly make sure you and others sign the Stop Killing Birds of Prey pledge.  That can only help for starters.  -  Richard.

A couple of things I keep wondering, first of all, how do the chicks get a  drink of  water...especially in the hot weather. The other thing goes back to the fishing line business.....would it have been possible that Odin swooped down on a fish that had just been hooked by an angler and not necessarily got caught up in a discarded fishing line?  Just a thought  but can you imagine the look on the anglers face if that was the case....."Yes and the one that got nicked was THIS big" hehe.

Got it on my pc full screen while I do the ironing. I makes it so much more bearable and better than the telly.

REPLY:  Most of the moisture they need will come from their diet of wet, soggy fish. Yes it is quite possible that Odin caught a fish that had perhaops broken away from an angler and was merrily swimming about trailing line & tackle.  -  Richard

EJ's back on the brood and one chick crept out the front as if to say "What are we looking at, Ma?" before thinking better of it and heading back under for the warm!  When EJ went off for an exercise flight earlier, all three heads went up, two lost their balance and fell onto each other in a rather bewildered ball of fluff - what adorable little things!

I'm back.  Thank you Richard and Katie for getting me sorted.

While "locked out" of the blog I have managed to watch and read everything so not too bad.

I was thrilled to be at Loch Garten once again and to see how much it has changed since we were last up there.  Now that we are both retired I hope we will be able to get up there more often.  It is 415 miles each way so not something I would want to do over a weekend.  It was me who wanted to go there but now that dave has visited he is as keen as me to get back when possible - next year I hope.  We will have to settle for Rutland Water for the rest of this year.  Seeing red squirrels and a Capercaillie were of special interest to him.  He saw his first woodpecker a couple of years ago so they are amongst his favourites as well.

The atmosphere at Loch Garten was amazing and the staff always ready to answer all questions.  I just listened and learned.  Learned a lot I hasten to add.  Watching them on the video is not quite the same now.  We can't see the possible invaders    lol    That in itself caused great excitement during the short time we were there.  The three days we had planned was  extended to 5 as the hotel had a spare room  lol.  We had to make sure they were all ok again after the fishing line panic.

Take care all at Loch Garten and I hope the rest of the season is straightforward now.

Help  - I wouldn't dream of phoning as the team is far too busy but I am trying to plan my LG visit.  This year we need to bring our dog too.  She's old and I can't leave her at home nor can I leave her in the car!!  She needs to be with me but what are centre's conditions for visitors and pets?  I would appreciate if anyone could advise me?  

REPLY:  Sorry Karen, but no dogs I'm afraid, at/in the Osprey Centre, except guide dogs.  Are you visiting alone? Perhaps a companion can stay with your dog down at the car park, while you go up to the Centre and then swap?  -  Richard

Is that a smear of osprey poo I see on the webcam?  If so we need some rain!

All quiet in Ospreyland at the moment......waiting for dinner no doubt.

LOTL chicks appear to be OK, but I will not be happy until I see them grow bigger.

In Goshawkland there was some vigorous wing  flapping...building up for take off?  Doesn't bare thinking about.

OK someone - I've been out a lot today and consequently have a serious need to know about fish deliveries.  Is anyone able to help me?  All seems calm on the nest, but every time I've looked 'in' (you know how it goes!) I've never seen  a partially eaten fish lying around. Or a whole headless one in the larder.  And  so many comments without so much as a mention of fish!!!!!   I just  don't get it  !!

19:40 and just logged on after reading todays comments. EJ has just been on a brief exercise flight revealing the chicks. They are getting bigger and stronger by the minute and I also witnessed some bullying by the largest one. I am sure the other 2 can hold their own. Dumfries and galloway ospreys now have their 1st chick.

Is it just that i come in at the wrong time or is the osprey household very quiet.  I haven't heard EJ at all.  Although when she starts ...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And about stealing eggs.  These people are not right in the head anyway so they don't realise what they are doing so telling them off won't work.  They are numpties!! Can't think of a pc way of puting it!

Saw loverly buzzards over the garden thermalling then the crows come and it's a flying circus.  Buzzards are beatiful, and I see quite a lot of them here!!Lucky me!!

Do osprays need to sleep?. Iwas thinking that EJ must be shattered as she seems to be on the go 24/7.

Have just looked and one of the chicks is very lively and keeps fidgiting, so poor mum does not get a minutes peace. A short time ago one chick was trying to escape, so mum pushed him back in, a second later he forced himself out again, and this time carefully aimed a poo away from the camera, then scuttled back under mum,

I could almost hear him say " I only wanted the toilet Mum"

Thank you for the reply Jeepster....I agree that wildlife crime really needs to be moved up to crown court especially for crime against endangered or rare species. As Karen says we could/should start a petition...especially now when ministers and MP's are going to be pretty desperate to appease the public at the moment...For now why can't we petition on Springwatch which has a vast audience and could probably start a national outcry.....Come on Simon and Kate...I know you read this, or at least your researchers do....Lets get bird egg theft into the 'public at large' agenda....???????

and by the way did anyone find out about Cuckoo's cuckooing as I missed Springwatch tonight ??

