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Great update Claire, thanks. I haven't had much time to watch the chicks recently but have visited the centre twice. I was there this afternoon but you were too busy with the coach party to introduce myself. I expect we will be back in a day or two. I have a donation to make too, do I just give it to any member of staff?

REPLY - Yay it will be great to see you, and put a face to the name.  If you take your donation into the shop, Chloe, Paula or Julie will be able to process it for you.  Claire.

You were really good today doing your presentation, must have been nerve-racking as the centre was really busy.

Anyone who is thinking of visiting Loch Garten, please don't hesitate as it's a wonderful experience and a beautiful place.

With regard to the print you mention, it is magnificent and easliy worth the cost of joining the RSPB. Much better than the book you normally get.

I just logged in..  There are TWO fish on  the nest EJ is feeding  Rothes and Garten from one fish  . Mallachie is feeding herself from the  other fish. Mallachie is tearing the fish and  eating  like  an adult !! WOW she has made fantastic progress  in learning to feed herself

And another one just delivered! EJ and Odin certainly being kept busy by the girls' hunger. The lochs around you will be running out of fish soon!!

EJ snd Odin certainly have perfected their fishing techinques..... I can't believe them!!  I would love to become a member of the RSPB on site but I won't be able to get their till the middle of September or thereabouts, will that print offer still be available then Claire???  I would love to have one.

REPLY: Do you know quite when in mid-September that you might visit? 

The Osprey Centre will likely close on Sunday 6th September (see earlier reply to TISH July 08 2009 05.07pm), but we will be at Centre until Friday 11th, busy packing up, removing equipment etc etc.   So do call in, if you are in the area then.

We would of course be delighted if you would join RSPB here at Loch Garten (who knows, importantly you could be our last new recruit of the season and just might be the one to help us reach our target....!) and yes we would have an osprey print for you.

If you are likely to be in our area later in the month than that, then give the office a call (01479 821409) and we can arrange to meet, sign you up and give you a print.  Phone and ask for me,  but depending when you call, I may be away, but I will let Jayne know (our office administator) and she can be available to help.  For now though, thanks for proposing to join RSPB.  -  Richard.

Can anyone at Loch Garten explain to me how a new rspb member joining at Loch Garten gets a print of Osprey but not available to existing members.If in my job I gave new customers better offers than old established customers they would all leave and go elswhere.It must be discrimination that has been banned.REALLY BAD PUBLICITY FOR RSPB.Perhaps if you won't reply the RSPB would be so kind to reply

REPLY: The print is exclusively a joining gift. "Old established customers" as you describe them, aren't by definition, joining, they are already members.  The osprey print is an exclusive offer option for people who join RSPB at LG.  The prints aren't for sale, but just available as a recruitment "Thank you " gift.  -  Richard 

I have been otherwise occupied for the last week or so, as such I seem to have missed quite a lot, having just re-visited the web cam, and if you would pardon the expression "Stone The Crows" a week ago there was EJ, Odin & 3 fair sized chicks, today I see a pile of "Full Sized" Ospreys hustling for a bit of space, what on earth have Odin & EJ been feeding them...........Grow More? :-)

Phew what a busy day yesterday and it looks no less busy today. It seems every time I log in today the girls are either feasting or frantically exercising their wings. Once or twice they have almost hovered. It's getting really exciting ( as well as worrying LOL) now. I have just logged in again to see EJ feeding one chick and looks like one of the others has her own bit of fish she is eating. Did we have a two at once delivery again?

REPLY - Odin delivered a fish just before 6 and EJ delivered one just after.  Claire.

We'll be visiting in the next couple of weeks, armed with chocolate cake at Richard's request. I'm sure he'll share it with you...won't you Richard?? We haven't decided when yet...depends on the weather as you're only a couple of hours away from us here in Aberdeen. You'll be sure to recognise us as we'll all be wearing LG Bloggers t-shirts :-) Thanks for the info about all these fish. Is it any wonder the chicks are "chunky"? We're hoping that we manage to see Odin, or EJ, bring one in while we're there. We're all quite excited about our first trip to Loch Garten.

thanks claire for the fish update. haven't actually managed to see any deliveries yesterday or today-every time i looked in they were all tucking in nicely. when you break it down into times of deliveries its quite remarkable and makes you wonder if odin and ej ever get a full fish to themsleves. managed to catch mallachie(i think) feeding herself this evening then having a good wing flap, jump and skip. so glad and 9a bit sad) that they are all starting on the next step of their development-sad because it brings them ever closer to leaving.

Thanks for the great update.  Did I read somewhere that all osprey chicks in the UK get ringed, as this seems a massive job, or do just a few nest sites have their chicks ringed?  Does the RSPB have a ringing team or are there different ringers at every site?

REPLY: It probably used to be the case that all (or certainly most) osprey chicks in UK were ringed, but that was in the days when there were far fewer pairs, and it was possible to get 'round all the nests.  However with over 200 pairs now, and because the ringing window of opportunity (when chicks are c.5 weeks old) is so short, it isn't possible for the few qualified,  licenced, and above all, experienced osprey ringers, to get to all the nests during that brief window.  Roy Dennis and the few other osprey ringers get to as many nests as they can in that time.  As the population increases, it will be a case of diminishing returns i.e the proportion ringed will likely decrease.

