Blogs

I had no sooner posted my comment when an update from LG arrived which invariably means it will be tagged on to an outdated blog. So I will re-submit my assertion that the collective term for our favourite birds is a Duet of Ospreys. In the case of EJ and Odin, OVS and Henry , I think it is an apt term.

This just shows that every day is a school day. I think that as Odin is unringed, at this stage and we dont know who is who, this is very much so a serial drama. I also agree with earlier blogs from avid springwatch watchers that this this series isn`t as quiet true to form or nature as previous series.

Thanks for the update so late Richard - these comings and goings must make your head hurt to say the least!! A rather silly question, is it out of the question to ring Odin when you do the chicks? Or will he be too big and elusive to do it? Apologies for the daft question! :) Matt

REPLY: Chicks cannot fly at ringing time so are effectively "captive" in the nest and so ring-able, but trying to catch a free-flying adult is not at all straightforward.

Richard

Sorry if that was sent twice.  

I've been pondering.  Not such a good idea for me at this time of day.

Just lately I have been having to press F5 (refresh) quite often.  Will that be because you have so many watching now?

Another thing I have thought about was would it be any use if I opened a special Communty on YUKU where people could leave messages and chat to each other.  Rather than giving you so many posts to deal with.    Like I said.  Just me pondering but I would do it if people thought it was a good idea.  It doesn't involve much work and I would make it fairly private and leave the link on here for people to join if they wanted.

Since I got told about your site last summer ive been an avid viewer but never commented.  I would like to thank all concerned for keeping everyone updated with both the ups and the downs.  Its been very interesting to watch from the beginning this year and cant wait to get home from work at night to tune in.  Ive just seen daddy deliver breakfast at 8.05 to the hungry brood.. hopefully one of many today!!  Thanks again.

Can't remember if I have already sent this.....so excited about breakfast delivery!!!!!!

8.05am.  Yippee, 'dad' has just brought breakfast and it is a lovely BIG fish.  I am sure it was Odin, he was'babysitting' while EJ was off the nest.

Would she leave a stranger to 'babysit'???

REPLY: Hmmm.  Probably unlikely, until that stranger had become a regular supplier of fish and was at the stage of taking over as a new partner.  At this stage, I think not.  -  Richard

Reply to vivienneL from yesterday's blog - an osprey is between 20-24 inches (52-60cm) in length, with a 6 foot wingspan; the white-tailed eagle by comparison is 69-91cm in length, with an 8 foot wingspan.  As for the lesser spotted eagle's chicks - they do run the gauntlet as only one will survive (I *think* it's the only example of 'Cainism' - call it fratricide if you want - in the bird of prey world).  There's more info on White-Tailed Eagles at http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/species/casestudies/whitetailedeagle.asp and also at http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/tracking/mulleagles/ - good to know that all's well at LG and thanks for the update Richard!

Thanks for all reports about fresch fish this morning! Richard, I can see you are allready up, answering questions ...hope you had a good night sleep! EJ is brooding the chicks right now, it looks a bit cold on the nest. 08.49

Great birthday present for me this morning as things look to be improving for our family in the nest. Now I can relax and enjoy my day knowing that the chicks aren't hungry while I'm eating birthday cake. Odin has added years to my age, and more grey hairs!

Just woke (with a bit of a hangover) to the greart news that Odin has delivered another fish and the chicks are well fed again. Hopefully we can move on now and forget the stress of the last few days. I have to say well done to the team for taking the tough decison to feed the chicks when Odin disappeared, it was definately the right thing to do and you could have saved 3 little lives by doing so.

Thanks Richard for the updates..

Great to wake up to see Odin bring in a really big, flapping around, fish this morning...It was ghastley here last night, very stormy and a waterfall of rain at times so I think a very soggy nest this morning !!

Soosin, I only said what I did about the LG nest because of its world wide fame and coverage !! There are nests all around me and I regularly go to spot from afar which have chicks in and how they are all doing...Each and everyone is equally important and precious, wherever they are..

As to who brings in the bacon, so to speak, it doesn't matter to me...as long as EJ and the chicks are fed and survive that's what is important. I love Odin to bits and think he is the best male Osprey I have seen for a long time but understand that EJ will take food from any source ( including Mr Tesco )should he fail her for any reason so her chicks survive...That is her whole mission and she will see that it happens whatever.

But my heart prays that he is now back to normal and has got his VA VA VOOM back !!!!

