tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775893952343105252024-02-19T03:32:50.000+00:00Aberfoyle osprey diaryDiary of the osprey breeding season at Aberfoyle in the Trossachs.LucyTozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316068569838693901noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-32043404217923411952015-04-30T15:22:00.002+01:002015-04-30T15:22:15.373+01:00The endThis blog is no longer active. For updates, please visit <a href="http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/queen-elizabeth-forest-park/aberfoyle-ospreys">The Aberfoyle Osprey Project</a>. Thanks!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08236280069689323079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-15169026739726530632013-06-10T10:14:00.002+01:002013-06-10T15:40:50.543+01:00Chicks Galore at Aberfoyle!<div class="MsoBodyText3" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New arrivals in the Aberfoyle osprey nest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></span></span><strong>Three osprey chicks</strong> have made an appearance live on camera and are already growing up fast. The first chick hatched on <strong>Thursday 30 May</strong>, bang on the 38 day incubation period. The second chick eventually hatched four days later on <strong>Sunday 2 June</strong>, quickly followed by the third chick on <strong>Tuesday 4 June</strong>.</div>
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The chicks are being cared for by their parents, <strong>Katrine</strong> and <strong>Drunkie</strong>. The female osprey Katrine is nine years old, whilst the age of her mate Drunkie is unknown. Both birds have been named after local lochs where ospreys are regularly spotted fishing.</div>
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Last year this adult pair successfully raised two out of three chicks, so this should mean another good year for the ospreys. Now that the chicks have hatched it’s time to bring in the fish to feed their hungry youngsters! </div>
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The male is living up to his reputation of being excellent at fishing, having recently brought in a huge rainbow trout for the female and chicks to feast on. This year we’re monitoring the types of fish being brought to the nest. To date the majority of the fish has been rainbow trout, followed by perch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hfRiFM5qk4/UbWYFVovGPI/AAAAAAAAABw/b6q71Ui44i4/s1600/Three+peregrine+chicksv+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Our peregrine chicks" border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hfRiFM5qk4/UbWYFVovGPI/AAAAAAAAABw/b6q71Ui44i4/s320/Three+peregrine+chicksv+2.jpg" title="Our peregrine chicks" width="320" yya="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our peregrine chicks</td></tr>
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A peregrine falcon family is also being watched with our cameras. Three chubby peregrine chicks are being fed several times and they’re putting on weight fast. In about 2 weeks time these chicks will fledge.</div>
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We’re getting daily reports from the public of hunting ospreys and peregrines. With hungry mouths to feed, this is your best chance to see these magnificent birds of prey. There’s such an abundance of wildlife within a few minutes walk of the David Marshall Lodge – an assortment of warblers have returned, and close to the Wildlife Hide there are red squirrels, bank voles and a variety of woodland birds.</div>
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LucyTozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316068569838693901noreply@blogger.com1Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.387737000000015530.6592795 -45.696331000000015 81.7033485 36.920856999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-30118573034357734222013-04-22T15:58:00.003+01:002013-04-22T16:19:28.285+01:00Ospreys Return to Aberfoyle as the drama unfoldsAberfoyle’s ospreys have returned to begin a new season, and there have already been clashes over ownership of the birds’ huge nest.