RSPB doesn't have a ringing team as such and doesn't undertake much bird ringing, just in cases where it is part of a research project, and even then the ringing is most often done by independent researchers/ringers (like Roy), at our request.  -  Richard

Thank you BigRab74 for posting that website.  I have saved it and will listen to the programme when I have more time. We did keep in touch with Zul and Jenny for quite a number of years and stayed with then twice at Inch.  Lost contact about 10-15 years ago.  Anyway, once I saw my photo of Richard B and compared it Richard T, even with the passing of time, it could not have been the same person.  Thanks again.  Lynda

Thanks for the update Claire, times are so exciting on the nest these days, you never know what's going to happen next. It was nice to see the girls in better weather today after all the rain they have had to endure.  They do seem to be calming down and getting on better with each other.

I am counting the days until I come north, hoping to meet up with some of the other bloggers while I am here, we should recognise each other as we will be wearing our Loch Garten Blogger t-shirts....think I'll leave my mug at home in case it gets broken though..LOL.

I never thought last year at this time that I would be so involved in watching these wonderful birds.

Thanks for the fish count Claire and  it is amazing no wonder they are so big.  Have to say it again but what wonderful parents EJ and Odin are and the proof is in their 3 lovely girls.  What a difference to last year when we all worried about the lack of food.  Thank heavens Odin found EJ and chose her for his lady and lets hope this relationship will last for a long time.  I find myself with silly grins on my face when I read the blogs and the updates because it is now always good news and from reading through I am not the only one with a permanent grin.

Sorry Tish it will always be Garten for me as the 3rd of 3 like me she will always be a survivor. No extra bling but in a few years time she will be back.

EJ seems intent on trying to out fish Odin. That is one special Osprey.  I hope that as her daughters also have white leg rings (I know by accident rather than design) that it bodes well for the future.  I wonder if they become mums themselves whether they will also go fishing whilst their chicks are on the nest.  Do you think they learn from their parents?

Just returned home from a week in Scotland, visited the LG centre on quite a few days.  Thank you so much to all the staff, you are brilliant, so informative, patient, friendly.  I have SO enjoyed my visits and seeing the osprey family.  

REPLY: Thanks geevee.  Glad you enjoyed your visits.  Thanks for supporting us by visiting, much appreciated.  -  Richard

thanks Lyn G for the reply about the eagles I have only seen them on the tele but to see them in the wild with the huge wing span that they have must be amazing. Claire how do you have the time to gather all the information that you give us? The girls do not seem to argueing as much now but they do like to give one another a slap with the excuse that they are exercising wings . All quite at the moment.

Thank you Claire for the update on the fish!  Unfortunately I am not able to make my comments as often as I can.  I visit your website when I am at work but due to the "work" police, I am not able to blog as often as I would like but I love reading all of you guys comments as it keeps me up to date.  Unfortunately, I am not able to get sound when I vist the Osprey cam which is nothing to do with LG, it's simply because I am not allowed such "luxury's" at work!  So, when I see "Mum's" mouth opening and closing, I don't know if it's because she is calling for "Dad" to bring in food or if it's because there is a intruder in the area!  

I would love to come down and visit you guys but unfortunately you are a very long way away from where I live.  I don't see that I will be going anywhere at all at the mo as my husband will be going into hospital this Friday for a major back operation so I think that is our holiday out the window this year!  By the way LG, I have made my donation as promised.  Keep up all the blogs peeps, being a newcomer and not knowing much about Aspreys I am learning more each day!

REPLY: Jax, thanks for your donation. Appreciated.  -  Richard

Hello it's me again, just thought I'd let you know that I have just signed up to receive regular newsletters & emails about your campaigns and fund raising work etc.  I have never been so dedicated about wild life and nature in this way before.  You see all sorts of nature programs on tv but it's not until you look at web sites such as yours that you really see what goes on in regards to all the work that you guys put in.  It has really made me realise and opened my eyes in regards to how precious our wildlife is, I wish that I had thought before now about how endangered some of our creatures are.  But, it's never to late and feel that I am now making an effort to help these defenseless creatures.  Therefore I just want to say thankyou for people like you at RSPB who are obviously so dedicated and caring, that without you some of these birds wouldn't survive.

REPLY: Thanks again Jax, Yes, wildlife, which is under increasing and relentless pressure, needs as much help as it can get and the "voice" your support gives it, can only help.  Thanks.  -  Richard

Sorry it's me again (have to try and fit all my questions in at night, think I will have a word with my boss in the morning to see if he will let me blog during the day!!!) but I was just wondering, as I live in the south east of england and it is 10.30 at night and very dark where I am, what time does it get dark where the ospreys are as it is still light?  And what time does it get light in the morning?  Please excuse my ignorence if you bloggers know this and I don't!

REPLY: Light at c.3.30am, dark at c.11.00pm, earlier if dull cloudy and overcast.  -  Richard

Thank you Claire, we all know they are a fantastic pair. Let's hope they both make it back for next year and the one after and the one after that, in fact lets hope they both come back together indefinitely as they have done such a brilliant job between them this year.

