[Mad_BMS]

Well guess we will have to setle for 1 this year. Would be a bit worried at the chances now anyway of competing with the bigger chick. At least we will not have to worry about if the 'little one'' geting enough.

[Trossachs]

Dinner just delivered - spotted a feeding time not long ago too. No wonder the chick is getting so big.

[Cosworthlady]

He's gonna be obese LOL. He's got really large really quick. His doting Mum and Dad think they are feeding 3 bless them. Have the eggs been ousted yet does anyone know?

[Osprey Fan]

Yes, every morning he looks so much bigger than the day before!

The other eggs were still there when he was fed about 20 mins ago.

[Cosworthlady]

Homer is such a great provider. He just keeps them coming. The fish he brought earlier was alive and nearly knocked Bart out but his heart was in the right place. This one is headless LOL.

I'm not sure but I don't think there are any fish farms near LoL is there? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I know Butterstone Loch is a "fishing" loch and its where I actually witnessed an osprey catching a fish right in front of me. It was a fish I was trying to catch but he wanted it more LOL.

[Mad_BMS]

Hi all

Just had the best view of chick being fed that I have had for a few days cannot believe how big he/she has grown. Anyone know what happens with the dud eggs? Do they eventually get thrown out the nest? Noticed on springwatch that their egg that did not hatch was still present.

[Trossachs]

Been at my desk for a while and caught what looked like a similar feed only 90 minutes ago, so unless they have stopped marking the re-run videos, then this is one well-fed chick - no wonder he's growing fast!
Yes I was wondering about those eggs too, as she still seems to be intent on hatching them - think I read somewhere they can actually explode if they don't get thrown out.

[Cosworthlady]

Oh God. I hope they don't explode. The bacteria in them may affect Bart.

He's a wee bloater by the way. Homer and Marge are very attentive and he doesn't go without for long.

[Cosworthlady]

More from the diary

30 May 2008

Well, the weather has yet again taken another turn. We were enjoying the same gorgeous, if slightly cooler, weather as back at the beginning of the month but now it’s like someone’s turned on a giant shower. It’s not all bad because the plants and trees certainly need all this rain. Our ospreys less so…

We still only have one chick, which basically means that there now isn’t much hope for the other two. Not this late on. While it’s a shame that we’re not going to have a full brood this year, it does mean that the chick that is there is going to get a lot of attention from its parents. The chick is growing at quite an incredible rate and has already been described as a “wee bruiser”. It seems very strong and healthy now - not to mention noisy! It would have been better if the weather was more settled and the loch calmer as it would allow the male to carry on bringing in plenty of fish. There isn’t any cause for alarm though becasue the male will still be hunting. The worst the chick is going to fare is to be a little bit hungry and grumpy for a while. Ospreys are fantastic parents, and these two are no exception.

[A CHAPLIN]

Hi Folks,

Looking at how much Bart has grown I don't think missing the odd feed will matter too much, probably do him good, we don't want an obese Osprey chick do we?

Ann
The Osprey Godmother

[Trossachs]

He flopped out at the side of the nest for a while after breakfast but fish still was not finished so after a wee rest feeding has started yet again. Doesn't look as if much chance of him being underfed!

[Cosworthlady]

he's got Mum wrapped around his little ........... er talon?

[Cosworthlady]

Have the eggs gone. I can't see them anymore.

[Trossachs]

Originally Posted by Cosworthlady

Have the eggs gone. I can't see them anymore.

Looks to me like they are still there tucked into the left side? When Bart flops out now he's big enough to cover them though.

[Cosworthlady]

Another intruder trying to get the nest????????????

No male around to help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cosworthlady]

Oh My Goodness. I Want To Help. Wheres Dad!!???????????????????????????

[Cosworthlady]

Heres a short video of the swoop by the intruder and the calm afterwards.

http://www.birdforum.tv/members/acti..._OF_THE_lOWES/

[Cosworthlady]

spoilt brat oops I mean Bart. Having a tantrum. Poor mum.

http://www.birdforum.tv/members/acti..._of_the_Lowes/

[June Atkinson]

Originally Posted by Cosworthlady

spoilt brat oops I mean Bart. Having a tantrum. Poor mum.

http://www.birdforum.tv/members/acti..._of_the_Lowes/

A couple of shots of the TV screen, at about 10,35 this morning. Not exactly sharp focus, but we can see the Adult with the chick. Who christened it Bart - was that you Ann?

[Cosworthlady]

Originally Posted by June Atkinson

A couple of shots of the TV screen, at about 10,35 this morning. Not exactly sharp focus, but we can see the Adult with the chick. Who christened it Bart - was that you Ann?

I confess I did. In my head the parents have always been Marge and Homer :) Each year the chicks have the same name. I know it "humanises" things but hey I'm a sentimental old fool who absolutely loves this pair, especially the female, so for as long as she comes back she will always be Marge. She's unringed so we don't know much about her life pre LoL which is about 18 years ago!!. Homer has a ring on but I couldn't even tell you what it says on it or where he come from. If anybody knows please let me know. I'd love to know.

[Cosworthlady]

Go awol for one day and when I come back all i can see is a wee tubby boy on the nest. When someone says who ate all the pies I know who did it now!! Or maybe its do'nuts, or just fish LOL. He's (I'm guessing he's a he) a wee bruiser.

[A CHAPLIN]

Hi Everybody,

It is 9.20 pm and Homer has just delivered a fish to Marge and she is feeding Bart.

Ann
The Osprey Godmother

[Trossachs]

Originally Posted by Cosworthlady

Go awol for one day and when I come back all i can see is a wee tubby boy on the nest. When someone says who ate all the pies I know who did it now!! Or maybe its do'nuts, or just fish LOL. He's (I'm guessing he's a he) a wee bruiser.

Life is very easy when no siblings to fight with over space or fish, isn't it. Very peaceful on this nest - anythime I check in usually either a dozy well-fed chick being watched over by mum, or feeding time (lots of these!). Although was just rewarded there by a nice wing flex. Keep thinking one of these days he'll get so heavy that he might squash the 2 eggs that are still at the bottom of the nest, but seems very good about avoiding them. She has obviously stopped incubating these now so quite surprised they are still there.

[A CHAPLIN]

Hi Folks,

I wonder if there is any chance of slipping one of EJ's chicks in with Bart as there are 3 little chicks flat out and EJ screaming her head off at Loch Garten, I wonder when Orange last delivered a meal.

If the eggs do remain intact I am sure the team will collect them (maybe if they ring Bart) as I am sure they will want to examine them to try and find out why they did not hatch.

Ann
The Osprey Godmother

[Trossachs]

Ann - they seem to be feeding if you check just now, although I didn't see the fish coming in.