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<span style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Ospreys at the nest" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qH9byawKHD0/UXVO6T10P_I/AAAAAAAAABM/xX_TU11iNIA/s320/vlcsnap-00106.jpg" dua="true" height="180" title="Ospreys at the nest" width="320" /></span>This year’s drama started in early April when the first female returned and quickly found a partner. Together they set about improving the nest, bringing in branches and soft nesting material, while the male regularly brought in fish.<br /><br />But soon the birds’ behaviour changed from being a relaxed couple preparing to start a family, to a pair defending their home from an intruder.</div>
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When the pair on the nest began spreading their wings it became clear they were trying to put off another bird from flying too close. Sure enough a third osprey was spotted a short time later. <br /><br />Overnight the new osprey displaced the original female and it looks like she has now paired up with the male! We’re hoping to identify these birds soon and then we’ll know how old they are and where they were hatched.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>While a momentary calm has now decended, the drama may well not be over. The female should start laying any day now. There's still time for other ospreys to invade and claim the nest and her mate! </div>
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The ospreys can be viewed live inside the Mini-Lodge at <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandStirlingQueenElizabethForestParkAchrayForestDavidMarshallLodgeVisitorCentre">The Lodge Forest Visitor Centre</a> (David Marshall Lodge), which is open 7 days a week from 10am til 5pm.<br />
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LucyTozerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14316068569838693901noreply@blogger.com2Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.387737000000015530.6592795 -45.696331000000015 81.7033485 36.920856999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-25818778628648543212012-08-06T11:44:00.002+01:002012-08-06T11:44:56.583+01:00We have lift off!!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strathard News - July 2012</td></tr>
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As many other osprey sites are reporting both of our osprey chicks have <strong>left the next</strong>. The oldest made their first flight on the <strong>22nd July</strong> and sticking with tradition the next chick left on the <strong>24th July</strong>, 48 hours after the first, exactly the same amount of time between them hatching! </div>
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We have seen both chicks on numerous occasions returning to the nest to receive food from both male and female. It won't be long before all of this years osprey family are on their way to <strong>West Africa</strong> for winter. </div>
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In other news, our ospreys, who are already in celebrities in our eyes, have become local icons by appearing on the front cover the of the <strong>Strathard News</strong>. Regular project updates features in the paper, but it is great to see, this striking images by volunteer Annette Reed making the front cover. </div>Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-17830403834199181012012-07-16T14:13:00.001+01:002012-07-16T16:31:49.621+01:00Introducing Tony and Tia Maria!Well we can confidently say that over the last few weeks the weather has not been great, but on <strong>Friday 13th July</strong> things weren’t looking to bad. Just about the perfect weather to go ringing ospreys. Our three <strong>osprey chicks</strong> had now become two, as due to the menacing weather we have unfortunately lost our youngest chick. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgGMfdyg07VTfBDJsVQ_0_gRINyRgTb_VrOEQRznMbwHmhrwsS9SqZAM6crEUjZoREFLcfbJNYDhFexGmHOoNhM9ycoG3Ky8DsCAVhxXU-bYbUi5DfgE2caq04b9A0_n0hyphenhyphenHsIBhHIgdq/s1600/Gently+does+it!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgGMfdyg07VTfBDJsVQ_0_gRINyRgTb_VrOEQRznMbwHmhrwsS9SqZAM6crEUjZoREFLcfbJNYDhFexGmHOoNhM9ycoG3Ky8DsCAVhxXU-bYbUi5DfgE2caq04b9A0_n0hyphenhyphenHsIBhHIgdq/s400/Gently+does+it!.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gently does it. Both chicks are carefully loaded into a <br />
bag to be lowered down the tree. </td></tr>
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Our chicks were now <strong>six weeks old</strong> and it was time for them to have their individual leg rings fitted. As we climbed the tree the heavens open, fortunately this was short lived so the chicks didn’t get too wet. Once both chicks were lowered to the ground, Dave Anderson (FCS Conservation Manager) was on hand to show how the <strong>leg rings</strong> are fitted to some of our volunteers, who had been specially invited as thanks for all the hard work they put in at <strong>DML</strong>. <br />
