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Oh dear, run out of cake? Don't tell me someone ate the nest and the chicks? Oh dear me no, please! But what a wonderful day we had yesterday, with all the fish. I can't blame EJ if boredom sent her off fishing! Did you hear the noise they were making before she went? For quite some time too. I think we're lucky she only went fishing! Okay, I've had to be out all afternoon, so now I'm looking for how many fish those fat little chicks have gone through today so far.... !!

I echo all the superlatives regarding Odin - what a fisherman!  Shame we can't know where he came from - obviously somewhere like the planet Krypton...  My only worry now is that those chicks will think that fish are two a penny and won't have developed a hungry hunting instinct!  I hope that with all those fish EJ will also be feeding up and  putting on weight.

david thanks for the update this evening. things are certainly looking bright for all. 51 fish in a week-i bet there is many a fisherman out there green with envy. as for the lack of cake, i'm sure some more will be winging its way in your direction very soon.

Fish #5/6

David thanks for your great report and the great FISH tally.

Forget your cake being a slightly down note....my heart lurched when I read the words fledging and Africa!!! I don't want them to go!

All of the teams' dedication is magnificent. Take a bow.

PS. You will probably be inundated with cakes........

Well that's no good is it? Cake like ambrosia is the food of Gods and all people with a sweet tooth. I was actually privileged to see the double fish delivery last night and was quite astonished by it. Presumably the fish are rising because of the warmer weather which makes things easier for them but even so, how superb is Odin. He seems to be in fishing mode alright. I'm looking forward to the fledging with both excitement and dread. Let's hope they all make it this year.

Thanks for the fish statistics David. Lets hope that this partnership lasts for many years to come. They certainly have given their chicks the best possible start. Looking forward to following their progress through fledging and hence to Africa. Thanks to all at LG for this wonderfully informative and educational site.

Another feed over, it used to be tricky to peek in at the right time to catch them feeding.  Now it's a given, any time I check, they're eating.  Nice update, David, that's a staggering number of fish.  Odin certainly has this fishing thing down and EJ does too, it doesn't take her long to come back with a catch.  Barbara Jean, my guess is 1 & 2 are males and 3 a female.  #1 is not nearly as bossy as our Nethy although hunger brings it out the need to enforce the pecking order, I guess.      

1st visit for over a week due to holiday.  The babes look like three fat pancakes, cannot believe (reading all the blogs) just how well they have been doing. Hats off to Odin & EJ, what a wonderful pair.  

I can imagine that when EJ and the fab three all leave for warmer climes, there will be a chorus of 'So long, and thanks for all the fish' courtesey of Douglas Addams, and Odin will be a very happy Dad!  Hope the team get lots of cake/s to keep their strength up!

ORSOME ODIN THE OSPREY !!! (I know badly spelt sorry ) Cant blame EJ for going off for a bit of peace and exercise and she has to keep eye in for catching those fish bless her . What a pair they are and what wonderful triplets they have , they look so well , could you just have a word to tell them not to fledge just yet , should be up there round about the 20th to see them , mind you I think they will be far too heavy at this rate to ever fly !!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the update, David.  Excellent statistics!  I was also lucky enough to see the double whammy last night.  Just by chance I have to admit as I was just checking in after several hours.  Brilliant to see EJ being surprised by a leaping fish in the corner!!!  All the chicks (seems strange to call these huge creatures that!) look very healthy and I'm sure we're all hopeful of a very successful outcome now :D

Thanks from me as well David.

I have run out of wonderful things to say about Odin and EJ so will just echo Alan's thoughts above that they remain a partnership for many years:)

Thanks as always, Annette for the glowing overnight report.

Nothing else to add so won't!! Oh, only to say I have run out of cake too......... LOL

Another huge "live" fish and EJ is fighting it to kill it. It is  quite large . Odin has not  been eating the heads lately. I sure hope he is catching enough for himself . Two are eating one and one is resting not  interested in eating.

We were lucky enough to visit LG today, weather was wondeful and it was nice to meet to great people who are looking after the ospreys.