05:15 a bird landed on the nest, I don't think it was Odin.  EJ mantled her wings and it flew off.  05:20 EJ calling.  05:40 and EJ is quiet.  Something isn't right.  I have not seen Odin since yesterday morning.  I usually log on to see a fish lying, this morning - nothing.  Where is Odin?  Hopefully nothing is wrong - I'm beginning to worry.

I'm beginning to get worried - when was the last sighting of Odin?  Although there was mention of the chicks being fed at 12.05, was it a new fish brought in by Odin or one from an earlier delivery?

Logged on briefly yesterday lunchtime and it was rather funny to see little #3chick battering #2 chick who went into "dead" mode. Made me chuckle after all the problems from last year.

Good Morning everyone. Thank you, pip for adding that snippet of information to my small sum of knowledge about Osprey. I have often seen EJ 'choking' as if she is regurgitating but I've never seen her 'spit' out anything. Have the chicks found the camera lens? It looks as if one of them fired a direct hit. Here we go again!! Who's going to volunteer to go up and clean it this year?

What's going on ? I can hear people and ladders !!!  HELP

WHAT IS GOING ON??? I can hear voices and what sounds like a ladder!! should I panic?

08:42 what on earth is going on at the nest, I see fish being put up - god bless you but what has happened to Odin?

Please be quick to tell us.  What has happened to Odin.  Please please. Why the fish by human hands.

Oh! No! Has something dreadful happened? Someone has placed fish from a Tesco bag in the nest. Pleas, Please, tell us what is wrong. I am so worried

Just logged on - and there appear to be FOUR fish in the nest! Am I seeing things? Why are there so many - does Odin just keep fishing and will EJ remove them when they begin to smell? This year is so much less stressful that last - long live Odin.

Strange things happening. Noise of ladders and fish delivered to the nest by humans.

8.49    Two huge fish lying in the nest!!!!!!!!

WHERE DID THIS YOUNG MAN COME FROM???? It certainly is love.

What a pity he couldn't be ringed for future observation.

What i fright i had this morning, thought some one was trying to steal chicks. At first i thought it was the window cleaner then realised the the "ladder" noise was coming from pc. can you give me reason for the present of fish this morning, poor wee chicks looked scared out of their wits

What's going on? I've just logged on this morning and it looks as if it's been RAINING FISH!! Is there anybody out there who saw this small shoal arrive? Has Odin brought all of these, or are they both fishing now?

Good heavens - i've just logged on - late today to see no EJ but is it 3 fish and 3 chicks??????

Good heavens - i've just logged on - late today to see no EJ but is it 3 fish and 3 chicks??????

I feel quite sick. EJ was sitting quietly on the nest keeping the chicks warm----much cooler today--- so I went onto LOTL and the Goshawks. When I returned to LG, EJ had gone but the chicks looked quite content. Now I'm beginning to think that something dreadful has happened to Odin. Has his terrifying episode at the weekend caught up with him? I know you all at LG will be run off your feet but please post ASAP.

im dreading asking this but why have i just seen a pair of hands put 4 fish on the nest?????? is everything ok with odin?

I just saw the Tesco delivery of fish (well it was a Tesco Carrier) . I haven't seen that before so I'm worrying now in case something has happened to mom and dad?....if it's as warm there as it is here, the fish will be cooked before it gets eaten!

Chicks haven't seemed curious about it at all....just me!

It looks like it has been raining fish at Lochgarten. We never saw anything remotely like this last year. It is looking good for a successful season alright. Hurragh.

Is that 2 fish I see? I certainly can't remember such a well stocked larder last year!  Is Odin an exceptionally good provider or is it the norm?

WOW ! is that 3 fish I see in the nest at 09:05 .... Amazing

Can't believe my eyes. I see EJ the three amigos and three fish.  Did I miss something  LOL

I couldn't see properly....there is FOUR BIG FISH in the nest.

WeeJeannie, qiuetwoman and sixy......can you believe this.

Richard.....there must be someway Odin can be ringed??

You could stand beneath the nesting tree waving some fish...I am sure he would take them off you. Have you ever known such a good fisher????

I couldn't believe my eyes when watching about 45 min. ago. Someone from the LG-team delivered fish --> EJ and chicks. How lovely to see your deep, deep compassion, but how worrying ...where is Odin??

Please please forgive me but there is nothing worse than an informational blackout. My heart is breaking. I'm sure all your hearts are breaking too but please please, just 'say it' . Just very brefly - don't think you have to compose a proper blog. Just let us know what has happened.  Please forgive me for asking.

Hi. Thanks for your comments from last night/this morning. Richard's writing a blog post which will explain the situation. Please be patient!

something has happened to Odin?????????????????? please say Not!!

Thanks for that, Katie. we'll try to do as you ask, but I for one, am shaking like the proverbial leaf.