It's 8.30pm on Friday night and the tracking map depicting Rothes' should have up-dated sometime at the back of 7pm. It didn't do so last evening at all and it's looking like it isn't doing so this evening either. With the weekend now upon us, web-colleagues will not be on the case to sort this until Monday morning. So your patience please. At least in the previous blog post, I made reference to the key places Rothes has passed, plus her most recent known location north of La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast of France. Whether the map up-dates over the weekend by some automated means or other, remains to be seen, but I'll try and run a check on Rothes over the weekend and let you know where she's at.
(Saturday 7am- I spoke too soon, map has now up-dated)
Meantime back here at Loch Garten, Mallachie and Garten, Odin and EJ are still here and with such an awful weekend's weather in prospect, I doubt that they'll be going anywhere fast, it being driech here right now, - dull, damp and overcast, with light drizzle, requiring the first log fire of the "autumn" to be lit here tonight, as its the weekend - which tells you something of the conditions here. Just when is EJ going to go? It was 14th August (today) last year, I think, but whilst the drop in temperature and the shortening days should be her cues, with this current weather, she'll likely be here until Monday at least. Making for what's looking like being one of the latest adult female departures from Loch Garten. We shall see.
I just want to make mention of Team LG. Today they recruited the 500th new RSPB member of our season, which is a magnificent achievment for them. So well done Claire, David, Malcolm, Debbie, Ian, Andrew, Chloe, Paula and the two Julies. They have worked hard at telling the osprey story to our visitors, sharing their passion and enthusiasm, firing-up people's imagination, interest and care for; ospreys, other wildlife and its conservation and portraying RSPB in a very positive light, as a creditable organisation worthy of support. So I say, well done to them, and thanks to the many of you who have visited and joined RSPB here on site this season at Loch Garten and indeed to those of you who haven't manged to visit, but who have joined on-line. Plus of course all those of you out there who are already RSPB members. Thank you.
Have a good weekend.
I think they're hanging on until I can say "goodbye" next weekend....well I can hope can't I!
I don't know if this years setup is the same as last year for tracking but there is a difference in the Tour lines and I don't remember us having to wait so many hours for the Tour lines to be published .......... Rather Puzzled as you must be at LG HQ ......... Oh well I guess we'll have to wait patiently until Monday - Have a nice weekend up there - a couple of large malts Richard
Thank you very much for the update Richard. Your thanking everyone makes the "end" seem so very near...and I'm not liking it very much :'-( It's cold and wet as well here in Aberdeen and I'm resisting the urge to put the heating on. May have to dig out the thermals! Keep warm and dry and have a super weekend. Love to everyone in the team :)
Just posted on the last blog, but thanks Richard for letting us know whats happening. ALL of you deserve recognition for the work that you have done, without you we would not be here. saying that- I won't be here tomorrow, I'll be there!!!
It looks almost dark at the nest right now, I can see one Osprey, but no idea who it is ;-)
Thanks for update Richard. Have a great weekend!
Its EJ Matpigan. I just cant sign off until she disappears completely.
Thanks Richard and indeed thanks to all at LG for their sterling work this season.
Night all (again).
:-) Ah, thanks Alan.
Thanks Richard. 500 new members (including me) fantastic work.
I can't beleive youve got a real fire in August, so hot and stuffy on the south coast, been wearing a swimming costume inside to do my paperwork today (not a good sight for others, haha). Looks like I'm back from my Scottish holiday in time then. Will be waiting as will others desperate to know that Rothes is fine. Thinking of her this weekend.
Must be decorating weather for you again then Richard!
JILLIAN
Many thanks for the news Richard - There's nothing worse than an informational blackout. So there's a glitch in updating Rothes' position - we'll all survive it even if (like me :) ) we are on the end of our seats with our tongues hanging out ! I rushed home tonight from work - put the kettle on and thought 'Right then, let's see how far she's got' ! Oh well.
Hey, excellently welll done you guys (and gals - this is a generic term OK?) The 500th member recruited today. I hope you are celebrating in some manner. Since it's driech up there it sounds like a hot toddy is in order.
A great many thanks to you all and nitie nite.
Thankyou Richard and all the team for your hard work. We visited LG at the end of May but you were out on a walk and Clare was busy elswhere, so we never got to meet. I really have appreciated everything you and the team have done for us osprey fans. Thankyou for the updates. Nearly dark now but still an osprey on the nest. I guess it's time to call it a day. Enjoy your weekend. 'night.
Thanks again Richard. Amazing stuff, Hope Team LG are in line for something like the Good Egg Award.
The Two Julies? remember the characters from Cell Block H or something like that
Thanks again Richard for the splendid update.
Was in the area last week for the Nethy Games and managed to fit in three visits to LG. On Tuesday last week we were treated to a spectacular overhead aerial formation flying display of no less than four Ospreys. We were in the Coylumbridge area at the time. We had hoped it was the LG display team but on checking the tracker display it proved not to be. Shame. Wonderful sight though.
It lasted for about 10 to 15 mins. But I did not have a lens good enough to take any pics. Still. it was a sight I will not forget in a hurry. Just like to add my thanks to all the team at LG for a very informative 2009 season and for the information given at the centre on our visit last week. Have a great weekend all.
Thanks and congratulations to you all at LG. I am sure you must all be waiting for a holiday but the action hasn't finished yet. Your 500 new members figure will increase even further in the next couple of weeks! This season has been a joy to watch and has been compulsive viewing. Hope the gremlins in GE soon vanish. Sorry the weather is so bad as we have the opposite in the South and having some lovely summer weather. Thanks again. Good Night
Thanks for the update Richard. Just so long as we know Rothes is still progressing well on her migration and, hopefully, catching fish on the way is good enough for me. Many congratulations on your 500th member. All the hard work you and your team have put in this season has paid off. Pru
Again congrats from me too. The enthusiasm of you and your team have encouraged many of us to become members for the first time......me included. Well done and keep up the good work it is much appreciated.
Liz