Although they were very busy they have time for everyone and we would especially like to thank Ian for taking the time to chat to us and answer all our questions, and especially thanks for showing us the chicks which Julia did  such a wonderful job making for the top of the cake, not surprised no-one wants to eat them. Great work.

Hope to get back soon again to visit you.

Have just got back home after a fortnight or so away.  Never mind unpacking or whatever, get to that computer quick and see what's going on.  It's so difficult to believe,  are those three YOUNG BIRDS on the nest really the three little, very unsteady balls of fluff that were there when I went away?

That Odin is really excelling himelf isn't he?  It really was EJ's lucky day when he wandered into her territory.

Now that the chicks are nearly the same  size the nest fighting is at a minimum . Not only have these chicks been given a great start with all the food , but they have inherited some  fantastic genes from EJ AND  Odin  

I wondered what on earth you were going to say at the end there Mr Anderson, you naughty person! Still. I suppose running out of cake is pretty serious.

Thanks for another great update and yes, I think we are all in agreement with you on Odin's prowess as a great fisher osprey. I love it that EJ does her own bit of fishing too now and again. It's like she is saying *I'm not just a stay at home mum, you know. I can catch fish just as well as he can!*  What an awesome pairing these two make, long may it last.

Breakfast was already delivered and it is only 4:30 A.M. ! When  does Odin sleep? The last fish was delivered 6 hours ago.  #3 is eating first, as usual. #1 is preening and #2 is  waiting patiently

Checked in at 4:30 a.m. and one chick was being fed.  Once it finished another started feeding.  All the chicks seem very satisfied -- it must have been a big fish to last this long.   I did not see any pushing or bullying but I did not catch the beginning of the feed.  

3:45'ish UK time. Logged on to see just chicks in nest, but EJ showed up immediately, followed by Odin with fish. Second morning that EJ and Odin have shown up simultaneously (that I've seen); are they going out on dates now the kids can be left or is it just that EJ is napping near the nest and hops over when food arrives? Anyway, a very civilized breakfast ensues; with just one chick eating at first followed by another - they take turns - and then the third chick decides it's time to eat. No pushing or shoving. Then all chicks settle down again. EJ quiet for a while, then starts to rub her beak against the branch at the lower right corner of the screen; one chick copies her, then they both start rearranging furniture! Everyone settles down again.

At approx. 5 a.m., EJ watchful, then twice pumps up her wings and flaps and appears to be calling (no sound) and looking up and around; probably chasing an intruder!

Approx 5 a.m. Chicks snoozy; now and then one stretches and clobbers a sibling with a huge wing; EJ just got whacked on the bottom by the chick nearest; then again by another chick!

6 a.m. EJ leaves the nest; chicks awake to lots of very impressive flapping! Amazing, huge birds! All settled down again now - hallo to the early bird bloggers and everyone else!

Thanks, David- yes, they are BOTH just amazing parents anren't they? Those chicks couldn't have asked for a better start in life. It's just wonderful when there's so much fish coming in they don't need to squabble over it! I have actually started to watch feeding times again! See you very soon now!

What a beautiful morning for you at LG and how peaceful on the nest.  What a difference a year makes!  Will you be able to ring Odin this year so we will know if it is him that hopefully comes back next year?

REPLY: No we won't ring Odin but it is possible he could be rung when he is somewhere else. David.

First look at the nest since Friday. Can't believe the size of the chicks! At first glance I couldn't decide which birds were which as they seem almost as big as EJ! Will be watching out for "super fisher" ODIN delivering a mid morning snack shortly. Hope someone has delivered some cake for the team - I'll bring some when I come up later this month!

David thanks for the update, I was out all of yesterday so missed my osprey fix terribly.  As others have said what more can we say about Magnificent Odin and a EJ a very caring Mum to these chicks, although they are hardly chicks anymore.  they are coming on in leaps and bounds but it is no wonder with EJ and Odin.  I just want them to stay but of course it is not like that and they will leave us.  I hope they are all successful in their migration this year.  Thanks to all who post and keep me and other up to date with the fish deliveries.  will be able to watch until Friday and then we have mum-in-law staying for a few days so I will not be able to osprey watch.