Happy Birthday Buni :-)

So lovely to see all chicks being fed and looking content.  Thank you very much Richard for all your updates - I can feel the passion in them.  Just caught up with all the blogs having been away from the UK for 7 weeks and I sent my donation last night.  I am not sure I can take all the stress after reading what has been happening.  It is great to be back although I have had a European Red Necked Nightjar to occupy my attention whilst being away!  Many thanks to all at LG - what a wonderful job you are all doing.

Just my own take on the 'live chat' possibility raised by Teresa_ - I think the idea of having a live chat facility is brilliant, but I rather suspect that the biggest problem is the whole monitoring aspect (and manpower).  Whilst it can be a bit of a pain having everything monitored prior to someone updating this blog, it's better that than reading nonsense (or worse) sent by some 'spammer'.  

10:13am - WOW is all I can say - to have such a prolonged view of the two birds on the nest with no intruders and everything being so calm - what a privilege and awesome sight!

10.09 am a visit by Odin to nest. Just visiting. Great to see him.

‘Silent morn, dismal morn, but Odin’s back, EJ not alone. The chicks keeping warm beneath her breast, their valiant defender, provider, at rest, so all is well at the nest, all is well at the nest.’ Do you think you could all mentally sing from ‘Silent morn to all is well at the nest’ to the tune of Silent Night please?

Second time I have checked in this morning and I am just feeling very happy that Odin has been with fish and they have all had a good feed.  So nice there are such a lot of bloggers as we can keep up with things we have missed.  Richard do you ever go to bed, late post last night and early ones this morning.  You really are such a hero along with all the staff at Loch Garten.

I do prefer to know that the blog is being moderated, not only to keep out the awful spam, but that if any of us say something utterly wrong and misleading, it will be corrected. Also it was good last year when we all got rather emotional to have a firm voice to pull us back together again. Or should that just be firm words? Thanks to all you moderators and to Richard for keeping us all on track. Liz

I got up late today and although green with envy of those who saw Odin, am well chuffed that's it was definitely him..  although he may have two nests and be servicing the other nest lunch and afternoon and EJ with breakfast and supper.

RICHARD - your reports are incredibly helpful but can I just ask.. If you have time could you elaborate on your comment that Odin has had to put up with a lot of aggression. Apart from the buzzing and posturing that I can imagine, do they actually attack with their beaks or would it all be pushing and shoving and talon locking?

REPLY:  It's mainly bluster. Aerial chases, swooping at each other.  Odin will try to keep himself between the intruder and the nest, rising higher and away from the nest, effectively pushing the intruder higher and further away.  Actual contact is very rare.  But all the aerobatics involved must be exhausting. Though as I mentioned in a previous answer to someone, we did have a time when two rival females locked-up on the nest.  Richard

Teresa....There is an excellent live chat group on Facebook which was set up last year after the RSPB site closed for the winter. ...Loch Garten Bloggers. It is not in any way in competition with this blog but complements it very well. The advantage, apart from live chat, is that you can choose which discussion thread you want to add to. So we can 'chat' about LG, Loch of the Lowes, Glasyn or more specific issues such as tagging, OVS, Odin etc. The Facebook group have been very keen to raise money for Loch Garten and another thread is specifically about that. We have 200 members most of whom are also active on this blog :}

I've just seen Odin of the gleaming chest at last!!! He was giving warning shrieks (I've never heard EJ give these long sharp cries as loud and clear as he does) and then moved a stick towards EJ. She said put it back I dont want it! There was a little tug of war and she has a word with him that sticks are no good for lunch so please can you pop out and get some!! Wonder how long he will be!!!

EJ alarm calling just now. Immediatly answered by Odin?? Dont remember him having brown markings on his chest. But EJ seemed to accept him and even allowed him to fiddle with a twig close to her. So all is well, fingers crossed

11.30....Intruder alert....Odin comes to the nest...Lots of shrills and wing mantling...Then Odin tells EJ ' It's all right dear it's gone now' and gives her a twig..She gives it back, he gives it again and she gives it back AGAIN and squawks at him...LOL...'TIME FOR ELEVENSES' go and fish please Odin.....He eventually gets the message, one can only take so much nagging...and flies off....Brilliant

Been away in France for over a week, and what a week! can't decide if i'm sorry or glad to have missed all the action, at least all seems well now. What a lot of blogs to read too and from so many different places. when i logged on a bit earlier there were two ospreys on the nest and i caught sight of a couple of chicks, feel better now i've had my 'fix'

2:02pm Odin(?) arrives with a good sized fish and for a moment while EJ was trying to drag it across the nest to her feeding station at the right side it looked a bit like a Tesco fish with a slit down the belly. Odin get an account at Tescos? All three chicks are up there getting their late lunch. Looks great. "Biggest" doesn't seem to be very pushy. Odin hung around for a while making a different kind of noise and looking up the sky. Intruders? EJ kept her head down and went right on feeding the kids. Odin has left while EJ continues to share (important word being share) out the fish to ALL the kids.