22:50  Hi Claire - whilst reading your "fish count" from yesterday and today it looks as though Odin has delivered yet another fish to the nest.  Only one of the chicks is feeding at present.  So yesterday there weren't two delivered simultaneously by Odin and EJ, EJ had returned at the same time as Odin with the huge fish she had brought in earlier!!  Pru

Thanks for the update. Nice to hear the sound is back. It certainly looked windy etc when I was watching earlier on in the day. Have only just switched on again and they are all resting!!!! How long for!!! Maybe it will be a record day for fish tomorrow or maybe EJ and Odin are trying to say something to the chicks - perhaps fledging is not far off!!!!!  Again thanks for your update and goodnight everyone.

6 a.m UK. A major flapping session courtesy of one of the tagged chicks (Rothes?) clearly impresses Garten (who seems to be transfixed by the display) and literally ruffles everyone's feathers! Garten gets up and joins in! Mallachie(?) obviously decides no point in trying to sleep and decides if you can't fight 'em..... All up now (as are many UK bloggers I'm sure) and calling. Seems like a cue for breakfast.

Claire, thanks for update.   Your title "FISH" reminded me of a laugh we had a couple of weeks ago!!

We were watching the nest eagerly awaiting Odin delivering a fish but my brother had to go out.  He had just left and started up the motor when Odin arrived with a fish.  I quickly opened up the window and shouted out "FISH".  

He came back in, doubled up laughing as when hearing "FISH" as he was walking in, he saw my neighbour walking out to the payment, purse in hand, looking for the fishmonger!!!

Every time I log on "the sisters" are preening! They are certainly going to turn a few osprey heads when they "come out"! Can't wait to see how they'll go on when they have to catch their own fish. Who will do the teaching EJ or Odin?

REPLY: Rarely do we see adult ospreys attempting to fish in nearby Loch Garten, because experience has told them that a) there aren't many fish in there and b) the water is so brown and peaty (like tea) that seeing what few fish there are, is difficult.  So they head-off elsewhere.  Once the Sisters fledge and begin to explore, venturing further and further from the nest day by day, we are likley to see them looking to fish in LG, because at that stage they don't know any different.  Eventually though, they twig, and will notice Odin & EJ heading off to better fishing spots, follow them and, though much of their fishing will be instinctive, there will be elements of learned-behaviour too, gleaned by watching other ospreys.  The young are not at all very successful at first, but they know that if they return to the nest, there'll be a hand-out from the parents to keep them going until they do start to successfully fish for themselves.  -  Richard.

Just logged in for a quickie to find EJ and the girls on the n est .  Mallachie is pulling and chomping at a fish by herself darling girl that she is but EJs face is a picture.  She does that thing with her head  (side to side like and Indian dancer) and keeps looking down to see if Mallachie is finished or willing to share the fish!  It was so funny

Three osprey sisters at Bassentwaite also have white leg rings but on the other leg to the these osprey sisters  Ringing details-

'Wrapped in a blue tea-towel each one is hung under the spring balance. The spring sags, It’s heavy. It’s 1,630g. It’s a girl! The other two weigh 1470g and 1430g respectively. This indicates that we have 3 feisty W Cumbrian lasses this season. And from now on they will be known as White 08, 09 and 10 as that is the numbering on their brand new ankle rings'

Debs - Just a little additional to Richard's reply - there are approximately 800,000 birds ringed annually by just over 2,000 trained ringers.  Averaging things out that is 400 birds each (but some birds are harder to catch than others!).  On an annual basis approximately 12,000 birds are reported to the BTO - that's a mere 1.5% - if I could encourage people who read this and they see a ringed bird (if you can read the ring!) it really is worth sending the information to the BTO - http://blx1.bto.org/euring/main/ - in this way valuable information can be obtained regarding population, migration patterns etc - in a way it's a medieval form of the satellite tracking devices attached the young ospreys!  Binoculars and scopes at the ready....!

Richard-glad to see donations comming in still. Can you give us a new total of how much has been raised above the tagging amount we collected for?

Is it possible to keep some of the monies ready for next years tags and could you pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese order 3, I'm sure lots of bloggers will wish this as well.

Would it be a good idea to start collecting for this as soon as all the birds have left say from September 1st? JILLIAN.

Richard : on the subject of ringing, are any other species of of bird ringed at LG

CliveT

REPLY: Rining at LG - A limited amount of box-nesting goldeneye ducks was carried out about a decade ago, but not since.  In a staff members garden, there is a nestbox used by swifts and they have been ringed before now, but that's it.  -  Richard

den & ann, it is called marketing, any good business has a strategy. I have been a member for over forty years along with my husband and I have never had a gift. I thought that membership of the RSPB was about the love of wildlife and birds in particular not about what's in it for me personally. I see my membership as an annual donation and also last year I made two sizeable donations in lieu of funeral flowers for a friend and relative whom I lost within a month of each other. It is better to give than to receive.

On a lighter note having just returned fron France it was lovely to catch up on the ringing and tagging and read all the blogs now referring to the chicks as 'the girls'.

I too watched that feeding session last evening and it was very reminiscent of Nethy grabbing fish off EJ and the puzzled/indignant looks Ej used to give her!!

REPLY: It is wonderful that you and your husband have been RSPB members for over 40 years, that's a huge commitment and very much appreciated, as are your additional donations too, thank you. 

Yes membership of RSPB is about a love and care for birds and other wildlife.  The print and other gifts are offered as a "Thank you" to people who join RSPB. 