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Firstly, two leg rings are fitted, a blue plastic one called a <strong>Darvic</strong>, this year the chicks were fitted with blue ring TM and TN and a metal BTO ring. Both rings will be used in the future to help identify the birds both on migration to <strong>West Africa</strong> and when they hopefully return to the Trossachs in a few years time. Once this is complete the chicks are weighed and measurements taken and this confirmed that we had a boy and a girl! Because of this the volunteers decided that we should call our chicks <strong>Tia Maria and Tony. </strong></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LHqZEXUkMfkv3rfaWmUtI3J78g5vu5-nLvVYuP-fXulL2KPUpFf5AKLeFNot4BIZumpOV4RU_gcQvi33-9JaWfCna_1zR6RTo9yw-F3veDoL9W170sArr_hS-H00Ko5T1g6HxHE0oFf5/s1600/All+Done%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" alt="Tia Maria all done, with both leg rings fitted. " border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LHqZEXUkMfkv3rfaWmUtI3J78g5vu5-nLvVYuP-fXulL2KPUpFf5AKLeFNot4BIZumpOV4RU_gcQvi33-9JaWfCna_1zR6RTo9yw-F3veDoL9W170sArr_hS-H00Ko5T1g6HxHE0oFf5/s400/All+Done%2521.JPG" title="Tia Maria all done, with both leg rings fitted. " width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tia Maria all done, with both leg rings fitted. </td></tr>
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Tony and Tia Maria will fledge once they are <strong>seven weeks old,</strong> when they will begin to build up strength before setting off on migration at about 12 weeks old. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLz-tWsl2djmTNFPKpSs3ka5TpPCJ6rpBsE7c_a2Op87cKLPeyK7CXkne8LfQozeD1TdI1Rlp7iUvkT3jK9wzjzfYGQ7F6_HQ4f021E68upaVSJbQMkWZhkRorW9J1xkHnubIpvX06xDdp/s1600/Introducing+Tia+Maria+and+Tony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" alt="Introducing the 2012 Osprey Chicks - Tony & Tia Maria" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLz-tWsl2djmTNFPKpSs3ka5TpPCJ6rpBsE7c_a2Op87cKLPeyK7CXkne8LfQozeD1TdI1Rlp7iUvkT3jK9wzjzfYGQ7F6_HQ4f021E68upaVSJbQMkWZhkRorW9J1xkHnubIpvX06xDdp/s320/Introducing+Tia+Maria+and+Tony.JPG" title="Introducing the 2012 Osprey Chicks - Tony & Tia Maria" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing the 2012 Osprey Chicks - Tony & Tia Maria</td></tr>
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</div>Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com0Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Duke's Pass, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.38773756.145941 -4.4667010000000005 56.216687 -4.308773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-58732632104963237552012-07-13T09:51:00.000+01:002012-07-16T10:41:14.450+01:00Buzzard is a Go-Go....<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzMDE_aB1R467ByHae4WnusqawRluDeyVmQrfNvrxBua9lLw1Sc-fGFq28tVysmGtbMz6wC5ioJEkzTYc46yQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />For the last few weeks we have watched our single Buzzard chick very quickly grow up and also battle with a range of Scottish weather! The chick which was tagged a few weeks ago as Purple/White 29 was one of a two chicks but unfortunately the second chick died only a few days of hatching. <br /><br />This video clip is the last footage we have of the chick! It looks like Mum is giving it one last clean before it leaves!<br /><br />We wish the chick Good Luck and will hopefully spot it around the Trossachs soon.<br /><br />In other news on Friday 13th, we will be fitting the leg rings to our remaining two osprey chicks. This can be viewed live on camera from the David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre from around 11.30am.<br /><br />For those of you that don’t know we lost out youngest chick last week, we believe due to the wet weather that we have been experiencing over the last few weeks. <br /><br />Also, just to let you know that we are currently experiencing problem with live streaming our HD Osprey camera over the web, so for the time being we are bringing you one of our red squirrel feeders. So why not sit back to a cuppa and see if you can spot on the those red fluffy creatures or maybe even a elusive pine marten! It can be viewed at: <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-8grdef">http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-8grdef</a></div>
</div>Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-38895970409540463312012-05-29T14:10:00.000+01:002012-05-29T14:10:16.174+01:00Chicks galore at David Marshall Lodge Wildlife Watch! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New buzzard chicks head just visible above the nest</td></tr>
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It's all go at the Wildlife Watch at <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/thelodge">David Marshall Lodge</a>. First we had a buzzard chick hatch yesterday and if that wasn't enough, a second appeared today. Not to be outdone, our ospreys also got in on the act with a chick hatching this morning!<br />
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On our live cameras here at DML the osprey mother has been seen giving her new arrival it's first feed with some freshly caught rainbow trout.<br />