Must have just missed the fish delivery but both parents are on the nest as EJ feeds the chicks

Looks as though the weather there is not too bad today. Here in Devon is has been raining heavily for the past 6 hours. Baby starlings are taking refuge on m bird table, looking very sorry for themselves with their feathers sticking out like spikes. I saw lunch arrive around 2.30ish for the chicks so it looks as though everything appears to be on track again. Fingers crossed it continues. Thank you Richard for taking the time to write such informative blogs for all of us avid and nervous watchers. It really does put our minds at rest and we're all learning something new every day.

What a super sight the wee ones with some warmish sun on their little bodies. The last 2 days have been pretty grim weatherwise up here on Speyside. I was up Cairngorm yesterday when the white stuff came down and last evening here in the cottage a power cut after a thunder and hail storm. Felt for E.J. from the warmth of the cottage.

just back in from a bit of sea watching, bldy freezing, nice tosee the three of of them on their own in the sunshine and had two meals today.

5:00pm EJ up for a stretch so all of the kids do the same. Biggest is now a toddler strutting around on two strong legs. Much easier to point the bum in the right direction now before firing. Quite difficult to tell the difference between Bigger and Wee Yin when they are lying down, and sometime even when they are up. EJ off for a quick wing stretching flight. Wee Yin decides to beat up Bigger while Mom's back is turned. The three kids lay back down in the afternoon sun while Mom's gone. Look out kids Mom's back!

EJ just left the nest for a few minutes so the chicks did a bit of wing stretching. Chick#3 had a bit of a ruck with #2 , he/she has certainly got  a lot of bottle!!

Have just read through all the posts since your very welcome blog last night Richard

and what I have noticed is the note of sheer panic has now gone...you told us to sleep easy(ier) in our beds and we all did :)))

Thank you for putting our minds at rest...no one ever said that osprey watching would be this stressful....up one minute.....down the next.

But I'm sure everyone would agree, it is well worth it!!!!!

So glad to see our little family together on the nest again.... allbeit with the odd intruder still thrown in but much, much, better than a few days ago...long may it continue!!!!! :))))))

WEEJEANNIE and QUIETWOMAN (and all cyberbloggers) thought you could do with some heartening news.

Wee brother and sister in the Newforest are doing extremely well.

The wee girl (aren't I clever that I can tell the difference!!! ) has started to feed herself but her wee brother just waits for 'mum'.

The baby Ospreys at LOTL are thriving and growing and being well fed.

Now, isn't it wonderful that our beautiful family are all back to normal.

Just loved the earlier feeding this pm around 2.15pm.  Odin looked so proud and majestic with the wind ruffling his feathers and he kept peeping down at the "little-uns" - pride written all over him.  It's so funny when EJ is trying to get them all under control underneath her and just when she thinks she's done it out pops a little head again! x

One of the chicks is mimicking EJ's call for food LOL!! . I can't tell which one  because I only see one.  It looks like it may be  the  little one. The little one  definitely a survivor. Since the female calls for food I'll bet the one calling  for food is a female.

6:43pm Odin just landed (with a fish) and just about on top of the two wee ones. Biggest was already up and waiting. Feeding time at the LG Osprey home. All three lined up nicely with EJ at the back of the nest so we can see very clearly thank you! I THINK Wee Yin is in the middle. Getting hard to tell the difference between Bigger and wee Yin.

EJ and the chicks are so hungry, EJ almost ripped the fish out of Odin's talons! It's lovely to know our little family have settled back into 'normality' again, thank goodness. Odin hasn't stayed around this time as EJ is feeding the babies. I think it's so funny the way the chicks are imitating mum. I see the smallest is in the middle of bigger and biggest, he/she's a survivor obviously!