I can only assume perhaps that when you both joined 40 years ago, no sort of gift was available/offered then.  Things change, marketing has, as you suggest, needed to become more savvy and the approach we have adopted with the print, works and serves us very well with our membership recruitment. 

Regarding marketing and a good business strategy, yes it is our strategy that this exclusive print is on offer as a special recruitment thank-you gift to people who have decided to join and support our work, and an enduring memento of them joining RSPB at Loch Garten. 

If the prints were available for sale, then those people not wishing to join RSPB could take advantage of the exclusive print, or perhaps some people, swithering about joining, might choose not to do so, but to buy the print instead.  Admittedly, yes with that attendant (and important) cash benefit to us, but without all those additional benefits to RSPB of them being members.  Our strategy is therefore, that if they like the print that much then it may help sway them that wee bit more to join RSPB and in so doing, as members, support our work in these, so many other ways.  -  Richard

GaryS where did you find the video of EJ bringing in a huge fish?  Would love to see it so I can save for viewing when thise delightful family leave us.  

By the way all was just searching through youtube and found the following where there is a good video of Richard and another Claire.  Richard is talking and it is a very interesting clip.  All quiet on the nest at the moment and hopefully another fish delivery will soon arrive.  "The girls" are looking beautiful and seem to grow by the minute.

Could we ever hope for a better mum and dad then EJ and Odin, both superstars, perfectly matched. Let’s hope they pair up again for many years to come, what a team. Not forgetting what a team you are at the centre too. Thanks for the update. Will be up to see you next week, another one wearing the T Shirt!

I don't know why a few people are saying negative things today. It doesn't matter what an organisation does to get more members, more members means more support, more monies and that is what matters. I don't think people will be drawn into joining the RSPB because of a free girf, I think they will join anyway and a free girf is a bonus.

I will be up in Loch Garten after travelling over 10 hrs +, several stops and an overnight stop in the Lake dDstrick as only my husband drives in 2 1/2 weeks time and I am seriously considering joining but wanted to wait to find out more and join somewhere I feel I am part of. Jillian.

DOROTHY WILSON- How wonderful to be a member for forty years.  I have just joined this year but I suppose there is a thing where you can leave in your will something like a donation . Have to look that one up.  Congratulations

On what Carrie has just said about EJ and Odin pairing up for years to come. Is there any way that we will know know if it is Odin if the male osprey next year is not ringed?

REPLY:  Next year, we can make comparisons between any newly arriving un-ringed males and recorded footage of Odin from this year, to look for subtle plumage differences that Odin may have, to help us pick him out from others.  -  Richard

Hi everybody, have just switched on this morning. All chicks are preening and EJ is looking as though she expects a delivery!!! Lovely to read all the blogs and interesting to read the replies from the team. Keep up the good work. I became a member of the RSPB just a few years ago after my father died. He had been a member for a number of years so I thought I'd carry on and do a tiny bit to help!! As I am a pensioner I cannot afford to make regular donations but I do seriously consider putting my membership up when the time comes round and that is one way that we can all help, by increasing our membership over and above the norm.

REPLY: Thank you Lynette.  Your support for our work, through membership, like all others, is much appreciated.  -  Richard  

Hi all!

I've been watching the webcam since before the first eggs were laid but I've only just got round to signing up to make comments. So I just wanted to say thank you to the LG team for putting up the webcam and writing such informative blogs about the ospreys. I LOVE the names you've given 'the girls' and can't wait to follow their adventures as they migrate. Also thanks to BigRab74 for the youtube vids - they're excellent.

In fact my only complaint is that this site is so addictive it sometimes affects my productivity at work! (I'm still not sure how I got anything done during the fishing line/Odin going AWOL incident... Even when I wasn't actually checking in on the nest to see if he'd reappeared I was worrying about him and the rest of the family.)

I am just catching up on the blog and am surprised at the apparent frustration that seems to have crept in regarding the availability of prints of osprey as a free gift compared to existing members - I find it a little disappointing that anyone feels hard done by.  So the RSPB are using the print as a marketing strategy - what of it?  The RSPB offers many 'incentives' to join (nature guide book, bird feeders, british bird handbooks and more.

Surely the most important thing is that the work of the RSPB moves forward and CONTINUES.  There will be some people who ARE swayed by 'incentives', and equally those who will simply give without looking for any form of return - both forms of joining are equally valid in my opinion.  At the end of the day, it is a CHOICE to support a charity, and equally a CHOICE on whether to accept any form of incentive.  

Question - given the juveniles will eventually up sticks and migrate south (*sniff*), how long will their parents 'look out' for them?  I know that whilst they are around the nest, practising flying etc that EJ or Odin (or both!) will hand them out a fish until they are 'ready'... but for how long is that likely to continue?  Will EJ and Odin just simply head off when they think it's time to migrate and leave their three young ones to it?

REPLY - EJ will be the first to leave, possibly after the first week of August, as she needs to build herself up for the migration. Odin should stay until the chicks leave, probably after the third week of August. The family all travel to Africa independantly. A steep learning curve for our chicks!   -  Debbie.   

Hi Richard. Thank you very much for your updates and all the information about the Osprey sisters. As far as the prints are concerned, there is something that could be done...For instance, a free print to new members, and one print per household to RSPB members who wish to buy one - I am one of them :) - In this way you'll have more money coming in.  People love mugs and I am sure you could also get more money selling Ospreys mugs online. It is just a suggestion: I know how difficult it is to get more donations with the economic crisis.