13.31 Dad brings in a fish.  Its getting slightly crowded on that nest.  You could almost see Odin say "blow this - I'm off".  No wonder he never stays long.  He is doing a fantastic job.  I think EJ just gets bored or fed up with the chicks making that constant noise.  Unsurprisingly that she decides to go fishing every once in a while.

Have been away since Thursday - chicks seem to have grown even more since then.  Such a difference from last year's trauma.  Odin's fishing record is amazing, so here's hoping he returns again next year.  As for EJ, I think she is just so relieved to have such a good provider that she can just go off to fish if she feels like a change!  With parents like these the 3 young ones have had the best of starts.

Good morning Loch Garten. Sorry my entries last night were vague, time-wise. Right before I signed off I "refreshed" the wrong page and lost all the specifics. Memo to self: Try to log off before you nod off.

At 3:15 p.m. in UK, all chicks huddled at right of nest.

Do we know when the male chests start to look whiter than the females. Can we make a checklist of ways to identify Odin in the future. 1. Claire said :Odin has a white stripe horizentally across the top of his head like an Alice Band. 2. Claire noticed two trianguler brown patches on the top of his head.(All contributions welcome for number three)

maureen mcANN jUST SWITCHED TO GOSHAWKS AND HEARD THAT CRY YOUMENTIONED AND YOU'RE RIGHT IT DOES SOUND AS IF ITS IN MORTAL AGONY!! Upper and lower cases all to pot soreee!!

btw Soosin - a golden eagle -- you lucky girl!!!

****************** TOTE *******************

Roll up, roll up, roll up......................... Place your bets here!

I’m betting the first fledging will be somewhere between 06:00 and 10:00 on Saturday 18th July.

Courtesy of WendyB (although she doesn’t know it yet) the bet is an absolutely fabmungus cake!

I might just regret saying this? :-)

16.39 Fish delivered by Odin. EJ is not there ...

A great morning blog as ever, and so descriptive. Thanks again Annette in SoCal. Have missed much of the weekend action so it's great to read up on such positive reports. It seems the pecking has lessened a bit which is a relief but on the whole, nowt compared to last summer.

They all look terrific today.

Thank you David for latest update.

For those wanting to watch Bigrab74 video.Go into the Ode to Odin blog on27/6/09 at23.39 there is a blue link to toutube,click it. when it comes up near the top right handside you will see BigRab74 in blue double click that,when this comes up,on the right hand side a choice of videos comes up,below them in small blue letters is see all or more click that and all the Big rab 74 videos are there.The one you want is titled compilation.

AS easy as catching a fish,as ODIN might say.

Good luck

Odin just left a fish and  EJ is not there. One chick (#2  I think) is mantling over it and attempting to eat. Now it dragged the fish to the edge of the nest.  It is trying to   figure out how to rip it open. The other two chicks are not interested. If Odin had just eaten the head I think the chick would have  figured it out.  After dragging it around the nest by the head It is now standing on it  and doing the  head twisting  as it picks at it. IT FIGURED IT OUT AND IS EATING THE FISH!!

Sad morning in Santa Barbara. Husband found our male Bullocks Oriole (gorgeous black and orange) injured behind the orange tree. I rushed it to the Wildlife Rescue Center, just a few blocks away, but it died as they were examining it. The lady said it looked like it had a broken neck; that maybe it had struck a window. :-(((  It has a mate, so not sure what her fate will be now....

#3 finally realized #2 had a fish under it and there was a nasty fight. After #3  got  #2 away from the fish it didn't even try to eat  some. It just didn't want #2 to have it. What a bully!! the fish is laying on one side of the nest and the chicks are all piled up sleeping  on the other side of the nest waiting for Mom

18.41 Still no EJ, but the "chicks" look calm in the evening sun, no fighting! I recorded the "try to fed" earlier, and it looks like it was C2 as Barbara wrote. I have to admit, I can't see for sure now, who is who now :) The clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7VDX9pu9Bo

All sun bathing now.  #2 is mastering tearing off chunks to eat, well done to him.  

When #1 starts exercising his wings the appear to be almost as wide as the nest...........

