Wednesday 18th July.
Two words can best describe today, RAIN and FISH. There were lots of both!
A quiet night on the nest with both chicks present.
04.25 Cally is up and flapping, but soon settles back down. DU started by Robert the Bruce. Welcome back :o)
05.04 Time to get up. Alba rises first, followed by Cally. She appears to have something, possibly a thread hanging from where the sat tag harness is secured. Video by Scylla page 4 DU.
05.22 FISH number 1 delivered by Odin. Alba waits for Cally to arrive and claim it. Alba tried to take it from Cally after a while but didn't manage it. Video by Scylla page 4 DU. Stills by TheBadgerOfLurve page 3 DU
06.16 FISH number 2 delivered by Odin. Alba flies in and claims it and screams at Odin to leave. EJ flies in to help, but gets the same scream and leaves. Alba eats the fish on her own. Video by Scylla page 4 DU. Stills by TheBadgerOfLurve page 3 DU
07.00 FISH number 3 delivered by Odin. He calls but no-one comes immediately for the fish. Cally arrives and looks at him. Alba flies in and shouts a lot but neither advance on the fish, so Odin stands on the nest and starts to eat it. Videos by Moffer/Scylla pages 3/4 DU After much screaming from both girls Odin takes his leave.
It's raining now, and all is quiet except for the odd distant call and the sound of rain. It continues to rain for the rest of the day.
10.26 A very noisy juvenile lands on the nest, very wet. We cannot decide which one as they and the lens are wet. Whomever attacks a piece of bark thinking that it is a fish. Videos by Scylla/Moffer page 6 DU
11.04 A flapping wing is seen from the tree top branch beyond the nest.
11.06 Cally is squealing on the nest for fish, only stays a minute.
11.15 .EJ has landed, looking around and calling. A noisy juv arrives and another, all in search of fish!!! Oh dear, they are disappointed. EJ flies off again leaving them both complaining. Videos by Moffer/Scylla/Mims page 7 DU
11.25 It is noted again that Cally has something hanging from her mid-chest. It looks like thread.
13.13 Some lovely photos were posted by Robert The Bruce of his trip to LG on Monday. Page 8 DU Thank you RtB
13.14 FISH number 4 delivered by Odin, taken by Cally. Videos by Scylla/Moffer page 9 DU. Alba waits for a while then flies to the top nest tree branch. She does come back to the nest, but Cally eats all the fish. Both leave.
13.30 ENS (Empty Nest Syndrome)
13.31 One of the birds is back on the top branch, under the far side of the nest.
13.32 FISH number 5 delivered to an empty nest. Just 18 minutes after his last delivery. GO Odin the Magnificent!! It doesn't take Alba long to get there and grab the fish. She screams at Odin until he leaves. Videos by RtB/Scylla/Moffer page 12 DU. It is noted and agreed upon that Alba sounds very much like Bynack when she screeches.
13.50 Alba moves to the side of the nest to rest with some fish still in her talon.
14.30 Alba wakes and starts to eat her leftover fish.
14.31 FISH number 6 delivered by Odin. Alba dumps the leftover piece and grabs the new fish :o) Videos by Mims pages 15/16 DU
15.05 After eating all the fish, Alba flies off.
15.26 EJ arrives with a HUGE FISH number 7. Cally arrives at the nest first followed by Alba. It is Alba that takes possession, but Cally takes it from her in a short tug-o-fish. Videos by Scylla/Mims page 17 DU All the time that Cally is eating, Alba complains (at times very loudly) EJ ignores all their carrying on.
15.50 EJ flies off
15.58 Cally has finally had enough, and there is plenty left. EJ returns while Alba hasn't claimed the fish, she's just shouting at it, lol. EJ claims the fish. Alba begs food from mum, and she feeds her, even though she is still making a good deal of noise. Amazingly Cally finds room for some more fish, and EJ feeds them both. It's a lot quieter now.
16.39 The girls have moved away from EJ having had their fill. EJ is left in peace to finish the fish.
16.44 FISH number 8 arrives from Odin. EJ takes it and stands on it. Video by Moffer page 20 DU.
17.02 EJ starts on the new fish. She feeds Alba, Cally is not bovvered.
17.10 Alba is full and Cally starts to get fed again. After a few minutes she's full too.
17.28 EJ finishes the fish
17.45 Quote by Mims :o) "Cally is moving across the nest flapping while Alba settles her meal at the far side of the nest. Is Cally trying to dry out or take off? Perhaps she's wondering why she can't get off the ground lol"
17.39 EJ leaves after doing a tidy up. The girls are still digesting their fish.
Both girls leave between 18.15-18.22
All quiet on the nest. Not even the sound of rain (temporarily), no wind and no birds. ENS again.
20.07 Cally pays a visit to the nest, preening and looking around.
20.56 Cally has flown.
21.13 Odin delivers FISH number 9 to en empty nest. EJ arrives with Cally right behind her. Cally nearly lands on Odin! EJ takes the fish but Cally takes it from her. No sign of Alba. Video by Moffer page 24 DU
21.34 EJ is food calling, Alba is answering off nest, Cally is eating!
21.50 Cally has finished the fish.
21.53 EJ leaves the nest
21.58 Cally flies off.
22.05 Night cam on. ENS
Loch Garten stats. and All the important links for LG.
Thursday 19 July 2012
Thank you Moffer for your excellent Summary of life on the nest on 18 July 2012
Thanks to Lynette for starting the Daily Update for today. Another dank start to the day, but the sun shone after 16.30hrs.
After yesterday's bonanza of nine fish yesterday, one EJ whopper and eight from Odin the Magnificent, what can will we see today?
The nest was very quiet during the hours of darkness, with no sign of Cally or Alba who had roosted in trees instead. Day cam came on at 04.49 to reveal an empty nest.
04.49 Moffer's still pic DU p.1 did however reveal a fish tail, left over from yesterday!
05.04 Someone started calling not too far from the nest. Someone who had clearly forgotten about the remains of last night's meal.
05.05 An osprey flew past the nest and landed on Odin's Perch, the branch below the far side of the nest Moffer's and Scylla's vids posted at 05.13 DU p.1, and Scylla's vid posted at 05.19 with an osprey flying in the opposite direction away from the nest. Lots of exuberant flying was going on early in the morning!
05.55 Moffer's vid DU p.2 showed more of the busy life of ospreys flying around the nest.
06.44 Alba flew up from Odin's Perch and discovered the fish tail remains. Moffer's vid posted at 06.45 DU p.2. and Moffer's still pic showing Alba's AA2 ring.
It remained all very quiet on the nest with a few further fly passes noted until…
08.57 ODIN with FISH NUMBER 1. Odin flew in to an empty nest with the fish, and waited until Cally flew in to claim it. Alba then joined in. A series of still pics posted by Cirrus; Scylla's vid posted at 09.01; and still from Lindybird all on DU p.4.
Alba managed to take the fish from Cally Scylla vid posted 09.12 DU p.5
09.11 Cirrus posted a beautiful poem about osprey. Do take the time to read it. DU p.5
09.19 Lindybird posted a delightful still photo of a red squirrel on the LG feeder.
09.20 The fish eaten, the nest was empty once more.
09.22 EJ returns to the nest carrying a clump of moss. Alba flies in expectantly. Scylla's vid posted 09.25 DU p.6, mims' vid posted at 09.35 and stills posted at 09.32
09.24 EJ starts calling for a fish, Alba joins in, reminiscent of Bynack, last year's younger chick.
09.55 Alba continued to shriek for England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, until EJ decided she had had enough and flew off the nest. Alba then went quiet. The rain was falling. Mims' vid posted at 10.13 DU p.7 showing Alba discovering that yes, you can shout at the top of your voice on one leg......a potter, a flap and a settle.
10.10 Alba too decided it was time to go as well after fighting to get a piece of moss free of her talons. Scylla's vid posted at 10.13 DU p.7 Alba flew to Odin's Perch below the far side of the nest.
10.20 Alba continued to screech on the perch. Scylla vid DU p.7
10.29 Alba returned to the nest to continue her screeching! A better view perhaps?
… and the shrieking continued….viewers turned their sound down.
11.23 And there was silence!
11.37 Limpy's still pic of Alba in mild sunshine on the nest DU p.9
11.42 There was further comment on the similarity in screech volume and tenacity between Alba and Bynack!
11.42 Odin gave an intruder alarm call from off the nest. Alba hit the deck. Moffer's vid posted at 11.48, DU p.10.
11.52 Alba flew off the nest, but returned quickly, and flew off again!
12.31 Alba returned to the nest briefly. No fish waiting for her!
12.44 EJ returned to the nest carry more moss and starting food soliciting. Alba followed her shrieking for FISH and she was joined by Cally. Moffer's vid posted 12.53 DU p.12
12.56 Moffer posted a delightful vid of Alba practising flying off with a fish…. she flew up carrying a piece of bark, watched by Cally. The wind had got up and it was raining. Alba returned to the nest with her faux fish and lept around the nest with it in her talon. She took off for a second time. DU p.12
12.59 Alicat posted a still pic of the girls watching EJ DU p.12
13.04 Cally remained on the nest alone, while Alba had flown to Odin's Perch.
13.13 Limpy posted a still pic of Cally peering over the edge of the nest. DU p.13
13.19 ODIN DELIVERS FISH NUMBER 2 Alba claimed the fish. Cirrus still pic DU p.13 Cally tried to take it from Alba, but Alba was having none of it and defended it well. This was probably the first time Alba had stood her ground so well. Moffer's vid posted at 13.33 DU p.13.
13.49 Cooky noticed the thread dangling from Cally's harness.
13.53 Alba was still eating the fish and had thwarted attempts by Cally to take it from her.
13.57 Cally became very frustrated at not being able to get at the fish. She had more attempts at approaching slowly, but to no avail.
13.59 Cally left the nest, and left Alba to eat in peace. Once Cally had gone Alba stopped grumbling at the fish.
14.00 However, Cally hadn't given up and flew back with a cheerful chirrup and just stood waiting.
14.16 Nearly an hour since Odin delivered the fish, and Alba still had it and was eating.
Two nice stills from birdsong and moffer DU p.14
14.30 With just the tail fin left Alba had taken one hour and ten minutes to eat the fish, including the head.
14.35 With nothing but the fin left Cally flew and at
14.39 Repleat and nothing remaining, Alba flew off.
14.41 Cally returned to find nothing left.
14.44 SheilaFE noted the thread-like piece dangling from Cally's harness.
14.57 Realising there was no fish left, Cally left.
15.04 Having checked back on her video, moffer said that Cally made six attempts to get the fish from Alba. Alba had held on tight moving to the edge so that Cally couldn't get her head in. Alba must have been well pleased with herself. Cally, on the other hand, was not at all happy, and was trying Alba's tactic of shouting from the nest. It was a steep learning curve for them both.