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Meanwhile in the buzzard nest, which is in close proximity to the visitor centre, the new family are settling in, mum is female A9 whilst dad who is untagged, is doing a great job bringing in fresh food for his young. It is possible there may be more eggs in the nest as mum is still showing signs of incubating, however we cannot be certain at this time.<br />
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We will keep you updated on the progress of our new arrivals and pictures of the chicks will be available via the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/enjoyscotlandsforests">FC Scotland Facebook page</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.38773756.1724765 -4.407478 56.1901515 -4.3679960000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-3845880838189487492012-05-16T11:00:00.000+01:002012-05-16T11:00:23.466+01:00DML gears up for Wild about the Forest Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDLJHsia2TPulfahaTcKzyCzu2esyZGOXw1ExV8wwpB_CG2EKKItxI2nzca5F8spBq04rVtYW25MGZCDao85I5-4yJwrkf26Dojtu7XINOOE5JVS4eIKFj_IPFXZ60bEtV4HU1E5K2I9N/s1600/Biodiversity_Week_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scottish biodiversity week 2012" border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDLJHsia2TPulfahaTcKzyCzu2esyZGOXw1ExV8wwpB_CG2EKKItxI2nzca5F8spBq04rVtYW25MGZCDao85I5-4yJwrkf26Dojtu7XINOOE5JVS4eIKFj_IPFXZ60bEtV4HU1E5K2I9N/s200/Biodiversity_Week_2012.jpg" title="scottish biodiversity week 2012" width="198" /></a></div>
David Marshall Lodge hosts a fantastic week of events and activities starting this Saturday to celebrate <strong>Scottish Biodiversity Week</strong>.<br />
<br />
The week long showcase entitled <strong>Wild about the Forest Week</strong> will see Forestry Commission Scotland and partners present an action packed array of activities and events to highlight the wild goings on in <strong>Queen Elizabeth Forest Park</strong>.<br />
<br />
As well as week long activities including "<strong>Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels</strong>", the "<strong>Children's Discovery Trail</strong>" and displays from <strong>Great Trossachs Forest</strong> and other local conservation projects within <strong>David Marshall Lodge</strong>, each day will have a themed event taking place in the forest park.<br />
<br />
Monday sees a <strong>Trossachs Water Vole Minibus</strong> tour giving visitors and insight into the reintroduction of these bank dwelling creatures into the forest park. This is followed on Tuesday by "<strong>The Great Trossachs Forest Project</strong>" where visitors will be given the opportunity to find out more about this groundbreaking project.<br />
<br />
The week continues with "<strong>Guide in the Hide</strong>" wildlife activities on Wednesday and Friday, followed by "<strong>The Great Trossachs Minibus Tour</strong>" on Saturday, where visitors will experience stories past, present and future about the woods around <strong>Loch Katrine</strong>.<br />
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This varied programme of events will give visitors with an interest in nature, wildlife, woodlands and the environment a chance to see evidence of the fantastic biodiversity work being undertaken in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the surrounding area.<br />
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For more information, visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/239651592802439/">the event listing on the FC Scotland facebook page</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.38773756.1724765 -4.407478 56.1901515 -4.3679960000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-24354079263156331172012-05-04T11:55:00.001+01:002012-05-04T11:55:08.761+01:00Buzzard Cam now up and running, whilst Ospreys hopeful of chicks <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSWZpuJNp8IPMVpgGTNFpWsUMGePFKJUE90wYpkS3RJl3sfb-OFw03_HRK9HSDUN-KQ3f9-lN-0bI3wOuBXPGkCyxxgDf-cZZ82TgrtsfBgrbZV87WmDv3WjX8Nxs5AU0485QSb2Hs9hA/s1600/vlcsnap-00061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Female buzzard incubating" border="0" height="180" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSWZpuJNp8IPMVpgGTNFpWsUMGePFKJUE90wYpkS3RJl3sfb-OFw03_HRK9HSDUN-KQ3f9-lN-0bI3wOuBXPGkCyxxgDf-cZZ82TgrtsfBgrbZV87WmDv3WjX8Nxs5AU0485QSb2Hs9hA/s320/vlcsnap-00061.jpg" title="Female buzzard incubating" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An image from our buzzard cam showing<br />
the female A9 incubating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Great news from the <span id="goog_2137622016"></span><a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/aberfoyleospreys">Wildlife Watch @ The Lodge<span id="goog_2137622017"></span></a>. We now have the<strong> Buzzard Cam</strong> up and running, beaming fantastic quality images into the viewing area. The buzzards have been busy with the <strong>female A9</strong> now incubating eggs <strong>(see left).</strong><br />
<br />