They are such beautiful chicks.....looking forward to seeing them take off for the first time. It has been a real pleasure watching them, a privilege in fact. Thanks to the techies at LG who have made this possible.

Just got back from outdays with youngest daughter up from very southern Dorset.Used to make great cakes but life after kids and all that not a chance unless he buys me a new Kenwood mixer. Hence on last visit the team got shortbread......was that all bad?

REPLY - The shortbread was delicious and very much appreciated, thank you Wendy.  Claire.

EJ arrived with a "tree" and nearly pushed one of the chicks out of the nest! The other 2 started to fight, as the "tree" fell on top of their heads. Now 2 chicks are trying to move the "tree" out of the way but is quite heavy. I wonder why EJ did something like that! If it was to make the nest edge safer, she did just the opposite, as the "tree" was right in the middle of the nest and the poor chicks could hardly move... :)

Oh my stars, I thought the chicks were going to be knocked off the nest when EJ was toting that branch around.  The chicks were scurrying to safety and I was hoping Odin would not land in the middle of all the confusion.  The branch is not where it needs to be yet.  I hope it gets placed safely wherever it ends up.  

Hi Guys - I am new to this blog but I have been watching for about 3 weeks now.  Have been reading all of your comments but feel a desperate need to get involved now!!!  I was recommended to this site by someone from Spring Watch - hope you don't mind me joining you all !!

What lovely three chicks all cuddled up together it was ony two for a while and the one on its own seemed to keep glancing along at the other two, happy to see them all together now though looked away for a couple of second and when I turned round the three best of pals and all snuggled and contended.  

The reason I think the chick who was feeding itself was #2 is because  it had the larger white stripe over it's eye. I watched it drag the fish, by the head. from place to place on the nest as if that would solve the  problem of ripping it open. It was helpful that  it was not a huge fish and it was dead.  At first the chick  didn't realize it needed to stand  on it. When it figured that  out then it had success. I was surprised that #1 , who is the oldest , was  not interested in trying to feed itself. However, #2 has been left out  several times at feeding time so maybe it was hungrier. Hunger is a great motivator. Watching them learn new skills puts a smile on my face!!

4:15 a.m. All quiet; chicks's speckled feathers glow in the rising sun; some intermittent calling. I'm watching Antiques Roadshow on TV (from Palm Springs, a lady with Elvis memorabilia!!) and doing ironing - another evening where I need at least one more pair of eyes/ears/hands!  No sign of EJ or Odin yet.

4:50 Chicks are awake and looking around; someone's getting impatient and making a lot of noise! Where's breakfast! Two chicks on their feet, flapping and fidgeting; third chick now up and looking about and wondering where Mom and Dad are. Huh. Now they've all settled down again. The only exciting thing happening is that on Antiques Roadshow, someone got an appraisal of nearly $90,000 for an Art Deco emerald ring.

I predict the first fledging will be shortly after lunchtime on the 18th as that's when we will be heading back to England. I will put my house on it that we miss it by hours. Anyway, I am up so early today as I am so excited about visiting Loch Garten for the 1st time. I expect to get across sometime on Sunday. Can't wait to see it all for real and meet the team.

Welcome JJJ I only started doing this last week even though I had looked at the site daily for a year, had to ask my husband what to do. Yesterday wrote a comment on the Mull sea eagel site as well, exciting. This year I was able to watch EJ arrive at the nest in March, sooo addicted, wait until you start talking to the screen telling them off, trying to move them with the pointer etc, don't worry your not going mad. At times you laugh, and a times you become sad or stressed when things go wrong but it is still worth it, more interested than Eastenders. Jillian,

HI JJJ....welcome to Ospreyland, near Loch Gatren.  BUNL advised that you will have to give up your hobbies. Can I just add you will, practically, give up your life : certainly you will not get any housework done. You will also find that our 'head master' Richard and his assistants are extremely patient teachers...no matter our questions!!!

Well our chicks have finished breakfast now....quiet and civilised.

Welcome to the blog jjj. I have been following this years epic since EJ arrived at the end of March. It really is addictive and the staff at LG are very good at answering any questions we may have. Also all the bloggers are very friendly and we have quite a few poets and amusing and clever people from all over the world.  It is a privilege that we can watch these beautiful wild birds live from the comfort of our homes.

well, this is a little scary; i can only see one chick on the nest!