15.06 There was an alarm call possibly from Odin, followed by high pitched calls, possibly from a juvenile, coming from off the nest. Cally returned to the nest. She looked around warily and then hit the deck. Was there an intruder about? moffer vid DU p.15.
15.16 Cally was calling. EJ returned looking around her. Alba joined them.
15.17 ODIN DELIVERS FISH NUMBER 3. Cally immediately claimed it. Alba appeared too full to even be bothered, she remained lying on the nest! Birdsong's still pic and moffer's vid DU p.16
15.24 Was the earlier intruder still about, or did one follow Odin back to the nest. There was silence as EJ Cally and Alba looked around them. SheilaFE still pic DU p.16
Cally ate the fish, Alba chilled and EJ stood by creating a lovely family image.
There was discussion about the similarity between the capacity and noise of Alba and Bynack (chick of 2011) and at
15.41 Moffer posted a 2011 vid by Scylla, showing Bynack struggling to control an EJ whopper!
15.45 Cally continued to eat the fish while EJ and Alba snoozed. SheilaFE still pic DU p.17
15.50 Flew off, leaving Cally and Alba – still calling!
15.57 Alba flew off, leaving Cally to recover from her meal.
16.15 An empty nest.
16.28 EJ returned to the nest calling for food.
ODIN DELIVERS FISH NUMBER 4 – EJ grabbed it, Alba crash landed on EJ. Neither chick made a move for the fish, but Alba begged for food from EJ and was fed. Cally remained somewhat aloof from it all. Still pics from Cirrus, vid from moffer posted at 16.37 DU p.17
16.41 The fish had disappeared quickly, EJ left the nest with both girls nagging her.
16.44 Alba left, leaving Cally watching her.
16.58 Cally also left the nest, and we were back to Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS) sadly all too often at this stage of the season.
17.10 Scylla posted two still pics of the girls. DU p.20
18.04 Cally returned to the nest, food calling. Surely not, you may ask yourselves!
18.11 ODIN DELIVERS FISH NUMBER 5 and once more EJ steps in to claim it and after a while she begins to feed an anxious Cally
18.17 Moffer's vid of the Fish delivery by Odin to a nest full of females. DU p.21
18.19 Moffer's vid of EJ feeding both Cally and Alba – the Ospigs!!
18.27 Alba is given the tail fin, and the feed is all over. A 15-minute fish-share between the three girls.
18.29 And still the girls complain, so EJ leaves.
18.35 After shouting and stomping on the nest, and moving more bark across the nest, Alba flew away. Cally remained Moffer's vid DU p.21
18.42 Cally left the nest.
19.22 Cally returned to the nest, and after a quick look around she left again.
20.19 ENS for at least the last half hour.
20.33 ODIN DELIVERS FISH NUMBER 6 Cally follows him in and claims the fish with no one else around! Cally takes her late meal to the edge of the nest, but it takes a few minutes for her to start eating. Possibly waiting for Alba to come storming in, but she doesn't. No attempt either for her to take it to a branch yet. She remains on her own tucking into her fish.
20.37 Moffer's posted video Number 6 Fish Delivery DU p.22
20.52 Cally's fish was finished. No sign of Alba.
20.56 Alba returned looking for fish under Cally and anywhere on the nest. Having realised there was none, she starts shouting loudly! Moffer's still pic DU p.22
21.03 Cally flew off the nest, followed moments later by Alba.
Shortly after 22.10 nightcam cam on, there was neither sight nor sound of our wonderful osprey family.
22.43 Noises appear off the nest, one of the girls appears, followed by the other, and EJ, so clearly both youngsters were roosting nearby. EJ appeared to be eating, and YES!!, FISH NUMBER 7 IS DELIVERED BY EJ. What a girl. Possibly Alba getting the first feed while Alba stands near by.
22.47 Feeding scene Birdsong still pic DU p.24
23.30 The fish has gone, there had been some pottering on the nest and a little housework before all three flew from the nest. Sadly it looks as though the nights of snuggling up together so beautifully are now over. Another sign that the season is nearly over.
00.37 Heron started a Daily Update for Friday 29 July 2012.
EJ's Biography
Friday 20th July.
Today there have been extended periods of ENS = Empty Nest Syndrome. We really miss the wide cam and it's ability to pan around to find the birds off nest. Lets hope that it is soon mended.
Another night with no chicks roosting on the nest.
03.42 CC posts a night cam pic with one of the girls on the side of the nest. Impossible to tell who.
04.36 Day cam on.
06.17 EJ arrives at the nest with a HUGE FISH number 1. Alba gets to the nest first and claims it. Video by Scylla page 2 DU Cally tries to take it and fails. She has has resigned herself to waiting. Video by Scylla page 2 DU
06.26 Cally leaves.
06.36 FISH number 2 from Odin. EJ takes it and feeds Cally. Lovely still by Birdsong on page 2 DU. video by Scylla page 3 DU.
06.43 Odin's fish is gone. Alba is still eating EJ's fish.
07.03 Scylla posts a video showing that the thread is still dangling from Cally's chest.
07.16 Alba is still trying to wade through EJ's big fish, but without much gusto. She is full, but just can't leave it. EJ is food soliciting.
07 43 Cally returns to the nest. Alba releases the fish to let Cally have it. video by Scylla/Moffer page 4 DU Cally has a lot of fish skin to deal with Video by Scylla Page 4 DU.
07.55 Alba stumbles but pulls herself up and flies off. Video by Moffer Page 10 DU
07.57 EJ finds some fish scraps and cleans them away (eats them)
08.12 Cally is still eating. EJ is calling for more fish.
08.17 Cally has finished eating. EJ is dealing with the tail fin.
08.20 Cally flies off. EJ is left home alone. She is still calling for more fish.
08.56 What a lonely figure EJ makes, standing alone on the nest, softly calling for fish. It's the beginning of the end of this season. :o(
09.25 EJ leaves.
10.37 One of the girls has landed on the cam post. Nothing seen, but a chirrup heard....and the other calling off nest.
11.03 Earlier one sis was preening - you could hear long strokes as though working thru the large feathers. Just now it has shaken its feathers vigorously. It is still there, now calling briefly, with more preening!!
11.04 Cam post occupant has flown.
11.05 Cally is on the nest calling but gone a minute later. Stills by Moffer/Cirrus/Scylla page 7 DU
12.31 Cally is back on the nest for another 1 minute visit Stills by Moffer/Cirrus page 8 DU Video by Scylla page 9 DU
13.39 FISH number 3 Cally flew in, then EJ. Odin arrived with fish and Cally almost bit his foot off in her rush for the fish. still by Birdsong, video by Scylla page 9 DU. EJ looks as if to say - I'm not needed for feeding any more, so I may as well go! and off she went
14.03 EJ returns to the nest to defend it, mantling and calling. Cally flies in and lays low. Video by Scylla/Moffer pages 9/10 DU
15.40 EJ is back and defending the nest again. Persistent intruder around. Still by Birdsong page 10 DU
15.46 A distant Osprey call is heard, and it's getting closer and closer.
15.47 Alba flies on to the nest. EJ leaves! Videos by Scylla/Moffer page 11 DU
16.02 One of the girls flies in and straight out again.
16.06 Odin brings in possibly the biggest (headless) FISH of his season. Number 4.
EJ arrives followed by Cally. Odin shows off his fish by flying over their heads with it twice and then.......16.06 Headless Fish number 4 from Odin is delivered, and it's a big 'un. EJ grabs it and mantles over it. Odin cleans his beak and does some HW. Alba is shouting in the distance and then comes to the nest. Odin leaves. Cally grabs the fish from EJ. Videos by Scylla/Moffer pages 12/13 DU stills by Birdsong/Scylla page 12.
16.19 Alarm call. Alba goes down on the nest, EJ and Cally (protecting her fish) mantle.
Alarm over and Alba starts to screech for fish, and wow can that girl screech. We all had to turn our volumes down!
16.56 A report from Mary GK who was at LG today. "Just came back from the Visitor Centre, we were there when the Intruder was around, EJ was going mad lol.... there was no way it could be identified too far away even to see through the scopes. When we were there it just circled higher and higher and disappeared into the distance, but by the timing it looks like its came back again"
17.04 Cally has slowed down eating to almost stop. Even EJ can't take Alba's screeching anymore and she takes the remainder of the fish from Cally. There is still about half a fish left! Video by Moffer page 13 DU
17.09 Cally leaves. Alba is noisily feeding from EJ. Stills by Cirrus/Birdsong page 14 DU
17.39 Alba is full. EJ finishes the tail off. They both fly off.
17.44 New Blog.
18.22 Odin delivers FISH number 5. It's a tiddler. EJ flies in and takes it. She calls the girls but they don't come. Video by Moffer Page 16 DU
18.55 Cally has arrived for a feed, and EJ feeds her.
19.00 It's gone already. A 4 minute fish. Both EJ and Cally leave soon after.
ENS. Distant osprey calls, (sounding like the girls) are heard for about an hour.
20.53 Cally is on the nest calling for fish. She stays for 3 minutes. Video by Moffer page 17 DU
21.42 Cally is back again, calling for fish.
21.59 Cally leaves after getting no fish.
22.14 Cally is back yet again. She calls and Alba answers from close to the nest.
22.15 Cally flies off as the night cam came on.
All quiet on the nest with the odd rattle from a branch below where one of the girls could be roosting. Another day where we are seeing less and less of them, but safe in the knowledge that our family is doing just fine :o)
Saturday 21 July 2012.
I am pleased to start another day in the life and times of the EJ and Odin Family
Thank you Moffer for yesterday's summary and thank you Birdsong for starting today's DU off.
Caledonia (better known as little Miss Piggy) has now reached the age of 66 days old.
Alba has reached the age of 64 days old.
We start the day with ENS (Empty Nest Syndrome).
01:37. Birdsong starts the day off with all quiet th the nest yes you have guessed right ENS
04:37. Scylla reports it is now getting light at LG and she can hear an osprey calling but we still have ENS.
04:40. Day cam comes on it is very windy and yes it's still ENS.
05:01. Ospreys are heard in the background and EJ arrives at the nest and starts chirping. Video on page 1. Du.