The <strong>Ospreys</strong> have also been in breeding mode and we have been viewing images of our birds on nest 3 incubating also. All being well we could see the <strong>first chicks of 2012</strong> around the<strong> end of May</strong>, so fingers crossed.<br />
<br />
Not so much happening on our other nests 1 and 2. Although ospreys have been spotted at the nest sites, none have laid claim to them as yet.<br />
<br />
Closer to The Lodge we have had lots of visits from our resident <strong>pine martens</strong> who are more than happy to take advantage of the well stocked squirrel feeders around the visitor centre.<br />
<br />
We hope to get the Osprey Cam up and running shortly to add to the images being viewed from the buzzard cam and we will keep you posted on progress.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8 3SX, UK56.1802828 -4.384103256.1714448 -4.4038442 56.1891208 -4.3643622tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-73519738766006318122012-04-24T09:54:00.001+01:002012-04-24T09:54:40.198+01:00DML celebrates Osprey's return <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRHxBLEiGwUvuRuWgP4Y-FIxa8sdOb9zFTUZ_CwX9KlEjtTVrCiloc6FJLUNQ681C5mGtXsFl1W8mXS-jDv0UYZyN3FZic-vTRumQexmCROAJRCTiodBQ4v6tbpa-lwvE7gfHRCJGfZqe/s1600/1055233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The live Osprey nest viewing room at David Marshall Lodge" border="0" height="132" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRHxBLEiGwUvuRuWgP4Y-FIxa8sdOb9zFTUZ_CwX9KlEjtTVrCiloc6FJLUNQ681C5mGtXsFl1W8mXS-jDv0UYZyN3FZic-vTRumQexmCROAJRCTiodBQ4v6tbpa-lwvE7gfHRCJGfZqe/s200/1055233.jpg" title="The live Osprey nest viewing room at David Marshall Lodge" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The live Osprey nest viewing room <br />
at David Marshall Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />A special event to celebrate the Osprey's Return was held at <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandStirlingQueenElizabethForestParkAchrayForestDavidMarshallLodgeVisitorCentre">David Marshall Lodge</a> last Saturday (21st April). Over 100 people made their way to The Lodge to take part in the day.<br /><br />Experts were on hand to answer questions and provide information about ospreys, whilst our visitors enjoyed a range of activities and competitions including the Osprey Migration Game, Osprey Fishing Challenge, Osprey themed crafts and the Osprey Challenge.<br /><br />Winner of the Osprey Challenge on the day was Evie Yanik-Corbelt who won a copy of Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis.<br /><br />The day gave our Osprey fans a chance to find out more about these facsinating birds of prey and given the recent activity in and around our nest sites so far, we are hopeful of a successful 2012 season.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.38773756.1724765 -4.407478 56.1901515 -4.3679960000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-59632568612829441822012-04-19T13:48:00.002+01:002012-04-19T13:52:55.595+01:00Ospreys beginning to make their appearance known<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAjdStWkVcUAWA21_PAjqsrCZNalj7lEzvSMqt4B0Wx2tD0tQftjetx7IGjWz7XjQicfiXgOyhHJE1tZ_ATKQGpRrQ7cvCFQuKP2smVXb4hVfeCG4lMfs29wPpPvAjcPe8PJSC1STK1GB/s1600/2011308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="male osprey" border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAjdStWkVcUAWA21_PAjqsrCZNalj7lEzvSMqt4B0Wx2tD0tQftjetx7IGjWz7XjQicfiXgOyhHJE1tZ_ATKQGpRrQ7cvCFQuKP2smVXb4hVfeCG4lMfs29wPpPvAjcPe8PJSC1STK1GB/s320/2011308.jpg" title="Male Osprey" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Osprey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We have been studying our three cameras closely here at the <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/aberfoyleospreys">Wildlife Watch</a>, hoping to catch a glimpse of our <strong>Ospreys</strong> to see what they are up to. Although no activity has been noted on camera 2 since the beginning of April, our <strong>Green DX Male</strong> has been spotted on the nest on camera 1 twice in the past week.<br />
<br />
Camera 3 has also seen regular activity with a <strong>Green ringed Female</strong> and an <strong>un-ringed Male</strong> appearing on the nest on a number of occasions. This looks very promising as we have witnessed a number of <strong>mating attempts</strong>. The female spends most of her day on the nest only departing when the male arrives with fish.<br />
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Our <strong>Pine Marten</strong> friends have also been making good use of the squirrel feeders onsite and have been regular visitors this week.<br />
<br />
