August 1
https://www.facebook.com/LochoftheLowes ... DrFLdz8bCl
Good evening folks - after allowing events to unfold over the last few days and doing some camera sleuthing, here is the latest update from the nest.
Female osprey juvenile PF4 continues to be fed by Dad (LM12) on the nest, who is still providing a fish or two despite continued intruder pressure in the wider area. We have observed a dark ringed Scottish female osprey (not NC0), a male LM12 'lookie-likie' and an unringed juvenile, among others keeping his talons full on almost a daily basis.
Female youngster PF4 is quick to grab any fish brought to the nest, although her aim is more often than not on LM12's talons, which has led to some fiesty interactions, with feathers flying and plenty squealing, often resulting in both birds tumbling out of the nest.
Fish focused aggression is pretty common in juveniles who are in a period of food obsession known as hyperphagia. This is crucial in loading up as many calories as possible ahead of their first migration. That said, the challenging hunting conditions this year appear to have triggered an extra level of defensiveness in PF4 this season.
PF5 was being seen regularly hanging out on another location on the reserve, however he has not been seen or heard since his attempt to elicit food from his sister on Friday.
We also are no longer hearing his calls around the reserve, however given he was flying well, and even tried to intrude on the nest from on high later that evening, we can only assume he has left the area to try his fortune elsewhere. It may be that he is managing to get food from LM12 from another location - there was a sighting off reserve of an adult osprey with a fish and a juvenile in hot pursuit on Friday, however there is no way of knowing if this was LM12 and PF5, especially given the high level of intruders in the area.
It could also be that PF5 is trying to develop his own fishing skills, after all hunger is a good motivator. It may even be that he is making a nuisance of himself on other nests, hoping to score a free meal, a behaviour that has been observed on other osprey cams over the years.
Unfortunately, we do not know the full story, and as with NC0 we just have to hope that instinct and a drive to survive will see him through. If we get a sighting of him (or NC0) we will be sure to let folks know.
To end on a high note, after several weeks of belly flopping and flapping, PF4 managed to catch her first fish last night - a wee 'jack pike' which she proudly took back to the nest to eat.
As always we appreciate the the messages of concern regarding the ups and downs of the osprey season, and we again ask for understanding and patience regarding updates from the nest.
(Photo is of PF5 snaffling a fish from LM12 last Monday)
Chris Baker
seira ....nice to see you