Looks like no. 3 has finally pushed the others over the edge??

Hopefully they are just out of sight.

REPLY - The chicks are all just currently hading under the post that holds the camera, which is why you can't see them very easily on the webcam.  Claire.

10:45 and to a tumultous reception in comes Odin the magnificent with another fish. There then ensues an absolute riot of wings and feathers until the chicks settle down to feed. Judging by the way EJ was mantling over the fish there could have been an intruder nearby.

Thank you Matpigan for the amazing video clip of chick 2 feeding himself.

I t looked as if that was the only food he got yesterday so thank goodness he was the one to get the fish and by instinct knew what to do with it.

I will go for 15th July, for chick 2 to fledge first.

Welcome to jjj ,there are many more bloggers on this site this year and the more the merrier !!

They certainly made short shrift of that fish - it was all a bit chaotic when Odin arrived with it! It's amazing that they don't fall over the edge when there are all these wings, legs etc flapping around. EJ was definitely anxious before Odin arrived - either repelling an intruder or yelling at him to get in quick with food for the kids!

I did a post earlier before mentioning the video, must have done something wrong as it has not appeared.  Welcome to the new bloggers and you will see we are al completly addicted to this wonderful osprey family.  Odin is just the best and as a Mum EJ is wonderful.  The proof of the pudding is in the eating so to speak as we have 3 really healthy chicks.  There are highs and lows but this year apart from Odin getting caught up with a fishing line and also disappearing for a good few hours. When that happened they had a human fish delivery but since then Odin has more than made up for it with the number of fish he brings to the nest.  When they all finally leave us there is a big hole in our lives although housework etc gets done again.  I enjoy every minute of it as do plenty of others.

Anny

I remember being astonished on my first visit to Florida to see osprey nesting on the tops of the telegraph poles which ran down the very exposed road and bridges to the Florida Keys.  When you consider the storms that hit that area it's amazing really, especially as some of the nests were huge and must have seen quite a few season's use.

Perhaps one of the LG team can give us a reason?  The white tailed eagles on the Estonian web cam seem to have been in a more sheltered situation in a tree despite their huge wingspan so I assume that's not the reason?

13:04 another fish delivered by Odin the awesome osprey. I love the way EJ backs off to the edge of the nest to allow space for Odin to land. Odin does not hang around and off he goes to watch the tennis.

at last I can now blog from work & home, had to use my other E-mail address to do it. our three chicks have some great markings like their dad I call him the norse warrier as he looks as if he is wearing an helmet. I have my computor on all day at work up loud, you know when a fish is coming in, i rush into my (bosses) office and have a break while they are being fed. Flowergirl dresses have to wait.  all is quietr on the nest now it is siesta time.

Just realised that my last might blog didn't get through so will write again.

RICHARD Question-how about naming them after Scandinavian gods and goddesses to fit in with Odin. Perhaps Thor for the boy and Freya and Frigg for the 2 girls if my guess is correct?

Also is it next week or the week after they will be ringed/tagged/sexed?

Also everytime I look at the Loch Lowes chicks they are well behaved, is there more bullying on our nest as there are 3 or is it different temperments together, as they are all getting enough fish?

Sorry for so many questions, please answer when you have time as I expect others will be interested in the answers as well. Thanks Jillian

REPLY: Names have been decided so please end the suggestions/speculataion.  All will be revealed in good time.  Tagging next week.  -  Richard

Can anyone tell me if Odin is still bringing in a good haul of fish as I have not managed to see them feeding the last couple of days.  I know from the blog they are coming in but I wondered what quantity.

REPLY - They are currently on their fourth fish of the day, Odin is doing well.  Claire.

Hi can anyone let me know when the chicks are going to be tagged?  Love watching and reading all your messages, I tracked Dethy & Neshar last year but have watched the site since EJ arrived back and it is fantastic!

REPLY - The two oldest chicks will be satellite tagged.  Claire.

