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Congratulations on all the money, I've read the whole story from the beginning now, great

Excellent, Richard.  So glad you've got the funding for 2 chicks.  What would be really fascinating to know, of course, is where do EJ and Odin spend the winter??  I realise, of course, that we probably will never know but it would have been intriguing to see if the chicks follow in the footsteps of the parents.  Never mind.  I'm thrilled you  are able to at least get the chicks tagged.  Could you not microchip them at the same time with a google map so that they can check to see which is the best route to take?

That's excellent news!  It makes sense to me to tag only two chicks.  Would it make sense to tag one male and one female?  If the general guess is right and #1 and #3 are female, then it makes sense to tag #1 and #2.  After all the youngest will have a leg-ring so although it wouldn't be possible to follow her migration, we might still know when/if she returns to Scotland.

Brilliant news - thank you so much for letting us know.  I'm thrilled to bits that we will now be able to follow 2 chicks on their journeys.  Thrilled, but with a feeling of some trepidation I must say.  Still, we must learn about their good moments and bad to understand more about our Ospreys.  Exciting times ahead!!

That is marvellous news Richard just so glad to be a part of all this and of couse,giving to the tracking fund ,means we all have a little stake in the chicks when they leave on their migration, with the tracking device on, that we the bloggers have helped pay for too!!:))

It didn't take long to reach the target either did it...just goes to show how many people are behind the work you all do.

Last year on the blog I was gsnowey but had to change it this time, as I couldn't manage to get on here, so changed to my real name and although I had been to visit Loch Garten several times since 2003 and visited last year on the day the chicks left on their migration :( I hadn't ever posted on a blog until I joined the few people on here at the start and it has grown and grown until there are so many people it is hard to keep up with it all :))

I joined the RSPB because of Loch Garten and the ospreys which captured my heart and signed the pledge for the protection of Birds of Prey and now once again look forward to following the chicks once more on their migration.

These chicks are so strong and I hope with all my heart that they succeed on their journey this time and return in due course to breed and raise young successfully.

Terrific news about the tagging.  Great news for birds of prey in/migrating over Malta too - following a hunting ban in the spring, a pair of kestrels have successfully raised chicks - the first successful attempt in Malta in 15 years.  See http://birdlifemalta.org/view.aspx?id=182 for details.

Everyone else might be content, but I'm still on the roller-coaster. Watching the little one at the moment isn't much fun. S/he seems to be very hungry. Come on Odin, it's time for a whopper. I'd hate to see the littlun wasting away.

REPLY - The little one is doing really well.  It is only smaller as it is two days younger than the middle chick and four days younger than the oldest chick.  Odin is doing an absolutely magnificient job, bringing in at least 45 fish in the past 7 days.  All three of the chicks are getting a good feed when each fish comes in, by this time last year, the youngest chick was being subdued by the eldest each time a fish was brought in (and Orange VS' fish were no where near as frequent as Odin's!) and it was lucky to get a few mouthfuls a day.  So please do not panic, and just enjoy watching the youngsters and rest assured that the youngest chick is not wasting away.  Claire.

19.14 very gratefully received Odin. Wish it was bigger though.Fish 5

Excellent news. Well done Richard and team! I was sure you would reach the target, at least the break in only netted £4 and not the total tagging donations. Let's hope for better results from the fledlgings this year. I am amazed at the growth rate of the chicks and just wish I could get to the centre to see them for real, however from Switzerland it's a bit far for a day trip. Odin and EJ are fantastic parents. All us bloggers have learned so much from your wonderful webcams and blogs.

THANK YOU. The world of ospreys is fantastic.  

PS:It would be interesting to know how many bloggers are from outside the UK and who is the furthest distant.

Excellent news Richard - many thanks for letting us know!  This hopefully makes up for the break-in news!  Congratulations and we look forward to all the 'information' as and when the chicks are ringed and tagged (in the case of the elder two chicks) in the next 2-3 weeks!