REPLY: Unworkable, I think.  Plus we'd soon run out of prints, and then not have them to use as a joining gift.  -  Richard

Just an additional comment regarding the 'free' limited edition print by Andrew Hutchinson which is wonderful.  I joined the RSPB last year in May at LG and was delighted to be given the print, although I must say I didn't join the RSPB just to get the print but because I was so impressed by the work and comittment that the people at LG do, I wanted to help in a small way and I shall continue to be a member for as long as I can.  The print is hanging in my hall and a constant reminder of a wonderful and beautiful day spent at LG.  I hope we can visit again soon.

Looks like a fair size fish has been delivered and the girls are letting Mum feed them or at least 2 of them, expect the other one is just waiting patiently for her turn.  What a lovely sight never fails to amaze me.

I can't believe anyone would bother about a free print and how could anyone possibly feel hard done by?  Think about it:

As well as everything else the RSPB offers, do we:

Pay a webcam subscription to be able to view this nest?  

Pay a blog subscription?

Pay anything to LG staff who work late - for us?

Pay anything for personal talks when visiting reserves (LG)?

NO, WE DO NOT.  

I love this webcam/blog.  Last year I had a fantastic day where David Gascoigne spent a lot of his time showing us recordings, answering questions.  He didn't have to - he just came over to meet "one of the bloggers".  

I think we all do very well so please lets drop all this about prints and talk about our lovely family.  

I would like to agree with Big Rab that nobody joins an organisation just to get a free print. There are quite a few sites where you can download osprey photographs and use as a wallpaper on your pc and with this you can see an osprey everytime you log on.

Something is really freaking EJ out right now. The girls are lying motionless too. Is that Odin I can hear with the high pitched shrieking sound? I love to see him go off after an intruder, it's wonderful to see him streaking off. Normally we only see him when he's coming in to land, or taking off again. To see the speed he can fly at is so amazing. Those of you at LG and those who can visit LG are so lucky to be able to watch him fly.

It sounded to me as though Odin was dealing with an intruder, although I couldn't see him. EJ mantles her wings if it is intruder problems, but not if she is giving other messages to Odin. Now EJ instead of saying 'thank-you' sounds as if she is asking him, nay nagging, him to go fishing again! But the nagging isn't that bad, not like last year! I'm sure LG team will tell us if I'm wildly wrong. Liz

REPLY: Spot on Liz, there was an intruder which was dealt with and the thanks Odin gets is more nagging, think he deserves some chill out time! Four fish today so far so thats plenty. David.

Morning all!

I have two questions for Richard or someone else with a minute: 1) Does LG (or the RSPB) benefit from showing increases in membership? In some cases, nonprofits in the US get either a tax break or increased funding (not sure which or where funding may originate) if they can show an increase in membership or visits to a particular site. 2) Where do LG employees good once the site closes? Assume you don't follow the chicks to Africa (might be nice, eh?)

Re subject of gifts, nonprofits here (such as National Public Radio) offer gifts but we have the option of not accepting them when we sign up for membership. No one seems worried either way. Sometimes extra-special gifts are an attractive add-on at higher membership levels, which may spur folks to increase their donations.

Windy at LG today! Looks like EJ just arrived.

REPLY: Can't answer the first one I'm afraid. What I can tell is that all donations for non-profits have the option of gift aid which means the donor can sign a short declaration showing they are a UK tax payer. Their donation is then treated as being made after the deduction of income tax at the basic rate. The organisation can then reclaim the basic rate income tax paid on the gift, thus getting a bit of extra money, which is nice! In terms of the staff there are permanent staff who have to manage the reserve the year round (eg.Richard), us centre staff will leave in September having been hugely enriched by our experiance :) David.

I dont know why but I have never  become a member, but I make donations when visiting different centres up and down the UK supporting the work they are doing and I dare say it amounts to a lot more than membership would cost.

If it really would be a difference by joining them,  I will.

Having said all that.......I can only commend the work done at LG and other places which make it possible for us to understand and appreciate the lives these creatures have.  Unless we care for our wildlife now, we will have nothing left for our children to enjoy as we have.

I have a deep admiration for all the work RSPB does and will continue to support them.

REPLY: Donating is of course a wonderful way Elizabeth, to support our work and very helpful/vital, thanks.  Being a member can help further and have benefits in other ways too, both for RSPB and the individual.

The larger our membership the more "voices" we can speak for when it comes to taking action for wildbirds and the enviroment.  With well over a million members, that gives us as an organisation, influence, "clout" if you like, when acting to safeguard sites, raising the profile of wildlife and the threats if faces and as an indication of the level of support out there for action on behalf of birds & wildlife.

Thank you for your donations, very much appreciated, but do please consider joining RSPB too.  -  Richard

I am a member of the RSPB and RSPCA and try donate to both whenever I can.  I always provide stamps and am always sure to let them know that I don't need a "thank you" where this is an option.  This means that more of my money goes where I want it to, not on posting things back to me.  Seeing these beauties is more than enough reward.  As far as I'm concerned, donation means gift.  End of.

P.S. Re those membership gifts (such as those offered by National Public Radio), often they're donated by local businesses, for example, a restaurant or a local theater (dinner/tickets for two!), which can then claim a tax deduction (I believe) for a charitable donation.