3.o5-Odin arrives with a fortunatly dead fish, no EJ. I am sure it is number 3 who spots it and hides it beneath her eating/try to out of sight of the other 2, whta will happen-

I am telling the other two to sit down and go to sleep and nunber 3 to eat quietly. Jillian

Odin brings in a fish just after 3pm while EJ is AWOL.

C2 grabs it and is feeding itself:) Doing very well as well

Claire not meaning to be disrespectful but 1 and 3 are stronger than 2. He can't stand up for himself.  Just because they're older doesn't mean they're stronger.At most feeding times he turns away in fear . But he can eat a fish by himself.  It worries me.please explain how you judge the two strongest!!??

Dad brings in fish, mum is not around so No. 2 starts to feed itself. Mum returns and takes fish and feeds siblings. Lesson- don't try and feed yourself as mum takes it away and you get none!

Thanks Claire good to know Odin the Magnificent is keeping up the good work.  I am assuming it was Chick 2 who was not interested in the feeding I saw because he/she had already helped himself/herself. that is one way of making sure it gets its share.

my guess for fledging - 17th july between 10am and 12pm. although just watched eldest chick stretching and strutting so could be earlier. i say "chick" but she looks like a beautiful young adult today.

I go away for ten minutes to check on the Brassenthwaite Lake ospreys and when I come back one of our chicks is feeding itself again. Why do I always miss the crucial bits like when the fish arrived and how it came about this particular chick got the booty? Anyway, I am really enjoying this stage of their development now where they are starting to become a bit independant.

When is the ringing due? The way these three are growing, I'd get on with it or the chicks will eat the ringer.

#2 is working on a fish again!! I love the way it drops it's wings to hide the  fish. LOl I didn't see it  delivered. The other two chicks are  not  interested in the fish. #1 is  taking small "hops" and then  batting it's wings.  #3 is  just sitting on the edge of the nest  and waiting for some one to come and fed it  .

On a completely different subject (well sort of?) does anyone know why Siskin’s insist on hanging upside down on feeders?

The Greater Spotted Woodpeckers have sussed out that if the hang low at the bottom of the feeder the crumbs are caught in the small dish at the bottom to pick up once they have pecked away for a while (which is pretty clever).

Most other visitors are for the most part bolt upright!

So, what is it with Siskin’s?

A lot of my postings go missing too.  I still think 1 and 3 are the strongest!!!!!

The comments and descriptions from the night shift are so detailed and great to read. They remind me of being on night duty as a nurse a long time ago and the feeling of being on watch. There are so many people now who are on watch for this osprey family and it is such an amazing privilege.  

My last post with this question didn't appear but I'm desperate for an answer. I arrive in Carrbridge on 18th July - if they have fledged will they still return to the nest? I read that it  starts with EJ then the chicks then Odin - but the date given was late August/September. So what happens after fledging and leaving. Please someone answer.

REPLY - Even if the chicks have fledged by 18th July, we would still expect them to on or around the nest, so don't panic.  Claire.

Jillian.  Re your question about spell checking a comment on here, I just had to try for myself.  It can't be done using the usual 'Tools' menu but if you have the Google tool bar on your computer you can click on 'Check and take it from there.  I'm afraid I dont know if it can be done using other Tool Bars such as AVG, Yahoo etc.   Best of luck.

Feeding time and it is great that there is no 'fighting'. I so don't want them to go....but they must. Empty nest syndrome is creeping up on me.

Rye Meads.....Black headed Gull still incubating on top of her

                   'scaffolding'.

LOTL.............Osprey chicks doing very well.

Newforest......Goshawks in and to eat and sleep and st

                   'screaming'.

South Stack Cliffs......Chough chicks outside now, taking the

                              sun.

And not forgetting Sammy/Susie squirrel seems to be sticking to own feeder now!!!!!!!!

hi all, not been on for a couple of days .  Looks like Odin and EJ have been doing well on the fishing front as per.  So Good in fact that Ej has part of fish remaining in her talon just now and not one of the chicks is showing any interest.  Plenty of wing stretching going on. Oh here we go, one them decided a few more mouthfuls will be quite nice, thank you.  Looks like a brilliant night with yourselves,  difficult to see who's who with the light. Hello to all newbies.