Bunl Happy Birthday hope your birthday is as good as mine has been today. Things looking good at L G today lets hope it continues like this, it's great to seem some normality up there poor Richard you have had so many ups and downs but lets all hope it's plain sailing for you now.

feeding time once more,,, Odin just dropped off a big one,,

Richard please mat I ask a question,, Am I right in thinking you can tell the sex of a chick by the size of it's feet, ie: big feet a female and small feet a male ???

I don't where I heard this, but it's something that stuck in my head..

Little one in the middle and getting it's fair share, lovely,, enough for EJ too,,

keep watching all,, I'm off for my dinner to now,

Chrissy

REPLY:  Yes, come ringing time, c.5-6 weeks after hatching, the growth in legs and feet is complete, that's why we can ring then, so no risk of further leg-growth constricting the ring on the leg.  Flight feathers are not through at that point, so they cannot fly.  With leg-growth complete, and because females are bigger than males, then chicks with big feet are females.  -  Richard

Once again, Richard, thank you so much for all the updates.

Barbara Jean, I too have decided that chick No. 3 could be a female as its behaviour appears more aggressive. My theory is that the male, like Deshar, appear to be more genteel when on the nest but the female, like Nethy, can definitely look after themselves. This can even be seen in EJ and Odin. No doubt I will be proved wrong. Glad to see the chicks were being fed again at about 6.45pm but noticee EJ doesn't seem to take much for herself.

Hi Maureen - yes, I keep going over for a look at the NF webcam and the chicks are looking great. Haven't see LOTL but good to hear they are doing well, too.  It's wonderfull that our LG osprey family seems to be back on track- very worrying for a while but Odin seems to have recovered and resumed his reponsibilites.

BTW - how DO you tell the difference between the goshawks??

Brief visit to the nest by Odin at 8.10pm,  but didn't bring any supper so EJ didn't pay him much attention! Hopefully he's gone off to the fish farm to fetch something for the tea. Seems to have ben a fairly peaceful day according to the blog - but a fish now would be welcome!

Thanks for that Maureen McCann. So one of each! Isn't that perfect and don't they look beautiful with their new feathers beginning to replace the down? the Loch Garten family seem to be settled. The bairns  are getting so big EJ has trouble spreading herself enough to keep them tucked in. Looks cold in Inverness-shire at the moment. I'm away from home in Yorkshire and there has been a dramatic drop in temperature. Sadly no trips to Hornsea Mere or Bempton cliffs this time.

Richard, belated thanks or last night's late news.  Tried to thank you then but my husband yelled at me to go to bed as I haad an eaarly start today.  Been out all day competing in Dog Agility (AT MY AGE!) so thanks to all the bloggers for updates.  Keep up the good work as I have to be off from 07.00 tomorrow as well. (And for the record my dog had a rosette despite his ageing handler!)

Who needs Big Brother when we have this??!! Wonderful and captivating! Well done Odin for todays provisions, keep up the good work! Ah 'Wee yin', what a great name for the little tyke. For some reason it reminds me of Billy Connelly, I imagine he/she to have a similar temprement! :) Off to Worcester tomo to hopefully see some equally beautiful peregrines chicklets take their first test flights and already trying to arrange a trip to LG next spring, super! :)

So are we all agreed male is Odin? I am not 100% convinced yet, I hope it is Odin obviously, what do the LG team think?

REPLY: It's him.  -  Richard

Does anyone know if there have been any more fish since 7 o'clock last night? Judging by the fact that EJ is not making any noise, I guess breakfast has already been served but it would be good to know for sure! EJ's been doing a lot of preening - reckon a girl has to make herself look her best for her man if she wants him to bring home the bacon - or should that be fish!

vivienne L ----Laugh Out Loud, or Lots Of Love!! Has anyone seen breakfast delivered to the LG nest this morning? Just watched the Goshawk family being fed on something with grey fur. Squirrel, perhaps? They make such a variey of calls, sounds a bit like an orchestra warming up.

Marian P, I logged on at 06:30, all was quiet and no sign of breakfast!!!   I did however see another osprey fly overhead around 07:00.  Don't know if it was an intruder or Odin but EJ calm and took off on a couple of exercise flights.  During one, chick #1 beat up the other two.   Not really much to report but talking of the wee ones' sparring - we have nicknamed them after boxers - Chick #1 is "Tyson", Chick #2 is "Ali" and the little one is "Rocky".  