Hi BigRab74, I certainly agree with your comments re joining RSPB. They need to provide incentives from time to time to help recruit new members. Of course its not feasible to let all members have the prints as well!! Lets be positive and thank those that are prepared to join and provide a little more income with incentives coming their way. As you say it is a choice whether to join or not and I for one am so glad I did. Looking at the reply to Annette in SoCal, presumably you come back in the spring when hopefully EJ and Odin return for another saga!!!!

TRISH....two (great) minds thinking alike!!!!!

The only difference is that I think EJ is telling them what it is like out in the big world and maybe she is telling them about the 'birds and bees'? LOL

Whatever she is telling them, I think they must have got bored...all lying down sleeping!!! Maybe they, like most teenagers, are thinking.....yeah, yeah heard it yesterday!!!

Marketing is very necessary especially for non- profit  organizations !!. . Has anyone at the center considered making a DVD of the memorable events of the past  year's breeding season and selling it?  One could be  compiled each year as a fund raiser.  Since we  sign up to post on the  blog , the center must have our email address to  notify us when the DVD is available. The DVD  would have to  be made  during the time when the center is closed  to  include all of the  past events.  I have some instructional DVD's for a craft I do and they cost  £15 each so  it could raise a considerable sum of money for the  center. Any thoughts on this idea?

REPLY: Yes we have tried this, back in 2004 I think it was, but it didn't really work.  There are so many different machines out there that the disc we produced worked in some but not in others, and we had to keep sending out other discs for folk to try - all a mess really.

In order to produce a disc of the right quality to play in all and any machine, requires the production of what I think was called a glass master copy, and this was just all to prohibitively expensive, and our footage, whilst ok for web-cam viewing, is only CCTV footage after all, and not really of the broadcast quality required to command a realisitc price for discs to re-coup costs of glass-master production and make a profit worth the time & money investment.  Basically , it just didn't stack-up.  -  Richard

I'm not sure who it was but one of the lasses has just had a long wing exercise, thought she might take off, but no!! EJ is now off the nest but no doubt will be back shortly.

MAUREEN MCcann  You cheeky wee devil you!!  But they are funny aren't they.  You could put balloons from their mouths and get them to say anything.. ...

I keep getting drawn to this screen now I understand what you all meant when you said it takes over your life!!  I go out I come in Ospreys go out come in Ospreys that's my life!!

This is so cute! . Garten, being the baby still wants to put her head under someone when she is resting. Now that  EJ roosts in a tree  she puts  her head under Rothes. :) I have seen her do this several times. When we look at  these chicks, who are as large as EJ,  it is hard to remember they are only about  6 weeks old.  

I looked at the screen and EJ must have brought a fish in, and thought one of the girls had pinched it from her, because EJ had her back towards me! WRONG, EJ was the one with the fish, and it was a chick with her back to me! I can't believe it's so difficult to tell them all apart now, if I can mistake one of the girls for EJ. If I hadn't just had new glasses I would be thinking I needed my eyes testing. So does anyone know if EJ brought the fish? Or was it Odin? When EJ took off I thought she was going fishing, because she had been nagging Odin for a long time, as had some of her girls.

Joining the RSPB: to anyone who is not a member but who, having become addicted to the Loch Garten Experience, is considering it, can I suggest you look on the RSPB website to see all the other wonderful reserves - you may well find one close to where you live, or where you like to go on holiday.  They won't all have ospreys, but they all have a lot to offer.  We joined when we visited Bempton cliffs one year on holiday, and now often visit Leighton Moss when we fancy a day out (good cafe, apart from anything else!)  LG is on my list of places to go (and soon!)

I hope this isn't contravening any etiquette, but can I beg for help from all you nature-loving bloggers, please.  How can I deal with snails (only appeared four years ago, and now there are vast armies of them) and slugs (found one inside a feeder this morning), without causing harm to birds.  I'm not talking copper rings or unpleasant scratchy surfaces around prize plants, but something to deal with wholesale carnage of the entire garden.  I assume that slug pellets could be harmful to bids if they eat them (do they though?), or if birds eat slugs or snails that have been sent to hosta-heaven by eating them.  Anyone know a bird-friendly repellent?  Where can I get a hedgehog or two?  There must be someone amongst all you friendly people who knows.

An intruder must have seen her with her   enormous  catch and followed her back to the nest. She is furiously  alarm calling and  mantling her wings. Now the intruder is gone .  The intruder may have seen  4 large Osprey on the nest and thought better of trying to steal that fish LOL

Just like Dorothy Wilson, we have been RSPB members for longer than we care to remember and we certainly didn't join so that we received a free gift BUT we certainly hope that, because of the free gift or not, that membership not only increases but that the Young people WANT to join and so continue the good work. It was interesting to note that the blogger, Dorothy replied to, is not a regular on this blog but from another site. Let's return to the happy cheerful blog we have always been and not be diverted from what is truly important!

EJ giving the girls their supper and all are getting good share.

Question (when you have time to answer....no rush) The 'girls' look bigger than 'mum':

(a) are they bigger?

(b) if so, is it just 'puppy' fat?