Good signs and a fair bit of nest activity from our birds. Hopefully we will be seeing a lot more of them in the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.38773756.1724765 -4.407478 56.1901515 -4.3679960000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-41062618863967179762012-04-04T10:16:00.003+01:002012-04-04T11:20:36.207+01:00Osprey's return for 2012 Season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbRJsYbEjTTY9ODxU5L80PRbMHEBw9h5XMBudz2IwgMSkTBiFbk8R8qkmYUMd2D16KEvOQcRcKMdPT2M7HwYeU6xuPQmtBbFheMT-IFd7d2AhdTYY7qmWyh3saFDZj36w00szTOmvMBqs/s1600/2010667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbRJsYbEjTTY9ODxU5L80PRbMHEBw9h5XMBudz2IwgMSkTBiFbk8R8qkmYUMd2D16KEvOQcRcKMdPT2M7HwYeU6xuPQmtBbFheMT-IFd7d2AhdTYY7qmWyh3saFDZj36w00szTOmvMBqs/s200/2010667.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As many of you may have read the <strong>Aberfoyle Osprey season is just about to begin</strong>. This year for the first time ever we are showing three live nests, two of which are being shown through HD. <strong>We have already had ospreys on all three nests</strong> and signs of attempted mating between pairs.<br />
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On nest site 1 (the nest that we have shown in previous years) we have already seen the return of <strong>Red 6A</strong> (our female from 2006 - 2010) who failed to return to the nest at the beginning of the 2011 season, but was seen on site later in the year. She seems to have been <strong>joined by a metal ringed male</strong>, whom we presume is the infamous male from the last few years.<br />
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For those of you that want to follow the action minute by minute we will be tweeting <a href="http://www.twitter.com/aberfoyleosprey">@aberfoyleosprey</a> and also Facebooking at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aberfoyleospreys">www.facebook.com/aberfoyleospreys</a>. We are also hoping to get the webcam link up and running this week, sorry for the delay in this :-)<br />
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Other sightings and live cameras currently on show at the <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandStirlingQueenElizabethForestParkAchrayForestDavidMarshallLodgeVisitorCentre">David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre</a> include <strong>Barn Owls</strong>, <strong>Red Squirrels</strong> and for the last few weeks we have been catching a glimpse of a <strong>Pine Marten</strong>, but we are keeping our eyes fixed on the osprey nests as another season at Aberfoyle begins!<br />Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com2Aberfoyle, Stirling FK8, UK56.181314 -4.38773756.1724765 -4.407478 56.1901515 -4.3679960000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-70684406018432458742012-02-12T11:53:00.003+00:002012-02-12T13:04:09.718+00:00Not Long Now!Believe it or not in just over 2 months our ospreys should be back with us and we will be at the start of a brand new season. The are lots of improvements planned for the David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre and because of this some of our outside areas/car park is currently closed off to visitors. The visitor centre itself though is still open (11<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> - 19<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> & 23rd - 26<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Feb 10am - 4pm and 1st March, open 7 days) and while be eagerly anticipate the arrival of our ospreys we are seeing plenty of Red Squirrels and even a Pine Marten on our feeder cams.<br /><br />There are some new exciting plans this year, which I will tell you more about soon. We were out last week checking that all our ospreys nest had survived some of the harshest winds for many years and while there is odd one or two needing a bit of work, on the whole things aren't looking to bad. All the electrics were also put in last week and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hopefully</span> we will be continuing our change over to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">HD</span>, I'll keep you posted.Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-16311259356468369652011-11-13T12:42:00.002+00:002011-11-13T12:45:57.626+00:00Wildlife Watch goes HD!As some of you may have seen on our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> and Twitter accounts, over the course of the last week we have been fitting out some of our cameras with new <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">HD</span> software!<br /><br />Currently we have Scavenger Cam beaming images via <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">HD</span> and hopefully more camera will be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">swapped</span> over soon. The images that are coming through are superb and I would definitely recommend popping in and checking them out! :-)Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-22024815829401814332011-08-17T12:34:00.002+01:002011-08-17T12:44:01.757+01:00Red Squirrels going global!Hey,
<br />Now that the osprey season is more or less over we have decided to give you a rare insight into red squirrels. As some of you may have noticed the live web link that was on our osprey nest has now changed to one of our squirrel feeders at the David Marshall Lodge. These feeders are very popular with red squirrels with them visiting 10+ times a day, you may also be lucky enough to see a pine marten popping in for a quick snack (on peanuts of course!)
