Osprey Update!

Well the Aberfoyle osprey season is nearly over for another year and what a season it has been!
We do now believe that both our unknown female bird and also Red 6A has started making their way south for the winter. Our chicks Fred, Ozzy and Jemima don't look far off, with us expecting them to start making their way south in the next few days.

Just to let you all know even though we are at the end of the osprey season it doesn't mean that you cant pop in and see us. The David Marshall Lodge is open throughout winter with opening times as follows; September and October 10am-5pm and November and December 10am -4pm. You will be able to catch up on all the action from the 2010 osprey season as well as see live cameras on Red Squirrels, Birds feeders and much more!

Ospreys Are A Go!

In the last week all of our ospreys have made their first flights off the nest. The first (read earlier blog post) on the 17th July followed by the other 2 at some point over the last week. We nearly didn't know about this as we believe that as one of the ospreys chicks made its first leap it landed on top of the camera causing the camera to tilt meaning it was recording the ground. A mission rescue had to be launched on Friday 23rd July to allow us to see pictures of the nest again. All 3 chicks have been seen back on the nest feeding
We never thought that we would see this moment, with the live nest failing early on in the season. But we have battled through and the season has been very successfull!

We have lift off!

On Saturday 17th July our oldest osprey chick took its first flight off the nest. It had been doing a lot of flapping and walking very close the edge of the nest most of the day before making its first flight.

Both of the other chicks are preparing for their 1st flight with lots of flapping action taking place. The other chicks are expected to take their first flights in the next few days!

Osprey Chicks are Named!

After many weeks of waiting, today is finally the day when we would discover the name of our three osprey chicks. With over 250 entries, competition was though but the judges decision is final and the winners are.........................

• Ozzy
• Jemima
• Fred

Ozzy had been a popular choice this year so there was no surprise when it was pulled out of the hat. There had been many other suggestions and one of the most bazaar ones was Cheryl Cole.

All of the chicks are growing well and we expect them to be making their first flight in a matter of weeks!

Osprey Chicks are ringed!

Earlier this week our 3 osprey chicks were ringed. The have been ringed Dark Blue HV, HW and HY. After weighing the chicks and seeing them at close hand we believe that we have 2 males and a female. The closing date for the naming competition is today (9th July) so by early next week our chicks should all have names.

All of the 3 chicks are growing rapidly mainly due to the amount of fish that our male osprey is bringing in! They are not long now off making there first flight. They are now old enough to be able to feed themselves as was seen this morning when one of our chicks was seen trying to swallow a fish tail whole!!

The Carm After The Storm!

After a roller coaster of a ride for the Aberfoyle ospreys I am proud to say that everything seems to be back on track. All 3 chicks are growing well and proud mum and dad are both working well mum protecting the chicks on the nest, while dad is away fishing.

Now that the chicks have hatched, we are currently running a competition to name them, ideas are coming in think and fast, why not pop up to the David Marshall Lodge to give us your suggestions!

3RD EGG HAS HATCHED!

Today I am reporting something that I never thought I would be saying this season. Our 3rd osprey egg has HATCHED! It was discovered this morning so we believe it hatched at some point over the weekend! Mother and chicks all seem to be doing well.

We are going to be running a competition to name this years chicks, so watch this space for details!