05:13. EJ goes quiet then continues chirping softly.
05:26. Up up and away: EJ leaves the nest.
06:46. The wind seems to have dropped somewhat and a Buzzard is heard nearby.
06:57. Alba arrives at the nest for a short visit
06:59. Alba takes off.
06:55. Both girls arrive at the nest.
07:03. Video of both girls arriving at the nest Du page 2.
07:06. Cally has flown and leaves Alba standing on the nest.
07:09. Alba decides to go as well and leaves us all with ENS.
07:35. Alba returns to the nest expecting Breakfast but no fish to date.
07:50. Fish - the first of the day -and Alba grabs it from EJ. Alba stands on the fish while it is still flapping and tucks into it.
07:51. Odin arrives at the nest with a stick - plonks the stick down on the nest and then leaves. Video Du page 3.
08:00. Cally's whereabouts remain a mystery. Is little Miss Piggy sat in a tree eating a fish that Odin has brought ?? Who knows.
08:05. Odin returnes to the nest causing Alba to mantle and squawk at him. Or is she just protecting her fish?
08:13. Odin leaves leaving Alba to eat her fish in peace,
08:22. Cally returnes to the nest and Alba in no uncertain terms lets her know she's to keep her talons and her beak off her fish. Video DU Page 4.
08:23. Time Is now being spent on the nest with Alba trying to protect her fish while trying also to eat it. Cally is trying hard to work out how to get the fish away from her sister.
08:26. Video post by Scylla of 'I will protect my fish' Alba. DU page 4.
08:44 Alba still has the fish with Cally still trying her best to steal it from her. Alba has now given Cally a peck for good measure. Video posted by Moffer on Du page 5.
08:57. Odin now brings moss to the nest. What is going on with Odin - first a twig and then moss?? Cally is not happy, I think she was hoping for a fish.
08:59. Odin watches as little Miss Piggy is screaming and finally gets the tail end of the fish off Alba.
09:23. EJ lands on nest with fish no. two. No-one else is on the nest so EJ starts calling. Video Du page 6.
09:33. Cally appears, very hungry. EJ proceeds to feed little Miss Piggy.
09:53. Intruder about.
09:54. Moffer reports that Ceulan has fledged half an hour ago at Dyfi - that's good news.
09:57. Scylla is plane spotting and reports a light plane overhead.
09:58. Odin has returned to the nest with yet another twig. I am becoming puzzled - what is going through Odin's head? Has he twigged onto something we haven't?
10:04. Moffer reports stress at Dyfi. Ceulan is on the ground. A cow has just approached him and that got him out of the ditch!!!! Perhaps Ceulan was eyeing up the cow and thought he would try a beef diet for a change.
10:08. Odin leaves again, leaving EJ and Cally on the nest. Many pictures of Odin on the nest Du page 7.
10:17. Odin comes back to the nest and starts to relax.
10:30. Odin starts to alarm call on the nest. EJ joins in and Cally lies flat. This means there must be an intruder about.
10:34. Odin has flown off the nest probably after the intruder.
10:37. Odin alarm calls and Cally dives for cover - video posted by Scylla Du page 8.
10:42. All goes back to normality on the nest - EJ and Cally settling down.
10:52. Moffer has posted a video of Odin on the nest as it is unusual to see him on the nest for such long periods. Video Du page 8.
11:01. EJ and Cally are on the nest sharing the remains of the second fish.
11:02. Cally has had enough of the fish - she leaves EJ to it and flys off.
11:18 Moffer reports that Ceulan has returned safely to the nest .Perhaps the first encounter with the cow was just too much.
11:21. Odin has returned to the nest! Busy boy or what? Odin spends some time with EJ. Odin tries to have a nibble of EJ's fish. After a while Odin takes off again. Video Du page 9.
11:23. My fingers ache. Oh, for some ENS.
11.51 Not LG related, but worth seeing - Keith has posted some beautiful pictures of his local nest.
12:13. EJ has flown off with the fish.
12:14. Alba returns followed closely by EJ with the fish - Alba grabs the fish and takes off with it. Well Alba has done it - all that practice with the twigs has paid off! For the first time Alba has flown off with fish in her talons. Well done Alba you're a star. Various Video of the event on Du page 10.
12:18. And now we go back to normal at LG: it is starting to rain. Surprise, surprise.
13:16. EJ on nest and then flies off again.
14:29. EJ back on the nest and calling and Alba has landed on the nest.
14:30. Cally has now arrived at the nest to join Alba and EJ. Mum and girls are making a racket: where is Odin?
14:37. Fish no. three.
14:37. At last Odin brings a fish! Yes, not moss or a twig but a fish. What will the girls make of that? Odin is met with a noisy reception - he leaves the fish and flies off. Yes, little Miss Piggy grabs the fish. Video Du page 12.
14:50. Alba is trying to find a way to get hold of the fish that Cally has by trying to sneak a little closer to her.
14:52. Alba has no luck - she gives up, flies off. and can be heard in the distance.
15:11. A strange call was heard and Cally takes off leaving the half eaten fish on the nest.
15:17. Odin flys to the nest and takes the fish and flys off. Video Du page 14.
15:18. Alba returns to the nest.
15:21 Alba is calling.
15:23. Odin returns with with the half eaten fish that he took earlier.Alba takes the fish and shriek loudly while eating the fish
15:48. EJ has flown from the nest.
15:50. Alba has now also flown from the nest leaving us with ENS.
15:56. Moffer is train spotting and reports that it may have been what caused Cally to fly off earlier while she was eating on the nest: Scylla agrees with Moffer.
16:36. Still have ENS.
17:33. Alba pays the nest a quick visit after a lot of screeching.
17:46. Cally pays the nest a quick visit.
17:53. EJ on nest with Cally. EJ is going nuts and mantling.
17:57. EJ leaves, leaving Cally on the nest all alone.
18:00. Cally flies off leaving us with ENS.
18:16. Alba has returned to the nest. There is screaming in the background which might be Cally. Alba takes off again.
18:40. Cally drops in for a Quick visit.
18:45. Alba has returned to nest looks like she is hungry.
18:48. Cally has now arrived at the nest.
18:51. Call and Alba have now left the nest.
19:18. Juvenile calling loudly off the nest.
19:30. Still have ENS at LG nest.
19:33. Moffer posts that the girls are now being tracked on Google Earth. Thanks Moffer you're a star.
19:39. Alba returns to the nest.
19:42. Moffer is reporting sky dancing. ( Moffer I hope it doesn't hurt!) Alba is not sure what the noises are and she hits the deck! Video Du page 18.
19:57 The calling has stopped, but Alba is still down and looking all around her.
20:23 She's still down!
20:25 Alba's up - she chirps and starts calling.
20:27 She flies off, still calling.
22.02 EJ arrives with fish no. four and starts eating it as nobody else is home!
22:04 Night cam comes on, sadly reducing EJ's beautiful colours to mere shades of grey.
22:31 EJ leaves the nest, with her fish.
23:55 Birdsong posts a picture of a mysterious light glowing above the nest - insect or something stranger? Not sure about the Tinkerbell theory.
As another chapter comes to a close in the life and times of EJ, Odin and the Family we can reflect on what a busy day they have had today. Not a great fishing day for Odin - EJ brought in 3 fish to his one! Perhaps he felt that quality time on the nest with EJ was more important. Was he trying to tell EJ something with the stick and the moss? Only he knows!
Don't you just love them all? This is truly nature at it's best.
I would like to give thanks to all of you that have posted and put videos on the DU today. Without your help today's summary would not have been possible.
Thanks to you All.
Learning more every day about the bird heaven I live in.
Sunday 22nd July 2012
The Juveniles Caledonia and Alba spent the night away from the nest.
04.53 Day cam on
04.54 EJ arrives on the nest with left over fish from yesterday, and is quickly joined by Cally who gets it. ( Video by SCYLLA p.1)
05.25 Odin arrives with fish 1. This time Alba claims it.
06.04 Moffer reports that the first set of data for Cally and Alba is up on Google Earth (p.2 DU)
06.23 While Alba is trying to eat, struggling against the fierce wind, she is disturbed by something. (Video by MOFFER p.2.) She manages to finish the fish and flies off.
06.50 Enter EJ with one of her characteristic whoppers of a fish 2 – she mantles as she delivers it. Is this the same intruder that disturbed Alba? It’s difficult to tell.....(Video by SCYLLA and a still by MOFFER p.2).
Videos of the intruder captured by MOFFER and SCYLLA p.3. This bird is certainly persistent.
07.05 EJ finally gets to eat. Stills by MOFFER p.3., and a great still of the intruder flying soooo fast by SCYLLA p.3
07.49 EJ takes a nap. She has been looking tired throughout the feed and now’s her chance. Lovely still by MOFFER p.3 of EJ getting some shut-eye with her foot firmly planted on her fish : -)
07.49 The peace didn’t last long for EJ: enter Cally, who swiftly claims the fish and tucks in. (Video by MOFFER p.3).
07.53 EJ flies away, leaving Cally to eat and Alba to relax – but soon Alba flies too, staying nearby to keep an eye on her sister.....and the fish.
08.01 The intruder is still around. But Cally isn’t bothered and Alba is close by, shrieking at the top of her voice as usual. (Video by SCYLLA p.4).
08.47 Cally has had enough fish for now and cleans her beak. There’s plenty left so come on Alba, don’t be shy....(as if)
08.48 Alba doesn’t waste any time in flying in, together with EJ who then feeds her. (Video by MOFFER and stills by HERON p.4).
09.38 Intruder alert again. EJ is on the nest and the alarm goes on for 10 minutes. (Still by MOFFER p.5). Then all goes quiet again (apart from the loud buzz of the cam, that is)
10.15 Oh dear, here comes the intruder yet again. EJ alarms loudly and does her best to mantle in the strong wind. (video by MOFFER p.5)
10.42 Here’s dear Odin with fish 3! For all you Odin lovers out there, feast your eyes on Moffer’s video – he stays a good while next to EJ while she moves the fish to the centre of the nest. Both birds are buffeted by the wind. (Videos by MOFFER p.5 and MIMS p.6).
10.49 Both EJ and Odin remain on the nest and neither start on the fish. They are waiting patiently for Cally and Alba to brave the wind and join them. (Still by MIMS p.6).
10.50 Odin leaves.
11.29 EJ decides she has waited for the girls long enough and leaves, taking the fish with her. Hopefully they are all sheltering in the trees against the gale.
Meanwhile the winds howls, the cam buzzes, and ENS sets in........until......