Wonderful news Richard I am so glad the tagging will go ahead even though It gives us more to worry about I wouldn't miss it for the world.  Nothing makes me smile more than when I log in and EJ is feeding her brood as she was just now and N0.3 seemed to be getting a good share this time.   Modern tachnology does have its good side because we would not be able to be part of this wondrous story without it.  It has given so many people such an insight to these wonderful birds.  Long may the story continue.  

Richard, I'm interested in the tracking.  If you wouldn't mind telling me .... Last year the RSPB purchased three trackers but only two were used.  What happened to the third ie the Wee Yin's one?   Did the suppliers not refund any money hence the reason only two were ordered this year?  

REPLY: We still have the third tag from last year, and we have ordered a further tag, so we've two for this season.  -  Richard

Well done everyone. However I can see that such is the attachment to all three chicks that many people will wish to know what happens to all of them. With the appeal going so well wouldn't it be possible to carry on and raise enough to tag all three? (Or ask Tesco to help out, as they've had plenty of free advertising this year!)

REPLY: As previously answered, tags aren't off the peg, they have to be ordered months ahead.  Not knowing how much money might be forthcoming, we were cautious and only ordered one.  We can't now get another tag, even if we had the money.  If I placed the order today we might not get it until October!.  -  Richard

On a related matter I've also been meaning to post asking Richard if there's any information concerning the relative life success of first, second, and third-hatched chicks. One would expect that, often having access to more food during the critical growth period, the elder chicks would fare better on migration and in subsequent breeding.

Many broods of Scottish ospreys have been ringed over the years so perhaps the general data's already available from recording returning birds. However it strikes me that satellite tracking whole broods would yield more valuable, detailed information about the chicks' relative fitness. We've already seen from last year that Nethy made a much better fist of her migration than did Deshar, but is this a regular occurrence related to position in the brood? Richard's already raised this possibility in an earlier post if I remember correctly.

Thank you Clare for reassuring those who feel the youngest is not getting enough to eat. Personally I do not watch the feeding sessions very much because the memory of watching the Wee Yin starved to death last year by the bullying of his big sister in particular and the meagre fare which poor old OVS managed to bring was too awful. Not forgetting EJ's own expeditions which probably prevented Deshar going the same way. But even though I do not watch feeding I can see that all three chicks look really well fed. Thank god  and Odin, Bless him, don't you just want to give him a pat on the back.

Glad to hear all the news about your Golden Anniversary and what a milestone it was also for one of the original gang. Well done all of you over the years.  

Devon Dave you are not sad at all, join the club. I did not take mine because I had no router but I did pay to log on at the campsite pc in Bude just to get my fix!!

Are you tagging the two eldest because they are male and female,(I think they are, anyway) and hence gain 'valuable' info on both on genders or is it purely because they are likely to be biggest and strongest regardless of gender.

REPLY: Because they are likely to be the biggest and stongest.  -  Richard

Barbara Jean - Great blog describing earlier actions.  I also think "Rocky" is an appropriate name for #3 and song, well it has got to be:    

"I get knocked down, but I get up again

Ain't nothing going keep me down .....

Great news that the  fund reached it's goal. Tagging two chicks should give  helpful  data as to  do they winter in the same place.  I am from Wisconsin in the USA Which is "over" 3,000 miles ( 4828 kilometers)  from Scotland

That is fantastic news. let us hope that all three chicks will continue to thrive, they should do with the great care and attention that they get from Odin and EJ. Also a very happy birthday to Loch Garten Centre, I shall miss being there this year, but hope to get there sometime next year. Well done to you all, and thank you for your superb blogs and keeping us fully up to date.

Thanks Richard. Marvellous news! It is wonderful to think that we will hopefully have three little ones' adventures to follow later in the year. I, like Gary, also hold out hope that Nethy will return one day. Had she not had her transmitter, her story would have stopped at the nest until a possible sighting in a couple of years. It's all to look forward to!

