I am guessing you'd like to know what's going on, right? So would we, as it happens!
We still haven't got to the bottom of what is happening, but be re-assured Odin seems to be fine in himself, though of course we can't be sure what effects the fishing line incident of last week has had on him. He doesn't seem to have any obvious external injuries. Internally, who knows? Psychologically? We can't know that either, but there has been a shift in his behaviour.
What we think is going on is, that he is completely torn between either going off to catch and provide fish for EJ and her brood, or standing his ground and repelling all boarders. We have as many as five intruding ospreys with us from time to time now. Sometimes one at a time, sometimes two, sometimes more. Yesterday at one point we had EJ with her brood, obviously, and four ospreys in-about the nest. I don't know whether there is a collective noun for ospreys?
One of these four was undoubtedly Odin, so relax on that score he's with us and seems fine. However things are complicated for us by the presence of another un-ringed male osprey. So when this one fleetingly lands on the nest, it's tricky to confirm which one it is, Odin or the other one, even if we press record and then playback it is hard to distinguish between them. EJ appears to lunge at both; to repel one, the intruder, or if it's Odin, to spook him to get airborne to chase off the intruders and not stand by her on the nest, that she's quite capable of defending. When this behaviour from EJ is dished out to both these un-ringed males, and immedaietely they land, it's quite confusing.
Anyway, Odin last brought in a fish on Wednesday lunchtime, but with this, coupled with those we added, EJ and chicks are currently doing fine. They have had plenty of fish and are well fed. However, what we've needed to see is Odin resume his hitherto good track record of bringing in fish. He brought nothing at all yesterday, but EJ fed the chicks on & off with fish, from stocks!
There was a no-show from him last evening, overnight or at first light today, until that is, when at 05.11am when my mobile by the bed, burst into life and our trusty volunteer night duty team called to tell me that he was back, and with a fish, a 10 inch trout. Maybe you nocturnal viewers saw this? EJ fed all three chicks, whilst Odin sat in the nearby tree. So all good and bit more positive.
Rather oddly though, Odin landed on the nest and removed the last Tesco fish and disappeared with it. Was it hard and dry by now (past its shelf-life?) and so he was removing it? Seemingly not, as a while later he returned with what remained of it, having eaten a third, deposited it in the nest, and EJ set-about feeding it to the chicks too. Though clearly still good food, did EJ feed them the fresh one first because of the better moisture content in it, than a drier one? Chicks will get much of their hydration needs from fresh wet fish. Can she think that through - who knows?
So for now, EJ and chicks are fine & well fed. Odin is off-site, hopefully fishing, yet would he be if he knew, that whilst he is away, an intruder is present? I think we have to hope that he sets off to fish when the coast is clear, so he can focus on fishing. If intruders are present, then he seems reluctant to leave EJ and go to fish and with so many intruders keeping up what seems a bit like a relay-presence at our nest, he's just feels compelled to stay.
So where have all these intruders come from? Well, I reported previously the nest robbery of another site in our district. It could be that the failed pair from that site, with time on their hands (wings) now, are loitering here at Garten, attracted by an occupied nest. Or, again as I mentioned previously, we have some recently, but late arriving birds, also drawn in by the antics at our site.
Hopefuly things will settle down soon and these intruders will get bored with their mischief-making and push off, leaving EJ and Odin in peace. But each day at a time. Certainly never a dull moment here at Loch Garten. Plenty of anxious ones though. Unless you've got a weak disposition, why not come to visit and ride the rollercoaster, and see if you can hack it. Phew.
The Osprey Centre team are fine and dandy. They are working very hard and very busy with visitors. We normally have a celebratory hatch-party but just haven't had chance to fit one in. When we get chance we're planning a team BBQ, but I think it likely trout won't feature, just too work-related. Believe me, they know you're out there and right behind them, and it does help. Thanks.
At last. I know many of you have been clamouring for news of progress on how the tagging fund is going. I now have figures. To-date the tally stand at £2,345 from 101 donations on-line, plus we have had a total of £493 given to us here by visitors to the Centre, making £2,838 so far. This is just marvellous, thank you so much to all who have contributed, it is very much appreciated. We're on our way with it, but it does currently leave a shortfall of £1,662. So, (and as if you can't guess what's coming next!), if any one out there, who hasn't yet made a contribution, but would like to help, please consider doing so. Very many thanks indeed. Your generosity and support for our work here is heartening and sustaining at these anxious times. Without your support we simply couldn't do all that we do.
Just to say, that given what is going on with our birds, were anything untoward to happen and it was considered inappropriate to proceed with tagging this year, such as weak chicks or poor condition, then it would be held over to next season. I trust you'll understand that decision if we have to make it, but that you will continue to support the project. You can be sure we will keep you informed when it's time to make that decision. Thank you.