14.15 EJ is heard alarm calling away from the nest.
14.36 More alarm calling – Cally lands on the nest. She briefly flies off then returns and does a balancing act and a mess-around with a stick. All good practice in this wind..... (Video by SCYLLA p.8).
14.41 Cally flies off again. She is heard ‘singing’ on the cam post.
14.47 More stick antics from Cally. The wind is so strong she just about manages to keep her balance. (Lovely Video by SCYLLA p.9).
15.02 Cally returns (hard to tell with the windswept feathers though) and lingers for a while, perhaps hoping for fish. (Video by MIMS p.9). Identity to be confirmed!!!
15.22 Cally chooses the right moment between gusts and leaves the nest. Yes, it was Cally after all.
15.25 Another post casts doubt on whether this is Cally or not. We’ll wait and see if a decision can be reached. It’s so difficult to tell as we depend mainly on the russet neck feathers to distinguish the girls, but the wind is so strong......ugh. Sigh.
15.46 Intruder alert. Cally (allowing for ID problems which persist) is already on the nest with mum, and knows how to keep still and quiet. EJ’s stare is admirable as she defends her nest, mantling and alarming. Then the ‘all clear’ seems to come when EJ relaxes into her one-legged stance. She then flies off. (Video by SCYLLA p.11)
16.00 Here’s Odin with fish 4. Cally gratefully snatches it and drags it away, then Odin flies off. She has started to mantle before he leaves and continues to do so, watching a bird from above fly in front and around. This appears to be an intruder. (Video by SCYLLA and Still by Heron77, p.11).
Cally enjoys this fish to herself and in a short time has polished the lot off including the tail. Poor Alba hasn’t had anything substantial so far, just a small feed by EJ earlier. (Video by SCYLLA p.12).
18.25 Alba flies to the nest and is her usual vocal self. She flies off a few minutes later after airing her lungs. Once again there is a question over ID, but with these conditions it is so hard to tell.
18.55 All three girls are back on the nest. Perhaps another fish is imminent. They are in full form now, three shrieking sopranos in the ‘Fish Overture’ – but it’s wonderful, albeit deafening, to hear the power in their voices! At one point EJ stops and the girls carry on. A lovely Still by MOFFER (p.14) shows EJ as the long suffering parent listening to the incessant noise her children are making. The expression on her face seems to say it all! The moment is also captured with Stills from BIRDSONG and SHEILAFE and Video by SCYLLA, all on p.14,
19.04 Odin arrives with fish 5. Alba manages to get it this time, but Cally pinches it. Meanwhile EJ decides to leave while the going’s good. Cally devours the fish and Alba has to be content with the tail end. When it’s gone, she’s still hungry. (Stills by BIRDSONG, SHEILAFE, BRENDA H and LIMPY; Videos by SCYLLA and MOFFER, all on p.15).
08.16 MOFFER adds a helpful fish report to the DU, p.16.
21.14 EJ returns to the nest and calls for supper.
21.15 Odin obliges and brings in fish 6 which EJ promptly flies off with but just as promptly returns. Perhaps she wanted to ‘flash’ the fish in front of the girls, who aren’t far away. Who knows! Once again she’s off with the fish, but when she returns again Alba is with her. At least Alba gets this one to herself – even if it doesn’t last long. (Videos by MOFFER p.17).
21.38 Alba leaves the nest.
21.41 EJ returns to check if there’s any fish left. No luck EJ. She does a bit of light housework and leaves.
22.10 Night cam on.
The nest is now empty. As before, the girls will probably roost in a nice tree somewhere near by. The wind has died down and hopefully ‘our’ dear osprey family will have a settled and uneventful night.
Many thanks to all who contributed to this summary with your posts, pics and videos. You bring their story to life
Monday 23rd July.
What a quiet day. We are seeing less and less of EJ and more of Odin. They could all be sitting close by, but without wide cam we do not know. Only 3 fish today, and one of those Odin ate! The season is moving on very quickly.
An empty nest again overnight. The wind has calmed down.
04.37 Day cam on and the wind is picking up.
05.28 One of the girls is tweeting and chirping, possibly from cam post. Video by Scylla page 1 DU
06.04 EJ arrives with a very big FISH number 1. Alba arrives and claims it. Video by Scylla page 1 DU
06.26 Cally has arrived on the nest. Alba clutches the fish and moves to the edge, after pushing her away. Video by Moffer page 2 DU Cally moves to the RHS of the nest in our blind spot. At some point soon, she flies, but we don't hear her because of the buzz.
06.47 Odin arrives with FISH number 2. Alba treats Odin like an intruder and is not best pleased. She mantles and screeches. Cally has flown so Odin starts to eat. Videos by Scylla/Moffer page 2 DU
06.58 Odin has finished his fish and Alba is still screeching, even louder when he looked at her! Pics by Moffer/Birdsong page 2 DU
07.00 Odin has flown. Now the nest is clear, Alba continues to eat.
07.08 Cally returns. She eyes up the fish but doesn't advance on it. She preens while Alba eats.
07.26 Cally leaves again.
07.51. Alba just can't manage anymore and flies off leaving a piece of fish on the nest.
08.12 Cally is back again, and claims Alba's leftover fish. Video by Scylla Page 3 DU
08.48 Cally has finished the fish and flown. ENS.
09.54 Cally has arrived on the nest. It looks like she is defending the nest! Video by Moffer page 5 DU
10.01 Cally leaves. Empty nest again.
Strong wind and the dreadful buzz are all that is heard. ENS for the rest of the morning.
12.24 One of the girls flies in with a chirrup, but stays only briefly, and stands out of view. The buzz returns.
13.06 Cally flies in with a happy chirrup and onto the cam post for a couple of minutes before landing on the nest. It's raining.
13.36 Cally flew away quietly.
14.08 Cally returns, but keeps her identity a secret for now, showing only her tail.
14.32 Cally comes into view and starts to call for fish. Pics Moffer/Birdsong/Cirrus page 8 DU
15.01 She is still waiting for fish. Video by Moffer page 9 DU
15.26 FISH number 3 delivered by Odin and snatched very noisily by Cally. Videos Scylla/Moffer page 10 DU pics by Moffer/Birdsong/Cirrus page 9 DU
15.35 Alba arrives. Cally is really not happy about it. video by Moffer page 10 DU Pics by Birdsong/Moffer same page. Alba does most of the shouting though, while she waits for leftovers.
16.38 Cally has moved off the fish. Alba doesn't waste a second grabbing it. She takes it to the edge of the nest, and then after Cally flies off, Alba watches someone going past, and then she starts to eat. Videos by Moffer/Scylla page 11 DU Alba moves around the nest holding the fish and balancing. Pics by TheBadgerOfLurve page 12 DU.
17.32 Nearing the end of the tail and Alba tries a couple of times to swallow it, but it's too big. The sun is shining! Video by Scylla page 12 DU and finally she flies off with it. video by Moffer page 12 DU
19.50 A quick visit from EJ with her sweet chirrup. Cally flew in and Alba called. EJ left.
20.31 Alba arrives on the nest and food screeches for 11 minutes before giving up and flying off. pics by Moffer/Limpy page 14 DU
21.05 Cally lands on the nest in beautiful evening sunshine and starts to call for fish. Pics by Moffer/Birdsong page 14 DU She stays calling for 16 minutes and leaves.
22.05 Night cam on.
Tuesday 24th July
Nice day at Loch Garten – not too windy, no rain and (almost) no buzz from the camera. In the whole, 5 fish have been delivered and the girls have fed well.
The day starts with an empty nest.
4.35 Day cam on.
4.46 An osprey can be heard calling, but cannot be seen.
4.48 Cally shortly on nest calling. Also Alba can be heard calling off nest. Then everything is quiet, but not for long…
5.25 Both girls can be heard again nagging loudly for fish – daddy, where is breakfast?
5.38 Cally is on the nest and Alba is calling off nest. Cally off again leaving an empty nest.
6.25 Alba lands on nest but stays only for a few minutes (video of landing by Moffer, DU p. 2).
7.15 Cally is back on the nest and starts calling. After ten minutes Alba joins in and Cally looks at Alba’s feet to see if she’s got any fish – no, Cally, your sister hasn’t learned fishing yet. They both nag for breakfast (video by Moffer, DU p. 2). Nice pictures of the two girls by Badgie (DU p. 3).
7.38 FISH #1! Big fish from EJ: Alba gets it, mantles over it and shouts loudly. Well done, Alba! (video by Moffer, DU p. 2). Sunny day + smeary lens means videos and pictures are not very clear and some details must be worked out in other ways, e.g. using the sounds – luckily, Alba’s voice is unmistakable.
7.41 Brief visit from Odin – he just lands and takes off, without delivering any fish, with much disappointment of Cally. As Scylla (DU p. 3) nicely put it: “Odin must have been on a late-season nest-checking mission”. Cally then tries to steal the fish from Alba, without success (video by Moffer, DU p. 3 and pics by Badgie, DU p. 4).
8.32 EJ lands on nest without fish. Poor Cally is disappointed again and makes sure that EJ knows that.
8.36 Alba kindly lets Cally have the fish (video by Moffer, DU p. 4) and then leaves.
9.00 EJ is back on the nest to defend it from an intruder. Cally is flat on her fish (video by Moffer, DU p. 5). While EJ waits for her part of the fish, Cally eats it and mantles every time EJ shows interest for it.
9.41 Cally moves away from the fish and EJ gets the tail.
10.23 FISH #2 from Odin! EJ is on the nest with a piece of fish, when Odin arrives with a new fish; they have a chat while waiting for the girls – since Cally and Alba don't turn up, Odin leaves taking his fish with him (video by Moffer, DU p. 7).
10.39 Good old Odin returns on the nest with the fish and Alba lands too, shouting at EJ and Odin – they both have a fish and she cannot decide which fish she should eat! What a dilemma (video by Moffer, DU p.7). At the end EJ starts feeding her. (Nice pictures of the three of them on the nest, DU p.7). Something flies high in the sky – they look at it without alarm calling.
10.58 Odin flies away with his fish. EJ goes on eating her fish while Alba is still distracted.
11.07 Odin flies back with his fish (unsure on what to do with it?) and finally leaves it there for Alba, while he does some nestoration.
11.10 Cally arrives and gets Odin’s fish from Alba. Alba turns to EJ again for fish, but still with an eye on Odin/Cally’s fish. EJ goes on eating her fish – she must be hungry. The video of the ‘whole saga’, as Moffer called it, is on DU p. 9 (by Moffer). Quite funny!