This is great news, Richard.  So glad to hear your target has been reached.  It spurred me to make my own small donation (sorry couldn't afford a lot!) to help in anything else that needs to be paid for at your wonderful centre.  I've been a member of the RSPB for many years and it does my heart good to see the dedication and hard work of you guys.  I first saw ospreys in real life on a visit to Florida a few years ago and since then I've been totally sold!  They are magnificent birds and I think what you and the RSPB are doing is quite marvellous.  Long may it continue :D

REPLY:  Thanks Sheryl.  To use a particulalrly apt catch phrase, given recent events - "every little helps" !  -  Richard

These ospreys are addictive, wonderful to watch. I love to see them stretching, almost toppling over. We are sooo privileged! All three chicks look fabulous and healthy. Fingers crossed... Congrats on the money raised

Congratulatulations on raising the money Richard and all at LG. It's lovely to feel part of it, having contributed, even though all I can do is sit at my computer and watch. I feel as though I own a feather, maybe one of Odin's!! (You'll have to excuse what I call a sense of humour!)

I'm beginning to get a bit emotional already it  all this talk of ringing and tagging,  I KNOW there's still weeks to go but I'm already seeing ringed and tagged ready to set off on their journey.  Cannae cope Oh here;s a fish

Another fish, and no 3 thought he'd have a go at no 1 again! Oh, and no 2 also. So now no 1 is feeding, ah, no3 is creeping in again.... and number 2 is bringing up the rear!

For the first time ever I have managed at long last to see Magnificent Odin arrive with a fish.  I am sure EJ knew he was on his way with all her calling and getting quite excited.  The chicks are obviously ready for another meal and there was a bit of pushing going on but all will settle once EJ starts to feed them.  Nice they have a meal to go to bed on.

Congratulations on reaching the target for the tracking fund. It is great to be part of this wonderful project. We have some amazing people on this blog from all over the world and long may it continue. Well done to all the other bloggers who donated. I am also happy that the two eldest chicks will be tagged. I followed Nethy and Deshar last year and still have hopes that Nethy will return one day.

Hi all,

glad to here the celebrations at the weekend went well! and even more pleased to hear that the 'tagging' target has been reached. just goes to show how much we value these wonderful birds and how much we appreciate the wonderful work you all do.

Thanks for all the blogs, keeping everyone up to date and thanks to Alan Petrie, BigRab74 and Simon Bunce for the various witty postings - certainly help to lighten a stressful day at work!

Wonderful news on reaching the target, Richard!  Are there any other satellite tagging projects active this year that you know of?  If so, there would still be an outside chance of obtaining a third tracker - although it would be as a result of circumstances we don't like to think about.  If a chick for whom tracking was planned didn't make it to tagging time, like Wee Yin last year, there would be a tag available for use.  None of us would want this situation, but if it should arise, I'm sure the bloggers and others would quickly make up the short-fall in funds to cover the extra cost.  On the other hand, as things stand at the moment, we will have a very feisty #3 chick who will travel unencumbered except for a ring. She will have every chance possible of living well into adulthood and returning to show us just what she (yes, I'm convinced it's a she) is made of!!!!

Barbara V, I come from about the middle New South Wales, Australia.  The distance from Sydney Australia to Glascow Scotland is given as 10,524 miles or 16,937 km.  We're a bit west of sydney, which would increase the distance, as would the distance from Glasgow to Loch Garten.  ;-)

Many congratulations to the entire team of dedicated wardens and watchers. Thank you for bringing us this amazing story to follw. Glad to have been able to assist with a donation and will follow the unfolding story as I did last year - let's all hope for a story we can follow for as long as the tracking devices last and welcome them home in years to come.

Richard, thanks for replying about the Wee Yin's tag but like Wattle15, I also wonder if there is any chance of picking up a tag from another source (don't like to think about circumstance).  If so then I am up for donating to tag Chick #3.  This fiesty wee bird (Rocky) has spirit and despite being smaller, is strong, in fact moreso than #2 and I would love to follow her migration.  Any chance?  

Hi TISH....don't worry the chick was only 'hiding'.  They were named yesterday, Denny(boy) and Furzy(girl). Apparently these two names are well known places of the Newforest. I am beginning to feel a bit sad because they are expected to fledge tomorrow!!! So if you don't see them you will know where they are but we should be able to watch their progress......they have been ringed.

