Our osprey male is still home alone- waiting patiently for his mate to arrive at Loch of the Lowes. No sign again today of other birds around our shores , but the male has spent almost all day going between the nest and sitting on lookout on flat top tree- a great vantage point. He has also brought a  few sticks to flat top tree, which is probably a sign of frustration ( ospreys often build when they don’t have a mate or family to channel their energy into) , rather than an serious attempt at nest building.

There was a charming visitor to the osprey nest this morning- a tiny Wren sitting on a lower branch, singing its heart out. It is not uncommon for smaller birds to use the massive structure of the osprey nest as cover for their own as the ospreys are no threat to them, and indeed may deter other predators.

We have had questions today about osprey calls audible on the camera, now it is a nice still day. There isn’t a lot of osprey calling going on – what you can sometimes hear is one of our resident thrushes, doing a very good imitation of the ospreys begging or contact call which it has learnt to imitate. If you hear an ‘osprey’ call twice, then another bird song phrase repeated twice, then a different one, then you are hearing a thrush! These wonderful birds are master imitators, but say everything twice!

Lastly a great picture of the male on the nest yesterday – he does look surprised!

Ranger Emma