11.40 The party is over and everyone is off; Cally flies off with the remainder of her fish for the first time. ENS.
12.04 EJ lands on the nest to defend it, alarm calling and mantling (pictures of EJ by Cirrus, Birdsong, Badgie, DU p. 11; video by Moffer, DU p. 10).
12.43 Alba briefly on nest; otherwise everything is quiet.
13.03 FISH #3! From Odin. EJ flies on nest and a second later Odin arrives with a fish – EJ immediately gets it; she then starts calling the girls. No one shows up (video by Scylla and Moffer, DU p. 11).
13.08 Odin flies off, EJ patiently waits for the girls with the fish in her talons.
14.08 Finally Alba flies in and takes the fish from EJ, who couldn’t stand it anymore and flies off as fast as she can. Alba enjoys her fish undisturbed; just an osprey calling off nest every now and then, probably Cally.
14.51 EJ flies in with a… FISH-shaped stick! She finds some fish leftovers and eats them standing on the stick. Cally returns, thinking ‘mum has got a a fish!’, thus she gets very disappointed – as EJ flies off, Cally stares at the stick thinking ‘Can I eat that? Why has mum brought me a stick if I can’t eat it!?’ (video by Moffer, DU p. 13). Meanwhile Alba goes on eating her fish.
15.15 Cally on and off but always close to the nest waiting for food and sometimes calling.
15.54 FISH #4! From Odin. EJ and then Cally fly on nest a second before Odin. As Odin arrives with fish, Cally grabs the fish and mantles over it shouting loudly – too loudly! (video by Scylla, DU p. 13). Alba is back hoping there is fish for her too, but Cally’s got it: Alba’s concert begins – EJ flies off (videos by Scylla and Moffer, DU p. 13). Alba understands she’ll have to wait for a while if she wants to eat something, so she lies down and waits (noisily) while Cally eats.
17.37 Finally – after one hour and forty minutes! – Cally gives up the fish and leaves it to Alba. Alba attacks the fish.
18.27 Alba gives up the fish too and flies away.
18.31 FISH #5! From Odin. Odin flies in with fish, followed by Cally and EJ. EJ takes the fish first, but Cally is ready to steal it from her after a minute or so (video by Moffer, DU p. 15).
18.45 Alba arrives and… screams, of course! Again she has to wait until her sister has eaten her part, hoping that there will be something left for her.
19.20 While wandering about the nest, Alba finds a piece of an old fish and wonders if it is eatable.
19.23 Cally flies away – Alba takes a minute to realise that the bit of fish left by Cally is better than the old one she is fighting with (video by Moffer, DU p. 16; beautiful pics of Alba by Badgie, DU p.16).
19.56 EJ is back on the nest cleaning and tiding up, hoping to find leftovers. She then finds a tail? and eats it.
20.36 EJ leaves, and the nest remains empty.
22.03 Night cam on. Quiet evening at Loch Garten – the nest is empty.
Thanks everyone for posting on DU comments, pictures and videos, without which this summary would not have been possible.
Please do let me know if there are mistakes in the summary.
WEDNESDAY 25 JULY S U M M A R Y
FISH COUNT FOR TODAY = 7
DAYS SINCE FLEDGING = 11
Empty nest overnight – Nice sunny morning @ LG
04.38 Day Cam On
05.25 Sky Dancing reported Video Page 1 DU
07.12 FISH 1 – Courtesy of Odin - Video Page 3 DU
07.13 Alba & Caledonia dispute over Fish - Video Page 3 DU
07.38 Alba tries to get fish – Video Page 3 DU
07.57 Alba gets tail end of fish – Video Page 4 DU
10.24 All quiet until Alba flies in.
10.40 Birdsong&Moffer posts photo of Alba – Page 6 DU
10.54 Alba Leaves – Video Page 6 DU
12.12 Quick visit from Caledonia – Video Page 6 DU
12.50 FISH 2 – Courtesy of EJ – Alba flies off with it – Video Page 8 DU
13.05 FISH 3 – Courtesy of Odin – EJ grabs it - Video Page 8 DU
14.20 Nice captures - Page 8 DU
15.04 Caledonia is screeching for Scotland - Video Page 9 DU
15.41 FISH 4 - Courtesy of Odin - Video Page 10 DU
15.50 EJ leaves & Caledonia flies of with Fish - Video Page 9 DU
15.54 Moffer commented that both Caledonia & Alba are
eating off the nest now.
19.52 Empty nest syndome since last fish delivery
20.29 FISH 5 - Courtesy of Odin - Caledonia takes ownership
- Video Page 11 DU
20.34 Caledonia & Alba have stand off over fish - Video Page 11 DU
20.34 Birdsong posts two nice captures, Alba is staring at Caledonia in
the hope of getting some fish. - Page 11 DU
21.28 TBoL posts a lovely set of Captures - Page 12 DU
21.40 FISH 6 - Courtesy of the Magnificant Odin - Video Page 13 DU
21.53 Nightcam on.
21.56 FISH 7 - Courtesy of the Wonderful Odin - Video Page 14 DU
21.59 Lovely capture from Scylla of Odin landing on nest - Page 13 DU
I have been out for most of the day so hence the bare summary, however I do think I have included the main events of the day, if I have missed anything please feel free to add.
This season has been full of UPS and DOWNS and has "flown" past so quickly, it will soon be time to say goodbye to our Osprey Family, so we are counting down the days to waving goodbye, here are a few Migration dates from last year, so you can see just how little time we have left to enjoy these wonderful birds.
Tore - migrated 17th August 2011
EJ - migrated 19th August 2011
Bynack - migrated 21st August 2011
Odin - migrated 22nd August 2011
Rothiemurchus Red 8T
Thursday 26th July 2012
Good evening all! After a beautifully romantic scene with EJ and Odin on the nest last night - with the perfect lover's gift of a fish - we had a quiet night! What happens next? Read on.........
04.49 Scylla's terrific captures show a nest wreathed in mist and the day cam has just come on - but not a bird in sight. A minute later the mist starts to turn golden as sunlight catches it. A buzzard can be heard in the background.
05.09 An osprey can be heard calling near the nest. Still no sight of one, though. A few minutes later a corvid replies - an osprey answers five minutes later, from further away - perhaps that is what, in the world of birds, passes for a long distance conversation.
05.55 Beautiful captures from Birdsong show a lovely sunny morning shaping up nicely......but where are our birds? There is neither sight nor sound of them.
06.32 Our first sighting of the day is Cally - she lands on the nest, calling. Odin then appears with FISH 1 - in a twinkling Cally grabs it and mantles impressively over it as Odin makes himself scarce. A minute later she flies off with it. Lovely video from Moffer, DU p.2
07.57 Lots of Osprey noises in the distance - is it a family party or Alba's empty stomach?
08.21 Another video from Moffer shows an osprey flying over the nest, calling - rather too quickly for an identity to be established.
08.29 After much calling, Alba makes her grand appearance on the nest! She basks beautifully in the sunlight - naturally while making a racket - only to leave two minutes later! What a tease........see Scylla's video, DU p.3
10.19 A thump sounds from the cam post as someone lands on it. What sounds like fish begging calls issue from the unseen presence, or could it be something else?
10.32 Odin lands on the nest and EJ can be heard alarm calling in the background. A note on the blog says there could be an intruder about! He flies off a couple of minutes later. Some doubt is then cast on whether it was actually Odin! There are two videos on the DU, page 4 to help you decide. It is later confirmed on page 13 of the DU that it was an intruder!!
11.14 Everybody watching shrieks in horror as the webcam goes down! Two minutes later it's back up, much to the collective relief of a multitude of Ospreyholics. Including me.
11.43 Moffer posts a lovely video from May 8th - it shows EJ returning to the nest after a break, and Odin demonstrating his usual reluctance to get off the eggs! DU, page 6.
12.03 Someone lands on the cam post - two minutes later they're gone again. There is calling in the distance.
13.30 Odin the Magnificent brings FISH 2 - Cally has again managed to land just ahead of him and she pounces on the fish as Odin goes into shock at her sheer speed! Odin recovers and flies off, followed by Cally with her fish. Poor Alba then lands, but too late. Understandably, she makes a racket. Video from the excellent Moffer on the DU, page 7.
13.44 EJ the Beautiful comes to the rescue with FISH 3! A frankly chaotic capture from Limpy appears to show a multi-winged thing on the nest - happily it turns out to be EJ and a very hungry Alba, who at last has a fish! Picture on DU, page 8.
13.56 Alba flies off with her fish after generously staying on the nest to be thoroughly admired for more than 10 minutes! Video on DU, page 8.
14.18 EJ is on the nest and she's food calling. She stays for a while and then flies off at 14.36.
16.44 Alba is on the nest - silently, for once! - she can't keep it up and flies off a few minutes later. Never mind, Alba, it gets easier with age!
16.58 Moffer's video demonstrates that Alba exhausted all her racket prior to landing! DU, page 9
17.46 Odin arrives with FISH 4 - Alba arrives right on his heels but failed to grab the fish quickly and Odin flies off with it! Alba is left looking at her feet, wondering why there isn't a fish there! Video on DU, page 10 (thank you, Scylla the Magnificent).
18.15 Sugar posts to alert everyone to a new Blog - thanks, Sugar! - and the amazing news that one of the girls has had a go at fishing! Wonder if they were successful?
18.21 Alba is still on the nest. She quietens down and then lays down on the nest! How lovely - we haven't seen her do this for a while.
18.29 All becometh clear! Odin arrives with the fish - minus it's head - and Alba grabs it. Cally then arrives on the nest - Alba mantles over her fish and Odin flees for cover. Cally tries to get to the fish but Alba's mantling and defending it very well....she just really needs to get down to actually eating it. Which she eventually does, happily - a resigned Cally retreats. Video on DU, page 12.
18.41 Alicat posts the picture everyone has been waiting for - a beautiful capture from the Wide View cam, which is now working! Impromptu parties spring up everywhere as this happy fact sinks into everybody who has been missing it - that's a lot of people, then. Many thanks to the Osprey Centre staff for working this miracle.
19.00 Alba defends her fish rather forcefully, dislodging feathers in the process! Video on DU, page 13.
19.17 Alba is still eating while Cally lurks - one of her wing feathers is sticking up at a most improbable angle. Lovely capture from Birdsong on the DU, page 13.
19.50 EJ arrives with FISH 5! Cally grabs it while Alba continues with the remains of fish 4. EJ does an Odin and makes a quick getaway. Video on DU, page 13.