REPLY: Just to be clear, Maureen's not talking about our ospreys, here.  _  Richard

RICHARD, I am so pleased you have reached your target for tracking devices. I HAVEN'T DONATED YET BUT WILL DO SO AT THE WEEK-END.

Did you not get my question about the size of the chicks?

HAVE YOU OBSERVED, IN PREVIOUS CHICKS, THE AMAZING GROWTH

AT THIS STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT?

EJ and 'babies' are settlted for the night

REPLY:  Yes, have answered it now.  -  Richard

.

Hello to all! I am from London, Ontario, Canada and have been glued to this website for the last couple of weeks.  It is facinating, heartstopping and heartwarming all at the same time! I also love to read all of your posts - I am not sure how I get any work done at my home or job as I am always keen know how the "chicks" are doing.  In my off time I also check in on 3 bald eagle nests in British Columbia and a black stork nest in Portugal!  However, EJ & Odin et al are my favourites.  Thank you to Richard, Claire and the rest of the team for all of your work and frequent updates.  I do plan to visit Loch Garten in the next year or two. Cheers!

Congratulations on the success of the funding appeal. I hope that can have some small permanent memorial to last  year's three chicks.

I like Barbara thoughts on what Odin was like as a chick. Sadly we will probably never know.

Fiesty third and fourth chicks are always much loved. The most famous of these must surely be Flag in the DPOF nest of 2006. He overcame incredible odds to finally fledge after 66 days. He was a very vocal chick and I know someone who uses the sound of Flag as the ring tone on her mobile phone to this day.

Errol the fourth chick at Pebbles in 2005 also became quite a hero but less so since he was not on camera.

It is great that all of us who have donated to the fund will feel we have a share in the journey of the chicks as they fly south in August/September.

It is well to remember that as far as I know no British osprey juvenile has ever successfully carried a transmitter to Africa and back (A Finnish osprey called Mirja has). I feel sure that one of these two chicks in the nest right now will be the first to claim that honour.

It is truly a great day for the future of ospreys when so many people combine their efforts in such a lovely way.

What a wonderful view of Odin as he brought in a fish.  It looks like he ate the head - unless he's been to Tesco!

REPLY: T fish have their heads on.  Well the ones I bought, did.  -  Richard

So good to see they are on their second breakfast.  Odin must know they need to eat when it is cold and wet.  Richard you are about earloy replyng to us bloggers, do you ever go to bed.

Superosprey, Odin has just delivered another fish and all three being fed. Considering the weather at the moment, Odin has done well to catch fish in what must be 'troubled waters'. Great news about the tracking fund, Richard and team. and, of course, visitors and bloggers. I'm sure any excess can either be put to good use elsewhere in Abernethy Forest or, saved for next year's tagging? Well done all! Have you seen the Barn owl nestcam? Well worth a look! Otherwise all chicks doing well. Goshawk eyas look like real birds of prey now and as if they are ready to fly the nest.

Richard .. Having read the comment from you to Lamarck I take it only one chick will be fitted with a tracking device and that will take all the money raised is this correct ??

CliveT

REPLY: We have two tags, for two chicks. -  Richard

By the way Richard, Couldn't the local schools name the chicks as they did last year?

REPLY: The local schools didn't name the chicks.  We named them after the two local schools.  -  Richard

I to like everyone else send my congratulations on reaching your "Tracking Target",, but I hope more comes in so it can go towards all the repairs that you had to suffer from such a brainless twit on Saturday night,,,,

Not to sure about the fish head thing myself,,Teresa and Jeepster,, but as the saying goes, if Odin does eat the heads,"They will see him through the week", SORRY, I couldn't resist,,,, though Janeallport has told us the answer,,, a few days ago I did watch Angus from the Loch of Lewes bring in a masive fish with it's head on and it was still alive and kicking,, made me feel a bit queezy to watch Isla kill it,,,,