Thanks to all re LOL. I'm wiser now!!!!  It's strange to log on with no fish reports yet!! They are usually enjoying seconds by now!! Anybody seen anything this am ?  Karen - what happened to Galloway chick then?

09:54  Odin just delivered a fish.  Is this the first today does anyone know?  Pru

REPLY - It is indeed.  Odin was followed back in by the intruding osprey.  Claire.

09:55 - Odin has delivered breakfast!!  EJ removing the head, the wee ones are getting lined up.  An intruder seems to have followed Odin back, he is standing guard and EJ also mantled.   EJ now feeding, the little one (Rocky as I call it) is right up there but all are getting fed.  Odin has everything under control.  I think these intruders know now not to mess with our Odin and flies off at 09:59 whilst EJ continues feeding.

Simply super views of Odin as he stayed around the nest to warn of intruders! EJ now feeding the youngsters. Now Odin has left we can see the three lined up – eldest on right. Please is anyone able to tell which of the other two is Wee Yin? Guessing, the one on the left? (Yes, great name: Wee Yin)

Odin has just delivered a good size fish. EJ saw him coming and called to make sure he came to her ASAP. Once again he announced to the world that this was his nest, his mate and his family. No intruders welcome! EJ is feeding the young and all seem to be getting a good share.

Odin just brought in a fish and stayed on the nest calling.  I love this display of solidarity and bonding with EJ and the chicks as he calls out his ownership to the world.  It also gave a wonderful view of him as he was right in front of the camera.  He's looking magnificent, his shiny white breast is glowing and his eyes are full of life and health.  Fantastic.  The chicks are all lined up and being fed in turn, there's plenty to go round.

That was amazing! Odin arrived with fish just before 10 am, he arrived from behind EJ but she seemed to know he was coming.  She began calling and the chicks joined in.  When O arrived with fish she grabbed it and began to feed the kinds.  O stayed on the nest and by his behaviour and calls there was an intruder nearby who had to be seen off before he could leave.  I feel so luck to have seen this as I am not often here when food arrives and I am just about to go out for the day!

There must have been fish as they are all tucking in now!!  Has anyone else noticed that the little one is often first to be fed and manages to get nearest to Mum quite often. I've noticed big one just being patient as he gets his turn eventually and all get fed. Not sure if middle one gets his fair share but he seems contented enough. What a change from the bullying and unpleasant feeding times last year - due of course to meagre portions!!!

All hail to Odin the magificient and brave

Odin arrived with fish just before 10am.  He stayed a few minutes to have a shout at an intruder overhead, but EJ wasn't bothered. She just started on the fish. family now being fed.

My streaming is very interrupted and she's got the fish on the far side of the nest so I can't see very well. At least, at that range, if the chicks "fire" it won't reach the lens.

OK, I think I’ve sussed it. The older two chicks are now much ‘whiter’ down the centre of their backs. Is that correct? Wee Yin still darker down the centre of her/his back. Anyone agree? Also, did all the breakfast fish go in this meal? I couldn’t tell if EJ gave herself much breakfast. Hope so

10.10am- Just got back from walking the dogs, in time to see the end of a feed. Looked to me like  Bitsy was the one at the back this time, with Itsy and Teeny Weeny getting loads - can anyone confirm please?  Odin looking directly at camera  and complaining loudly - maybe  an intruder was perched in the camera tree?

I have just checked in on the amazing live footage of the Lesser Spotted Eagle and her chicks on http://www.looduskalender.ee/en/node/3465 ..

What an extraordinary sound she makes when greeting the male who just brought in what looked like a water shrew or similar...It's a sort of low growl sound...Or when you roll your Rrrrr's....Really peculiar...

Sounds as though EJ is still hungary and is nagging Odin to go fishing again....LOL... It is Sunday after all..isn't that what men do on Sunday's...!!

11.50 The eldest is playing mum or dad – moving the furniture around or at least having a go. It had a practice with the soft furnishings and then even had a go with a piece of major furniture, bless it, before copying mum in a quick preen. Peace reigns whilst we all wait for Odin’s next appearance.

Vivienne, when I mention LoL on here I'm referring to the nest at Loch of the Lowes. They have 2 chicks which are a week older than LG's 3. They are also growing well. How I ever get any work done with 2 cameras to watch I'll never know.

