The rain has stopped and the midges are out in force, which obviously makes for good fishing conditions because Odin expertly dropped off four fish at the nest yesterday, all within the space of an hour and a half. What a guy! However, the chicks are just as quick when it comes to eating them and had gobbled up the remains of the last one before the next fish was delivered. Tuesday was a quiet day for fish and Odin was obviously having a bit of trouble at his usual hunting ground, further confirmed when he brought in a rainbow trout instead of his usual fish of choice, brown trout, indicating that he had travelled further afield to find food. The oldest chick (who is 4 weeks old yesterday!) has found its voice yesterday and was letting EJ (and everyone else in the visitor centre!) know just how hungry it was as it called constantly for a fish. This was quite a contrast from yesterday when all three fell down asleep with a crop full of fish after their banquet of trout. Odin finished on seven fish yesterday, which despite some squabbling with the younger sibling is more than enough fish for this hungry brood.
Of course, all this fish is pumping the chicks full of the protein they need to grow and they are now beginning to look like mini ospreys. Chicks 1 and 2 are starting to lose their distinctive white back stripe as their feathers start to come through. They rely upon this stripe to camouflage them in the nest if an intruder poses a threat, something they have had to contend with many times this season. Only last week a large osprey, which we presumed to be a female due to its size harassed EJ and the chicks on and off most of the day. And both EJ and Odin chased off an intruding buzzard a few days ago. The chicks are also becoming aware of life outside the nest as two of them watched intently as a buzzard soared briefly overhead. Either EJ hadn’t noticed this or didn’t see it as a threat because she continued to preen herself seemingly unconcerned.
On occasion, other wildlife tries to steal the limelight from the ospreys, last month it was the singing cuckoo perched at the top of the camera tree. This month we were pleasantly surprised to spot a displaying capercaillie in front of the visitor centre, strutting his stuff for a nearby female. We would normally expect the males to have stopped displaying at this time of year so it was a treat for those of us who were privileged enough to catch sight of this rare bird.
We are seeing a lot more activity on the bird feeders with the woodpeckers visiting regularly as they zip to and from their nest full of hungry chicks. One curious juvenile woodpecker was even seen poking its head out of the nest hole. We have also had the red squirrels bringing their kits to the feeders too.
At this time of year there are many fledglings finding their wings and they may look as though they need help. If you do find a young bird on the ground, the best thing to do is leave it where it is, the adult bird will be nearby and removing the bird will reduce its chances of survival.
This week we’ve had the pleasure of watching activities at the nest on the spectacular new 60” screen which we have Black Jaguar and his supporters to thank!! It is like watching a chick flick at the cinema.
Jen, thanks for the update but you don't mention the submissive behaviour of chick 3 and how it is now clearly too scared to try and get food. Have you seen it eat over the last 3 days and in current state of not eating how long would we expect it to survive. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you very much for the update on the rest of the wildlife and goings on within the area.
Oh dear, don't comment very often, but I am really worried about chick 3, he/she seems to have given up, very sad :(
Jen thank you and I have to agree with Lmac but thank you very much for updating.
Maybe Richard could post an update?
Jen are Richard or john around and able to comment on #3 chicks health and welfare.
Thanks for your informative blog Jen. It would really be appreciated if LG could give a very brief update,say every couple of days, just to let the many who follow this blog have an up to date account of what's really happening and not just what we see on the webcam. It is so helpful, on other sites, to hear from the people involved with this fantastic work.
Thanks Jen.
Please tell me what you mean by this quote: (Odin finished on seven fish yesterday, which despite some squabbling with the younger sibling is more than enough fish for this hungry brood.)
Chick #3 had hardly anything to eat yesterday and as far as I and the other fellow bloggers have seen today, it has had NO food!!! How much longer will this Dear little chick survive without getting any nourishment that it will then dehydrate and also starve???
We need some answers, please!! This is so pityful to watch! :-(
Thanks very much for the update Jen. Glad to hear that all is going well despite some of the bloggers concerns.
Sandra I agree but don't shoot the messenger.
Richard needs to answer. He is the Centre Manager?
No news from Richard to me always means bad news.
Sandra maybe he is on holiday and Jen, it has been a long time for any updates and thank you:) but Richard needs to update.
Watching this brood closely I am not sure if I would agree with the comment in the blog.
"Odin finished on seven fish yesterday, which despite some squabbling with the younger sibling is more than enough fish for this hungry brood".
Having watched ospreys over many years I feel if the behaviour we have seen over the past few days continues - we may not be watching three chicks much longer.
Pam, I agree. If it's only a couple of sentences, it would be great and would be worth more than most of our comments here. I'm not trying to insult any of us bloggers, here or in any of the forums, because I think our contributions are great, ( I'm not including myself in this, )and are, quite frankly, what keeps this site worth visiting. Neither am I belittling the staff's blogs when they arrive--they have been wonderful. However, a few sentences more frequently would show that LG actually cared about us. Now I know that the centre is incredibly busy with visitors, and that the broadband service is rubbish, but LG is the osprey flagship. I've been avidly locked into this site for a few years now, following the tracking of the late lamented Rothes and the other tagged birds when the centre is shut down, but, increasingly, I'm drawn to the other sites. All of them appeal for financial support, and it would be a shame if LG online was pushed into the background.
Thank you for the update Jen, but one point if I may, you say that there is enough food for the hungrey brood but it apears that the older two are getting most of the food and the youngest one a little if any. I know this is all part of nature with the survival of the fitist but could you our someone else let us know if the 3rd chick is getting enough food to survive. Thank you.
Hi Jen thank you so much for the recent update :-) however I have to agree with Lmac. Chick #3 does seem alot weaker and smaller than the others. I did see it feeding yesterday around 2.40pm - Think this chick is definetely the "runt" of the litter :-( im sure it will get stronger though. Fingers crossed.
maj, the only answer to your question here is from bloggers and not here and also LG do not answer and yes do not have the time.
Maj my thoughs and be shot down and LG you should have been honest. You have got my thoughts now :) shoot me down but you have not blogged.
Chick #3 is so much smaller than the 2 oldest, I am convinced the 2 eldest are Blue XD's and he was with EJ until Odin arrived. There is a question about gender.
These two chicks are enormous comparing Tore and Bynac last year?
Odin is delivering fish and yes a quiet day, was it Tuesday and to me that is where it started from. It always was going to happen. Yes 7 fish yesterday. The two eldest are enormous and chick #3, i am praying for a miracle.
Experts, the fighting has started and a question, if there is more fish I do not think it will stop now, do you?
Not nice to watch.
Apologise all as I do and all know it is not disney friend and wanted to learn :)
NRN. I have some memories of bullying on this thread lol
I have answered as no-one else has
I agree with you Keith, JenW, Linda and bright&breezy, its not nice to watch but when we think about it nature is cruel, I just hate watching and keep switching off and then back on again later hoping for some sort of miracle :(
Hi Maj. I want to thank you for asking the same as, I, Lmac and SueD!! All we want to know is, how much longer will this dear little chick survive without nourishment!!!