I agree with BigRab and others - the reason for joining the RSPB is to support the work it does, not to get 'freebies' - I mentioned in a previous post that I joined online a couple of weeks ago (won't be up to the centre this year, I'm afraid), in recognition of all the pleasure I've had out of watching the Osprey drama this year, which is only possible because of all the work done by the RSPB, and its staff and volunteers at LG. I joined because I wanted to give something back in return - but in fact I have received a great membership pack full of information and other RSPB sites to visit, and a fantastic bird-book which has already been much thumbed as I identify all those birds closer to home (I'm near Kingsbury water park and the new Middleton Lakes). Unfortunately there was no way to attribute my membership to all your work at LG, because I think it should count towards your statistics!!

Thank you for the volunteers on duty today at LG. What a fantastic visit today.

Witnessed Odins delivery at 11:00 then he stayed in the camera tree for over an hour. Some great lift off from I presume the older chick two very dramatic a leap from one side of the nest to the other then a pretty high lift. EJ gracefully spent time resting in the camera tree watching North for Odin to return with another fish around 1445.

On the way home went via Newburgh to the estuary where I see a few Ospreys regularly fishing.

If you can manage to the centre it is very majestic to watch.

Hope to see you at the centre next week for more leaping ladies and maybe a first flight. I was fortunate to be at the centre last year when Deshar made his first day flights.

Do not worry when EJ is off the nest - she spent most of the day in the camera tree facing the nest looking North for the next feed and keeping an eye on the nest. She was taking regular flights landing on the nest for a while then going back to the camera tree. She was majestic up there.

19.46  Odin must have made a delivery recently as there was a fish "leaping" about in the nest!  EJ was still eating her fish from earlier, but eventually came over to get it and is now feeding Garten/

A bit late I know but surely joining the RSPB is not like buying car insurance. One you want to the other you have to so if you get a little freebie with first so what if you don't it is not a problem as you were going to do it anyway.I love the way Garten is still the baby of the family.As I have said before I was that person but over the years I have had to cope with more than most so I have so much faith in her.....so sorry Garten no pressure.

Now here comes Odin with another fish!! They have not finished EJ's fish LOL.   Odin's fish is still alive! I think it is  Garten  who  is tackling the live fish AND begging food from EJ   at the same time. She is doing  great at feeding herself . When she takes a break she begs  EJ for some of  her fish. It is less work  to beg mom than tear up her own fish LOL. The other  two chicks are  full and resting

Thanks David. Seems no matter where we are in the world, there's never enough money for worthy causes...

have just logged and started to read the blogs and I've got to the one with accusations of discrimination and I'm raging. Discrimination?  Can't believe what I'm reading, talk about throwing the rattle out of the cot. How petty.  Surely each RSPB reserve aiming to recruit new members can use whichever or whatever tools they wish, to achieve this.  Its RSPB Loch Garten, famous for Ospreys for goodness sake.  We've been members for nearly 30years and received a bird book for joining. Totally unnecessary as we joined to help protect birds not to recieve a free gift, but  I loved the book.  My husband a 'Real'(lol) birdwatcher thought otherwise but it served me well, and really handy to slip in my pocket. We've had an RSPB credit card for many years, (paid in full each month, I hasten to add), and donate often to RSPB appeals. It has never occurred to me give membership or stop donations  because new members receive different gifts of appreciation for joining. .   To say that its discrimination is just incredulous. I'm sure other bloggers have been talking about this,  but I haven't got the far, was stopped in my tracks, so I aplogise if there has already been closure on it.

My husband has taken out the bad words so i hope it still makes sense.  

Richard/Claire I'm so sorry you received such an accusation, carry on carrying on doing it your way, you're doing a wonderful job. x

I was suprised to hear you say (RICHARD) about Loch Garten being dirty and few fish, I assumed that one of the main reasons the ospreys nested there apart fromt he tall trees, the forest and peace was fish in the local loch.

Do they get them from Loch Mallachie? or Tesco?

I know sometimes they fish at the fish farm, do the owners get angy about this or as the ospreys are rare to Britain are they please to be part of their existance here?

It seems girls rule this year with 3 in the Lake District and 2 girls and a boy in north Wales and our 3. Ours seem the biggest as well. Jillian

REPLY - Hi Jillian, we think due to the way Odin is flying out and back, and also the fish that he is bring in, that he is going to the River Spey.  Our osprey will fish at local lochs and lochans within a ten mile radius as well, but as Richard said not Loch Garten.  Claire.

Some one said EJ usually leaves the first week of August to  build up her fat reserves for her migration to Africa. Considering the abundance of  food this  year  will she still leave that early? She looks quite plump

I'm going on holiday for a week as of Saturday (may or may not miss the first fledge?!).  Anyway, to keep all the video fans settled, try out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fxe8cXlFtA with apologies to Richard in advance for making a cameo appearance towards the end!

I like several others have not joined the RSPB but hopefully will manage to get up on Monday and will most certainly join meant to do it last year when I was up but some how or other left without doing so but will do this time to busy taking it all in and taking photos I think. Fingers crossed for Monday

I've been following all the exciting events this year and last and only just worked out how to join in the fun .... doh!  I'm devastated we're going to be away on holiday again when the chicks fledge - we missed it last year too :( - never mind, I'm sure they'll all do brilliantly - thanks for all the updates - they're great :D

4 a.m. Chicks awake and preening; much flapping and hopping about except for one tagged chick (can't decipher which) who's decided it's way too early for that kind of stuff. No color, and it's harder to see the antenna in black and white, but it looks like Garten is the one providing most of the action. All settled again, but some muttering going on as they snuggle. Still no EJ in view.