All quiet on the Western Front (well it is West from Abdn!) which is lovely to see after the panic over the last few days. Long may it continue. Those chicks are getting huge and EJ is struggling to keep them covered. May even get some work done now! Paid my donation :)

What a relatively peaceful Sunday........so far !  Having visited LG several times last week while on holiday in Aviemore, my wife and I now appreciate that work put into the Centre by Richard (who we met in the car park initially and can now put a face to the name) and his staff including all the volunteers.  It certainly was an eventful week and if the bloggers thought it nerve wracking and tense watching online, you should have seen it at the centre.  It is amazing that while you are there "live" so to speak, you cannot really comprehend the the passion and concern from everywhere over the events affecting EJ, Odin and the "wee barras". On the days we visited there were German, French and Spanish visitors all equally enthralled by the ongoing dramas. LG is a wondrous location and a credit to the RSPB.  Now celebrating its 50th Birthday - congratulations to all involved.

P.S. You don't even look 50 Richard !!

CIAO to everybody, it's a week that I'm watching this amazing family and felt in love ...

I have been away for a little while, and what a lot has been happening in the last week.  It was great to catch up with the news from the Loch Garten team and all the bloggers.  It is good to see that all has settled down again.  In fact it looks at present as EJ has two heads, as one of the chicks has appeared right up close to EJ and with her back to us at present gives us this two head effect.  My thanks again to all at Loch Garten and the bloggers for keeping us up to date.

Has there been a second fish delivery yet today? I've been unable to watch much today so far, so curiosity is eating me up here! All is very quiet, worryingly so.

My question is answered, as Odin brings in a lovely fish for his family. But what a racket EJ made, and the chicks joined in, so was Odin being followed by an intruder again? He didn't stay around for long at all this time. But lovely to see them all on the nest together.

EJ called Odin in with a fish and hardly let him land before she'd whipped it off him and started tearing into it.  I think she's hungry!  It's hard to see what's happening as she's between the camera and the chicks but judging from the noise everyone is very glad to see that fish!

Qiuck! quick! get up, here's Daddy with a fair sized fish.

It was like a scramble just now, EJ jumped up to get fish from ODIN(yes,it is he) and Itsy, Bitsy and Teeny Weeny did the same. LOL

3 mins to 4 pm, oh good oh Odin. Another fish.  Didn't see how big. EJ so relieved. All the feeding taking place extreme right of camera and to front of nest so difficult to see the youngsters tuck in especially since EJ is all in the camera frame. I am so relieved.  Did anyone see the fish? What sort and size?

4pm - Odin justb arrived with a fish. Couldn't see how big but EJ grabbed it without so much as a 'Thankyou' and Odin left. She's now feeding the chicks with her back to the camera but lots of 'squeaking' going on!

3.56 Odin just landed with a fish.  The chicks had been joining in with the food calling as he was obviously flying around before he landed.  I can't see much because EJ has her tail stuck up in the way of the camera, but I can hear lots of happy cheeps.

15:56, Odin has brought in a fish.   She seems to be bringing them nearer the side of nest each time she feeds/as they get bigger.   Can hear their wee squeals of delight naturally as daddy has brought them food but can't see much as EJ is blocking our view.  

Odin the magnificent has done it again and EJ feeding the chicks.  Unfortunately she has her back to the camera and can't see which chicks are getting fed but I suspect the smallest one who seems really feisty is making sure of a share.  This has become my main object today just watching to see if a fsih would come and bless him Odin has not let me down.  I wonder if some of you are like me and still worry just a bit about the food deliveries.  Cross fingers Odin seems to be back to his usual self.

I peeked in after 4pm and caught the tail end of a feeding.  EJ was blocking all the camera action so I couldn't see who got what but they obviously didn't get enough since EJ started food calling right away.  Odin needs to get his fishing deliveries back to what they used to be.  Babies are getting much bigger and I would think they need more than what we're seeing at the moment.  

REPLY - EJ will tend to call for food if Odin is in the area.  At the point when you heard her calling, he was in the camera tree.  He has now flown off.  Claire

Well, it couldn't have been a very big fish . Not a scrap left and EJ calling for more. Keep it EJ I'm calling with you. Thank you Odin but I sure hope you are immediately fishing again.

REPLY - It was roughly 14 inches, a good sized fish.  Claire

16:21 - after EJ practically snatched a fish from Odin at 3:55pm, she is still calling for more.  Poor boy, Odin, to have such a nag for a wife!  The chicks were also very vocal during their feeding time (EJ blocking out most of the action) - lots of what sounded like squabbles trying to get a piece!