20.03 Alba flies off, leaving Cally to her fish. Cally finishes it, cleans her beak and flies off at 20.08.
21.32 A teenager with the hump appears on the nest - whoops, it's one of the girls! She disappears before she can be identified.
22.07 The night cam comes on.
Another lovely day at LG - five fish (that we saw!) and rumours of one of the girls going after their own! I can definitely smell migration in the air now....and it's still only July. Surely our lovely family aren't leaving this early? Let's hope we find that out later rather than sooner.
Many thanks, as always, to everybody who has contributed to the DU. You're all wonderful.
Accountants of the world unite!
Friday 27th July.
As Tiger pointed out, Cally is 72 days old and Alba is 70 days old today. The time is moving on so quickly. The earliest a chick has started migration in recent years from LG is 79 days both in 2004 and 2009. Tiger and Chloe's Migration Chart shows much more.
A quiet Osprey-less night on the nest. The birds are roosting in trees nearby.
05.38 FISH number 1 delivered by EJ. Cally flies in quickly to take it. Video by Moffer page 1.
05.57 Cally is tucking into her fish. Alba can be heard calling in the distance. Pics by Moffer/Birdsong page 1.
06.14 FISH number 2 delivered by EJ. Alba flies in for it. Video by Moffer, page 1. Pics by Birdsong/Moffer page 1. Both girls eat happily and SILENTLY on the nest!
06.33. Some lovely chirrups from Cally as she leaves the nest. Video by Moffer page 2.
06.54 Cally returns to the nest and finds some fish that she left. Pics by Birdsong/Patily/Moffer.
07.06 Odin arrives in a blaze of sunshine. We cannot see if he has fish, but the girls are not happy to see him and mantle over their respective fish. Odin doesn't hang around. Video by Moffer Page 3. Pics by Birdsong/Scylla.
07.46 Live cam went down
07.47 Live cam is back with the buzz. Alba is still on the nest, but in the very bright sunshine we can hardly see the her. There is a lovely shadow on the nest from her. Video by Scylla page 3.
08.15 Cally returns to the nest and picks up her old fish tail and starts to eat it. Alba is clutching her fish tail having not moved from the nest. Pic by Moffer page 3
08.34 Cally leaves the fish tail and nest followed shortly by Alba who does the same.
08.36 Odin (we think) flies in and takes Cally's fish tail and leaves. Video by Moffer page 4.
09.02 Odin (we're quite sure) comes back and takes Alba's fish tail and leaves. Video by Moffer page 4. Scylla posts some comparison shots between yesterday's definite Odin, and today's bird. page 4.
09.17 Odin (yes it's Odin) returns to the nest, does some stick moving and finds another scrap of fish. Video by Moffer page 4
09.24 Odin leaves.
09.38 EJ lands on the nest with a part eaten FISH (number 3) alarm calling. Video by Scylla page 5. pics by Limpy/Birdsong.
10.14 EJ stops alarm calling and leaves the nest with her fish.
10.29 Alicat asks about moving the wide cam on the blog. Well done Alicat.
11.25 Odin arrives on the nest with part FISH number 4. He waits peeping softly for a couple of minutes and leaves taking the fish with him. Video by Moffer page 7. Pic by Birdsong.
11.28 Alicat posts that there is a new BLOG. by Richard Thaxton. Here is the first part!!! LOL.
As you will have noticed, I trust, the wide camera shot is back up and running, for now at least, he says with crossed fingers.
To fix it, in the dark, I carefully crawled out on my stomach, across the bog, slowly inching my way toward the nest, through clouds of murderous blood-sucking midges. Halfway out, I was stopped in my tracks by something moving ahead of me in the gloom and on straining to see in the darkness, I found myself confronted by a huge imperious red deer stag standing over me, threatening. At this point, completely terrified, I remembered that scene in the film Crocodile Dundee, when Mick points his fingers at that buffalo and hypnotises it, getting it to sink to the ground and sleep, so I though this is my only chance, I'd better give it a go......
I'm guessing that you've rumbled me by now, right? Believe that and you'll believe anything.
Thank you Richard for the information and Alicat for raising the point.
13.03 EJ arrives on the nest with a part FISH. It's not a big piece, followed by Alba who begs to be fed. EJ feeds her. It could possibly be the end of fish 3. Video by Moffer page 8. Pics by Birdsong/Moffer page 7
13.21 EJ leaves after all the fish is consumed.
13.22 Alba flies off with a bunch of dried grass - very skilfully picked up ;-) wonderful Video by Scylla page 7
14.07 A wide cam shot of one of the girls on the campost is posted. (Thank goodness for wide cam) page 8. The buzz is really bad now :o( but there are intermittent spells of clarity. Juvenile Osprey sounds can be heard.
Nearly 3 hours of Empty Nest Syndrome with occasional sound, hearing the girls calling, but mostly the dratted BUZZ. It is very windy with sunny spells/cloud.
16.52 Cally lands on the nest, Alba follows soon after. Cally only stayed for a minute but Alba stayed for 8 minutes.
17.26 Cally lands on the campost. Alba lands on the nest a few minutes after. Pics by Birdsong/Moffer page 9
18.13 Cally is back on the campost. Some great pics by Birdsong showing Cally and her nest shadow while on the post. Page 9. She jumps down onto the nest and Alba joins her.
18.20 Alba leaves and Cally calls.
18.24 FISH number 5 delivered by Odin. Alba flew straight in behind him, but too late. Cally has the fish. Video by Moffer page 9. Pics by SheilaFE page 10.
18.26 Cally flies off with her fish. Alba waits to see if she will get one too. Pics by SheilaFE/Moffer pages 10/11.
19.34 Alba gets fed up of waiting for a fish and flies off.
19.40 Alba is back and waiting again. She has got patience, that one. Pics by Limpy/Moffer page 10
20.18 Alba flies of calling.
20.44 Alba is back and calling for food, then gone, and back again, and flown. Pics by Birdsong/Moffer page 12
22.07 Night cam on and not a sign of any of our family.
Saturday.28.July.2012.
Cally has now reached the age of 73 days old and Alba has reached the age of 71 days old. They are now spending less and less time at the nest so it's a real bonus when we do see them! It really feels now as though EJ will be leaving very soon - in fact, I've got a feeling she will head south in early August, though obviously I hope I'm wrong! When she does, though, I'm certainly going to look forward to seeing her back at LG next year - she's got such a history here now and she will surely be looking for Odin, who knows exactly where to look for his favourite lady!. LG without ?Odin and EJ Possible, but unthinkable. Anyway, on to today's events.
00:01 ENS (Empty Nest Syndrome) ruling OK at the moment - it's been this way since around 9pm yesterday. Thanks to Birdsong for starting the thread.
05:04 Cally lands on the nest just ahead of EJ, who brings FISH number 1 - Cally takes it from her. A minute later, Alba lands but Cally holds onto the fish. EJ flies off. At 05:31 Cally allows Alba to take what is left of the fish - still quite a lot - and Cally flies off a minute later. Video on DU, page 1 - courtesy of Scylla and Moffer.
05:42 EJ arrives with FISH number 2 - Alba promptly mantles over her fish. EJ waits a minute and then starts eating her fish herself. Sensible. Video on DU, page 1.
05:55 Cally heard making eating noises off cam!
06:12 Cally lands on the nest. She makes no move for either fish until 06:33, when EJ starts feeding her. Video on DU, page 1. When was the last time Page 1 was this busy?
07:05 Cally flies off. EJ and Alba still have plenty of fish left. Video from Moffer on DU, page 1.
07:11 Odin flies in with FISH number 3! This is all starting to look very fishy to me. He waits with it for a few minutes and then flies off with it.
07:26 All fished out! EJ is now just holding her fish while Alba has dozed off. Hopefully it won't be a flat fish when she wakes up!
07:34 Cally flies in for more and EJ starts feeding her. Video on DU, page 2.
07:37 Alba starts eating again. At 07:56 she's finally finished - she leaves the fish, cleans her beak and flies off. Her wings must be even stronger than I thought! Video on DU, page 2.
08:00 Cally flies off, leaving EJ surrounded by levftoer fish - what a luxurious situation for an osprey!
08:26 She starts to call the girls, softly. At 08:44, after no response, she starts calling a bit louder.
09:13 EJ finally flies off, taking her piece of fish with her. Alba is still on the nest. 10:41 Mims posts a picture of a delightful red squirrel on the LG feeder. Thank you, Mims! DU, page 3.
10:41 EJ arrives back on the nest, still with her remaining fish. Alba (or is it Cally?) joins her and, chee Video on DU, page 2.kily, she picks up the other leftover fish while accepting more fish from EJ! Video on DU, page 3.
10:55 Doggie posts a link to a terrific video showing an osprey at the Ken Dee reserve successfully landing an enormous carp! This is a must see. Thanks, Doggie!
11:00 Alba (or Cally) flies off with the fish. EJ watches her go with an almost sad expression on her face - picture beautifully captured by NiteOwl. DU, page 4
11:55 EJ starts mantling and screeching at an intruder. She calms down after a couple of minutes.
12:13 It's raining heavily. EJ huddles over her fish. She has enough and flies off at 12:26. This means......ENS! Video of take-off from Mims on DU, page 6.
13:26 EJ returns, still with her leftover fish - she starts calling the girls. Happily the rain has stopped. She's joined by Cally. Two minutes later Odin arrives with FISH number 4! EJ starts feeding Cally from her leftover; Odin leaves his fish on the nest, where EJ grabs it and leaves her leftover laying next to her. Odin flies off. Video on DU, page 7.
13:43 Alba arrives on the nest. Cally had eaten her fill and stands back to let Alba approach EJ, who starts feeding her. Cally flies off, after giving a delightful chirp.
14:02 EJ finally gets the fish to herself and tucks in. Alba scrounges a bit more before flying off at 14:08. Video on DU, page 7.
14:35 EJ's peace and quiet is broken by Cally, who lands on the nest making a racket! EJ ignores her and eats some more fish.
14:39 It starts raining again.
14:48 Cally starts eating from a fish tail Alba left on the nest earlier. Alba arrives and starts moaning. Video of EJ eating on the DU, page 9
15:08 Cally and EJ still eating! A few minutes later Cally flies off and EJ starts feeding Alba. The rain stops again and the sun starts to make an appearance.
15:22 The fish appears to be all gone, finally! EJ has left the nest and Alba is throwing a paddy. Happily, she's making much less noise. She flies off after a minute, and ENS settles in.
