Highlights of the action at the Woodland Trust Loch Arkaig Osprey nest in 2020 with many thanks to Woodland Trust from whose livestream I took these clips. All the comedy, drama and tender moments of the #ArkaigOspreys caught on nest cam: camera went live 12th March, Louis returned 5th April followed by Aila the next day 6th April. Three eggs were laid, 23rd, 26th and 29th April - the same dates as the past three years - and all three hatched: 29th May, 1st June and 3rd of June. Those three Osplets grew up safely and were ringed and gender-assessed 2nd July by raptor expert Lewis Pate. In order: JJ6 (male); JJ8 (female); JJ7 (male).
There was huge media interest in the family: the nest appeared on Channel 4 News, BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live, ITV Evening News, Chris Packham's Self-Isolating Bird Club and many online and paper media. About 400,000 people around the world watched during Covid 19 lockdown, and more than 10, 000 voted on names which were revealed on the BBC 13th July as Doddie (JJ6, named for Scotland Rugby captain Doddie Weir); Vera (JJ8, for the late great Dame Vera Lynn); and Captain (JJ7, for the WW2 war hero and fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore).
Louis & Aila have been together since they pair-bonded as young birds in 2017. Now experienced parents, they provided very well for their family, bringing 579 fish to the nest for their young. It's Louis' job to go fishing which he did expertly, providing 553 fish while Aila caught 26 - her main job is to protect the nest. All three chicks ate very well from hatching until they left on migration, mainly brown trout with some flatfish, mackerel, a few Silver Tourists and Arctic Charr, and the odd pike. The nest was visited by invader Ospreys, owls - Aila suffered several owl strikes - crows, songbirds, bats, a Sparrowhawk and a Pine Marten, and red deer grazed nearby.
Doddie (JJ6) fledged 18th July, Vera (JJ8) and Captain (JJ7) on the same day 24th July. As they must, the family left for their winter home in Africa, and were last sighted on the nest: Doddie (JJ6) 15th August; Aila 22nd August; Captain (JJ7) 23rd August; Louis 5th September and Vera (JJ8) 6th September. Thrillingly, and most unusually, Doddie was sighted down in Somerset, positively ID'd through his Davic ring JJ6, the first time ever one of the family has been seen out of the Loch Arkaig area. We wish them fair winds and plenty of fish, and look forward to Louis & Aila's return next April to do it all over again in 2021.
Credits:
Nest cam footage captured from ©Woodland Trust Osprey cam installed by Wildlife Windows, located in Arkaig Community Forest, streaming live 24/7 throughout the nest season, funded by People's Postcode Lottery, wifi provided by Locheilnet. Other footage credited as shown from the ©BBC; ©Channel 4; ©Chris Packham; footage of Loch Arkaig and long lens footage of the trees behind the nest courtesy of nest cam volunteer Liz Bracken; photos of Doddie in Somerset courtesy of nature photographer Nick Dibben; who all retain their copyright.
Thanks:
Liz and Nick for permission to use their work, Woodland Trust's George Anderson for his wise forum moderation, the lovely chatters at WT, RSPB and WWD/O, and of course, Aila & Louis, Doddie, Captain and Vera.
Links:
/ @lizbracken3674 ©Liz Bracken
/ nicdibnick ©Nick Dibben
• Sugar Plum Ospreys: Ai... Sugar Plum Ospreys (Classic Ospreys)
• In the Hall of the Mou... In the Hall of the Mountain Queen (Classic Ospreys)
• The Four Ospreys - Sum... The Four Ospreys - Summer (Classic Ospreys)
• Carnival of the Osprey... Carnival of the Ospreys (Classic Ospreys)
• Classic Ospreys Classic Ospreys playlist
• Loch Arkaig Ospreys 2020 Loch Arkaig Ospreys 2020 playlist
• Loch Arkaig Osprey Cam... WT official highlights 2020
• Talons and tantrums, f... Loch Arkaig nest season highlights 2019
Music links (all performances used here are Royalty-free with re-use allowed under Creative Commons):
• Dance Of The Sugar Plu... (Sugar Plum Ospreys)
• "In The Hall Of The Mo... (Mountain Queen)
• Classical - Antonio Vi... (Four Ospreys - Summer)
• ♬ Camille Saint-Saëns ... (Carnival of the Ospreys)
If you've enjoyed the antics of the Arkaig Osprey family, please consider becoming a member of the Woodland Trust or donating to help preserve the Ospreys' home in Arkaig Community Forest, any amount will be put to very good use:
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/supp...
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/supp... membership
Disclaimer: My youtube channel isn't monetised, I make no profit from my video clips of Woodland Trust's nest cam and comply with Woodland Trust terms & conditions. I'm a member of the Woodland Trust but not affiliated with them, just a private individual who enjoys following Aila & Louis and their family.