<br />
<br />These feeders are all part of our conservation efforts to monitor the movement of the red and grey squirrels in the forest. Underneath the boxes are two pieces of sticky tape that collects hair samples from whatever is using the box. This allows us to keep an eye on how the red squirrel is doing and protect it from the bigger American grey squirrel.
<br />
<br />Hopefully you will all enjoy this new live link and be able to spot some red squirrels!
<br />
<br /><em>Robert</em>
<br />Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-62737278791417869532011-06-10T16:20:00.004+01:002011-06-10T16:35:29.517+01:00So near yet so far!Hey Folks,<br /><br />As most of you have now guessed the osprey nest has failed again for the 3rd year running. This is a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">disappointment</span> for us all here at the David Marshall Lodge and also many of you who have been following the ospreys closely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">this</span> season.<br /><br />This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">doesn't</span> mean that all is not lost though, we are now hunting the forest high and low for new things to put cameras on and our new Swallow nest cam went in yesterday and will hopefully become stars of the show!<br /><br />Wildlife Watch is still open and will be throughout the season so make sure that you pop in if you are close by!Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-14614837808888525502011-05-31T12:52:00.005+01:002011-05-31T12:59:53.974+01:00Could this be the end?Hi All,<br /><br />As many of you will have seen on our new live web cam our female has not been on the nest incubating her three eggs for the last few days. This comes as a great disappointment to all of us here at the David Marshall Lodge as the eggs were due to start hatching yesterday.<br /><br />We are still unsure of the reasons why the bird has stopped incubating her eggs, but we are fairly confident that it isn't disturbance as both male and female have been spotted on the nest. Unusually though the female is sitting on the side of the nest and every now and again she will touch one the eggs.<br /><br />We are trying to say positive but things aren't looking very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hopeful</span>, but I will keep you all informed.<br /><br /><em>Robert</em>Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-80058632865029410052011-05-25T16:29:00.004+01:002011-05-25T17:10:54.313+01:00Live footage of the nest<strong>UPDATE, 5.10pm</strong> - the camera is live from 10am - 5pm each day.<br /><br />If you take a look at the right hand side of the blog you'll see that our images from the nest are no longer stills - we're now streaming live footage! These cracking pictures are being beamed directly from the osprey nest camera.<br /><br />From 5pm this evening you can also view the nest camera on the main Aberfoyle ospreys website (<a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/aberfoyleospreys">www.forestry.gov.uk/aberfoyleospreys</a>).<br /><br />Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-69600237809574360012011-05-25T15:33:00.003+01:002011-05-25T15:42:26.905+01:00A bit battered but doing fine!Just a quick update to say that after the hurricane strength winds on Monday I am happy to report that our osprey nest and ospreys both stood tight and battled against the winds. Our female is still incubating on the three egss which are due over the weekend. Our male is struggling to fish at the moment due to the ribbles that are being caused by the winds but he is being persistent, which is a good sign!Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-47711361355579762232011-05-23T12:47:00.003+01:002011-05-23T13:25:51.169+01:00It must be love!Well our ospreys are certainly experiencing the Scottish weather today with rain and high speed winds to tackle. It shouldn't be to long now before we start to see the first egg hatching, it will be 37 days on the 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> May ( a week today) since the first egg was laid.<br /><br />I just thought that I would let you know about something that has been happening over the last few weeks on the nest that shows our new osprey pair are defiantly in love....<br /><br />As with any other osprey pair its the male that is doing the fishing while the female is incubating the eggs on the nest. As we would expect the male is bringing the fish in headless having taken his share leaving the rest for the female. Usually what should happen is the female would fly away to eat the rest of the fish, while the male does a little incubation. But this is where our tale takes a twist!<br /><br />Our female is flying off to perch on a nearby tree then bringing back some of the fish to give back to the male, kind of saying "Thanks I've had enough now would you like some more?"