16:02 Mims posts a video showing Alba shrieking with her mouth full! DU, page 10
16:04 Odin lands and does some nestorising. Video from Moffer on the DU, page 10.
16:11 Odin has done his chores and flies off - yes you have guessed it, ENS.
19:24 Cally returns to the nest and starts to make a racket.
19:29 Cally has had enough and leaves, leaving us wiith ENS. Video from Moffer DU,page 11.
19:48 Moffer posts a picture of of Google Earth showing the satellite tracking of Cally and Alba ;Moffer also advises that it has been updated.
20:25 Cally arrives at the nest closely followed by Odin with a FISH number 5. It's a real tiddler and it is wriggling like mad in Odin's talons. Cally takes the fish and Odin takes off. Picture by Moffer and Birdsong Video by Scylla DU page 11.
20:34 Cally has eaten the tiddler and leaves. And yes it is back to ENS. Video by Moffer DU page 12.
21:48 ENS. Night cam came on.
Well all, as another day draws to a close I now believe time will be short before EJ ODIN CALLY and ALBA depart on the long journey ahead so in some ways we have a sad day ahead.
Fish deliveries today: Fish 1 - 05:04, EJ. Fish 2 - 05:42, EJ. Fish 3 - 07:11,ODIN. Fish 4 -13:26, ODIN. Fish 5 - 20:25, ODIN.
Thank you to Moffer for yesterday's summary, excellent as usual. I would like to give thanks to all of you that have posted and put videos on the DU today. Without your help today's summary would not have been possible.
Sunday 29th July 2012
A quiet night off the nest with Caledonia and Alba roosting in the trees.
05.36 One of the juves is heard flying past the nest and calling. Video by Moffer (p.1)
06.02 A noisy Alba arrives. Stills by Moffer and Birdsong, Video by Moffer (all on p.1)
06.54 Cally has joined the nest and on flying off gives Alba a bit of a fright! Video by Moffer(p.2). The girls continue to call, loudly, for breakfast. Lovely Stills by Moffer and Scylla, Video by Scylla (p.2).
07.06 Cally is fed up of waiting and flies off, shortly followed by Alba.
07.26 Alba returns.....mmmm, has she been up to something? Those tail feathers look suspiciously wet and her undercarriage a bit damp. A dip in the loch perhaps? Or fishing practice? Videos by Moffer (p.2)
07.52 Empty nest. All has been quiet for a while now.
08.14 Here’s Odin with....nothing. But for us, it’s always good to see The Magnificent. Video by Moffer (p.3). He leaves in a short while.
08.28 Odin flies back in again – fishless. Cally and Alba’s hopes are dashed....again! Video by Moffer and a lovely Still of the girls hanging their heads (seemingly) in disappointment by Limpy (all on p.3).
08.37 Fish 1 by EJ. A tussle ensues. EJ is having nothing to do with it and quickly leaves the scene. Alba, who was first to get to the fish, hangs on to it for dear life, and a warning ‘grunt’ from her is enough to deter Cally who decides to wait. Stills by Birdsong and Video by Moffer (p.4).
08.59 A lovely Still of a bushy tailed red squirrel is posted by Birdsong on p.5. Meanwhile a put-out Cally waits and watches for Odin. Where’s my fish then? Stills by Limpy and Moffer (p.5).
09.54 Alba is still eating and Cally is now getting very impatient. She lurks around the nest trying to be inconspicuous e.g. preening whilst getting closer to Alba and keeping her eye on that fish! Video by Moffer (p.6) and Mims (p.7) , Stills by Mims (p.6).
10.44 At last Alba has finished eating and moves away. Cally doesn’t waste any time claiming the remains of the fish, which is still a good size. At first it seems she will fly off with it, but decides to ‘eat in’. Stills by Birdsong and Mims, Video by Mims (p.7).
11.08 Caledonia flies off, taking the remains of the fish with her.
11.17 A short clip of Cally tackling the fish is posted by Mims (p.8).
11.19 EJ flies in and looks for leftover scraps. She finds a few, and does a little housework in between beakfuls. A lovely Close up of EJ is posted by Birdsong, and a Video of EJ’s visit by Moffer (all on p.8).
12.42 EJ lands on the nest and finds some more fish scraps. A minute or so later Cally turns up with a flurry of wings and EJ immediately leaves. After a quick look around Cally flies away again. Video by Moffer (p.9).
An empty nest with the sound of (distant) chirrups from the family and (nearby) splashes of water from the rain. Sigh.
13.55 EJ flies in and Odin immediately arrives with headless fish 2. THIS IS THE 400th FISH OF THE SEASON. EJ snatches the fish like lightening and is off with it. Odin potters for a while and does some vigorous nestoration . Videos by Moffer and Mims (p.9) Later on it was posted on the main blog that around this time dear Odin had been skydancing for his lady EJ. It seems to have aroused her passion......for fish
14.00 Cally arrives, loudly calling. She must have seen Odin and now wants a fish. She complains loudly, standing one leg for good measure. Stills by Limpy and Mims, Video by Mims (all on p.9).
14.53 Cally returns to the nest. Perhaps she’s been mooching around the trees trying to find where EJ is eating.
15.24 It’s been raining heavily and Caledonia has remained steadfast on the nest. Perhaps she’s too wet to fly away, or maybe just knows that if she stays put she’ll be first on the scene to grab a fish from Odin’s talons. Around half an hour later the sun comes out and, along with Cally, we all hope a fish arrives soon. Stills by Birdsong (p.10).
16.09 Cally decides to fly off – but not far, just onto the cam post. Perhaps her voice will carry better from there. Lovely Still from the wide cam by Birdsong , and Close-ups by Limpy and Scylla (all on p.11).
17.45 Cally leaves for the trees (we presume) this time.
19.26 EJ with fish 3 – Cally is there immediately and wrenches the fish from EJ’s talons, mantling over it – no way is anyone getting it this time. EJ leaves and a few seconds later Cally flies off too.
20.55 Scylla posts a video of the earlier snatch -and-grab by EJ of Odin’s fish, as it contains the sound of Odin’s sky dancing. Lovely to hear and well worth a listen.
21.29 Fish 4 by Odin to EJ. At this point there seems to be an intruder about as EJ mantles and alarm calls can be heard. One of the girls is close by. Odin leaves. Video by Moffer and Stills by Birdsong (p.13).
21.32 EJ flies off and takes the fish with her.
21.47 One of the girls is heard screeching from the cam post. Could this be Alba who hasn’t been seen, only heard, for some time?
21.49 The bird that is heard jumps onto the nest – and it’s Cally. Alba is reckoned to be the hungrier of the two, having not been observed eating since morning, but the voice is recognised as Cally’s. I wonder if Alba has been eating at another time out of sight in a tree? I hope so because if not she must be very hungry by now. Stills by Limpy and Moffer (p.13). Video by Moffer (p.14).
21.51 Caledonia flies off and it’s quiet again.
21.51 Night cam on.
10.24 It starts to rain. The nest remains empty and no doubt our dear family are tucked up in the trees beyond for the night. Sweet, er, fishy dreams dear Ospreys.
FISH TOTAL = 4
AGE: Caledonia = 74 days old
Alba =72 days old
Thank you all for your posts, lovely stills and videos. You bring their story to life.
Monday 30th July 2012Here's a summary of events at LG for the above date. As usual please feel free to correct any errors.The overnight period is a quiet one, as Caledonia and Alba roost in the trees.04.48: Daycam on.05.18: Screeching is heard, close to the nest.05.32: By this time its discovered that both girls are screeching05.35: Excellent pics posted of Caledonia on the nest. (DU p1)05.41: Alba joins her sister. Great vid posted (DU p1)06.06: Both girls fly off. Vid posted (DU p2) A possible alarm call is also heard.06.40: The girls return to the nest.06.43: FISH #1. Delivered by EJ. Caledonia takes posession. Video of delivery posted (DU p2)06.58: Alba manages to grab some fish. Great vid of this event (DU p2)07.17: Vid posted of EJ The Phenomenal bringing FISH #2 (DU p3)07.28: Great pic posted from the wide cam of both youngsters eating a fish each (DU p3)07.44: Cally flies off, leaving her fish on the nest. Vid posted (DU p3)07.52: Video posted. EJ brings FISH #3. (DU p3). As the girls have fish of their own, EJ enjoys a well deserved meal.08.46: Despite being quite adept at feeding herself now, and having had plenty to eat, Caledonia begs her mum to feed her. EJ ignores her.09.14: Caledonia is pictured nearly standing on a piece of fish, as EJ feeds her from another fish. (DU p5)10.02: A lovely picture of tranquility posted. EJ looks stately as she stands on the nest. Alba quietly mutters to the remains of her fish (DU p6)10.22: Video. Alba finally finishes eating, and flies off, leaving just a little skin and tail fin from a huge fish. (DU p6)10.30: A fantastic wide-cam pic. Caledonia spots Alba's leftovers, and lands on the nest (DU p6)10.37: EJ mantles, at a nest fly past. She and Caledonia closely watch someone.12.26: Skydancing! (I tend to think of this as an Osprey guitar solo)12.28: Odin completes his riff by landing with FISH #4. It begins to rain. Great pics posted of Odin (DU p7)12.30: Its raining hard at this point, so Odin flies off with the unclaimed fish. A video is posted of the skydancing, landing, and flying away (DU p8).12.46: Alba lands on the nest. EJ arrives with a fish. She gives this to Alba.12.50: EJ flies off, and is replaced on the nest by the oldest of the 2012 brood. Vid posted (DU p8)12.57: Odin returns with Fish 4. Caledonia grabs this. Video (DU p8) There's a kerfuffle and Alba shouts the odds for a long time, despite the fact she has a fish and nobody is threatening to take it.15.22: Its raining again. Alba decides to start eating the fish EJ gave her at 12.46.16.19: Caledonia arrives to join her sister. Picture posted (DU p9)16.31: Caledonia flies off.17.02: Alba finally manages to finish her fish, over 4 hours after it was given to her by EJ.17.14: After hours on the nest. Alba flies off.17.22: The leftovers of Alba's last fish are claimed by the newly arrived Caledonia. Great pic posted of her landing (DU p10) 19.10: Someone is heard screeching out of sight.20.27: It's quiet on the nest, and the nest is empty.21.54: The night cam comes on.
Total Fish = 4
Ages of chicks: Caledonia: 75 Days Alba 73: Days.
Many thanks to everyone who posted on today's Daily Update. Without the posts, pics, and vids, this summary wouldn't be possibe.Paul.
