Try as we might to resolve the problem with the web-cam pictures of the Loch Garten osprey nest, we haven't yet managed to do so.
The problem appears to be the piece of kit called the router. I remember stirring in the wee small hours on Thursday to the sound of heavy rain, though I didn't notice or hear any thunder & lightning, but we may have had such conditions and lightning might have knocked-out the router. Something similar happened a few years ago, only on that occasion it struck the nest microphone.
We are still on the case, and may be able to sort this by Monday, but with it being the weekend, some key folk we have to speak to are unavailable. We'll keep trying all that we might be able to do, but it could be Monday before other checks can be made.
I'm afraid the ringing/tagging will still have to go ahead, unless of course the weather is inclement. So I'm guessing now that you'll all be praying for torrential rain come Monday morning and an accompanying postponement!
Sorry for the disappointment for now at least, we just might be able to sort by Monday.
Some good news that you might be interested in though, is that last Monday we were visited at the Osprey Centre by intrepid explorer and TV presenter Ben Fogle. He and a film crew were here at Abernethy, for BBC's Countrytracks, (the new Countryfile, I believe), to re-visit a feature covered by Countryfile, 21 years ago, back in 1988 when RSPB had just acquired the larger chunk of what is now the Abernethy National Nature Reserve. The feature then was presented by Magnus (I've started, so I'll finish) Magnusson, the then President of RSPB.
Ben Fogle's visit was to see & report on what has changed and developed since 1988, whether our plans back then for regeneration of the forest, have come to fruition and been realised. The (previous) Osprey Centre also featured in the 1988 programme, and will again in Ben's up-date and there have certainly been some changes here. Back then there were just 53 pairs of ospreys in Scotland (now c.210), there had been c.1.3 million visitors to the Centre (now over 2 million) and of course there were none of the cameras, web-links, blog and routers etc that we have now (or not, as the case maybe, at the moment!).
It will be on television sometime soon, in the coming weeks, but we don't yet know when , but the crew will let us know and once we know, we'll let you know.
So that's what Ben was tweeting about. I guess it was a secret as my post questioning his tweet on Twitter didn't get posted! I hope you manage to get things sorted :)
Thank you for keeping us up to date Richard. I know you can do no more.
As you said in your last blog, we need to be patient!
As long as the family are doing well that is all we need to know really.
Once again, thanks Richard for keeping us in the loop on what's happening. Shame about the camera problems, but the ospreys' welfare is the important thing and if we can't view things on Monday, so be it. I well know how difficult it is to get anything sorted out over a week-end. I think we all appreciate that all at LG are doing the best they can - I for one am most grateful for what we have been able to view up to now anyway.
Exciting to hear of the impending TV programme with Ben Fogle. Hope you get a starring role, Richard!
What a shame and thanks for letting us know Richard. I will not pray for bad weather tho' as I think it important your team to ba able get on with the work of ringing and tagging as planned without disruption or delay. It is just bad luck for us bloggers and watchers. If the router problem is sorted out by then, great, but if not we will still have the photo's to look forward to. Good Luck :))
In the aircrew sargeants mess RAF Bardney there was a club and blacboard for the ''TABS'' club (THERE'S ALWAYS B....Y
SOMETHING)where all niggling incidents wer logged
it is indeed fortunate you have not got such a club - the site would by now have been littere with boards
Since stumbling accross the Osprey Webcams just before the chicks hatched we have been fascinated by the trilas and tribulation of EJ 7 Odon
Good Luck
Bryan.
That will be a very interesting programme to look forward to Richard.
I am sure you are all doing your level best, to sort out the webcam problems and we will just have to be patient, dissappointing as it is :(
Hello BigRab74! I hope that this blog will be published because my dear husband wants to give you a message (in fun, of course!) He says that you are very obviously much better educated than him, regarding proper pronounciation! However, and I quote as best as I can--- 'Tell him he disnae ken fit he's spikken aboot' - and went on to tell me a story about a non local chap who was asked to introduce the tug of War at ? Inverurie Games. This gentleman introduced the local team as being from Ben-aa-chee and the whole crowd erupted in laughter! Obviously just a crowd of' fairmers', as they say there! Whatever, its all good fun, and we have enjoyed your pictorial extras very much indeed.
Richard, thank you very much for keeping us up to date. (I nearly typed "keeping us in the picture" but I didn't think that exactly appropriate at the moment!) You must be almost wishing that it was back in the days of 1988 without all the technology which goes wrong. Love the names, I walked to Loch Mallachie when up in May, it is truly beautiful, does it hold fish and would Odin use it when he returns so quickly as he does sometimes? Best wishes to you all and perhaps one day technology will develop a conveyor from oven to centre for cake!! Liz
I am sure many of us will be disappointed that the webcam is down.
That't life and we cant help technical breakdowns, but we will all be looking forward to it being up and running again soon.
We had several flashes of lightening south of Inverness during thursday evening and night and wouldnt be at all surprised if LG had a strike too, just glad it wasnt the nest which took a strike!
I had been wondering about the safety of the nest during thunderstorms - considering how exposed many osprey nests are at the top of old trees or artificial nests on posts, have there been any reports of nests being struck by lightning? The same comment also applies to storks nests in Europe. I read a rather gruesome report yesterday of a crow being struck, then falling into a field and setting it on fire!
A quick update, a third fish has been delivered and gobbled up by the chicks very quickly! Also a huge thank you to those who have brought cake to the centre, you are too kind and we really really appreciate it (he says while stuffing himself with a slice of swiss roll :) )
The break in cam service really hones ones appreciation – many many thanks RSPB and LG in particular for such a wonderful opportunity the live streaming video brings to us. But yes, we can and will be patient. And in case the news didn't get through: Mrs G is sitting on three brand new eggs on her very own NF nest.
Hi guys - missing the webcam - coming up to see you all next week - arriving in Boat of Garten late Saturday - you may recognise some of us with our tee shirts! Looking forward to Richard's talk on Monday week. Our sea eagle chicks at Loch Frisa on Mull are doing one - one has left home already and the second about to go as I write this. Look forward to meeting up with colleages at the centre. Could I also put a plug in here for anyone who hasnt signed our Bird of Prey Pledge yet - a golden eagle was found poisoned in Glen Orchy a couple of weeks ago - we have to stop this - please encourage family and friends to sign too
http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/birdsofprey/
Camera / Router problems: What will be will be Richard - up until now we have been spoilt with the coverage of the Arrival of EJ & Odin, Mating, Eggs and the 3 wonderful healthy chicks almost to fledging so any further coverage will be a huge bonus and speaking for myself and many others my I say it has been a pleasure and greatly appreciated.
Thanks to you and the LG crew.
On another note I have just enrolled to Countryfile.
CliveT