! How sweet :-)<br /><br />P.S All 9 blue tit eggs hatched on Thursday and we currently still have 3 barn owl chicks, who are growing rather rapidly!Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-71162614245786139742011-04-30T10:28:00.005+01:002011-04-30T10:34:26.945+01:001st there was one, now there are three!!Just to let you all know that our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">unringed</span> female osprey laid her 3rd egg of the season on Thursday (28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>).<br /><br />If was a year ago this weekend that the nest site suffered from an invasion by another osprey (who is actually this years male) which resulted in the egg being kicked out of the nest. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen again.<br /><br />Both male and female are taking on parental responsibility well, with the male bringing in both fish and taking his turn at incubating the eggs!<br /><br />Don't forget you can watch all the action from the comfort of your home, thanks to our online webcam!<br /><br /><em>Robert</em>Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-72159607740182179962011-04-25T16:35:00.004+01:002011-04-25T16:44:32.848+01:00Eggs for Easter!<em>Hi Folks,</em><br />Hot off the press (or the TV screen!) our female osprey has just laid her 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> egg of the season. It was laid at around 15.30 this afternoon <em>(Monday 25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> April). </em>This is around 60 hours after the first which is normal for ospreys.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Unusually</span> our male bird has taken quite a fancy to incubating the eggs!! This is considered the females role.<br /><br />We will keep you posted over the next few days.<br /><br /><em>Robert</em>Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-39823011386474996532011-04-23T11:18:00.003+01:002011-04-23T11:23:38.831+01:00EGG NUMBER ONE!I can now confirm that our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">unringed</span> female has laid her first egg! It was spotted at 10.17am this morning (Saturday 23rd April). We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">believe</span> it was laid at some point over night. Both male and female have been spotted incubating the egg this morning. We will keep you up to date over the next few days to let you know how things are going! <br /><br />P.S. Also just to let you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">know</span> our Barn Owl has successfully hatched all her five chicks!Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-1026057110074673532011-04-23T10:15:00.004+01:002011-04-23T10:21:57.897+01:00Web cam up and running!Just to let you all know that you can now watch the happenings of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aberfoyle</span> ospreys from the comfort of your home. Our online <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">web cam</span> is know up and running meaning up can keep up to date with the ospreys <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">throughout</span> the season. The camera will take a picture of the nest every 2 minutes between the hours of 10am and 5pm. These will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">automatically</span> upload to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">web page</span>.<br /><br />These images can be viewed at: <a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-72ufv3">http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-72ufv3</a><br /><br />We are hoping that our female will be laying eggs soon, she has been showing signs over the last few days, so fingers crossed not long now!Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-177589395234310525.post-46427612504422335212011-04-18T10:56:00.003+01:002011-04-18T11:06:40.591+01:00Third time lucky for Aberfoyle Nest?As many of you are already aware there has been a highly contested battle for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aberfoyle</span> osprey nest this season. It is only just over 2 weeks since the ospreys returned and we have already had 5 different ospreys on the nest (3 females and 2 males). We currently have a metal ringed male, who was the "trouble maker" last year, who kicked out the eggs at the beginning of May 2010 and a new female who is unusually totally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unringed</span>! This new female has been around since Saturday and things are looking promising. There has been lots of nesting material brought in as well as repeated mating taking place. It is a year ago tomorrow (Tuesday) that we had our first egg last year, so we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">shouldn't</span> have long to wait, fingers crossed!Robert_F-Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08556745878978358946noreply@blogger.com4