Warning! This post contains atrocious spelling, and terrible grammar. Approach with extreme edginess.
Tuesday 31 July 2012
Thank you Heron for your excellent Summary the nest on 29 July 2012
Thanks to Birdsong for starting the Daily Update for today which began with yet another empty nest. We have a day with very little activity, a lot of ENS and quite a bit of calling for fish!
Twelve days ago was a nine fish day. What will today bring?
04.38 Day cam came and revealed a beautiful misty morning. Scylla's still pics posted at 07.39 p.1 DU are beautiful. Oh for a cloth and Windolene.
05.27 Cally landed, calling loudly. Scylla's still posted 07.39.
05.58 Fish 1 EJ brings in Fish 1 to a screaming Cally, another bird flew over, but not identified. Scylla's vid posted 07.39.
06.32 Fish 2 Alba arrives calling loudly, EJ arrives chirruping quietly with a very alive fish. Cally still has her fish. EJ begins to eat the fish. Alba grumbles and picks up scraps until EJ starts to feed her. Scylla's vid posted 07.39.
07.08 Further beautiful stills DU p.1 posted by patily of both Cally and Alba on the nest with EJ. Both youngsters appeared to be eating. Another still photo from patily at 07.14 showed Alba and EJ on the nest, and then EJ beak cleaning after Alba had flown off.
08.04 EJ is heard making very very soft calls, and then she shows herself , still holding part of the fish. Scylla's vid and still posted 07.39.
0814 EJ is joined on the nest by Odin, both chirrup quietly. Odin makes a slow move towards the fish held by EJ, but she flaps him away. Scylla's vid posted 08.16
08.26 EJ and Odin are still together on the nest, having a quiet moment without the kids. The sun is shining brightly. Clare's still, p1 DU, and Scylla's wide cam still posted at
08.29 p.1 DU. As lovely as it is to see the sun, it really caused quite a flare on the lens at this time of day.
08.41 EJ flew off, leaving Odin alone on the nest. A few minutes later Odin also left. ENS! Birdsong's pics posted p.2 DU.
09.13 Odin returned to sit on the campost (not compost!) in the morning sunshine and a few minutes later he left. Moffer ID'd (thank you Moffer!) Scylla's vid and Limpy posted pics p.3 DU.
Another period of Empty Nest Syndrom (ENS).
09.48 Cally and Alba returned to the nest and fell to the floor as Odin gave an intruder alarm. Both youngsters lay flat and pretended they could not be seen but one stood up, mantled and called in defence. It could have been Cally, but again the light made it difficult to id. Scylla, Limpy and birdsong pics p.3 DU. Scylla's vid p.4 DU.
09.57 Both Cally and Alba deem it is safe, and leave the nest. Limpy widecam still p.4 DU.
We endured a couple of hours of ENS (Empty Nest Syndrome)
12.04 Fish 3 A Juvenile lands on the nest. EJ delivers a fish which is grabbed by a juvenile, possibly Alba, who take the fish off the nest to eat. Scylla vid posted at 12.06, and stills at 12.17 p.4 DU.
Apart from the occasional call and chirp, verging on alarm call from away from the nest, the nest itself was very quiet until after five o'clock.
Generally a confusing hour!!
17.22 The question was asked 1720hr whatever is going on??? There was a juvenile lying quietly on the nest, and another standing on campost, but it was difficult to id the latter. Scylla pics and vid p.5 DU.
After Scylla posted a vid p.5 DU it became clearer. Odin gave an alarm call. Cally on the post and Alba on the nest had both been defending the nest following Odin's intruder alert. Alert over, Alba lay down in the nest and Cally remained on the post.
17.47 A serious Intruder Alert, with Alba defending on the nest and Cally on campost. Scylla pic p.5 and vid (when Alba 'flaps flat'). DU p.6 from pic Scylla at 17.50, wide cam pic Limpy 17.53. Interesting pic from Scylla 17.54 of Cally's wing feathers!
There was much too-ing and fro-ing of both of our girls for the nest half hour or so, calling for fish.
18.14 Cally joined Alba on the nest. Scylla vid p.7 DU posted at 18.25.
18.20 Lovely wide cam pic from Scylla of Cally and Alba both on the nest in the early evening sun (a rare commodity this summer).
18.33 One juvenile was reported to be on the nest, but which? Possibly Cally.
19.07 Odin gave a brief intruder chirrup, but Cally who was on the nest at the time, didn't react. She just moved sticks around the nest and grumbled. Alba called off the nest. birdsong pic posted at 19.13.
19.15 Alba joined Cally on the nest, and both called for fish. Alba had a tantrum, moving sticks and stomping about before flying off leaving Cally watching her flight. Cally left and landed on campost (birdsong pic posted at 19.29).
19.17 After a brief visit by one of the juveniles to the cam post, it was back to ENS. birdsong pic posted at 19.19.
19.29 Cally returns to the cam post birdsong pic posted at 19.29.
19.43 Fish 4 delivered by EJ. The fish was taken by Cally who flew off with it. Pic from birdsong p.7, vids from Scylla posted at 19.52 p.8 DU.
19.53 And sadly back to ENS once more.
20.08 Cally flew back to the nest, fishless, and called noisily. Why? Was it Alba who took the fish after all? And then she left. Pic from Limpy and two vid and pic from Scylla p.8 DU.
There was some confusion about which girl got the fish delivered at 19.43. Scylla devoted time to scanning her videos and reported "I can't find any more fish deliveries, or any more visits to the nest. Alba was on the nest quite a while, with Cally on the campost some of the time, before the intruder arrived. Pity no-one was around to capture the stillcam at that time. I wonder if Alba shared Cally's 1943hr fish, or if she was fed separately off-nest? Surely we would have seen her protesting if she were hungry."
20.23 Both Cally and Alba return to the nest calling for supper. Cally flew off the nest a minute or two later. Odin is heard to call briefly, Alba looked up and followed Cally off the nest. pic from SheilaFE 20.26 and birdsong at 20.30 DU p.8. Back to ENS.
21.39 & 21.49 Two pics posted by Limpy, ENS. Night cam was on by 21.49.
Four fish delivered by EJ today, and none from Odin, although he was seen visiting the nest.
The camera lens has become so blurred it is increasingly difficult to id Cally and Alba, particularly when they are on the nest individually. At this time of the season the nest is more often empty than not, and visits are often brief. For this reason I am very grateful to those who have contributed to the Daily Update. Without these contributions I would not have been able to write this Summary. Please feel free to let me know of any mistakes. I have not watched regularly throughout the day, and this summary is my interpretation of contributions to the DU. Particular thanks must go to scylla whose wonderful contributions of videos and scientific analyses of various situations have helped us all. And my best wishes to moffer, who has also contributed hugely to this thread throughout the season, for a speedy recovery.
Thank you to birdsong for starting the thread for 1 August 2012. Sadly, we won't have these magnificent birds with us for much longer.
Wednesday 01 August 2012.
Thank you toSheilaFE for an excellent summary on the 31/07/2012.
Thank you to Birdsong for starting today's DU 01/08/2012
Cally has now reached the age of 77 days old and Alba has reached the age of 75 days old.
00:01 We start the day off with ENS.
05:48 One of the girls arrives at the nest, very wet. The other can be heard close by . Pictures posted by Birdsong DU page 1.
06:01 Cally and Alba are both on the nest - probably looking for their breakfast. Pictures posted by Birdsong DU page 1.
06:28 Cally flies off and leaves Alba on the nest. Pictures by Birdsong DU page 1.
06:47 Alba takes off leaving an empty nest. Pictures by Birdsong DU page 1.
06:54 Fish 1. Cally and Alba are on the nest. EJ arrives with fish with Cally taking the fish from EJ. Pictures posted by Birdsong and Scylla DU page 1. Scylla also posts avideo DU page 1.
09:04 ENS.
07:28 Fish no 2 arrives with EJ which Alba gladly takes from EJ. Video posted by Scylla and pictures.
08:28 Cally flies off leaving her discarded half eaten fish behind leaving Alba on the nest, puzzled. Pictures by Birdsong DU page 2.
09:01 A half eaten fish is laying on the nest and a crime is now about to happen. Odin flies to the nest and lands - he sees the fish, takes a nibble out of it and without knowing we are watching him he flies off with it! Video and pictures of the fish steal by Scylla DU page 2.
09:27 Mild alarm call, followed by some brief chirping ten minutes later. It quickly stops.
09:56 Odin is on the nest. He starts nestorising and then flaps as he loses his balance when a stick moves under his feet! He glares at the camera briefly - I think he's twigged that sticks aren't necessarily stable to walk on. He flies away, gracefully. Picture and video by Scylla, DU page 3.
11:13 EJ brings Fish no. 3 to the nest - Cally flies in and takes it. After a moment Cally flies off with her fish while EJ finds some remains on the nest and tucks in. She then starts to potter about and moves a few sticks. Pictures by Birdsong, Limpy and SheilaFE: video by Scylla. DU page 4.
11:24 EJ has flown and Alba is now on the nest. Pictures by Birdsong and video by Scylla, DU page 5.
12:10 ENS.
16:36 After four and a half hours of ENS, there's finally a landing on the cam post! In the same minute a juvenile lands on the branch under the nest - is it the same bird? Video by Scylla, DU page 8.
16:58 Odin brings Fish no. 4 to the nest. Alba lands and helps herself. She appears startled when Odin flies off - lovely expression on the nest cam! - a couple of minutes later she flies off with the fish. Video by Scylla, DU page 8.
17:25 Odin is back on the nest, sitting magnificently. He flies off after 5 minutes. Picture by Mims, DU page 9 - video by Scylla, DU page 10.
18:50 One of the girls is on the cam post - she goes after a minute. Picture by Scylla, DU page 10.
18:52 ENS.
21:04 As the sun goes down night rolls in and we still have ENS. Picture by Limpy DU page 11.
21:53 Night cam comes on and all is quiet ENS.
23:59 All is still quiet ENS.
Fish Deliveries today
Fish one EJ 06:54.
Fish two EJ 07:28.
Fish three EJ 11:13.
Fish four Odin 16:58.
Well all, another day comes to a close and we've seen very little of the family throughout the day. Odin must have read my post on the DU today because he finally brought a fish for the first time since Monday! Most unlike him. Maybe he learned of the '400 fish' statistic and went into shock. Perhaps we'll have a livelier day tomorrow.
Many thanks for all posts, pictures and videos - they're all appreciated, and essential. Moffer, if you're reading this, I really hope you feel better soon - it's really quiet without you.