I don't know who's going to name EJ's and Odin's chicks this year, but I've got silly ones of my own,, when they are lying down, still and sleeping, they just look to me, "Oven Ready",,, please don't shout at me folks,,  so the names I'm useing till I know what the propper ones are::::

Sage,,  Onion,, and  Paxo,,,, not dignified I know,, but it's my daft humour,,,,

It looks like a very wet day on the nest today,, just like here in Worcester,,,

EJ is playing umberella at the moment,, but the biggest chick isn't under her fully, and is complaining bitterly,, tyipical,, the chick MUST be a girl,, she is learning to nag from an early age,,

Back to more watching,,  have fun everyone, well done again Richard and Team,

Chrissy

XXXXXX

I'm not sure who I feel sorry for most, in the awful weather you are having at Loch Garten! No1 made sure it had prime position under mum no matter what. No3 also worked it's way in very close to big sister/brother. Poor no2 just sat close to mum. Then of course, poor EJ because she was struggling to get them all under her somewhere! Bless her EJ does her best. I laughed when EJ was announcing dad was on his way with lunch, heads appeared to poke out everywhere!

Two grown up Goshawks chicks at extreme left of nest quietwoman. Smile.

Just back from a wonderful ( long ) weekend at Loch Garten. Thanks to all the team for making our annual visit so special. Seeing EJ and Odin in the flesh ( feathers ) is a truly great experience. I'm sure Odin perched on the camera tree just for us, showing just how handsome he really is , even when he's drookit with all the rain that morning. It did, however, clear up a wee bit in time for Fiona to recite her wonderfully moving poem about Loch Garten. Congrats Fiona !! Great day was had by all.

Just looked in at the Goshawks 1.55pm and they were feeding happily so not gone yet.

I would have thought they would be around another few days yet.

Goshawks still there at 13.50 Quietwoman but it's not for the want of trying that the one I see flapping away good style hasn't fledged!   EJ looks really forlon at the moment, can't see any part of the chicks, they're well tucked under EJ.....

Great news that the tracking is on track (sorry!) - it will be great to be able to follow the chicks once they have fledged, given how gripped we all our with their progress to date! if it helps with brownie points from Head Office - I've joined the RSPB this year, primarily because of watching the Ospreys via your camera. I felt that having got so much pleasure (and a bit of worry!) out of it, the least I could do was join. Unfortunately, when they ask what motivated me to join, there wasn't an option to say 'glued to Loch Garten Ospreycam'!

REPLY:  Thanks for joining TallyFrog.  Much appreciated.  -  Richard

Richard, is there competition between LG and other reserves throught the country even though they are all different?

REPLY:  If you mean between other RSPB reserves, then yes, there's a bit of very friendly rivalry and competition to see who can recruit the most new members to support the RSPB's work.  All good natured stuff.  So, anyone out there not a member, who feels inclined to support the RSPB in its work, and help us here at Abernethy/Loch Garten pip our colleagues at the post, then please consider joining RSPB by following the joining instructions from this web page, and LG will be credited.  Many thanks.  74 of you joined via the blog last year and it helped us enormously towards achieving our target and maintaining our position as top recruitment site (pro rata).    -   Richard

15:40 Another fish delivery from Odin. Quite a small one this time but enough to keep them going. Weather is dreadful at LG. EJ doing a great job keeping the not so little ones dry. Also notice when watching Loch of the Lowes that they have the facility to pan the camera round to focus on the male on his perch in a nearby tree. They also have the facilty to zoom right in on the nest. It would be good if the camera at LG could be updated but I guess it would cost more. Just a thought. I am happy the way things are.  

Beverly -- this is the site for the Shepherdstown eagle nest:  http://www.myoutdoortv.com/explore-the-u.s./eagle-cam.html          Our "Hidey" has fledged and spends most days in hunting & fishing school for the next couple weeks... so sights of her in the nest these days are sparce but always exciting.

