Scottish Osprey webcam

[Dumpsterkitty]

Just heard a blip about her on NPR morning edition...

[Bobbie Ireland]

Just heard a blip about her on NPR morning edition...

World fame! The BBC has been covering it too. I continue to marvel.

[Bobbie Ireland]

Here's today's report... lots going on there... hope the Lady does not expend all her energy seeing off interlopers...


Afternoon folks,

Here’s today’s news…

Osprey update:

We arrived this morning at 9am to find our resident female at the nest tucking into a large fish. After closer inspection we believe the fish to have been a rainbow trout – these are found in nearby Butterstone Loch and make an excellent meal for an osprey regaining its strength after a 3,000 odd mile migration.

She didn’t hang around for long though, leaving the nest (with fish) at 9:02 for nearly two hours, returning at 10:53. Maybe she just fancied a change of scenery whilst enjoying her ‘breakfast’.

Shortly after returning at 10:55, still carrying half of the fish, our female was joined by an uninvited guest. Another osprey landed on the nest – unringed, so not her partner 7Y, it stood at the edge of the nest whilst our female spread her wings to protect both the nest and the remains of her fish. This behaviour, known as ‘mantling’ is a typical defensive posture for a female osprey defending her nest site, lying somewhere between driving the intruder off and accepting its presence. The stand-off ended at 11:15 when both birds flew off and our resident female quickly returned to re-assert her authority.

The nest site remained quiet over the next few hours until 14:36 when another interloper landed on the branch behind the nest. There were also two other ospreys flying around in the vicinity so at this point we could see four ospreys – the most so far this season.

As with the earlier visitor, the bird on the branch was unringed, so not our female’s partner of last year. Our female repeated her ‘mantling’ display, but then surprisingly at 14:41 flew off, leaving both the remains of her earlier fish and the nest unguarded. The bird on the branch then proceeded to drop down onto the nest before flying off with the fish.

This ‘theft’ was the last action of note with our female returning to the nest minus fish shortly afterwards. Undoubtedly though, this will have been the first of many dramas to unfold over the coming months.

[Donna]

OY..Poor Lady!

[margaret]

OY..Poor Lady!

Donna, is this the same "Lady" osprey that had such a tough time last year, and had to make the long migration?

[Donna]

OY..Poor Lady!

Donna, is this the same "Lady" osprey that had such a tough time last year, and had to make the long migration?

Yes Margaret, the same Lady! She made it.

[margaret]

OY..Poor Lady!

Donna, is this the same "Lady" osprey that had such a tough time last year, and had to make the long migration?

Yes Margaret, the same Lady! She made it.

Thank you, Donna.  Wasn't sure if my memory served me. Aren't birds amazing?  Their strength, fortitude and ability to survive  in desperate conditions is impressive.   As a native Long Islander,  I remember  seeing osprey nests on telephone/light poles all over Shelter Island and Sag Harbor area.  Amazing birds.

[Bobbie Ireland]

Today's update -lookin' good! Yay!


Wildlife Blog 3rd April 2011


Morning all!!

We have more news from the nest this morning:

We can confirm that 7Y has returned!!!

An osprey was seen in the area at around 7.50am this morning and was accepted by our resident female. Mating has been taking place all morning.

At 10am we had a clear image of the green ring bearing the mark 7Y. Here at Loch of the Lowes we are all pleased that last year’s male has returned to take his place for the season ahead. This year the male has arrived 5 days later than our resident female who returned on 28th March at 5.55pm.

We will do our best to keep you all up to date with the events that unfold.

Anna

Perthshire Reserves Seasonal Ranger

[Donna]

SWEET!!! THANKS!!

[jeanne]

Such good news!!!!  Maybe there will be fewer territorial battles since there will be two of them defending the nest!

[Bobbie Ireland]

Such good news!!!!  Maybe there will be fewer territorial battles since there will be two of them defending the nest!

Keep an eye on 'em for me, guys!!

[MAK]

Will do Bobbie and what a difference a day makes! 

[Kris G.]

Wonderful news! 

[DebInTexas]

Excellent news from across the big pond!  So looking forward to a good nesting season for these two.  Thank you so much for the informative updates.
 

[Bobbie Ireland]

Excellent news from across the big pond!  So looking forward to a good nesting season for these two.  Thank you so much for the informative updates.
 

I am completely besotted with them!