5.20 am LG. One chick up and stretching. Others do their wing exercises while still in bed. Their chirrups are drowning out the background birdsong. (Listening to the dawnsong I was getting quite "holiday-sick" and was ready to pack my bag & jump on a plane!) Now all three are up and doing their early morning exercises. What a glorious sight.

"Anything you can do I can do better".....there seems to be a competition going on this morning as to who can flap their wings longest. Even Garten is getting in on the act, she has always been a 'show off'.

Waiting for 'mum'/'dad' to bring breakfast.

Looks like someone, namely Rothes, is desperate to leave the nest.  She has been wing flapping, hopping, skipping and jumping for ages. No to mention hitting Mallachie and Garten on the head with her wings: they don't seem to be too bothered. Sooooo funny!

just a note regarding membership: last year some bloggers were enquiring and were told that if they put in a certain code then LG would get credited with the member, is this not still the case? as I would very much like to join on-line but as it's this site that has really motivated me to do it then I reckon LG deserves the credit. a few other comments too: is it just me, or when EJ goes fishing she seems to REALLY go fishing and brings in the monsters! also BigRab - you're a genius!

REPLY: TrishaR, please scroll up/down and see a previous/or was it later answer: CarolR 10 July 08.54  Thanks  -  Richard

When the young ones will start to fly?

REPLY - We are anticipating Rothes taking her first flight around 19th-22nd July.  Claire.

In defense of RSPB Staff and volunteers and ALL viewers of this webcam.

den & ann, are you members of RSPB?

I joined last year after watching the 'life cycle' of the Ospreys and the ADDICTIVE pleasure it gave me......not because I wanted 'something' in return.  Surely, the fact that there are so many RSPB members who haven't been able to visit Loch Garten and haven't cancelled their membership because they didn't get a Poster....tells you something? They haven't left and gone elsewhere.  Finally, can you imagine the cost of giving every member a Poster? I'm sure they would soon run out of funds and where would that leave the birds and other wildlife which RSPB look after?  This is a very happy and friendly site and I am sorry that you felt you had to introduce some negative thoughts onto it.

Hi, have just switched on....see EJ is back on nest and all three chicks resting. Can only see one radio mast, is it because its so thin that one is hard to see or has one of the chicks managed to dislodge theirs!!!!!!!!!!!

REPLY - The trackers are still there, but can be difficult to see as you say because they are quite thin.  Claire.

BIG RAB Have a good holiday and thanks you so much for that sentimental video.  I have to go do my eyes again.  So touching and the music was haunting and Richard ws Handsome and the Birds were magnificent and you are Wonderfully clever!!  xx

MAUREEN Very Good "A hen night"  !! LOL  Maybe all the female bloggers should arrange one!!  What a hoot.    I htink Rothes is desperate to go.

For people joining the RSPB online, last year if you put in the code PR08 then it would be credited to Loch Garten and I seem to remember that Richard replied that the same was true this year when I asked in a comment about renewing being credited(it isn't unfortunately!) Also if you contact the membership services and ask for your new membership to be credited to LG then they will do so.

I think that it is fantastic that people who visit Loch Garten in person and are prompted by the place to join the RSPB there should get an exclusive gift as a momento of a life changing decision! Most of the people on the facebook group are also RSPB members and have donated to the tracking fund as well!

REPLY: The PR08 code is now defunct.  However, if you go from our blog page to joining an do indeed then proceed to sign-up on-line, the source of that membership can be traced back to having come from the osprey blog page and LG will be credited.  Alternative you could give us a call at the Osprey centre and we can sign you up over the phone. (01479 831476 only between 11am and 4pm please).  Many thanks for considering joining.  -  Richard

Brenda H thank you. I repiled to that blog because it made me cross and as you and others have said this is a happy site. I watch whenever I can but do not contribute very often as although I am at an age when many are retired I still work fulltime. However I just had to defend the RSPB. Thank you for replying to me Richard I was amazed!!

I did visit the Lake distrisct nest last year so was very interested to hear that they too have three girls. It is wonderful to hear that together with the Wales nest all three sets of parents have managed to raise the 'insurance chick' as well. Dorothy

BigRab74 - what can i say. that was very vey good as usual. very moving and beautiful especially the choice of song - one of my favourites which tends to move me to tears anyway but with the additional pictures-WOW. thanks again and hope you have a wonderful holiday.

HELP! I installed Internet Explorer 8 and now I can't get the nest video to load - and only getting half of the webcam image.  Any of you techno wizards able to suggest what I can do, please?  I'm desperate!

Hello everyone.  We got back late last night from Scilly and all I can say is WOW!!  How these chicks have grown.  Three girls too and what lovely names for them.  I'm having trouble telling them apart as I haven't seen them for a week but I'm sure a bit of dedicated watching will put that right.  The antennae on the tags is a bit of help!  At least I know which one is Garten.

Anyway got a bit of reading to do to catch up!

Pre-fledging is my favourite time.  They are just so funny flapping their wings and doing these little hops.

I think the girls have a sort of Elizabethian look between their plump feathered necks which resembles a "ruff" and their fluffy legs which makes them look like they're wearing bloomers!!!

Quite magestic !!!   lol