Thanks to everyone who put me right about the Goshawks. I'm pleased to see they are still there, although not for too much longer, I think. Loch of the Lowes Ospreys are in sunshine, at last, so maybe the rain will move from Loch Garten soon. It was raining here at 5.00 and is still raining! That Goshawk nest in the New Forest must be over a motorway! I've never managed to watch it when it's been quiet. Poor EJ, she puts up with a lot to give these babes the best start in life.

Annette  I quite like your Bald Eagle he is a good loking chap.  And he is your national bird.  Beautiful

Thank you Richard for that explanation.  We all know who is the best and friendliest!!!

Rhian, I don't know about the head being the most nutritious part but my understanding is that the male eats the head to make sure the fish is dead as a large fish flapping around the nest could injure the chicks.  Another reason is that the head contains the jaw bone which is very tough so decapitating the fish provides food for him and allows the female to immediately start feeding the chicks.  

REPLY - The head is indeed the most nutritous part containing both the brain and the eye.  Claire

#1 is going to commit fratricide if she's not careful - she's almost pushed #2 out of the nest.  Lucky EJ built up that side...

I think 1 and 3 are the strongest even though they are females.  No 2 never seems to attack No 1 like he needs to be attacked . He always looks like he needs a cuddle!!!

Wonder if the breezy conditions are holding back our Goshawk chicks. They're certainly interested in the big wide world around them....

Logged on to see 3 HUGE chicks alone on the nest, one resting, one preening and one clumping(yes, audibly!) around.  Worried he/she will get to the edge and fall out.

Just a thought. What would happen if a chick fell out of the nest. Would the team put it back or would it be deemed to be interfering with nature???

REPLY:  Cross that bridge when it (doesn't) happen, hopefully.  Don't want to think about it.  Unlikley to survive a fall.  But let's not dwell on such possibilities eh?  -  Richard

Odin brings in another fish ( is that 5) and eats the head off immediately.  The babies are looking at Odin a lot longer now!  

17.36 ......not long signed in and back comes Mum along with Odin and a fish. Odin leaves and Mum starts feeding the hungry ones.

Da Da Dahhhhhhhh Super Dad does it again !!!

Another delivery,,,,, three little maids are we all in a row,,,

May I ask a question please Richard,,,,

When the chicks are ringed will two of them be Radio tagged at the same time,,

I think I know the answer,, but I would like to know for sure please,

Thank you,

Chrissy

XXXXX

REPLY - The satellite trackers will be fitted at the same time of the leg rings.  Claire

17.44 - My first look-in today- EJ feeding all three chicks!  WOW! - would you look at No 1 with his 'proper' feathers!  Amazing!  And I'm now only guessing which is No 3!

Oh, boy - is this going to be a fantastic year for LG!

Another fish! Is this 6 or 7 so far today? I don't think EJ is in want of food. She eats all the pieces she has torn off that she considers too large for the chicks. She looks very fit considering she is going thro' her moult. My apologies, Richard I thought the school children had been involved in the naming of Nethy and Deshar. Do you really have to read all the blogs? Must be a bit frustrating sometimes when questions come up that you've already answered.

These Osprey chicks are so cute. Love the way they stick their bottoms in the air and nearly topple over when they stretch their wings! Must've missed Odin since chicks are busy eating....

Soosin. Loved your paranthetical headsup up re the size of nest being UK size double. Not sure how that compares with US doubles; do know that we have King Size here and also California King Size, which is of course, huge and comes with map so you can find spouse/pillows, etc.!  :-)

At last the rain has stopped and the sun has come out. Off goes EJ to stretch her wings. the chicks are also quite active on the nest. 17:35 and EJ returns with the calls which are a precursor for The Return Of Odin. Yes the master fisherman is back with fish number 6. He really is a splendid specimen of an osprey. Chicks line up and although the fish looked a good size it was despatched in 15 mins. EJ then left and returned with some orange material, obviously been to the local osprey interior designers as nest was needing to be brightened up after the rain.

Annette in SoCal.  You haven't missed 'Gossies' fledging, whoever it was was only hiding!! They have been doing that all day but it will be anytime now.

Doesn't EJ look like the typical story book brooding mummy hen.?

She is absolutely gorgeious.