Sad news for the 25 yr old Osprey mom in Scotland, still has chics in nest

[Donna]

Osprey Diary September 4, 2010
Saturday, September 4th, 2010

The fog will burn off. It is quite warm this morn.

On Thursday morning I had the opportunity of going to the base of the tree which provides so much for �our� osprey nest. I tagged along with some electronics people assessing our system of cameras and security. It was my first stroll over.

We walked through some old sessile oak, through reeds taller than ourselves, avoiding muck underfoot. It was not a long hike through the sweet scent of bog myrtle and overstepping wee clusters of sundew  implanted in soft sphagnum. They were awaiting insects for lunch. And then the air opened up to us humans, into a small patch of magical Caledonia forest. Lush green on earth with orange trunks rising high and out above; Scots pine. Only a few hundred years ago Scotland was thus covered. It was a quiet glade below a nest that one could miss if not aware of its’ presence. Light, bright and full of space.

I searched for the remains of fish, for I knew that at least two had flown overboard, out of the nest this breeding season. I was only hopeful, in that I knew that fox or crows would have carried or eaten the free meal long ago. As the expression goes, “not a sausage�. In my search I located only three osprey feathers.

I also looked at an area by the canal that has had otter presence. There is a tall leaning pine which offers a cavity under its’ roots. Badger also could use these places for security. No activity to report. Perhaps the autumn and winter is the time that otter relocate here. Let us hope.

Habitat is crucial. Let us remember that. Rinch


I love how they describe nature.

[MAK]

"I love how they describe nature."    Me too!   

[Donna]

Archive for the ‘Diary 2010’ Category
Osprey Diary September 5, 2010
Sunday, September 5th, 2010

Greying skies and a strengthening breeze are moving the loch about this day. I only had a brief view and noticed only a few waterfowl bobbing. Yesterday we enjoyed a new arrival of wigeon to accompany the many tufted duck, hundreds of Canada geese, great crested grebe and at least three coot. In the sound department (as many have commented), Canada geese, jays, crows and robins (both male and female), honk, screech, caw, and twitter.

When I arrived, a red squirrel tumbled uncontrolably down a high birch  catching itself only a few metres from the ground, ungainly. There was a yellow moth flitting about the observation window. Still plenty of time to pollinate flowers.

It is not a still morning as would appear at first sight.

On the blog; good news and numerous views of pine martin. At evening and early day. Pine martin are active throughout the night prowling about  large territory. Perhaps the visits here are the beginning and end of the nights’ rounds and the young one has found a secure place to rest nearby…We are a happy folk.

The trials of life surely press us. We are a happy folk here. Rinchen

[Donna]

Archive for the ‘Diary 2010’ Category
Wildlife Diary 6 September 2010
Monday, September 6th, 2010

Good morning all, This is Stephen From The loch of the lowes Visitor centre some of you might have heard about me others not. This is my first post on the blog And its great to see how much people care about our scottish wildlife and how much people like interacting with us on the blog and in the VC.

More exciting news here at LoL as a juvenile pine marten was again seen this morning stuffing its face with peanuts. Hopefully with some luck its here to stay and we MAY be able to start to hold some pine marten evenings up at the VC.

The weather has been very windy up here and there have been some nasty clouds approaching menacingly some of the leaves have started to fall from there trees Autumn is very much HERE…

I hope everyone has a excellent day and get those comments pouring in!

Stephen

[Donna]

Wildlife Diary 7 September 2010
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Good Morning all.

Oh what a dreach (horrible) day it is!

High winds and driving rain, not great for wildlife watching but the birds will still be at the feeders but I would imagine all the wildfowl will be hiding in the reed beds on such a horrible day.

I did notice that no one mentioned the pine marten in their comments from last night, Steven is looking back over last nights recording, if he finds anything we will let you know.

Tomorrow Fiona and I will be attending a meeting about our blog and how we progress with it over the coming year. If any of you have any Ideas on what you would like to see on the blog please let me know. We will not be able to implement everything but I think it would be good to get your feedback on this.

Peter

[Donna]

Since the Osprey's have all migrated, the cams are now on the feeders. This Sparrowhawk was caught on one of them. He never did catch anything but he tried.



another feeder visitor.

[MAK]

I never heard of a pine martin. I thought it was a badger or wolverine.

[Donna]

I never heard of a pine martin. I thought it was a badger or wolverine.

That's OK, I thought a Pine Marten was a bird til I googled it!!    :

well it sounds like a bird...purple martin, pine marten

Purple Martin

Pine Marten...what the??

[MAK]

I never heard of a pine martin. I thought it was a badger or wolverine.

That's OK, I thought a Pine Marten was a bird til I googled it!!    :

well it sounds like a bird...purple martin, pine marten

Purple Martin

Pine Marten...what the??

What an adorable face on this little one. Thanks Donna!